The Weekend Run - A scenic Kingdom tour and a Ducati that has it all

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a day ago

We started this ride-out from Tralee and stopped at a little coffee shop in Killorglan, but I'll come back to that shortly.
Killorglan is home to the annual Puck Fair, Ireland's oldest street festival. Here's how it goes: a goat handler goes into the mountains to catch a male feral goat. The Goat is brought to the town square, where the Queen of the Fair, a young girl from a local primary school, crowns him the King of Puck Fair.
In years past, the King Goat was placed in a cage on top of high scaffolding in the town square for three days of festivities. Nowadays, he is only placed in the cage for three hours and then returned to the mountains feeling somewhat chuffed. King Puck takes pride of place at the entrance to Killorglan. Pic: Supplied
Back to the coffee shop. While my biker pal, Ger, and I were debating the best route to Caragh Lake, a very friendly local lad told us about a shortcut on a back road from the town to the lake.
He didn't mention the condition of the road surface, which had potholes from hell. If anyone had seen us weaving from left to right to avoid the potholes, they would have thought we were inebriated. However, the road suddenly opened up, and Macgillycuddy's Reeks came into view.
The rough ride was all worth it once we arrived at the lake. This vast expanse of water was considerably larger than I had imagined. The road suddenly opened up, and Macgillycuddy's Reeks came into view. Pic: Supplied
As it was a rare sunny day in Kerry, the water glistened like a blue gem in the sunlight. It is a freshwater lake formed when the River Caragh was dammed and is also renowned for excellent salmon fishing.
The roads around the lake are incredibly narrow and winding, which adds to the challenge and excitement of the ride. You need to be attentive, however, as there are many spots where you'll have to pull over to let oncoming cars pass. As it was a rare sunny day in Kerry. Pic: Supplied
Remember, we were on motorbikes; I don't know how two cars would pass each other. This certainly slows down the pace, but it also allows you time to take in the magnificent scenery.
The Caragh Lake motorcycle ride would almost take your breath away. It is much larger than it seems, and the views are stunning, with only a handful of houses around it. It is a freshwater lake formed when the River Caragh was dammed and is also renowned for excellent salmon fishing. Pic: Supplied
The lake is designated a Special Area of Conservation because the rare Kerry Slug was discovered there.
Since the 1970s, there have been very strict building regulations, so the handful of houses on the side of the lake can sell for well in excess of €1m. Strict building regulations mean that the houses surrounding the lake can sell for well in excess of €1m. Pic: Supplied
At points, the road runs parallel and only a few feet from the lake itself. Caragh would truly rival any of the famous Swiss lakes and, in my opinion, beat them hands down with the proximity of the road to the lake.
We met very few cars around the lake, and in fact, we only saw three people walking on the road. How this gem has remained largely unknown and unused remains a mystery to me. How this gem has remained largely unknown remains a mystery. Pic: Supplied
As you finish the circle of the lake, you are met with a beautiful stone bridge under which runs the River Caragh, which feeds the lake.
This area is tranquil and really beautiful. I've known the lake was there for years, but I only once visited it by car, and I didn't do the circuit of the lake, much to my regret.
However, now that I know of its magnificence, I'll be back. The Caragh Lake deserves appreciation. Pic: Supplied
Overall, it was a unique and memorable ride, perfect for those who enjoy a more intimate and challenging road experience.
The Caragh Lake deserves to be ridden around on a motorbike because, in my opinion, a car ride won't do it justice.
Click this link to the Detecht map for route of this run. Remember, when you open the map, enlarge it to see the details.
Charles Bayly Franklin, a quiet Dubliner, was born on Whitworth Road, Drumcondra, in 1880 and educated at St Andrew's College, then at St. Stephen's Green.
He qualified as an electrical engineer and worked for Rathmines Electrical Works from 1901. Charles Bayly Franklin. Pic: Supplied
Charles Franklin's name and place in history are virtually unknown. And yet he has left a motoring legacy that unquestionably places him at the very pinnacle of motorcycle sport, engine design and frame development.
Charles was elected a member of the Motorcycle Union of Ireland in 1904. The Chairman, John Boyd Dunlop, inventor of the pneumatic tyre, had a factory located off Aungier Street in Dublin.
He subsequently became a member of the Dublin & District Motor Cycle Club in 1907. He competed on a variety of machines; his first recorded appearance took place in September 1903 at a reliability trial, Dublin to Portlaoise return, on an FN with a heady output of 2.75 bhp. Charles Bayly Franklin was a member of the Dublin & District Motor Cycle Club in 1907. Pic: Supplied
His reputation grew here and in England as the renowned motorcycle star of his day. His results were such that he was selected for the British Team for international competitions.
