This entry on the Carradice blog is from Chris Yeomans - an artist-blacksmith, turned frame builder, and owner of TJ Cycles. Today, Chris is the custodian of the Flying Gate, a bike with an unusually constructed frame. Designed to shorten a bike’s wheelbase to increase responsiveness and acceleration, the Flying Gate effectively has two seat tubes. Purportedly the moniker "Flying" was given to the bike thanks to its speed, whilst "Gate" came later - a nod to the unique appearance. Originally produced by Baines Brothers in Bradford under the name VS37 (as in very short), the bike fell out of production until 1979 when Trevor Jarvis picked up the brand and started building frames again. Fast forward 50-odd years and Chris has been itching to hop across the Irish Sea…
Some cycling trips spend years sitting in the “one day” pile. Ireland had been one of ours.
The original plan was a big one: ride through Wales to Fishguard, ferry to Rosslare, then work our way up Ireland’s east coast to friends in Ballymoney before turning south for Dublin, Holyhead and home.
Work commitments and life eventually shortened the plan. But a good bike trip isn’t measured purely in miles, is it? A good trip for me is about the unexpected diversions, the people you meet and places you go - plus the bits in between of course. These are the things that tend to stay with you.
So we simplified things. Bikes and kit went to friends in Anglesey and, after a civilised evening with them, we rode to Holyhead for the morning ferry to Dublin.
A stone's throw from the ferry terminal. Image: Chris Yeomans
Dublin to Drogheda
We rolled off the ferry early afternoon and pointed the bikes north towards Drogheda. The plan lasted about 20 miles. Dawn decided a sea swim was required, so we diverted towards Skerries before eventually finding a long sandy beach at Gormanston and a suitably cold Irish Sea.
Swim completed, we continued to Drogheda and the Spoon and Stars hostel, followed by a wander through the medieval town and a much-needed plate of pasta.
Setting off from the Spoon and Stars. Image: Chris Yeomans
Finding somewhere to pitch
We quickly discovered that campsites accepting tents are surprisingly scarce along Ireland’s east coast. Eventually we found a pitch at Gosford Forest Park, around five miles off route – and uphill, naturally. The ranger couldn’t find our booking, but without hesitation found us a quiet spot for the tent. It was one of several small acts of kindness we experienced throughout the trip.
Gosford Forest deer. Image: Chris Yeomans
Then he broke the news… the showers weren’t working. Dawn’s second cold-water fix of the journey!
For this trip I moved away from my usual bikepacking setup and opted for panniers. I was riding my Flying Gate, a design dating back to the 1930s, so it felt right to pair it with luggage carrying an equally long cycling heritage – around 180 years of British cycling history between the two.
A pair of Kendal Panniers and a Keswick Handlebag Bag, both in the new all-black canvas and leather, proved a near-perfect combination. The Kendals’ 32-litre capacity carried clothing, sleeping bag, roll mat, tools and essentials, while the Keswick kept phone, snacks and spare layers close to hand. It’s a simple setup, but balanced and enough for many more trips to come.
An Irish breakfast bap
The following morning we followed the old canal towards Portadown, passing crumbling stone bridges with long sections of trail almost entirely to ourselves – a welcome change after some of the faster roads.
Still drying my washing just outside Portadown. Image: Chris Yeomans
At Portadown we found a café popular with cyclists and ordered our first proper Irish breakfast bap: soda bread filled with all the usual heart-stopping ingredients.
From there we continued to Ballyronan Marina on the banks of Lough Neagh. This time our booking existed and, even better, the showers worked.
Lough Neagh. Image: Chris Yeomans
Ballymoney and no particular plan
Quiet country lanes took us north to Ballymoney on one of the hottest days of the trip. We hadn’t planned anything beyond reaching our friends’ house, and that was deliberate. Four days of sea swimming, walking, eating and drinking followed, including my first Guinness in Ireland (have you heard it tastes different over there?!) and our first visit to the Giant’s Causeway. Our friend Kyla had grown up nearby, giving us our own guide to the places and stories we might otherwise have missed. Eventually we were left with three days and the small matter of getting back to Dublin.
Giant's Causeway. Image: Chris Yeomans
Sunset at Portstewart. Image: Chris Yeomans
Returning south
Rather than retrace our outward route, we accepted a lift to Newtownabbey and picked up the cycle route south towards Carlingford. Much of the next 100 miles was on dedicated cycle paths, with the stretch towards Warrenpoint a particular highlight, riding between the ship canal and tidal river.
Finding a bigger gear. Image: Chris Yeomans
Eventually we reached Gosford Forest Park again, this time without a booking. They found us a spot and even let us stay for free, on the condition that I didn’t tell anyone.
Oops.
One last ride to Dublin
The final day left around 35 miles to the ferry. A café stop in Naul for far too much food slowed progress, but a different route into Dublin rewarded us with tree-lined cycle paths, great coffee and some of the best ice cream of the trip.
Dedicated cycle lanes carried us almost to the ferry terminal before a beautifully flat sea took us back to Holyhead. One final evening ride across Anglesey inevitably turned into a time trial.
With the odometer on 377 miles it was time to come to a halt - for now at least. Cold-water swims, empty canal paths, Irish breakfasts, unexpected kindness, Guinness, the Giant’s Causeway and plenty of unplanned stops - this is what bike touring is all about.
Follow Chris on Instagram. @flying_gate
