Sally Gap, Ireland

karlosdajackal · May 9th, 2010, 01:10 PM

So I posted the first attempt on this road as a vlog last week. This week I went up again and was blessed with great weather. This time I opted for my still camera instead of the video one.

The route was to start at a petrol station just outside Citywest and fill up, then a short blast up a nice fast flowing section of the N81 to get me and the tires warmed up, great 10 minute run to get you in the mood. Turned of the N81 onto the R759 which is a much more narrow road, surface is a little bumpy but its pretty uniform and free from potholes. The first half was quite slow, being that its mostly uphill. There are tonnes of hills/dips/crests so you can never really see too far ahead. Came round a tight curve to see a sheep and lamb standing in the middle of the road, the somehow got around the fencing of the neighboring field but could not get themselves back in, so I followed them as they jogged 200 meters up the road and then jumped into someones garden. Away again another kilometer, another sheep in the middle of the road

After that no more sheep just the odd narrow bridge like this.

Eventually got to the crossroad a kippure where I started from last time. Went past this and continued on up and down some very steep inclines found myself in 1st gear for one of them

Very challenging road but still enjoyable, this is what I came up

Luckily I found some reasonably level places to stop and take the odd picture. And also get a little bit off the road.

I only brought one camera, one lens and no tripod, my aim was to enjoy/explore the road. Past all this scenery for the last 3 km the road marking disapper and the surface becomes a bit more bumpy, then you find yourself at another one of those nice National roads, right for Roundwood, left for Bray. I went right as I saw a nice lake at Roundwood on google maps, unfortunately could not stop anywhere near it. I'll explore Roundwood and beyond next time. So I turned around and rode the gap again, back towards Blessington, this time a bit quicker than before

2 hours round trip, 50 miles, very physical trying to stay in the seat, braking hard downhill. If you take your eyes of the clocks for a split second going downhill you may find yourself at an indicated 75mph in no time, which on those narrow roads is scary, back of the bike squirms around under heavy braking. At one point in the mountains got a vicious crosswind, was leaned over a good bit just to keep going straight.

If any of you guys ever come to Ireland and rent a bike, it would be worth paying that road a visit, just don't do it in the winter as that road is usually closed during the winter, but its great in the summer

eddiekay · May 9th, 2010, 01:35 PM

Went to Ring of kerry area and then sligo afew years back...horseback.
I haven't been too many places but i can't imagine anyplace more beautiful than where i was in Ireland. Saw remarkably few motorcycle though even on the main highways. You get different bikes over there....saw a Honda...looked like a full dress hog...it was incredible....bags, lights, big-assed seat and it had a 250cc engine in it ( back in '02 or '03) Man, I loved the place.

Alex · May 9th, 2010, 01:40 PM

Great pics!

CC Cowboy · May 9th, 2010, 02:06 PM

I noticed a space craft in the next to last picture. Beautiful!

cnichols79us · May 10th, 2010, 08:52 AM

AMAZING PICS!!! Thanks! Good eye CC!

May 9th, 2010, 01:10 PM	#1
karlosdajackal ninjette.org guru Name: Karl Location: Ireland the Hawaii of Europe! Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R Fuel Injected Model 2009 Posts: 357	Sally Gap, Ireland So I posted the first attempt on this road as a vlog last week. This week I went up again and was blessed with great weather. This time I opted for my still camera instead of the video one. The route was to start at a petrol station just outside Citywest and fill up, then a short blast up a nice fast flowing section of the N81 to get me and the tires warmed up, great 10 minute run to get you in the mood. Turned of the N81 onto the R759 which is a much more narrow road, surface is a little bumpy but its pretty uniform and free from potholes. The first half was quite slow, being that its mostly uphill. There are tonnes of hills/dips/crests so you can never really see too far ahead. Came round a tight curve to see a sheep and lamb standing in the middle of the road, the somehow got around the fencing of the neighboring field but could not get themselves back in, so I followed them as they jogged 200 meters up the road and then jumped into someones garden. Away again another kilometer, another sheep in the middle of the road After that no more sheep just the odd narrow bridge like this. Eventually got to the crossroad a kippure where I started from last time. Went past this and continued on up and down some very steep inclines found myself in 1st gear for one of them Very challenging road but still enjoyable, this is what I came up Luckily I found some reasonably level places to stop and take the odd picture. And also get a little bit off the road. I only brought one camera, one lens and no tripod, my aim was to enjoy/explore the road. Past all this scenery for the last 3 km the road marking disapper and the surface becomes a bit more bumpy, then you find yourself at another one of those nice National roads, right for Roundwood, left for Bray. I went right as I saw a nice lake at Roundwood on google maps, unfortunately could not stop anywhere near it. I'll explore Roundwood and beyond next time. So I turned around and rode the gap again, back towards Blessington, this time a bit quicker than before 2 hours round trip, 50 miles, very physical trying to stay in the seat, braking hard downhill. If you take your eyes of the clocks for a split second going downhill you may find yourself at an indicated 75mph in no time, which on those narrow roads is scary, back of the bike squirms around under heavy braking. At one point in the mountains got a vicious crosswind, was leaned over a good bit just to keep going straight. If any of you guys ever come to Ireland and rent a bike, it would be worth paying that road a visit, just don't do it in the winter as that road is usually closed during the winter, but its great in the summer __________________________________________________ My vlogs on Youtube are here Last futzed with by karlosdajackal; May 9th, 2010 at 01:15 PM. Reason: spelling

May 9th, 2010, 01:40 PM	#3
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Great pics! __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

May 9th, 2010, 02:06 PM	#4
CC Cowboy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Whodat Location: Ware Is.,MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14	I noticed a space craft in the next to last picture. Beautiful! __________________________________________________ If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
[topix.net] - Sucker Punch Sally's Triumph	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	September 12th, 2011 08:10 PM
[topix.net] - Sally Baio of The Hearts takes the Birmingham Exam	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	April 8th, 2011 06:51 AM
[motorcyclistonline] - SuckerPunch Sally's Preparing to Represent at Daytona Bike Wee	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	February 23rd, 2010 03:40 PM
[usridernews.com] - Lucky Winner Receives Sucker Punch Sally's Custom Motorcycle	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	September 23rd, 2009 02:40 AM
[usridernews.com] - Sucker Punch Sally's Partners with Premier Cigar Manufacturer	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	May 20th, 2009 08:00 PM

May 9th, 2010, 01:35 PM	#2
eddiekay ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: eddie Location: Lawnguylind Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 300, WeeStrom Posts: A lot.	Went to Ring of kerry area and then sligo afew years back...horseback. I haven't been too many places but i can't imagine anyplace more beautiful than where i was in Ireland. Saw remarkably few motorcycle though even on the main highways. You get different bikes over there....saw a Honda...looked like a full dress hog...it was incredible....bags, lights, big-assed seat and it had a 250cc engine in it ( back in '02 or '03) Man, I loved the place.

May 10th, 2010, 08:52 AM	#5
cnichols79us Fastly Slow!!! Name: Jeff Location: Kent, WA Join Date: Feb 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Kawasaki Ninja EX250, 1980 Honda XL125 Posts: 467	AMAZING PICS!!! Thanks! Good eye CC!