What the heck is #AroundIrelandOnAPushie?
Ok. For months I’ve been trying to figure out what the heck #AroundIrelandOnAPushie was. All I knew I wanted to do it; I didn’t know why I wanted to do it… I just knew that I had to do it. I’ve sat down on a number of occasions writing a bunch of stuff down just trying to figure it out – The words never worked for me. I was trying to let people know what it was… Nothing I wrote made any sense to me. When I told my friends, they thought it was awesome, but to me, it just didn’t feel right because I couldn’t put it into words. I honestly didn’t know. Until now…
Let me give you the back story: A friend of mine told me his incredible tale about how he bicycled from Sydney to Melbourne for a wedding. He showed me the pictures, the route, and he told me these incredible stories from the adventure. I sat there with a shocked look on my face, shaking my head thinking, “You’re nuts!” I couldn’t believe the epicness of this journey – it was raw and it was something I had been craving for some time. Even thinking about it now, I still think his adventure is the coolest, craziest travel idea I have ever heard!
I took his story and thought about it – a lot. I was doing a lot of reflecting all because of this amazing story. It seriously affected me. I thought about where I was going, what I was doing and where I wanted to be. I had a pretty rough trot the past year and was living in survival mode. I went to work, the gym, ate dinner and slept. Work. Gym. Dinner. Sleep. Repeat. I was just going though the motions. I wasn’t sad about it; I was doing a lot of fun things, too. I ran my first half-marathon, went on epic weekend adventures, canyoning, bush walks, did social media stuff for the ESA and NASA, but something was missing. I couldn’t put my finger on it.
But, then I realised that #AroundIrelandOnAPushie gave me exactly what I needed. I am not a bicyclist by any means…. so I was basically starting from scratch. It was an investment, physically, mentally and financially and I wasn’t sure why I was investing in it. Being able to look back the past few months and reflect, this was a prescription for my life. I could not stop thinking about bicycling Ireland. I was thinking about it daily and what I didn’t realise was this little idea was helping me to heal and grow. Here I was planning an epic adventure with no real reason with absolutely no idea why I was doing it – but it felt right. So, this is who I was before planning #AroundIrelandOnAPushie:
- I kept everything to myself. I had been surrounded by the wrong people, so I basically stopped trusting everyone. It’s sad but true… I had be on high alert for so many years, that I stopped reaching out and sharing.
- I was just going though the motions of life. I’m a TV Producer by trade, so its very easy for me to just switch off and push though.
- I felt nothing. For the longest time, I wasn’t feeling emotions. I was just existing and living.
#AroundIrelandOnAPushie forced me into trusting people again – it made me reach out and ask for help. It made me realise that people believed in me and it made me surround myself with the people that actually cared about me. It gave me something to live for – a goal. I am now about to do something that is much bigger than me – the biggest challenge of my life, in fact. And this is the coolest scariest, most amazing thing I have ever done.
It hasn’t been easy. Some days, I’m going “Why the heck am I doing this? Am I nuts?” And other days, I just CAN’T WAIT to get to Ireland and start to bicycle! I’ve had crazy emotional days and I’ve reached out to people and you know what, everything is ok! This is what I’ve been missing all these years.
Now, this is ONLY the beginning and I’m sure how I feel about #AroundIrelandOnAPushie will change. But this is where I am right now and it works for me.
This little adventure started out very different. But I’m really glad the direction it is taking. (and i’m not really sure how I’m gonna fit 3 months of my life in 2×17 litre panniers. I’m finding that the scariest part of the entire adventure.)
I depart Sydney on Monday, September 13. If you would like to be a part of this epic adventure, please follow one or all of these social media handles! I’ll be doing shout outs along the way to see who want to bicycle a leg or two or catch up over a beer! See you on the road!
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Tara,
I’m with you, girl!! But remember, your Pushie will be tough on your tushie, so pad it up. I believe in you and care very much about you. I started writing you a long message, but then got distracted and left it in my draft box months ago. This new adventure is sooo coool!!!! Jeff has a family of friends in Ireland, the Kennedy’s. He went there years ago with Pat and Nabla Kennedy. Maybe you know them. I probably can get their address, just in case you want to stop in for a break. Hope to see you again soon. I’ll be following you.
Best of luck with it – looking forward to the updates. You’ll love it!!!!
