It’s a couple of weeks into this 90km ‘Tour de Picnic’ malarkey and things are going pretty well even if I didn’t get any real-time on the bike last week due to two broken pedals. It provided the perfect opportunity to get some sponsorship in, it’s about raising funds for Temple Street Children’s Hospital after all. Sponsorship has gone very well since the last time with the total amount received up to an impressive €327 – Thanks to everyone, you know who you are. If you would like to sponsor you can go to my charity page.

I managed to get out on the bike this week with the express purpose of increasing from two weeks ago’s 36km inaugural cycle. I kind of had a plan as I left Newbridge the back way once more through Barretstown and Tankards Garden heading towards Naas. Instead of heading into Naas I turned off at Jigginstown House towards Kilcullen in an attempt to cover some of the actual ‘tour’ which will pass this way.

Jigginstown Castle still not finished since the 1600s

It’s nice picturesque countryside scenery with a token thatched cottage for the tourists but most importantly it’s not as flat as the last route which is not as pleasant but a necessity I guess. I felt good coming into Kilcullen passing the home of Dan Donnelly‘s arm, The Hideout Pub, heading towards the famous Curragh of Kildare where many a song has been written and sung about which baffles me.

John, Paul, George & Ringo

Coming through the Curragh I was passing the 30km mark but still had a bit to go if I intended on out doing the last time so I headed past the racecourse, Moorefield GAA and towards Pollardstown fen aiming to make it past 40km at least. I have cycled this route many times and it’s nice and quiet with little traffic and very nice views of Kildare and the fen are fantastic out this way but it became more of a chore now, but I was on the final stretch now, heading through Milltown and home through Roseberry. A productive day all in all, completing 45km reasonably comfortably but god help me next week when I’m gonna have to up it again.

I got through three full albums on the journey and none better than Julian Casablancas Phazes for the Young, it’s been played A LOT since his storming set at Oxegen a few weeks ago – If you haven’t heard it yet make sure and get a copy, enjoy!

Julian Casablancas – Out of the Blue