An Cosantóir

28 | Travels with Surly C BY LT COL MICK DOLAN (CHIEF INSTR & EO UNTSI) ycle touring is to cycle-racing, what Caravanning is to Car Rally- ing; it's a leisure pastime where the object is enjoyment - not pain. There are three main types - credit card touring where the rider travels light and fast, supported tours where the gear is car- ried by support vehicles and fully-loaded touring, my preference, where the tent, sleeping, clothes and cooker are car- ried on the bicycle. The latter requires a strong machine but delivers the ulti- mate in freedom. In 2010, I purchased, through the marvellous Cycle to Work Scheme, a Touring bicycle. I admit that I really hadn't a clue what the difference between it and a racing bike was - save that the frame was steel and all the information from the internet indicated that it was something of a willing beast of burden. I can now see the attributes - the steel frame can accommodate racks front and back from which panniers can be hung. The gearing is that of a moun- (apologies to John Steinbeck) tain bike and the tyres are the same as a city bike. The geometry is more relaxed than the road bikes, giving it a more stable feel on the road. It's more like a Range Rover than a Ferrari. When I began the organisation of the Pillar to Post Challenge in 2010, I hoped I would attract some of those who had bought bicycles on the Cycle to Work Scheme and might now be ready to expand their horizons. What I got - in reality - was a lot of lycra and testos- terone accompanied by a great deal of fitness and enthusiasm. I still have hopes of promoting cycle touring within the Defence Forces and with this in mind, I approached the editorial staff in An Cosantóir with the idea of doing a series of Cycle Routes - modelled on the walk routes in the Irish Times 'Go' magazine. I would hope that these routes might entice readers on to the roads. Ireland is better served than most countries in terms of road surfaces and vehicle density - though to hear commentary it would be thought that the cyclist risks life and limb at every turn. The routes I will cover here will be suitable for touring bicycles - with varying levels of fitness required. I will have cycled all of them. A few ground rules - the routes are not training spins for Athletes, tri-athletes, mountain-bikers or time-trialists. They are based on the idea that some riders want to see more than the rear wheel of the bike in front. They are of varying distances but generally can be enjoyed at about an average speed of 15mph. I would suggest that breaks should be factored in every two hours or 50k - unless areas of interest require more frequent stops. This is an opportunity to smell the coffee - and drink it too. I'll try to include routes from all over and would appreciate route suggestions of which would appeal to the leisure tourist for inclusion here. I have deliberately chosen a relatively easy route for openers. Howth Head from the Phoenix Park and back is a distance of about 50k so should take two hours exclud- ing stops. Take your time, its ideal for a Saturday when there is a farmer's market in Howth. The route along North Circular Road, on to the Bal- lybough Road and out through Fair- view is well-served with cycle lanes. But stop off along the way to say hello to Brendan Behan on the Royal Canal just off Dorset St. An Cosantóir October 2011

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