Day 9

The Route

                A    The Cottage

                B    Ennis

                C    Killaloe

                D    Nenagh

                E    Thurles

                F    Port Laoise

                G    Dublin

                Distance 170 miles (275 km)

“What a wasted journey, there is no garage there.” I said.

“Now what will you do?” Mo asked.

“I will have to ring my breakdown Insurance.” I replied. It was now six thirty which didn’t leave me with a lot of time to spare. I rang the breakdown service, explaining my situation and that I was due on the ferry that sailed at just before nine that evening. The operator was very helpful, saying she could arrange for someone to come out and repair the tyre. She said she would ring me back with the details once they where sorted out. Mo decided that she would go and find somewhere were she could change out of her bike gear ready for her flight home.  I stood there and waited for the return phone call.

Extract from the book 'The Land of Diddeley Dee'

Tiny's Top Tips

1. Have a puncture repair kit handy when travelling on the bike.

2. Avoid half pints of Guiness, buy a pint they last longer and it works out cheaper than two halfs.

3. Don't over pack your luggage, the extra weight effects the handling of the bike.

4. Follow the leader always, even if they are going in the wrong direction.

5. A good Sat Nav is useful but may not be up to date.

   The traffic was slowly moving around the square and I started to notice the rear wheel was not as sure footed as usual. Over the intercom I said to Mo. “I think the tyre is deflating I will circle round and find an empty parking bay.”

   We came to a stop in the centre of the city beside a large park. We got off the bike and sure enough the tyre had deflated. I tried to lift the bike up onto its centre stand but there was too much weight and the bike was lower because of the tyre too. I started to remove the top box and tank bag and on the second attempt managed to get the bike up onto the centre stand. I had stopped in a pay and display so walked over and paid the fee seeing as there was a traffic warden patrolling the area.

“We did well to get this far.” I commented.

“What are we going to do now?” Mo asked.

“You’re ok, you can get a taxi to the airport, but I suppose I could try to find a garage that may sell tyre sealant spray.” I replied.

   I did a search in the GPS unit for fuel stations and it informed me that there was one less than half a mile away.

“OK, you stay with the bike, I will walk to the garage, be back in twenty maybe thirty minutes.” I explained. With the GPS in hand I started to walk towards the indicated location.

    It was a hot afternoon and I had my biking trousers and boots on and I was starting to get hot as I strode along the Georgian rows of houses. I got to the point the GPS was indicating but no garage to be seen. It was a residential area of the city. I searched up and down the road but there was nothing, no garage, nothing. I had to walk all the way back in the heat. I walked up to Mo who was sat on the pavement by the bike.

Next: Last Day - Riding in the Dark