Baptism of fire

We all experienced the whole gamut of feelings today, from the zenith of joy at the lunch stop to the nadir of fatigue and even felt at times resentment at what our wretched bikes were putting us through, but at the end of a very hard day we celebrated that we had overcome a gruelling test of a relentless head wind, the wind tunnel in the gorge and cold rain to top it off after the bliss of sunshine on arrival yesterday.  One of our climbs, described as "rolling hill," was the equivalent of climbing Slieve Donard! The real mountains are to come...

Today's route: http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=emmcvkoqgnalnayz

Seamus tells the van drivers Greg Squared to take it easy on the corners - memories of Jimmy five years ago...

The girls go in search of make up to help on the hills

Ciaran asks for a blessing from Rev McAleer

The Team at the off...

After a rolling start out of Port Nouvelle and negotiating a few roundabouts and a level crossing, we made our way to some rolling hills against a ferocious head wind. In spite of this there were a few early showboating bursts for the "50's" by cyclists with no hope of overall classification finishes. To minimise fatigue, tight team cycling was need. An example of this below is Gerry telling Gillian to keep it tight into the head wind

We slowly battled uphill and against a strong wind. Sadly, we had a slight detour and went the wrong way up a steep valley and over a bridge

Betty goes for early Green Jersey points

After Gillian's ticking off, Paula sticks tight to Turlough's wheel.

Determined to take the head wind on, Seamus puts the power down.

Martin, with a slight degree of smugness at the accuracy of his Garmin GPS and not having been lead astray smiles as he packs his secret weapon away.  More on that tomorrow.

Some cyclists were rolling very well despite the poor conditions and finding it all too easy, Betty checks the altitude.

Larry tells Geoff about his Camino transgressions (see http://www.caminocycle2006.com/1-Design/Diary%20page%205%20new.html)

and warns him to behave himself when helping himself to van food.

Turlough, flush from providing opinion on whether racing for temporary 50's road signs counted in overall classification points, he counsels a passing horse.

Gerry, David and Greg senior finish at the hotel (relief...). Gerry tells David about meeting the son of the man who invented derailleur at the hippie coffee shop.

Ciaran Rafferty, after some hippie style coffee earlier, claims it was all too easy.

Betty wins the Green jersey after beating a consultant on a "50". Niall wins the white (young riders jersey). Paula wins the best young female rider. Mairead and Johnny are the early female and male Malloit Jaune (yellow jersey) holders.

Stats for today: Distance 78.2 miles, Time on the road 09:44, Climbs 5721 feet, 6934 Calories. A hard days work and big hills tomorrow.

Celebrity has arrived but wishes to keep his identity a secret to avoid crowds appearing at hotels en route. Photos later in the week.