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.
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