Franklin became the first Irishman to compete in an international motorcycle competition, being chosen on the three-man Great British team in the International Cup of 1905, a significant achievement for the Dubliner.
Charles and his two team members, brothers Charlie and Harry Collier, the Auto Cycle Club's Freddie Straight and their manager, the Marquis de Mouzilly de St. Mars, came up with the formula for a tourist trophy race meeting – the venue, the now legendary Isle of Man, where the first race took place on 27th May 1907, with Charles Collier the winner, Franklin having to withdraw his entry due to pressure of business.
Between 1906 and 1908, he met Harry Wells, an American ex-cycle racer. The significance of this meeting lay in the fact that Wells was a close friend of George Hendee, who owned a bicycle business in Springfield, Massachusetts, known as the Hendee Manufacturing Company Limited.
This company transitioned into motorcycle manufacturing under the name Indian in 1901.
Charles bought his first Indian in 1910, a twin-cylinder, five-hp model, the same year he became the Irish importer of Indian motorcycles. This also left him free to compete in many competitions, with his prime focus being the 1911 TT.
The 1911 Indian Race Team was formidable, achieving a clean sweep in the Senior TT, where they secured the first three places. Franklin came second. In 1912, he became the first rider in the world to cover 300 miles in less than 300 minutes.
In 1914, the Hendee Manufacturing Company opened a retail depot in Dublin under his management. It subsequently opened a retail and service business at 10 Wicklow Street in May 1915 – unfortunately, it wasn't great timing, as Europe and Ireland were in turmoil.
At this stage, it cannot be overstated how Charles B. Franklin was seen in Irish and world motorcycling. This quiet man, whose technical knowledge was respected in equal terms as his forensic preparation and will to win, had by now effectively gained Charles' legendary status within motorcycling racing circles.
A combination of the 1916 Rising, along with new trade taxes on imported vehicles, including motorcycles, led to the closure of his shop on Wicklow Street. Keen not to lose Franklin, Hendee offered him a job in Indian's design department in Springfield, Massachusetts.
He joined the Indian Motorcycle Company in 1916. By 1919, he was the head engineer. Indian was in trouble, having lost significant ground to Harley-Davidson during the War years. Franklin's 600cc Scout was given the production green light in 1919. Pic: Supplied
Franklin's next motorcycle would place Indian forever in the hearts of motorcyclists. His 600cc Scout was given the production green light in 1919 and was launched at the National Motorcycle Show in Chicago. It was an immediate success.
Indian's most famous Scout bore the engine number 50R627. It was bought by Burt Munro, a 21-year-old, who paid £120. Munro himself became an Indian legend as he kept that bike for over 55 years. The Anthony Hopkins film, The World's Fastest Indian, tells the tale wonderfully.
Franklin went on to design a larger version of the Scout, the Chief, which was enlarged to 1,000cc. Its advanced technical offerings and appearance in 1922 received a similar warm welcome. In 1923, the Big Chief was introduced to the range, featuring a 1,200cc capacity. The Irishman's legacy was assured.
Charles Franklin died on October 23rd, 1932 – he was 52 years old. For all his fame, there is little documentation or records of this genuine Irish Genius who effectively saved the Indian Motorcycle Company from extinction.
What we do know from Tony Toner, co-author of this article, is that this legend of motorcycle engineering and racing is buried in an unmarked grave in Oak Grove Cemetery in Springfield, Massachusetts. Tony Toner points at Charles Franklin's grave, which is referenced only by the number 9814. Pic: Supplied
Tony and some friends are actively involved in attempting to rectify this glaring void in the contribution and memory of Charles Franklin on both sides of the Atlantic. He has contacted relevant interested parties to ensure that one of the world's first actual motorcyclists will be honoured appropriately, both here in Ireland and at his final resting place.
To find out more, you can contact Tony at [e-mail]
The Ducati Multistrada V2S is a real biker's bike. It boasts all the heritage of Ducati, offering a smooth, comfortable, and responsive ride that will take you anywhere.
As Ducati say on their website: 'It was conceived to combine performance, touring capability and ease of use.' Ducati Multistrada V2, a real biker's bike! Pic: Supplied
When I heard I was riding a Ducati, I wasn't over the moon as I felt Ducati only made speedsters, and that's not my thing. But boy was I wrong – and right. Yes, the V2S is quick, just like any other Ducati, yet it has everything you need for commuting and weekend ride-outs.
First things first. When you start it, it has that unique Ducati ping-pong or double kick. It's unnerving if you've only ridden Japanese bikes, but it's a feature of Ducati engines for as long as I can remember. It also features five different driving modes: Sport, Touring, Urban, Enduro, and Wet.
