Hope to get to Ireland tomorrow so mybe County Mayo Tuesday or Wednesday sounds plausible
Ah, you’ve the delights of Stranraer tomorrow then.
If he ends up in Stranraer something has gone badly wrong!
My thoughts are with you today TJ, there is one hell of a climb on that road (the one with the caravan park to your right and also the one out of Balantrae) and a couple of rapid descents after that will burn up your brake pads ( just stick yer legs out and shout 'weeeee' as you go down). You will be knackered by Cairnryan
Safe travels Teej .
It looks like things are going very smoothly. More pics please 😀
Andy
I took a devious rote round the coast
Slow progress today. Might have to get the ferry tomorrow.
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Couldn't be arsed rushing for the ferry. Have to camp here instead. Shame but I'll manage
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Oh the hardship!
😉
Thoughts and prayers 🖖
Couldn’t be arsed rushing for the ferry. Have to camp here instead. Shame but I’ll manage
Good man. That's the proper spirit!
Todays bam. Camped at the other end of the beach is couple. I wandered over before i pitched to ask if tbere was a decent water source. He looked like a crusty gadge but kindly gave me a 2 litre bottle which will do me. What a lovely chap
The river looked more dodgy than him. 🤣👌
Lolz@ squirrelking
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The river looked more dodgy than him.
You don't have a water filter? I'd suggest you need one!
Exta weight dear moley
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Exta weight
Not if it saves you having to haul more water.
I have an MSR Trailshot, it's 142g. I'd consider it an essential, you won't notice it with your 13kg of gear but you'll be glad of it when you can use whatever water source you find (within reason) and don't have to go hunting for it or ride way past that perfect site and ride back with 4kg of water.
Mine is part of my ultralight bivi kit, it's that useful.
Let me know if you change your mind I'll order one and bring it to you if you end up in Wales 🙂
This thread is why the forum needs a masshosive like button.
I’m miles away from your intended route, but if you need a roof, I can’t promise a bed because we’ve a full house, a shower, home cooked meal and plenty of beer, then just ask. Herefordshire.
I recently purchased one of these
https://www.ultimateoutdoors.com/16203794/water-to-go-75cl-active-water-bottle-16203794
Basically just to stop carrying as much water with me.
Drove back today from Ireland, got excited and then crushingly disappointed near ferry port in Belfast when thought might have spotted you, it wasn't 😔
Wife was somewhat bemused 😁
😀
Now supping a hot chocolate with a wee dram in it. Night night
I know you're spot tj. Always seems to be a few crusty types knocking around down there. I too thought it was a great spot, but then I went across the ferry to Ireland and upped my standards - next level beach camping!
Sawyer water filter weighs about 50g or so ( I might have made that up but it's very light)
I forgot it was sunday so mucked up the ferries. Still ill get acoss by early afternoon and don't have to use P&O
No rush! Sounds like it got better a couple of hours after you left me, long may it continue.
You forgot to factor in a visit to church?
Ill go when i get to NI. Better pick the right one 😉
Better pick the right one
Which ones that? 🙂
Does it matter🤣
Well that was interesting. Arrived in Belfast rather than Larne as planned so needed a route rethink. Took sustrans to lisburn alongside the laggan navigation which was unexpectedly nice. Lisburn however. I have never seen so many flags. Union flag, red hand of Ulster even st George cross. I felt a bit scared especially as i was flying a saltire until i realised there where some among the umion flags. Someone is confused
Water lilies on the laggan navigation
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Pub stopped serving food at 5.30!!!!!
I have beer and emergency ramen so all is not lost
Camped up near lough neagh
Build up to the glorious 12th so flag central, might find a few pallets stacked along your way too.
Aye there was a mountain of pallets as well
Camped in nowheresville NI. Todays bam ( whats irish / northern irish for bam?) Has a Stalwart in his shed
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Anyone any clues about routes across NI? Im at the southeast corner of lough neagh and vaguely heading for the west coast. Anyone?
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there's the sustrans routes, doesn't look like anything specifically off road heading west.
Ta
I have the sustrans map. It just I was concentrated on getting here not what to while i am here 😀
Ie i dont know what are the nice places to visit. Time for some random ness
Head North to the magilligan ferry onto Inishowen (malin head) the mooch south along the coast via the Loch swilly ferry?
If you're on FB, Touring and Bikepacking Ireland group should be able to help.
Sorry tj never really done the touristy thing in Ireland so not much help to you. I generally just visit people when over.
Keep us up to date though. Great trip you are doing!
A big wee adventure into the unknown! 😆
Do you use komoot, as there are a good few routes from the Neagh are into the Republic? I'd say Ride with GPS will have the same.
Here are a few nice places to visit, have a google and see what takes your fancy:
Dingle, Slea Head Drive, Inch beach,
Skelligs Islands (can't take the bike but it's only a few hours trip)
Clare Burren National Park,
Doolin,
Don Aonghasa on the Aran islands (you can take the bike on the ferry)
Clifden and Sky Road,
Leenane,
Achill Island (there a bridge!),
Great Western Greenway,
Slieve League,
Glenveagh,
Donegal coast & beaches
Causway costal route (Derry to Belfast),
Belfast to Newcastle to Rostrevor
Rostrevor to Carlingford (use the Carlingford Ferry with your bike)
Failing that just follow the Wild Atlantic Way!
