Pictures of my End to End cycle run. IOM that is.
Posted: 14 May 2008, 10:48pm
Here are my pics taken on Tuesday. I shall add, my camera was playing up a bit, and I ran out of batteries on the journey back to Douglas, but that bit is just a road and boring anyway.
I set off at 10am and my intention was to cycle to the SOund. The Sound is a channel of fast flowing sea between the most southern tip of the island and the Calf. The Calf is another much smaller island about 1.5 square miles in size. It used to be inhabited, but now is host to wildlife - sea birds mostly.
Then after getting to the Sound, travelling towards Douglas the capital. Chas and I both work there, so I wanted to meet Chas who had the van wiht him, so I could cadge a lift home.
Trip took me though Ballaugh on the TT course, to Ballacraine, at Ballacraine I stepped off the TT course and followed the road south through Foxdale and up the Slock road, this is a road up South Barrule. Its very steep, but well worth the view, and a fantastic ride for about 3miles down the otherside. It was breathtaking in more than one sense.
This pic was taken as I took a drink stop coming out of Foxdale, it was very steep and went on and on and on... But the pic looks very flat, so the whole ... 'arent you impressed' is totally lost!
This is part of the Slock Road, it goes up the side of South Barrule. Wonder views, rubbish pics as camera was being naughty.
Foxdale mines, Foxdale used to mine lead. Now all disused of course, but nice to see a bit of history.
This road is down on the downhill section, if you look carefully you can see the fine light line that is the road as it meanders left and steeply downhill. AH this bit was great, down hill for at least 3 miles or more.
More southern views down the Slock road.
Travelled down to Port Erin. Now its been a good few years since Ive been in Port Erin... it has sadly decade somewhat and seemed to be full of empty old shops. A real shame, as it once was one of the highlights of a day out was a trip to Port Erin. It has a wonderful empty sandy beach, nice and flat and safe for kiddies as its in a bay.
Pic of Port Erin beach. Nice and holiday looking, empty sadly, everyone at work I suppose. (cept me...
)
Then off out of Port Erin, up the biggest hill Ive encountered so far, at least a 14% maybe more, it was single track and I had no choice but to walk this bit, and it was MEGGA even walking. I had to take a rest at the top.
The Climb out of Port Erin, on way to the SOund at last... boy this part was hardest to do. About a mile maybe more walking up a steep steep road.
Once at the top, I took a short detour to Cregneish village, home of the best home made food and home made cakes and high teas anywhere on the island! (I thought it would be closed as it was mid-week, so I ate in a bad place instead ;(. )
Cregneish village.
More of Cregneish, best ever tea room at Cregneish.
Then downhill fast to the Sound. There is a new cafe there. Very nice, a bit modern for me. FILLED to the gunnals with folk. (I was the very very youngest one there! Made a nice change).
Food in the cafe was what I call motorway quality, but well presented, and the views were stunning.
and finally....
The SOund and the Calf.
Then slog up to Cregneish again, and this time onto Port St Mary. I was amazed that I managed to cycle the entire bit of this hill. Granny gear all the way, but managing a steady 5-6mph, and it was STEEP.
Then off to Port St Mary. A much richer little village/town I think than Port Erin. a Lovely beach again. Then onward to Castletown, our old Capital, and finally to Douglas.
Whole trip from home - SOund - Douglas was 47.3 miles. Time taken 10am - 4pm inclusive of all stops and breaks. I was pleased considering everything. Pity about the feeling pooped bit at the end, but its all a learning curve.
IN all it was a fabulous trip, I really enjoyed it. Legs today felt the stairs at work, but nothing much. Neck a bit stiff, but OK. Felt thirsty all day and drank.
Hope to meet some of you guys here one day!
Mary
I set off at 10am and my intention was to cycle to the SOund. The Sound is a channel of fast flowing sea between the most southern tip of the island and the Calf. The Calf is another much smaller island about 1.5 square miles in size. It used to be inhabited, but now is host to wildlife - sea birds mostly.
Then after getting to the Sound, travelling towards Douglas the capital. Chas and I both work there, so I wanted to meet Chas who had the van wiht him, so I could cadge a lift home.
Trip took me though Ballaugh on the TT course, to Ballacraine, at Ballacraine I stepped off the TT course and followed the road south through Foxdale and up the Slock road, this is a road up South Barrule. Its very steep, but well worth the view, and a fantastic ride for about 3miles down the otherside. It was breathtaking in more than one sense.
This pic was taken as I took a drink stop coming out of Foxdale, it was very steep and went on and on and on... But the pic looks very flat, so the whole ... 'arent you impressed' is totally lost!
This is part of the Slock Road, it goes up the side of South Barrule. Wonder views, rubbish pics as camera was being naughty.
Foxdale mines, Foxdale used to mine lead. Now all disused of course, but nice to see a bit of history.
This road is down on the downhill section, if you look carefully you can see the fine light line that is the road as it meanders left and steeply downhill. AH this bit was great, down hill for at least 3 miles or more.
More southern views down the Slock road.
Travelled down to Port Erin. Now its been a good few years since Ive been in Port Erin... it has sadly decade somewhat and seemed to be full of empty old shops. A real shame, as it once was one of the highlights of a day out was a trip to Port Erin. It has a wonderful empty sandy beach, nice and flat and safe for kiddies as its in a bay.
Pic of Port Erin beach. Nice and holiday looking, empty sadly, everyone at work I suppose. (cept me...
)
Then off out of Port Erin, up the biggest hill Ive encountered so far, at least a 14% maybe more, it was single track and I had no choice but to walk this bit, and it was MEGGA even walking. I had to take a rest at the top.
The Climb out of Port Erin, on way to the SOund at last... boy this part was hardest to do. About a mile maybe more walking up a steep steep road.
Once at the top, I took a short detour to Cregneish village, home of the best home made food and home made cakes and high teas anywhere on the island! (I thought it would be closed as it was mid-week, so I ate in a bad place instead ;(. )
Cregneish village.
More of Cregneish, best ever tea room at Cregneish.
Then downhill fast to the Sound. There is a new cafe there. Very nice, a bit modern for me. FILLED to the gunnals with folk. (I was the very very youngest one there! Made a nice change).
Food in the cafe was what I call motorway quality, but well presented, and the views were stunning.
and finally....
The SOund and the Calf.
Then slog up to Cregneish again, and this time onto Port St Mary. I was amazed that I managed to cycle the entire bit of this hill. Granny gear all the way, but managing a steady 5-6mph, and it was STEEP.
Then off to Port St Mary. A much richer little village/town I think than Port Erin. a Lovely beach again. Then onward to Castletown, our old Capital, and finally to Douglas.
Whole trip from home - SOund - Douglas was 47.3 miles. Time taken 10am - 4pm inclusive of all stops and breaks. I was pleased considering everything. Pity about the feeling pooped bit at the end, but its all a learning curve.
IN all it was a fabulous trip, I really enjoyed it. Legs today felt the stairs at work, but nothing much. Neck a bit stiff, but OK. Felt thirsty all day and drank.
Hope to meet some of you guys here one day!
Mary
Two wheels, but megga fast! (one way over mountain too - even faster - hair-swept-back-with-buldging-wind-filled-chops-emotion).