It comes standard with cruise control, traction control, and an anti-lock braking system (ABS). You can adjust the suspension settings to suit your riding style. It has more features than I would ever need. The Ducati Multistrada V2 features five different driving modes: Sport, Touring, Urban, Enduro, and Wet. Pic: Supplied
So now I'm in my favourite car park – the M50 – and lo and behold, traffic is light, just like the V2S. For a bike with so much tech and such a powerful engine, it feels almost feather-like to ride. Its engine at 54.4 KG is the lightest Ducati twin-cylinder ever produced.
Another interesting fact is that every Ducati engine is built by hand, not by a Robot. That might explain how Ducati can offer a 4-year warranty on the V2. You bring it in for a massage from Declan in Ducati, and the next service is at an incredible 32,000 Klicks. That service interval shouts we have total confidence in our V2s.
On the M50, the streamlined body and windscreen are working well to minimise wind drag and buffeting. When you tickle the throttle, it wants to take off, and this is where I believe it is best suited to an experienced rider. It has the power of every Ducati and needs a skilled hand on the handlebars.
That said, it is a magnificent machine to ride, with a seat that provides maximum comfort and a riding position that makes me feel I'm in complete control. The guttural sound of the engine when you accelerate says Ducati. The Multistrada V2S starts at €19,000. Pic: Supplied
But, I hear you say, 'How will it handle on my commute home?' and the answer is 'beautifully'. I took it into my favourite narrow, winding, housing estate with roundabouts, and I couldn't fault it at all.
I left Declan in Ducati Dublin with a bit of trepidation, but I returned as a huge fan of this magnificent machine and a Ducati convert.
The Multistrada V2S starts at €19,000, which, in my opinion, for such a versatile bike whose engine is built by hand and comes with a 4-year warranty, is not a lot of money. Check it out on YouTube here.
GT stands for Grand Tour, and it is what Damian is known for in the motorcycle world. Damian epitomises everything good about bikers.
He gives of his time freely and devotes his biking life to raising much-needed funds for charities such as Pieta House and Jigsaw. Since 2022, he has raised over €200k for really deserving charities. Damian Sheridan epitomises everything good about bikers. Pic: Supplied
Damian says: 'If you're thinking of organising a charity event, know what you're getting yourself in for. You soon become Marmite; people will either like you or hate you. Have a thick skin, the keyboard warriors will come out.
'Always be transparent when it comes to fundraising. People will always wonder what you're getting out of it. For me, it's just the buzz of bringing bikers together and getting them back safely.'
Long may GT continue to ride and do what he does brilliantly.
I was about 18 when I first got a taste for motorcycles. I was introduced by an old friend, Brendan, and used to go everywhere on the back of his Honda BAJA XLR250.
I was 20. However, I only had it for a short while. I was off bikes for 22 years before getting back on one in June 2020.
The first bike I bought was a 16-valve Suzuki Bandit 400 Slingshot back in the day. All black.
No, I was on a provisional car licence for way too long. When I did the car test, the rules had changed. So, I was young and foolish back then. I sat my test in 2022.
No, not the first time, I got a loan of a donor bike from an instructor. I just couldn't get used to it an hour before the test.
As I was working in the healthcare sector, I retook a test three weeks later and passed it on my 2015 BMW F800R.
It has to be the Grand Tour 2025 (GT25). Forty bikers from all over Ireland and one lady from the UK are travelling around Ireland for three days, everyone getting on so well and not one incident to report.
Yes, a nasty one in January 2024, a driver pulled out in front of me. I crashed into the side of him, got flung over the other side of the road and then hit by a truck. I got a way lucky, snapped the tibia and split the knee in half.
In fairness to the other party, he was great and went to the Gardaí himself, admitted liability himself and came to see me in the hospital — two people in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I have been doing events since 2022 for various non-profits, including Shed4Bikers, as well as charities such as Pieta and Jigsaw.
Most are one-day events, except for the GTs. Also I do an end-of-summer Carlingford Run from Dublin, which always attracts big numbers, including 350 at last year's.
Do it; don't think twice. Make sure to do it properly and get the proper training. Eric Dolton has to be one of the best in Ireland.
Get a machine you're comfortable with and go to the right spins to suit you. I've often seen inexperienced drivers get caught up in the moment of the spin, trying to keep up with the more experienced driver.
It's going to end badly at some stage. Drive at your own pace.
With the support of those who get on board and corporate sponsors, I have raised nearly €200,000 since 2022.
We all enjoy the thrill of the ride or being in a group spin. Do it safely; if you want to go mad, consider a track day at Mondello.
Track days are a lot cheaper than a funeral.