Day 2: Kilarney to Kilkee

Today is my favourite Day!
Described as forgiving, 134km Weather beautiful and included a ferry ride.
A long night but bounced back that morning with porridge demanded that is the fuel of choice, I learnt you sometimes have to ask for it. Jackie Healy Rae was there to send us on the way and a Garda escort to get us out of the town. I have to admit after yesterdays climbs my left knee was in trouble. The first 20minutes were a struggle I honestly thought I was going to be in a van in minutes. All I was thinking was shite, if I get in a van how can I get home. Then I thought of all the things Donal spoke about the previous night and how everyday is a challenge in my mind for him but how adapted and strong he was about it, it gave me the lift I needed. Just thinking about the guys on the tandems was all I needed for the boost. Lunch was about 25km from the Tarbet ferry. Post lunch although not a tough ride I was feeling it again. The spirit of the group found me in the form of Mary O'Connor who held herself back and rode all along with me telling me of her adventure climbs and other cycles. She knew what she was doing and before we knew it we arrived in Tarbert. Down for the 3pm ferry. Just the rest I needed. I laydown on the middle of the ferry and it was great to let the muscles rest. I dropped off and woke up to others all around me freezing. I knew from the map that it wasn't that far. I got going right after the ferry and got cruising back to the level I loved, a solid 30km/hour. It was as Malcolm had described completely undulating. I can handle this I thought. 5km from the end I was feeling the burn but the adrenaline would carry me home to the Ocean Cove Hotel in Kilkee. Straight to the room for a long bath. Exhausted but I knew now I could make it and that rolling in in the first group wasn't important.
Kilkee was a heavy night, at this stage no odds were being given on the menus. Veggie soup, chicken/turkey or beef or salmon. Still I would have savaged road kill after those long rides.Tonight I got to meet Thomas, visually impaired musician and bright guy from Castlebar.
The back was broken, or so I thought and hockey ed into the pints. Thomas got his singing voice out and his fiddle and the party got going. It was late. But sure he would be my inspiration for tomorrow. At least I knew the roads, was that a good thing or a bad thing? Only another few hours sleep would let me find out.