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It’s nice to meet people doing similar mad adventures as yourself.

Keep her lit.

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The post Walking 4000KM appeared first on Dean McMenamin.

Every great journey has to start with a single step or in my case a single pedal and this single pedal began at St. Stephens Green in the center of Dublin. The week leading up to this day was one filled with panic, excitement and hangovers as I tried to say goodbye to all my close family and friends, my wonderful parents organised a goodbye/birthday party at our house (and by house I mean garage) and we had a good old Irish session to see me off.

After a dose of the fear the next day it was time to go through my equipment list to make sure I had everything that I needed for the trip. The previous few months required me to scroll through every internet review site and blog to make sure that I acquired the correct equipment. As this is my first cycling touring adventure with the previous longest total distance cycled was from Dublin to Galway over a two-day period (224km), so to say that I was under prepared for this would be correct.

Day One seen me travel up to Dublin with my parents and Aunt Eileen to meet up with some friends to see me off. My plan was to leave at 12 and meet people there at 11 as I knew I had a long cycle down to Port Laoise for the first leg of the journey.  It was great to see people actually came out to wish me well and was nice to see them one last time. 12 o’clock came and it was time for me to get going, it was funny saying goodbye to my parents but the knowledge but I was only an hour drive down the road

I  headed in the direction of Naas all was going great for the first hour and the sun was out which required me to make a short stop to remove my jacket. Once the road started converging into a National road and motorway that when things got a bit tricky. Ireland was never built with cyclists in mind and I was left cycling on the N7 for a short period.  This was actually the first time I had traveled with all the gear on my bike and I was actually surprised on the ease of  the bike. Heading towards Port Laoise I phoned the only hostel I could find within the Port Laoise area and came across the Farm Hostel called Farren House located about 15miles outside. After getting slightly lost due to the Irish signage system I eventually arrived at the Hostel at 8pm. The Hostel was a lovely old farm located about a mile from Ballycolla and I was greeted by a friendly Irish woman after showing me around the Hostel and realising that I was the only one staying the night she offered me the place half price because I was doing my cycle for charity.

The next morning the farmer showed me around his farm and introduced me to some new additions in the form of lambs that came during the night. I then proceeded to pack my bags and was off on the road to head towards Cashel.

The cycle to Cashel was relatively easy and straight forward with only around 60km to cover in the day. The weather was still holding up for me and I made it in good time to the historical town with the castle. The second night seen me stay in Cashel Hostel on John street in the center of town.

Day 3 seen me travel from Cashel to Cork a relatively tough day with plenty of hills to challenge the legs after getting a good breakfast I was on the road by 9 and made it to Cork by 4 in the afternoon with about a 20min break.  The rush to get to Cork was because I needed to collect a set of keys up from a local fruit and veg shop that closed at 6. My friend Ross had kindly gave he his room for the night as he was going to be  back home – Thanks Ross

Day 4 seen me leave Cork and head the 19km to Ringsakiddy to get the ferry over the France. I enjoyed one  last pint of Guinness in the local pub

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• 2 x Spokes
• 5 x Tubes
• 2 x Tires
• Front Light
• Rear Light
• Bell
• 4 x Brakes spare
• Bolts Spare parts
• Maintains Book
• Front Rack
• Rear Rack
• 2 x Back Panniers
• 2 x Front Panniers
• Handle Bar Panniers
• 3 x Water Holders
• 3 x Bungee Cords
• Lock
• Repair Kit
• Multi Tool Set
• Chain Cleaner
• Pump
• Speed Reader
• Water Bottles
• Bike stand
• Bike Cover
• Brooks Saddle
• Helmet

Electronica

• Canon 550D
• Canon batteries
• Lens 50mm
• Lens 18-55mm
• Go Pro
• SD Cards
• Iphone
• iPhone Charger
• Spot tracker
• Laptop
• Laptop Charger
• USB Connection
• Head Torch
• Mini USB
• Headphones
• Hard Drive
• Software on HD
  Batteries

