newbie + 2 weeks in NI. Need some advice :)

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Firstly I'd like to say hi to all the forum members :) I've been browsing the threads here for a couple months & have learned a lot. Barring any paperwork problems (long story), I'll be arriving in Belfast on Sep 25 & will be cycling around N.Ireland for a couple weeks. I've never done anything like this in my life, & am beginning to suspect I may be having a mid-life crisis. But that is another topic altogether...Anyway, I have a few questions for the experienced touring riders. I apologize if any questions border the ridiculous:

1.> I plan to see as much of the country as possible. Belfast > Ballycastle/Rathlin Island > Derry > Strabane > Omagh > Kesh > Ballyshannon > Enniskillen > Armagh > Newry > Kilkeel > Newcastle > Downpatrick > Portaferry > Bangor > Belfast. Is this route possible over 14 days? I am in pretty good riding shape & have been "training" all summer. 100km/day is doable if I had to. Should I take 3 weeks instead?

2.> Should I take my Trek 4000 mtn bike or rent a bike from Irondonkey (http://www.irondonkey.com/bicycles.php (http://www.irondonkey.com/bicycles.php))?

3.> Can anyone advise me how to accurately journal my travels? For example, when I get back home to Canada & I develop my photos, I might find pictures of say 10 different castles. How can I know the "what/where" of each said castle? Would you suggest I keep a record of events for each day, like a diary or something? Is there a better system that anyone can share?

4.> Are the roads going to be safe? I have ordered the Northern Ireland Map Pack (http://www.sustransshop.co.uk/index.php?f=itemdetl.php&p=nnp03 (http://www.sustransshop.co.uk/index.php?f=itemdetl.php&p=nnp03)) from Sustrans, but have yet to receive it.

5.> Is the tap water safe to drink?

6.> Should I splurge for "real" rain gear (i.e., the expensive stuff), or can I get away with a windbreaker & similar for pants? I will be bringing my own shoes/SPD pedals if I rent a bike.

7.> I plan to stay at B&B's or any other form of cheap accommodation. However, I'm concerned that for whatever reason I may find myself caught "between towns" overnight. Then what? Should I pack a sleeping bag or should I just take extra care this does not happen?

8.> Will GBP1000 be enough to last me 2 weeks? If so, how 'bout 3 weeks? I understand this is a very vague question as there are many details unknown. Either way I plan to travel with a "minimalist mindset".

9.> What do I do with all the gear on my bike when I want to drop in to a pub for a drink or visit a museum for example? My "life" will be in those panniers. Do I just lock up my bike & hope the contents of my panniers are still there when I get back? Should I haul the panniers in with me? What would you do?

10.> Any suggestions on what I should pack? I have the obvious stuff (first aid, flashlight, extra water, multi-tool, etc). I guess I’m just a little concerened I might overpack for the trip & end up cursing myself for bring 3 pairs of shoes, etc.

11.> Am I utterly insane for doing this?

I'm not going to be much help in most of those questions, but i'll throw in an opinion anyway!

1. When you say you're going to see as mush of the country as possible, do you mean Northern Ireland, or Ireland as a whole? If just N. Ireland, then 2 weeks should sufice. It's a small enough area. If the whole country, then you may need more time.

2. You haven't said where you're coming from, but if it's America, or such a place, then you may look at the cost of getting the bike to and from Ireland. You may work out the cost, inconvience etc, and make a judgement call. Personally, i'd prefer my own bike if possible.

3. Have you tried using an account like bebo, or myspace? You can start an online journal, and upload your pictures every day online. There's internet access all over Ireland, so getting access shouldnt be a problem. Also, most, if not all, internet cafe's will have scanners, copiers etc

4. Havent a clue. The roads themselves are in better condition in the North than the South, but if the drivers are consistent, they're mostly alright, but you get the odd boy racer etc. Care is needed, but thats just common sense. Ireland (the south anyway) is getting its act together when it comes to cyclepaths in major towns.

5. Fairly safe. but if in ANY doubt, stick to the bottled stuff. It all would depend on where your getting it from.

6. The weather should be alright (but this is Ireland after all, so who knows!), so theres no need to waste money on things you may not need. If theres an avalanche of rain when you arrive, i'm sure a quick purchase in Ireland will be fine.

7. Northern Irelands very small you know. If you have the adventure planned well (which you seem to), then being caught between towns shouldnt arise.

8. As you said, this is hard to answer. But it sounds plenty. But theres no harm carrying a credit card for those unforeseen events!

9. Well, i definetly wouldnt trust the kindness of EVERY person in the country! If theres an unlocked bike, it only takes one p**** to ruin a holiday. Buy a good luck, its a deterent, but not the answer. I'd have a word with the owners/bar staff in the pubs, tell them u have a bike, and they may allow you to stick in around the back of the premises or something, out of harms way. If not, i'd make sure all my possessions were closeby, and within eyeshot.

