Ulaan2015 Clifden to Mongolia and back in aid of Temple Street Children's Hospital

thecivvie

Sherness to London. The melting
Today was a hot day. All day. It did rain for about 1 minute but the heat quickly evaporated the rain.
Leaving my cousin in Sherness at mid day and heading for Loughton to drop off a part to David Pickering collect my watertogo bottle that I left in Ulaanbaatar. The roads were busy enough.
Driving through London is always a pleasure for me. I worked with the Met Police in the 90's and I always enjoy seeing places that I visited.
Meeting with David we had a quick cup of tea and shared a few stories from the road. I bet it is hard to be off the road and back to real life.
I then headed for a part of the trip that is hard for me. I went to visit my daughter's grave in Mill Hill. As I have done in the past, I left her a small memory from my trip and quietly left.
I then headed to visit the Emirate's Stadium. As you may have noticed I only wore Arsenal FC jerseys on the trip. It was a moment of awe for me as it is a dream.
Tomorrow is a run to Oxford to see my dad and my son. Not sure of the route yet so may take in some sights

thecivvie

My destination for today was a short distance away and after some of the days I have done almost scarily too short. So I got my TomTom to work out a winding route which almost doubled the trip. But no motorways or A Roads. I did not have to leave until late so relaxed and chatted for a bit and did some work on the bike mainly just the usual daily jobs.

Leaving around lunch time I headed out west in London's normal busy day. With the sun beating down it did make driving a little hard but once out of the city and onto the open roads, it was a pleasure.

Taking the back roads brought me through many villages and towns but that was also enjoyable.

I did pass Whipsnade but could not see any of the animals but then maybe that is a good thing.

Arriving at my dads I put all my clothes into a washing machine. The joys lol

Tomorrow is a rest day. Will goto Swindon to see family

thecivvie

Stonehenge to Gloucester and Bristol, would you stop in time
As my Scottoiler had failed I decided after speaking with users and seeing excellent reviews to buy a Tutoro Chain Oiler. They are based very closed to Bristol so I decided to drive and collect.
I left the campsite and had wanted to get a photo at Stonehenge but the traffic was horrible and there is no pull in areas so I kept heading for Tutoro.
I knew I needed petrol but kept going and as I pulled into the garage I thought that my brakes felt a little spongy. I had overshot the pump a little and rolled her back and heard this clang from the front end.
So having a look I was shocked to see the inside pad hanging down. Not sure why but it was hanging. Scared me. So I filled up and rolled her out of the way and using the supplied toolkit and the Leatherman went to work. About 10 minutes later I had it back in place but I will be keeping an eye on it.
Tutoro is based in Lydney in Gloucestershire and very very friendly. I was shown the whole process and you could see that this was a love not a job. And rightly proud. I picked mine up and will order some extra oil in the next few weeks. It was very interesting and something that I liked to watch.
So heading to Bristol I ended up taking the motorway. It always makes me laugh that you have to pay to get into Wales but not to exit. What does that say?
So finished for the day, I plan to have a look at the broken Givi pannier. It got broken in the first accident and also got hit on in the second.

thecivvie

My trip from Clifden to Mongolia and back is almost over. On Sunday I will return to Clifden, having done over 17000 miles (1500 more than planned) 2 sets of tyres, 2 accidents and so far 1530 litres of petrol. Every cent donated goes direct to Temple Street Children's Hospital. So please give a little and share with family and friends. The idonate link is in my sig

Next trip is already being planned

thecivvie

After 17161 miles, almost 10 weeks on the road and countless cups of Chi, I am back home and Ulaan2015 is complete. Sadly the weather didn't play ball and arriving in Clifden was a wet and soggy affair. I am happy to be home safely and in good health

