Farewell from Will

Well done Ben and Rickard for the hard last stretch. Sorry to not be with you although I had to tough it out at Gerry's penthouse in Kilarney.

Hope you have both made it by now and are chilling out in Derrynane. My final day in Ireland consisted of travelling for over 12 hours i.e. 2 trains, a cycle through Dublin, a rough boat crossing and three more trains through Wales and England by now full of drunk people going out for the night. The whole while extremely conscious of how much I actually stank compared to normal people who hadn't just cycled 600 miles.

The whole experience was amazing and I for one could definitely not have completed it without such excellent, amusing and motivating company.

S0 well done boys. Let me know the arrangements for the money collection when you get a chance.

Final day part two

Never have either of us been caught in weather conditions so abhorent and treacherous. Rain lashing down and left and right and up. Fricking up! Hill climbs that ran into twisting rolls of rain. Brief respites provided by leafy overhangs were all too momentary. Our immediate future was bound by the lashings of a storm that seemed vindictive in temperament and hurtful in demeanour. Turning a corner without fail unleashed a new angle on the rain and wind that had become our nemesis.  Torrential rain coupled with cheap anorak and boney girl arms extinguished the warmth of the soul. Hysterical laughter in reaction to upside down rain was the first sign of madness. After continuing for 35 miles we gave up the sodden ghost and assessed our options. Option one - continue on in atrocious conditions wet and freezing to the very core of our being. Option two - stay at a hostel two miles back in the direction we'd come from. Option three - speak to a van driver and ask for a lift into town. We exhibited genuinely responsible behaviour and struck for option three with a strong vow made to compensate for the mileage the next day which we have now made some progress towards.

Off to the pub now for a well earned Guinness. Thanks for reading!

Final day - Tralee to Derrynane

What a miserable start to the day! Lots of rain, a three mile climb, and a reduction in team size from three to two. We parted company with Will who had to catch the train from Killarney to begin the long journey home. Its not quite the same when one person leaves the group and we've been travelling together for so long. However, we've found some respite in Killorglin at a local hotel with hot chowder to give us some fuel for the rather arduous climbs ahead of us. We've cycled nearly 600 miles now so this should be the home straight.

Lehinch to Tralee, day 9

Knees. We've all got them and they're pretty useful too, acting as the fulcrum between upper and lower parts of the leg. For cyclists this is pretty handy, in fact somewhat crucial, enabling power to be transferred from person to pushbike. So when knees aren't working properly it's a real pain in the, erm, knee. Unfortunately yesterday's climbing had taken it's toll and all three of us were in a world of bendy joint pain. Still, Ireland is treating us well in other respects and the sunshine and good banter with locals has kept us going. We've even been given free ibuprofen from a local chemist.

Thanks to all for the supportive messages. Lots of love and see you soon.

Galway to Lehinch, day 8

We started the day passing through The Burren - Bizarre, almost lunar landscape of limestone pavements peppered with unique flowers.

Most of the cycling was on gradients resulting in many a tough climb often accompanied by a headwind. Our reward was catching glimpses of the wild Atlantic ocean as the sun made it's way westwards. Our final ascent was to the cliffs of moher, a truly awesome sight and the tallest seacliffs in Europe. Lehinch was a few miles of sweet descent away where we arrived just in time to savour the delights of the local curry house.

Inishbofin to Galway, day 7

Departed early from Inishbofin hostel to catch the 8.15 ferry back to the mainland. Rain greeted our arrival at Cleggan and accompanied us into Connemara. Just as we thought the weather had changed for good sunshine broke out and didn't let up until we reached Galway. 72 odd miles today and it didn't feel half as bad as a few days back. After seven days on the road we've found our own ways round the aches and pains of cycling. Usually this involves more cycling, painkillers, sweets, more cycling and more cycling. I'm not sure we will be able to stop once we reach Kerry. Or perhaps we've all gone a little crazy on painkillers, endorphins and the occasional Guinness.

Westport to Inishbofin, day 6

 
Will's bike troubles continued with an immediate chain break as we left Abbey Wood hostel. Luckily we hadn't left town and everyone was more than willing to help us in our plight. Secretly we may have all been pleased to stay for another coffee rather than start another long day on the road.

Once on our way we were rewarded with sights of Kylemore Abbey and Leenaun. The ferry over to Inishbofin brought views of dolphins and Cromwell's barracks. The island was home to Graine O'Malley, Ireland's pirate queen who would harry English ships up and down the coast. We didn't run into any such trouble ourselves unless she's been creating extra hills for cyclists.

