The wearing of the green? This isn’t Saint Patrick’s Day; but the expression quite naturally makes me think of the Emerald Isle.

At least one person has paddled a sea kayak all the way around Ireland. As I remember his account, parts of the journey were really rough.

I don’t think I want to try to emulate that feat. For one thing, I don’t have the upper-body strength. But, just perhaps, I have the legs to pedal a bicycle all the way around Ireland? Taking my own sweet time, naturally! But if you’re in a hurry, there’s the Race Around Ireland!

Like other ultra cycling events, such as RAAM, RAI sounds like “a contest of sleep deprivation”. For example, a solo woman rider must finish the route in six days, which means something like 217 miles per day. Making time for breaks to rest a bit and to get some sleep; and still cover those miles, would mean maintaining a fairly brisk pace.

There’s a lot of climbing; a total of over 72,000 feet. I’ll bet I’d need a triple crankset! There are bound to be headwinds at times when you’re on a route of over 1300 miles. Heck, I get headwinds many a day when I’m putting in 15 miles or less! Am I strong enough to fight them for hours; and at a speed that would make me competitive in an event like RAI?

I don’t suppose I’ll get the chance to find out; but if you go in for RAI, don’t get distracted into chasing leprechauns! And don’t forget about the wearing of the green.