To Err-igal is Human

The mighty Mount Errigal, County Donegal. Basically a big 750-metre-high wobbly peat trifle with granite crushed nuts on top. We always wanted to have a crack at it on/with the bikes, so we departed Antrim at 5:40am on Saturday 15 December 2007, to climb the mountain en route to collecting a sofa in Dungloe on the west coast (there WAS a good reason, but it is irrelevant here).

For a time, we toyed with the idea of trying the climb on the way back, with the sofa, for a more comfortable rest at the top, but given the wind strength, the ground conditions, and the fact that the overall purpose of the journey was sofa retrieval safe and sound, the bikes were a better call.

We knew it was a carry to the top, so we padded the top- and down-tubes with pipe lagging from B&Q. It's a good idea if you are going to be carrying for a long period.

We started in total darkness, but the day came upon us quickly, and by the time we were half way up the scree, morning had well and truly broken.

On the high passes, Davy made the rounding of "Devil's Elbow" and "Dead Man's Corner" look like a stroll in Covent Garden. It was VERY windy on the ridge.

The views were fantastic in between the misty patches, with the dawn light constantly changing.

The summit itself was extremely cold and windy. Nevertheless, Tango & Cash took a moment to contemplate their achievement, sparing a thought for Everest's intrepid but ultimately doomed Mallory and Irvine.

Coming down the scree at the top after the ridge was HAIRY-SCARY, given the wind and the loose material, but with care it was mostly rideable. Seat right down and backside over the back wheel.

We were concerned at one stage that we were going to have some heavy stone tablets added to our packs on the way down...

Given that we were up to our knees in muck for most of the way up the bog section, we did not think the lower slopes would be rideable, but to our surprise and delight, ALL of it was rideable back to the carpark, with only a single pitch over the bars when the front wheel buried.

Bodies and bikes were washed in the river and then we were ready to head for the sofa! Taking a quick look back at the mountain, it looked sad that it had been whipped, and whipped good. And the sofa fitted in the Galaxy allowing us to shut the back door for the trip back - the perfect day.