#irvinestown

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[lamb-on-the-lam]

The Road to Omagh

Yesterday's ride was one of the toughest ones I've ever had.  The first bit was quite nice.  I rode down from Derry on the western side of the River Foyle along A40.  This was mostly along a bike path, so not actually on the road, so it was nice, coasting downwards most of the time.  Once in Strabane, the roads got crazy.  While the whole trip was about 70km, this next step was INTENSE.  I started out of Strabane by taking the wrong road going right up a hill at about a 30 degree incline.  When I finally got back on the right road, I found I'd only come about 2 miles down the correct road in about 2 hours.  The view, however, was well worth it.  Stretching out for miles in all directions were rolling hills farmland.  In the distance, there were windmills.

The road continued through the Lingfordrum Forest on the top of a big hill.  I stopped for food for a little while before continuing into Plumbridge.  Finally made it to that checkpoint and asked what the "least hilly" way to Omagh would be...eliciting a laugh from the person I asked.  Fortunately, the rest of the trek only had two major up hills and was mostly coasting down the entire way.  Passed through Gortin, one of the most beautiful areas so far.  The forest was spectacular.  Moved on south to Omagh and met up with my host, exhausted.

Karen was a wonderful welcome to Omagh.  She met me on her bike and we road back to her place to stash my things.  She welcomed me into her home as though I were an old friend.  She'd recently come back from a year of globetrotting.  She is a self-described gypsy...how long she'll remain in Omagh is anybody's guess.  We wandered around the town for a little bit and finally ended up in a small local pub (Bogan's Bar) for my first glass of Irish Cider...specifically Magners.  I think I like cider.

In the morning, I headed out after a wonderful breakfast of beans/toast/eggs and road a nice flat ride out to Irvinestown, about 9 miles north of Enniskillin.  The route was beautiful and flat and only about 25 miles (40km).  I rode down the first bit on A32, a bit too dodgy of a road to be on...but soon left it for the much nicer smaller roads, taking me through Lack, Ederney and Kesh.  Once in Kesh, I moved over to visit the Castle Archdale and the surrounding forest.  A nice forest ride for the afternoon was wonderful.  Then, I hooked back to Irvinetown by about 3:30.

Today has been nice here.  Finally got internet, so here we go.  It's been a relaxing afternoon/evening with fantastic people.  Tomorrow is a long ride to Sligo.