THE LAST DAY

After a night in The Tower Hotel in the centre of Derry we set off for the final stage. Back to cool and overcast weather again. I should have mentioned that we had the wind behind us every day....except today!  Off we battled through a strong head wind. Second breakfast at Carndonagh, after a a big climb, then off again,full of enthusiasm! A few flat miles, then more hills and the final bit was the real killer!! I hadn't realised Malin Head was almost on the top of a mountain!!! Good view though. We'd made it and all crossed the finish line together!
Andrew arrived spot on time to transport us and our bikes all the way back to Dublin. We did manage the usual pint and bag of Tayto though before we hit the road once again!!
Best thing about cycling is the food and drink!!

DAY 7

To Derry! Getting near the end... Once again nice roads for cycling. Sometimes only cows to be seen! Best weather of the week today, wall to wall sunshine..a welcome change from overcast days.

We were undecided as to whether we were heading for Buncrana or Derry but ended up in Derry. Our first time there!  We walked the walls, looked down over the Bogside (catholic area), read bits about the history of that notorious town and then as usual ended up in a pub!

DAY 6

Today we went from Leitrim to Co Fermanagh in Northern Ireland. I should have mentioned the lovely ride yesterday from Castlerea to Frenchpark, quiet bog roads... beautiful. Piles of turf on all sides and so little traffic.

 Lovely scenery too in Co Fermanagh, my first time there.We cycled through Enniskillen and along the shore of Lough Erne. We stopped for the night at The Manor House Hotel at Killadeas, a few miles past Enniskillen . What a lovely place! Did our bikes look good outside that fancy hotel??
Pool, jacuzzi,sauna,steam room....the works! Then the bar, the restaurant and a good nights sleep!

DAY 5

Five minutes from Lisloughrey and I had my first blowout! A local schoolboy ducked for cover and I thought I'd been shot! As the day wore on I became accustomed to that noise.... a total of 3 blowouts. After the second one we realised it was due to the size of the new wheel and the brake rubbing! With the 3rd tyre that day we got the brake pads shaved to stop the problem and it worked!! Phew!
It was a long day due to my bike problems and boy were we glad to arrive into Leitrim village at about 6.30. Peter and Deirdre were well and truly installed in the pub and it wasn't long before wheels and tyres were but a distant memory!

Brian and Gail had arrived and Brian kindly treated us all to a wonderful meal. We spent the night in the appartment at the Marina .Ciara's homemade brownies are a must for all cyclists!! Wish I had a photo but they didn't last long enough!!

DAY 4

Gort to Cong.
 Today was probably our shortest day, covering only about 47 miles. It was unpleasant though with lots of traffic almost all day. We bypassed Galway at Oranmore, unfortunately we didn't have time to visit The City of the Tribes. When we got to Cong I went straight to the bike shop as my front wheel was getting more and more wobbly. I got a new wheel but not exactly the same size!!! Then the wheel problems really began!

 We had a lovely night in Lisloughrey Lodge, next door to Ashford Castle. It was expensive but worth it! Pity the weather wasn't better as the views are so stunning!

DAY 3

A lovely bright morning for a bike ride! We set off in different directions... Dermot and I to visit cousin Kitty in Killdysert and Peter and Deirdre went straight to Ennis, where we all met up later. We took a wrong turning and ended up on a very rough track but got there eventually! Kitty was pleased to see us  and we had a welcome cup of tea and fruit brack with her. Her dog Rusty had gained a few pounds since our last visit!!
We met  the other two at the bike shop in Ennis where Peter was investing in a back rack . I showed the bike repair man my broken frame and saw sheer horror on his face!! I was immediately sent to have it welded. At long last and after many different directions we finally got someone to weld it at a cost of 15 euros.

Then  the final stage to Gort. We stayed at the Lady Gregory Hotel and eased away all our aches and pains in the lovely pool and jacuzzi. Sheer bliss! A good pizza, few drinks, good nights sleep and then on to day 4....

DAY 2

Sunday morning, all set and ready to go .Well almost..... until Dermot spotted that my frame had cracked! No alternative but to go as nowhere to get it fixed nearby. I cycled with great trepidation that day constantly wondering if the bike would collapse under me! It didn't.  We cycled to Tarbert and took the ferry across the Shannon to Killimer, Co Clare. Deirdre experienced a moment or two of panic when she thought she had lost Tarbert!!! A poor lady in the middle of nowhere in Co Kerry is still bemused by the mad Mullingar woman who was jumping up and down outside her garden wall shouting "Where's Tarbert?" Just a senior moment,I think!
We enjoyed an excellent meal (home made fresh cod goujons) at the pub in Killimer washed down by a few pints and then spent the night in a nearby B&B.