Ballina to Westport, day 5

Absolutely stunning scenery as we was made our way anti-clockwise around Ballycroy national park. The photos speak for themselves (thankfully). Will had a puncture on the way which he manfully repaired, watched by an ever-growing crowd of onlookers. The town of Newport had never seen such a spectacle you might think. All knees and many other bodily parts were well and truly wrecked after a 77 mile day.

Bundoran to Ballina, day 4

Late start from Bundoran after an interesting evening out encountering local and other characters. Rain accompanied us for about the first hour of riding as we passed over some of the good salmon fishing rivers of the country.

Before reaching Sligo we stopped at the grave of Yeats, in a beautiful setting overlooked by the mountain of Benbulbin. At Sligo we stopped for lunch by the river before journeying on to Ballina. Found a fantastic b&b, the Suncroft, which happened to have three beds remaining for the night. Evening spent dining on great food at Jordan's to the accompaniement of Irish jigs.

Arranmore to Bundoran, day 3

After day two we were all feeling a little weary to say the least, so were looking forward to a slightly easier stage of just (!) sixty miles.

We took a morning ferry back over to the mainland and cycled in beautiful sunshine towards Glenties, stopping at Dunglow for a quick brunch and then on to Glenties.

The day was almost a complete contrast compared to day two with much more manageable inclines and some rewarding descents through country lanes on our way towards Donegal town. It's difficult to describe just how rewarding some freewheeling is after all the climbing we've been doing, but something like "weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee" begins to do it justice.

After a quick stop in Donegal and a peek at the castle, and mandatory stop at the tourist office for local advice and info, we set off on our way to Bundoran via Ballyshannon. This was very much a 'heads down' stage, twenty miles along an N road, with appropriate lashings of rain thrown our way. Arrived in Bundoran close to 8pm for a well-earned high-carb meal. We'll probably pass on the opportunity for surfing lessons...

Derry City to Arranmore Island, Day 2

After a brief tour round Derry's city walls and a trip down the Bog Side and Free Derry corner we continued our cycle up a grueling hill. Once near the top were were helpfully informed that we were going the wrong way out of the city and we would have to go back the way we came. This highlighted the helpfulness of the people and our poor map reading.

Derry to Letterkenny went well as we crossed the border into the Republic and the county of Donnegal. We came upon the tourist information office like an oasis in the desert who directed us as to the best and least hilly (comparativly speaking!) route through Glenveigh Natonal Park.

Unfortunately this route, despite stunning scenery of bleak and barren high moorland involved a 5K climb with multiple false summits. We descended into a beautiful valley. Cycling through pre- famine abandoned villages where there was still poignant evidence of fields and abandoned hearths in the ruined houses.

We were aiming to catch the 7pm ferry to Arranmore island, that made the 12K wrong turn in the next village that bit more painful as we struggled to make time.

Fortunately our strength of will and super human ability enabled us to to arrive on time to catch the last ferry to the Island. This short 20 min boat trip was shared with 40 18 year old girls celebrating after the completion of their leaving cert exams, God they can make a lot of noise.

The island is inhabited by 550 souls and our hostel was literally on the beach with stunning views across the Sound back to the mainland and the mountainous backdrop. After 71 miles we finished the day with a couple of pints feeling our increasing aches and pains.

Thanks for following us and your kind offers of donations.

Bushmills to Derry City, Day 1

The three intrepid cyclists set off from Bushmills. First stop the World Heritage site The Giants Causeway built by Finn MaCool before the collapse of the construction industry!

The cycle ride was really long and it took ages to complete. How will we survive the second day, let alone the full ten days? We only had a couple of minor incidents, such as Rick's altercation with a barbed-wire fence in Downhill (which was actually uphill). This was soon followed by a blowout of Ben's back tyre, swiftly repaired by the roadside before we were on our way again.

Up at half seven tomorrow morning, ready for stage two from Derry city to Arranmore Island, Donegal. Off to bed now to rest our weary legs.

Great support from the Bushmills hostel

Mary at the Bushmills hostel very kindly helped us in updating the blog and showed great support for our cause. Mary also donated a poem - posted in the comments section of a previous post - but reproduced here to give it the attention it deserves.

