Celtica ’19: A Winter Cycling Adventure Through Ireland
After more than two years, and a very intense year starting a new job having relocated in Ireland, I felt the need of a small cycling break. So an idea kept coming and coming in my mind, which was going to the company offsite by bicycle! Thrilled by the idea of having some days on the road, I ignored even the obvious fact that I had never ridden during the winter, especially so up north (meaning, shorter days). But I didn’t let anything deter me, not even the cold rain on the day of departure!
December 1st: Dublin to Cork – The Journey Begins
Off I went from Dublin, embarking on a journey to the company convention in Cork! A week of leisure, fun, and a bit of mayhem awaited. I figured I’d better get a head start on burning some calories, and today I managed to torch around 5000 kcal. A good start!
December 2nd: Winter Cycling Lessons
I learned so much today! This was my first cycling trip exceeding 100km in winter. It was a completely new experience, and I picked up some crucial insights:
- It’s not the cold that’s the biggest issue. If you’re dressed appropriately, you can easily handle temperatures around 0ºC (32°F).
- I’ve never experienced serious dehydration, even in deserts, but in the cold, the sensation of thirst just doesn’t kick in. Today, I got seriously dehydrated. Lesson learned: drink even when you don’t feel thirsty.
- Rain itself isn’t a problem, but mud is a different story. It gets everywhere and sticks to your drivetrain.
- Wet and rainy condition lubricants truly work wonders.
- My Schwalbe Marathon Touring Plus tires are incredible! They handle everything: dirt roads, dry and wet asphalt, and now I’ve discovered they even grip well on mud and ice. They’re rock solid.
- Cold air is denser and creates more resistance. The winter cycling gear can be cumbersome, and it makes for a much tougher ride. My legs are completely shattered tonight, something that hasn’t happened in years.
- Shorter daylight hours mean that if you don’t want to ride in the dark (I’m not equipped for sub-zero night riding), you need to factor that into your plans. Usually, my summer rule is that if I cover at least 70km by 3 pm, I can easily finish the day with 100-120km. Thanks to my bikepacking setup, I consistently reached 80-85km by 3 pm.
Despite the winter chill, Ireland is still beautifully green, and the air is filled with the songs of countless bird species. Tomorrow, I’ll be riding the Waterford Greenway, an old disused railway line converted into a cycle path, full of interesting sights, scenic spots, aqueducts, tunnels, and bridges. I’m expecting lots of photo opportunities!
December 3rd: Almost There!
Another 80km day, finished by 3:20 pm. The scenery along the Waterford Greenway was simply stunning. Dark railway tunnels where it rained inside, stretches of woodland that felt like something out of Lord of the Rings, the Gold Coast with breathtaking sea views, and vast Black Angus cattle farms. The morning started with temperatures of -1ºC (30°F), then rose to around 10ºC (50°F), and finally, the sun came out. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Ireland is a truly beautiful country, and outside of Dublin, it feels much more authentic. And there’s nothing better than ending the day in a pub with a perfectly rare, 50kg Black Angus ribeye, mashed potatoes and gravy, plenty of Guinness, and the Pogues playing in the background. I could get used to this! And the vegans? Moo-ti-ful!
December 4th: Arrival and a Memorable Entrance
And finally, today, after a short ride along the coast, I reached my destination: the resort for the offsite. I literally arrived at the same time as the bus carrying my colleagues. The last few kilometers were along the coast and then through enchanting countryside roads in pouring rain, until a beautiful, bright sun emerged and accompanied me to the finish line! There were some rather embarrassing moments when I inadvertently ended up in the long line of official event photographers, still soaking wet and half covered in mud, as I approached the entrance. Those photos will be memorable, for sure! Then came team-building activities, a festive Christmas atmosphere, tons of food, and an open bar. A fitting end to three very intense days, which have given me a new appreciation for winter cycling. It’s not as bad as I thought. In fact, I’m starting to consider it a good option and even imagining rides across white blankets of snow.
December 5th-6th: Offsite at Castle Martyr
The company offsite at Castle Martyr was filled with team-building activities, kart racing, Christmas carols, drone footage… great days that flew by too quickly. Then it was time to return to Dublin, loading my bike onto the bus for the ride back.
