Next week I’m going to be setting out on what I hope will be an intriguing, occasionally dry, nine-day, two-wheeled, Guinness-inspired, random solo camping exploration of the Counties of Wexford and Waterford in beautiful Southern Ireland.

Unlike my long and sweltering trip down the US East Coast last summer, I have no obvious purpose for this short adventure except to simply see what happens, and maybe even make it as far as County Cork. That’s not quite true, in fact. I do have another purpose: I want to go somewhere that’s full of independent campgrounds who welcome bikers and hikers with open arms, and charges them exactly what a small patch of grass and a shower should cost – i.e. not that much. I feel in need of reassuring both myself and all of you that this kind of travel is still possible, after the crazy mixed bag of camping I experienced whilst crossing America.

The Route

Ireland is criss-crossed with wonderful cycle routes, from the pan-European ‘Eurovelo 1’ to the 2,500km Wild Atlantic Way via local greenways and trails, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I ended up riding along quite a few of them, at least for bit. The only solid plan is that the route will start at the ferry in Rosslare, head west, and end up back at the ferry.

There will be pubs, maybe even some music, there will be rugged coastlines, there will be ferries, picturesque villages and cows & sheep & fields & rain, in fact there will be travel and there will be incidents, which is what this blog is all about.

No Beer ‘Til You’re Done

Ever since a memorable evening in an Irish pub in St John’s on Newfoundland several years ago (see below), I’ve marked the end of all my longer rides with a pint of stout and a glass of Jameson’s Irish Whiskey. I did the same in Florida with my brother Oliver last summer (also below, centre). This trip could be a temptation to celebrate in a similar way, but on a more regular basis. We’ll just have to see how my stamina holds up. Can I stick to my golden rule, ‘No beer ’til your done’?

More News

Meanwhile I can tell you that I am well underway with the project of turning last summer’s USA trip into my second travel book. So far I’ve only reached New Jersey, which is about halfway, so I’m thinking that this book could turn into a bit of an epic…more news right here, as and when.

Stay Tuned

You’ll be getting regular updates once I’m on the road – my ferry is booked for Wednesday – complete with photos of rain streaming down cafe windows and stories of the people and the places along the way, and of life as seen from the saddle. I can’t wait to welcome you all along!