Derry to Donegal

After a nice night's sleep and a great shower in the Derry City Indepenedent Hostel (Great place to stay!!!!) we watched an episode of Stargate, as you do, and then hit the road. The cycle route out of Derry no. 92) follows the Foyle to Carrigans, after which we split off toward Raphoe.

Rain came and went, which was grand, 'cause you dry in the bright spells. Stopped in Raphoe for a wee bight (cheesey chips and a jacket potato) and got some free scones off the nice guy in there!

Then it was onwards to Ballyboffey. Or we tried. 5km from Raphoe I was wondering why I couldn't keep up with Lucky Wally... flat tyre. Put in a new tube, pretty efficiently! Then off again, until my back wheel jammed against the frame. Its frustrating when you can't trust your bike! After Ballyboffey on the main road to Donegal, my front wheel was rubbing against the breaks. It was a good cycle apart from that, a long 80km ish altogether, to arrive at my friend Steve's house, with TEEAAAAAAAA!!!! Glorious tea.

Steve

Tea

We took a day's rest yesterday and hung out, visited Muckross and Slieve League and had lovely dinner in the Harbour bar in Donegal town. Big thanks to Steve and his family for looking after us :).

Now we're off to reallign the wheels, pack and go, target is Mullaghmore, just past Bundoran. Hopefully we can update in a few days!

Ballycastle to Portrush to Derry

We cycled to the Giant's Causeway from Ballycastle. We waited until maybe 2pm for it to stop raining before leaving Ballycastle, on our way out we met the Alaskan couple who are also doing a similar route to us but much shorter distances each day. They were telling us about couchsurfing which they've had some really good experiences and Air BnB's which are a lot more like hostel prices apparently.

They've finished the visitors centre at the Giant's Causeway which looks very impressive. Bit pricey! We had a pint in the Causeway Hotel before heading onto Portush. Nice roads plus lots of downhill which is always good!

Trying to dry the tent in Ballycastle

Some castle...?

Timolo's first time at the Giant's Causeway

We stayed in Portrush in Hilltop Caravan Park which is hugeeeeeeee! I have never seen so many caravans! You can even rent DVDs from the little shop there. The next day we packed up in the rain and headed for Derry, got to Castlerock and I was really getting cold, my trainers were drenched, most of my clothes were soaked so headed on the train to Derry. We could avoid the big main roads this way too as it was quite hard to avoid them but remain on relatively flat ground. Stayed in the Independent Hostel which was lovely and just like someone's house. Met another cycle tourer called Michael, he's been backpacking for about 4 years and is about the start a 5 1/2yr round the world cycle tour! He gave us some good advice and was a really cool guy.

We then met up with Conor from climbing who helped us fix Timolo's pannier, it had started to break a bit and bend at the attachments. After all that was sorted we went to Flaming Jack's and had loads of food! :) 30% off too which is always good.

Castlerock train station

Timolo's camera has magic settings

From Larne to Ballycastle

Suncream stocks still holding strong. Sunglasses remain unused.

First day: Larne to Ballycastle

We missed the train

Well, we missed the train by 30 seconds. My fault for faffing but it gave us an opportunity to wait out the rain and gorge on sweets and coke. An hour later and we were on the train bound for Larne, the weather had improved marginally, it was only drizzling. And so we began our 40mile cycle to Ballycastle.

Lessons learnt:

1) Cycle routes can include gigantic hills
2) People who can cycle up these hills must be made of sterner stuff than us, and probably have lighter bikes/no bags
3) Pushing bikes up 4 miles of hills is tiring
Therefore, avoid hills if possible.

We did have a lovely tea in Cushendall in Arthur's cafe. I highly recommend you go there! We also met Tim's dad in Cushendall, randomly, who was driving his bus, he waved and beeped then Tim ran down the road to see if he had stopped, he hadn't. I'm sure he was on a schedule.

We camped in Maguire's on the edge of Ballycastle, which was lovely and we saw an epic sunset. It then proceeded to rain all night and most of the next day.

What to do in a tent when it rains...

And we're off...

Very quick post, it's Friday night, and we're feeelin right...

Packed and pretty much ready (need to find boxers). Carb loading commenced, chocolcates and sweets acquired, tomorrow, train to Larne and a 40 mile cycle up to Fairhead and Ballycastle! Nice contrast to the formalities of graduation this week. Mind you I do want a sceptre and gown permanently, bit heavy for the bike.

Probably gonna get wet tomorrow. But sure it wouldn't be Ireland otherwise. Will try to post again from Derry!