EP66: Wyatt and Julien cycle the Ring of Kerry and Dingle peninsula
Summary
This episode of Across the Pond chronicles a grueling but scenic seven-day bicycle tour through Ireland undertaken by Wyatt and Julien. Recording a series of casual audio journals directly from their various accommodations, the hosts document the intense physical and emotional highs and lows of exploring the Irish countryside on two wheels.
Throughout the week-long trip, Wyatt and Julien face a constant onslaught of unpredictable weather, enduring everything from relentless head-on winds and heavy downpours to freezing sleet and face-stinging hail. These harsh conditions contribute to several physical setbacks, including Julien scraping a chunk of skin off his shin early on, severe leg fatigue, and a low, poorly adjusted bicycle seat that leaves him completely exhausted. They also navigate various logistical and mechanical hurdles, such as Wyatt's bike chain falling off repeatedly, Julien suffering a major mechanical breakdown in the pouring rain that requires roadside assistance from a local mechanic, a stubborn gear malfunction during a steep hill climb, and a close call when Wyatt's waterproof pannier bag falls off mid-ride.
To cope with the exhaustion, the duo establishes a running routine centered around hunting for food, frequently detailing their local meals and joking about the constant presence of potatoes. They recount a series of memorable dining experiences, including being strictly shut down by a direct Irish server when Wyatt tries to customize his breakfast, enduring a 90-minute wait for fish and chips, and discovering an unbelievable coincidence when a local restaurant chef turns out to be named "Julian Wyatt." When not cycling or eating, they pass the time playing Gin Rummy, watching episodes of Cheers and The Chase, and unwinding at a local hotel pool and sauna.
Despite the brutal climbs—including a punishing 5-kilometer mountain peak with a steep 7.2% incline—and moments that leave them on the verge of tears, Wyatt and Julien ultimately find the journey deeply rewarding. They reflect fondly on the spectacular, quintessential Irish scenery they encountered, highlighting vibrant green valleys, coastal cliffs, ancient stone beehive huts, a memorable ferry crossing to Valentia Island, and interactions with local wildlife, including wild deer, horses, cows, and a petting zoo where they hand-feed friendly goats, sheep, and alpacas. The trip wraps up smoothly back where it began in Killarney, with the hosts returning their rental bikes, retrieving their stored luggage from a helpful local shoe shop, and heading to their respective train and plane departures.
Keywords:
#pannier#plaster#killarney#kenmare#sneem#waterville#stickytoffeepudding#irish#beehive#inchbeach#julianwyatt#murphys#rosscastle#dingle#ferry#ireland#cycling#kerry#donkey#alpacas#scallops#monkfish#rummy#dobble#sauna#chase#cheers#pothole
Timestamps:
01:50 – Day 1: Wyatt and Julien kick off the trip, cycling from Killarney to Kenmare through intense wind, rain, and a minor shin injury for Julien.
19:20 – Day 2: The duo recaps a wet ride from Kenmare to Waterville, featuring a bike breakdown, a roadside mechanic, and a funny hotel breakfast interaction.
33:26 – Day 3: A massive 46-mile leg past coastal cliffs, ancient beehive huts, and a perfectly timed ferry ride over to Valentia Island.
51:05 – Day 4: The hosts push through heavy downpours to reach Dingle, where they stay at a country Airbnb and eat at a restaurant run by a chef named "Julian Wyatt."
01:04:35 – Day 5: A largely pleasant, rain-free ride past a valley petting zoo, which concludes with a steep hill climb that leaves Wyatt on the verge of tears.
01:19:24 – Day 6: Conquering a brutal 5-kilometer mountain peak with a 7.2% incline before dealing with intense fatigue and a gear malfunction on the way back to Killarney.
01:27:32 – Day 7: A rest and recovery day in Killarney spent at a hotel spa pool, taking a walk to Ross Castle, and preparing for their journeys home.
