Challenge 2014 - Ireland?

[citsncycles]

Some of you know I've been looking int this for a little while, and although I hope to have a finalised proposal for the route in another week or so, I just want a feel for how many people might be able to make it. I think the biggest issue for may will be cost:

Working on the basis of Late June / Early July for the dates, it'll be around £300 / car for the ferries.

Fuel is a bit more expensive, but not much worse than the Highlands were this year.

Camping will be on a par with this years costs, and I have found a few sites that also have hostel & B&B accomodation.

I'm happy to plan for however many (or few) will be going, but if there's a general consensus that a cheaper option may be better for next year, giving people a chance to save for 2015, I've heard Wales suggested as an alternative location, which I'm also willing (with the help of some of our welsh members with regards to decent routes etc.) to organise.

Thoughts, comments, preferences anyone?

[Dollywobbler]

Would love to get to Ireland at some point but my plans for 2014 are very much up in the air. Naturally I'd be more than willing to help with any fallback Welsh plans.

[Tim Leech]

Sorry chaps, i would love to go but have promised a week away somewhere warm and sunny next year.

[mds141]

Sorry chaps, i would love to go but have promised a week away somewhere warm and sunny next year.

So you are going to Wales then?!!

[mds141]

I'm up for a Eire Challenge. If I can secure a co-driver to split that costs. I'll sail from Heysham.

[Tim Leech]

I think we have Espania in mind and going on one of those aeroplane wotsits!

[mat_fenwick]

If it went ahead, I'd be keen to do it but the ferry costs would make it doubtful I think Again, happy to help with any Welsh plans - maybe combine the two and have a couple of days exploring Wales either side of the ferry crossing (Holyhead to Dublin then return via Rosslare to Pembroke?)

[citsncycles]

That's a possibility Mat. One thing to bear in mind is the ferry costs vary depending on the day of the week - Tuesday's and Wednesdays seem the cheapest as far as the southern crossings are concerned, but I'd have to check for the northern route.

The one I usually use is Pembroke - it's a nice big boat and usually has plenty of space, and has retractible stabilisers to cope with rough seas. There's the option of cabins, but I can usually find a bench seat to kip on, or failing that find a quiet corner of the observation deck to roll out a sleeping bag.

If we use Pembroke for the way back, there's a good, full facilites camp site (including free WiFi) a few miles from the dock that cam be used, enabling us to take the morning ferry back, getting into Pembroke at lunchtime. Then if you fancy self catering there's a nice picnic are on the edge of the town.

[Caffiend]

I'm up for being a co-driver and promise not to put my feet on the dashboard. Especially if I happen to be driving at the time. Go on, make me an offer I can't refuse, you know you want to.

[Philip Chidlow]

Best of luck, sounds fun - and certainly in the Challenge spirit! Can't make it in 2014 myself, I'm afraid, as 14 days in a gite with the family in SW France will clear me out! (Oh, the sun, pool, food, wine.. think of me suffering while you lot go off enjoying yourselves lol!)

[Thread Bear]

Its so tempting. Also I need to get back into doing some miles. Ultimately it depends on how all the building, shuffling etc goes on, but I ought to be finished by then. I am daft enough to look at something like this as a rest and reward.

[Kitch]

Ireland would be a really cool place to drive round - I've done it myself, down the East coast anyway. Some truly great roads over there, but it's unlikely I'd be able to do something like that what with the young family etc.

But if something happens in Wales I don't need much prompting to go for a razz around the Evo Triangle!

[hilarystone]

I would certainly be up for Ireland and could also help with a Welsh do...

[citsncycles]

Well I've had another great week over there, including some travelling to meet people (Hi Kieran), and a plan is starting to form.

I have to chat to the CCC All Ireland Rally organiser, but assuming that it's the last weekend in June, the basic outline is as follows:

Meet up on the 21st June somewhere in North Wales, either at that night's camp site, or somewhere an easy afternoon's drive from there.

Sunday and Monday see a bit of Wales while travelling south through the country - this will give those who can't make Ireland a chance to join in if they want.

Tuesday take the afternoon Pembroke - Rosselare ferry, then spend the night at Ladies Island camp site, about 10 minutes from the port - I've stayed here and it's a good, full facilities camp site. This will also give those who wish to cross to Ireland by a different route the chance to meet up with us over there - good routes from Dublin etc.

Wednesday - Friday will involve making our way across the bottom of Ireland, then up the east coast where I can now say there are some fun roads to travel along.

Saturday and Sunday will be joining in as much (or as little) as we want with the all Ireland Rally.

Monday - Head over to Roscrea, Co. Tipperary, where I know of a good camp site between there and Shinrone, Where Mum has rashly invited us all to a BBQ dinner!

Tuesday - Depart for Dublin, Belfast, Rosselare or wherever you are crossing from (easy access to most of these from here) to hit the ferry and home.

I have deliberately chosen Tuesday for the ferry crossings as they are the generally the cheapest days of the week. I have amassed quite a few details of campsites, several of which also have either hostel or B&B accomodation on site (for those who don't do canvas), which I am going through now to find the most suitable sites for our needs.

If you have a choice, and cost is a factor, go for a diesel motor, as I found it was around 10p / ltr cheaper than here, while petrol was up to 5p more!

While you don't need a passport, you do need some sort of photo ID for the ferry - they rarely check, but I was pulled over and checked on the way over this time.

Over the next few days I'll try to put up more details of route, costs etc. but in the meantime, here's a quick pic:

[Philip Chidlow]

Looks like a fun trip. Can't do it myself (shame on me! ) but would urge those who can to support Mike's efforts and make this another event worthy of our club

Then it's 2015: something I will, God willing, turn up for!