Clothes

• 3 x Socks
• Flip Flops
• 1 x Cycling Shorts
• 1 x Cycling Trousers
• 1 x Waterproof Trousers
• 1 x Waterproof jacket
• 2 x Cycling top
• 1 x Casual Top
• 1 x Cycling Shoes
• Concern Top
• CAS Top
• 3 x Underwear
• Swimming Trunks
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Gloves

Miscellaneous

• Sowing Kit
• Duck Tape
• Irish Flag
• Note Book
• Pens
• Pencil
• Book
• Toiletries
• Compass
• Rope
• Tin Whistle
• Sheet Music
• Mini Tripod

Documents

• Passport
• Passport Copies
• Passport Photos
• Ferry Ticket
• Insurance
• Extra Cash Euro and USD

Camping

• Tent
• Ground Mat
• Sleeping Bag
• Inner Liner
• Knife/Fork
• Cup
• Stove
• Pots/Pans
• Travel Towel
• Water Proof Bag
• Water Bag

Maps

• Europe

Medical Supplies

• First Aid Kit
• Sun-cream
• Lip Dam
• Fly Repellent
• Wipes
• List of Injections
• Saddle Soars Cream

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The post Equipment list (so far) appeared first on Dean McMenamin.

You can check TotallyDublin on http://totallydublin.ie or on their twitter @totallydublin 

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The post Me in TotallyDublin Magazine appeared first on Dean McMenamin.

So I have sent up a fundraising page using the website mycharity.ie where people can sponsor me for my cycle adventure. All you have to do is click on this link and click on the “Sponsor me now” button.

Any amount given, big or small will be greatly appreciated and the total amount will be split equally between the two charities.

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The post My Fundraising Page (Please Support Me) appeared first on Dean McMenamin.

So I have started to explore the Phoenix Park at Night and using my Canon 550D and 50mm lens I was able to capture some long shutter speed photos.

I wanted to convey the beauty of the park at night as it is only really seen throughout the day. So taking my camera, tripod and bike I have started to explore the park and capture some photos that would not regularly been seen.

I will continue to add to the collection over the next few nights.
Click on the button below or here to view on flickr.

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So I went down to my local Tropical Medical Bureau to get a list of injections for vaccinations needed for my trip and in total I’m going to need 12 before I go.

So I was to receive the following:

1. Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio  {1 Injection (Day 0)}
2. Hepatitis A&B {3 Injections in total (1 on day 0, 7 ,28, 365)}
3. Rabies {3 Injections in total (1 on day 0, 7 and 28)}
4. Typhoid {1 Injection (Day 7)}
5. Cholera {2 Injections (Day 7, 28)}
6. Tick Borne Encephalitis 2 Injections {(Day 7, 28, 365)}

* Day 0 stands from the first day in the Tropical medical bureau.

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The post Vaccinations for my Trip. appeared first on Dean McMenamin.

I have decided to support two charities organizations “Cycle against Suicide” and “Concern Worldwide” for my adventure and I am hoping to help bring awareness and raise a few pound towards them both.

Cycle Against Suicide is currently organization a cycle event around Ireland where they hope to raise awareness against suicide in Ireland. The 14day 1,400km cycle will take place on the 22^nd of April and run till the 5^th of May.

You can visit there website on www.cycleagainstsuicide.com

Social Media: Facebook, Twitter

Concern Worldwide is an international charity that works with the worlds poorest people to help change and transform their lives.  Concern operates in over 25 countries around the world working in partnership with the local people to improve knowledge and experience.

You can visit there website on www.concern.net

Social Media: Facebook, Twitter.

I will soon be setting up a sponsor charity page for you to donate to these fantastic causes.

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The post My Charities – Concern WorldWide & Cycle Against Suicide appeared first on Dean McMenamin.

So I have purchased the Spot GPS Messanger to be able to track my location throughout my adventure. I have decided to buy this product as it will give me the function to send pre created messages to family and friends over an email and sms message. It allows people to view my location on a google maps location and share over social media.

You can track my location here

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