thecivvie

BRISTOL TO DUBLIN AND THEN HOME. AN ENDING AND ALSO A NEW BEGINNING
My ferry was not till 2am in the morning so I was in no rush to leave. I prepared the bike for one last push, the TKC70’s are still holding up well and I am amazed as they have almost 9000 miles on them. After I was ready I said my goodbyes to my InLaws, Barbara and Tony and headed off in the warmth.
I headed off up the motorway as I was meeting a cousin in Wales and the last couple of times I tried to see her, I couldnt due to running late. Corssing the Severn Bridge, I got a quick shot of Mr Mouse in Wales and headed off to pay my toll. I haven’t cross the Severn Bridge in a couple of years so wasnt aware that they scrapped the toll for Motorbikes, come on Ireland catch up.
Arriving at my cousins, it was nice to see her and the kids. I always enjoy catching up with my family and that can be hard to do at times. I stayed a while and then headed for Fishguard, arriving for the ferry about 5 hours early. SO out with the Coleman and boiled some water for a coffee.
I tried to sleep on the ferry but there was no real chance, I was just too excited to get back to ireland. So on arrival, another quick photo of Mr Mouse and I headed to see my Aunt Eileen whom I have not seen in a few years. Another good catch up.
I headed to Enniscorthy where I was meeting Richard Warren. We had spoken several times via Facebook on the trip so was looking forward to it. A long chat and a few pictures and I headed off for Dublin.
I spoke via Facebook to Michael Noonan and he told me that one of the Blood Bike East girls was heading to meet me. All I knew was that she was on a BMW. But we did meet up and it was a pleasure to meet Abigail. And she had a lovely shiny new BMW F800, ohhhh I was so tempted to swap Morticia but no, sadly I don’t think Abigail would have.
So after getting some petrol, we headed off for Temple Street. Oddly Mr TomTom took me in the bottom end of Temple Street this time but that was good as when we turned into Temple Street itself, I saw Vincent, Michael and the Blood Bike East guys arrive. So a quick picture of me driving up and a video and I was almost finished.
So around the corner for a quick cup of Tea and some and we headed for Galway. The plan being to camp in Salthill and drive out to Clifden Sunday. Sadly the weather decided that it was not going to play ball and it just rained all the way down.
Vincent and myself stopped to put on wet gear but it was still horrible. So I decided that as my gear was wet by this stage not to stop in Galway and head instead for Clifden and finish up an evening early. It was a disappointment but these things happen
So after 17161 miles, Ulaan2015 is finished. It was a fantastic trip, and I would do the whole thing again. Planing is already happening for the next trip, which involves a very short swim. Again in aid of Temple Street Children’s Hospital but this is one of the last updates for Ulaan2015 and that announcement can wait a little while

miamee

That's great thecivvie, I've enjoyed keeping up with your trip here and on Facebook, it looked like a great adventure

thecivvie

Thanks to everyone who has donated. Without your help Temple Street cannot do the great work that they do. The IDonate page will be open for a few more weeks

thecivvie

Conti Moto UK did a write up on their website about the trip

http://www.conti-bike.co.uk/ulaan-2015-ireland-to-mongolia-and-back/

thecivvie

A big article on the ride appeared in this weeks The Mayo News. Spread over almost 1 1/2 pages. Delighted






http://www.mayonews.ie

Mesrine65

'The Renvyle Road Warrior'...love it, much respect Séan

blade1

Nice to see that the people have erected a statue of you in your hometown!:pac:

thecivvie

Been offered €120 worth of cupcakes/cakes etc for auction for the event. Will do it on the facebook page. Sadly can only deliver to connacht but will deliver around Ireland/Temple Street for a small extra donation. Details of how to bid soon

thecivvie

Tomorrow at lunch time on the Ulaan2015 Facebook Page there will be an auction for €150 worth of Cake and/or Cupcakes. With all proceeds going to Temple Street Children's Hospital



Selection of the Cakes and Cupcakes that Hannah B's Home Bakery do












Please share with family and friends

thecivvie

Direct link to the auction https://buddybid.com/listing/y-F433FEB2-AFFC-9C09-6D78-4C39B8AC3ED1

thecivvie

The iDonate page closes October 1st. If you want to make a donation, please do.

thecivvie

I want to thank every one for their support during this event. I cannot thank all for their help, support and donations.

Ulaan2015 is now completed. And I am in the process of writing an e-book so hopefully sometime in the new year

oh, an I am going ride about in south east asia in 2017