P.s. Make sure the Panniers are waterproof 🙂
Thanks Conor! The ones I have now are very waterproof!! 🙂
Best of luck Tara. Waterproof everything and plenty of hi vis gear. Cycling in Ireland can be a bit dodgy at times. Let us know when you’re passing through Cork, I’ll dust off my bike and join you for a few miles\kms whatever.
Hey Barry! You’re totally right – I’ll be there around October! Sounds great! Thank you!!
Hi Tara, the very best of luck on your trip. I will stay posted to see how you are getting on. If you need a hand when you get here let me know, I may cycle with you if need the company.
All the best
Brian
Hey Brian! Thanks so much! That would be fantastic! ☺️
Have you Wicklow and the mountains planned in your route?
If I am off duty I may tag along for a bit
A kind person gave me a route – though the killer is accommodation – the YHA is booked so I may postpone by two days. I’m not in any rush.
Hello Tara, good luck with your adventure. I used to live in Sydney and Melbourne. I couldn’t make my mind up which I liked better. Both wonderfull cites which I miss 😄
HI Graham!
These things are best not being rushed into so take your time with where you want to live… Australia will gladly have you back anytime!
Will you be coming West of Galway – through Connemara?
Indeed! It looks like I will be 🙂 YAAAY! Party!
This sounds great..thanks for the follow on twitter..are you planning on wexford? Just wondering…why Ireland or maybe I missed that part in your blog..if planning wexford let me know…😆
Indeed! Wexford is one of my major stops on this adventure! I’ll be there for at least a week! If you monitor Twitter, I’ll be doing shout outs at pubs and such and you can join for a cycle or a chat! 🙂 Thanks for the love… Tara
Good luck with this…will be following your progress. I hope the weather is kind to you🇮🇪
Awesome! Thanks so much
So far today is the only rain day!
You have not chosen the best time of year to do this. I wish you the very best of luck. Thanks for following on twitter. I have followed back and am following this blog now. If you are traveling around the coast you won’t be near me at all – I’m in the only county that isn’t next to a county next to the sea! If you do stray this way I’d be happy to cycle along with you for a few kilometres. I have a nephew living in Adelaide.
Thanks Frank! Weather will be a bit of a challenge but that’s the beauty of this adventure!
See you on the road!
Trip sounds like it will be a blast 🙂
If you need some tips on places to park up for the night let me know.
Just finished a mad trip around Ireland on a floatie!!
http://www.onewildride.ie
Ted
Thanks Ted! 🙂 much appreciated
September/October is a great time to visit Ireland. Maybe see you on your journey somewhere! Just back from driving around your great land.
Daniel
Ah! Thanks for the moral support! Next time you’re around my neck of the woods, please reach out!
Hi Tara.
This sounds like such an adventure! I’ll be following you all the way & can’t wait for you to get started.
In 2012 I won a trip to Ireland from NZ & spent a month (March) traveling the length and breadth of Ireland, loving every moment of it. Believe it or not, we had just 3 days rain the entire month!!
Did you ever come across a blog by a Finnish woman, Satu Vänskä-Westgarth? She cycled Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way in 2014. Like you, she was a newbie at bike touring or biking long distances fullstop. I think you would find her journey interesting.
I’m planning a return trip back to Ireland in March 2018 & this time plan to meet more people, stay in places longer than 1 or 2 nights & visit more pubs 😊
Enjoy every moment
Paddy
I can’t believe you won’t a trip to Ireland. That’s mad!
Indeed. The first bit of this trip is planned only for safety and ease plus I gotta be a few places at certain times but when October hits, it’s a different story and I’ll be able to relax more and take my time.
I’m trying to stay at least a week in some of the major county cities.
Hi Tara, Good on ya for making this trip. I’d love to grab a short interview with you for my research project, maybe when you’re up Galway way.
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCEUi8gOAbuMUXdZRE5Yw0PQ?
Yeah sure! No worries! I’ll be around October 1 with Medieval Armoured Combat Ireland fighting in a competition and then sometime later in the year. If you Subscribe to the Facebook page, or Twitter I’ll be live updating where I am and when. Does that help?
Hi I have just discovered your story and I think you are embarking on an epic journey and I don’t that you fall in love with our green isle. I’m just wondering will you visiting any part of Northern Ireland on your travels?
Hi Nicola! Thanks so much of your comment!
Indeed! I will be up north, though, it’ll be much later in the year depending on my “pushie power!”
Hi Tara, I’m enjoying following your adventures in our beautiful country. If you are in Dublin and need a hot home made dinner, get in touch. Cooleen
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