Lovely weekend in Ravensdale

We just got back this morning from our weekend trip that we have planned like forever. My wife Anett, our friends Csaba and his wife Dori and myself  were guests for couple of days in this beautiful holiday house close to Ravensdale, Co. Louth. All of us would like to say thank you for Ros and Barry for letting us stay there for the weekend. 

After only 1 hour drive we got to the house that was a barn originally beside the 250 years old irish cottage. The cottage has been refurbished in a way that follows the traditions while barn building has been converted to a very stylish and fully equipped, double level home. It is fantastic, the view  from the living room is stunning!

After we got all of our stuff sorted we went for a short hillwalk just to get to the fresh air and explore the place near by. This was during the aftrenoon and because it was still bright when we got back I have decided to go for a short spin on the bike. I couldn't wait more, the massive climb was very tempting to try! :)

After the short bike ride we got the dinner ready and settled in for the rest of the evening. The nights are still pretty cold so we prepared the fire that kept the place nice and warm for the whole night. It was so relaxing to have a seat next to the fire place after dinner and just enjoy the music and have great conversations. We have listened the Nirvana CD about hundred times! :) 

After the long evening we all got to sleep but before that we have checked the bikes and all the gear make sure everything is ok for tomorrow's spin. The plan was: get up early and leave early. There was so much to explore, we have never been around there on the bike before. 

On Saturday morning we were on the go straight away after a quick breakfast and the usual coffe. The house is on the side of the mountain and because of that we have hit the long and steep climb right after we crossed the gate. This climb is 2,5km long and the gradient is not less than 10%, somewhere even as steep as 25% which was pretty intense for sure. This long climb leads up to the top of Black Mountain that is 516m high. From the top we could see the Dundalk Bay, Carlingford and Slieve Gullion as well. Luckily the weather was sunny and warm.

Quick stop just to check the excellent view

After we left from the top we have decended on tarmac road for a little while and after hit the Ring Of Gullion Way marked walking trail and cycled on that for a short distance. After this we got to some boarder of private lands and we hit the downhill section of the day. This decend was just simply crazy! 

It was actually allright on the top, so I started to ride it but I have realized fast enough it wont work, it has turned into this supersteep "wall". The place was full of massive rocks and huge drops so we ended up to carry our bikes all the way to the bottom. It was interesting experience! :) 

After the impossible decend we got back to the house and we kept rolling towards Ravensdale to be able to start the big climb up to the top of Black Mountain once again from a lower starting point. In the main time the weather got properly warm so the second climb was even more fun than the one in the morning. We have settled into a good pace and we got up to the top again. It was great to be there!

It's done, on the top! 

Graph of Saturday's spin

After the super fast decend to the top we got back to the house where the lovely meal was already prepared by the ladies, thank you! You are great, it was a life saver! :) 

After a quick bath and the best lunch ever we spend the rest of the afternoon and the evening together. We've had a great weekend, we really enjoyed the time up there. Family, friends, cycling, good meal, country side with sheep, fire, music, Monopoly and lots of laughing...what else could we ask for?! :)

                                          Video of the best moments

Photos:

In front of the cottage

Csaba on the top

Anett & me on the mountain

Sniffing out the lunch after the bike ride :)

Relaxing in the sun

Best lunch ever: egg-fried home made noodles with salad and non-alcoholic beer

The bikes after the spin