10. When it comes to packing, i always find the most important things are passport, and money. If you forgot anything essential, you can buy it!

11. Definetly NOT! Don't be thinking so much about what could go wrong! The little problems that arise are just part of the trip!

Enjoy Ireland!

Hey trucker,

thanks for the reply & words of encouragement. I plan to stay only in N.Ireland. The Republic can wait for my next jaunt across the Atlantic :) Thanks also for the 'myspace' suggestion. I have already setup shop on Microsoft's Live Spaces, & think that will really help out with journalling my travels.

Having all my belongings in panniers is really going to have me in knots when I want to lock up the bike to roam around town. I want to have some freedom/mobility to hit a pub or do some adventure sight seeing away from the bike, but leaving all my gear...

I can see the dilemna there. The only thing i could suggest is maybe book into a B&B, leave your stuff there, then go to the pub/sightseeing etc. But it's just one small problem, that can be overcome. Bringing a bike has many more advantages than disadvantages!

Like Trucker, I can only really speak for the Southern Counties, but I would suggest that, if you are in the more rural parts, i.e. small towns/villages, and between overnight stops, then in whatever pub/cafe you decide to stop in for food, water, coffee etc. simply ask (nicely!) if they would have somewhere safe to keep your bike and gear for a little while.

Most places would be only too happy to find a spot out the back where you can park your bike safely while you have a wander about. Just don't have too many pints and forget where it was you left it!!

Hope you have a great trip :)

Arthur, I've just read your post in more detail and can probably answer a couple more of your questions.

6. Rain Gear. You can expect rain, this is Ireland in September/October. You would be extremely lucky to avoid it and the chances are you'll see a lot of it! At the very least I'd recommend you bring a cycling poncho/cape with you. It would be easier than trying to dry your gear out overnight.

7. Visit here http://www.aaireland.ie/routes/ You'll get an idea of distance between towns and villages, but I wouldnt recommend you follow it religiously as it tends to send you back onto main roads wherever possible. That said, you shouldn't ever find yourself too far from a B&B.

8. Money. B&B's are going to set you back about £25/30 per night on average for single occupancy, so that's a sizeable chunk of your £1000 gone on sleep and breakfast for 14 nights. Hostels would be cheaper, and a google search might serve you best here.
For daily expenditure, I'd suggest you visit www.tesco.com (http://www.tesco.com/) and do an average daily shopping list for yourself. Bear in mind though, most local/rural shops are going to be 20/25% more expensive than this. (but they don't have online shopping!). At least you'll get an indication of the cost of stuff.

11. Insane? Utterly insane no, a little insane definitely!! But then, it would be a very boring world without a little insanity! For a little perspective, my in-laws are in India half way through cycling from here to Australia as I write this!

Again, have a great trip :)

They weren't featured on some news programmes over the summer months were they Peadar!? Cos i saw an item about people planning on cycling to Australia! Madness!

Must have been them, they were featured on TV3 news before they left and the Ray D'Arcy show on Today FM are following their progress and speaking to them every couple of weeks. They have a website which is updated every time they can get access to a computer and internet... http://www.salthill2sydney.com

Have a look, it makes interesting reading!

As a belfast cyclist, preparing for my first "proper" touring experience.....1500kms along australia's east coast, i am learning everyday, and this forum is great for picking up tips.
The route you suggest is doable in 2 weeks, and you can cut back towards belfast if the going gets tough or you find you want to stay a little longer in any one place. The sustrans routes, mostly cover exsisting roads, as well as canal paths, etc. but an ordance survey map is best, and can be picked up in most bookstores. Plenty of b&b's enroute, as well as hostels. Lonely planet ireland may have a list. You will not go more than 20miles(and thats an upper limit, without a settlement of some type, shop, etc. This is a small place! Tap water is fine and in most cases lovely....
Don't leave you panniers or bike exposed.....especially in populated areas and cities.....use judgement...its like anywhere....thieving bastards will take anything for the sake of it, even though they don't know what you have. in most rural pubs, etc, bring the bike inside the bar or leave it out back...should be safe, and anyone seen contemplating stealing it, should get chased off. But use caution....scumbags tend to look the same the world over. genuine people are in the majority all over ireland and if you feel taken aback by friendly advice and offers of help, don't be....they are in almost all cases, genuine...not trying to scam you, as can be the case in other parts of the world. Ireland is expensive, compared to Canada, but for 2 weeks, it depends on how you want to live, which will dictate you budget. important costs ..pint of guinness £2.50ish...everything else is relative. Enjoy your trip, and any other advice i can give, let me know.

Uinseann

Everyone, thanks for all your help. You've helped me a lot with your informative posts. I can't wait to leave!

Let us know how it goes! Have fun.