‘THE LAST PLACE TO BE FREE’

THE LAST PLACE TO BE FREE,
AN ISLAND IN THE SEA

PERFECT MOMENTS TO EXPLORE,
WIDE HORIZONS SHORE TO SHORE

HEAVEN SUSPENDED IN INNER SPACE,
MAGNIFICENT SPLENDOUR OF SEA’S EMBRACE

MAN’S MINUTIUE AND LIFE’S AGITATIONS,
SET ASIDE BY NATURE’S PERSUASIONS

THE UNHURRIED DAYS, THE STILLNESS OF THE NIGHT,
THE BRIGHTNING DAWN, THE DAZZLING LIGHT,

THE DRIFTING TIDES, THE RUNNING SEAS,
THE SCATTERING BIRDS, THE STIFFENING BREEZE,

THE SPEEDING BIRD’S REFLECTING EYES,
THAT RISE UNBIDDEN WITH A CRY.

FREEDOMS WON AND FREEDOMS GAINED
IN SERENE CONTEMPLATION OF LIFE SUSTAINED,

ON FAR FLUNG SHORES THAT REACH THE SKY,
ANSWERING HUMANITIES PLAINTIFF CRY,

THE LAST PLACE TO BE FREE,
LIVING WITH NATURE IN HARMONY


BY
MARY CECIL

Bushmills staging post

Safe arrival in the town of Bushmills, with the stench of silage and distilling whisky hanging thick in the air like an alcoholic farmer's blanket. However, very tasty fish supper was eaten by the river whilst watching salmon make their way upstream (further details available from Rickard).

Heading off this morning on our way to Derry via the Giant's Causeway, Coleraine , Portstewart and Limavady.

Here we are leaving Belfast to get the train to Portrush

Glasgow arrival

Quick train change in Glasgow. All running smoothly. Some people here look like they've been hit hard with the eighties stick. Others just look like they've been hit hard with a stick.

All for a good cause, or two

We'll be taking the opportunity to raise a bit of dosh for a couple of good causes, and would appreciate any contribution that you can make. The two charities we will be supporting are detailed below. We'll be collecting money after the ride but in the meantime please make a pledge to keep us motivated during those tough final miles. To do so please use the comments box below, anonymously if you wish, stating how much you would like to pledge and which charity you'd like to support. If you don't have a preference then we'll split your donation fifty-fifty.


Global Youth offers a lifeline to remote and isolated charities in developing countries, helping organisations to help themselves by:
- Brokering resources, including fundraising in the UK
- Building relationships; with other organisations, funders and decision makers
- Capacity building; training, fundraising support and strategic planning

Currently Global Youth is working with a remarkable organisation called ChildLife. Childlife is based on the Thai/ Myanmar (Burma) border, and provides support for children and young people who would otherwise have nothing. To date, Gobal Youth has been able to provide some grassroots support in the form of supporting volunteers, carrying out a needs assessment, staff training and strategic planning. Through our fundraising efforts in the UK we have also been able to provide the resources for ChildLife to employ an administrator and a nurse at the shelter and purchase essential equipment for the children.

The Derrynane Inshore Rescue Service
The rescue service is officially part of the Irish Coastguard and has, since it's launch on Easter Monday 2004, been patrolling local waters around Derrynane County Kerry and carrying out numerous successful rescue operations. The service is operated by a dedicated staff of eight and 15 highly motivated volunteers crewe a four-seat boat which is self-righting and equipped with twin 115 horsepower Yamaha engines that allow the boat reach speeds of up to 45 knots. The purchase of the boat was made possible by a fund-raising Triathlon in 2003 and a new slipway was built in 2002 by locals.  The boathouse was donated and renovated by Lord and Lady Dunraven for the rescue service’s use.

Day 1 - Bushmills to Derry City

Here's a preview of the first stage of the tour, just to show that we're serious and have thought about where we're going...

Travelling to the starting point

We'll all be setting off on Tuesday 14th June to arrive at our starting point of Bushmills where we'll beging the ride the next day. For Will and I that's a 5.30am train from Euston up to Stranraer followed by a ferry across the channel and arrival in Belfast for about 5pm. Rick will join us in Belfast having travelled up from Dublin, then it's a quick train ride to Portrush followed by a leisurely warm-up ride to Bushmills.

Here's a pic of just a few of the 21 (no less) tickets sold to us by Virgin Trains for the trip.

Pre-travel post

Yet to set off and we're all really excited about the impending trip. We hope our friends and family will be checking in along the way to see that we're making progress and haven't been waylaid in one of Ireland's many fine drinking establishments. For now, it will be good progress for all three of us to make it to the starting point at Bushmills on June 15th...