And Relax - Day 4

So today has been really relaxed. I was up fairly early, and set off from the hostel around 9.00 to explore, I took a walk round and, as in many cities, decided an open top bus tour was the way to go to see as much of the city as possible in my short stay here.

I was tempted to get off at the HMS Caroline, a refurbished battle ship, or the Titanic experience, but both of these would have taken some time to go through. It was a nice day and I didn't want to spend too much of it indoors!

Parlaiment Building at Stormont

I stayed on the bus and saw the Parliament building at Stormont and we passed a few of the murals Belfast is known for. I got off at St Georges market as recommended by my colleague and manager who is from Belfast, and also by Arnie from the hostel. I spent a good couple of hours here, tons of stalls selling everything from raw fish to original art prints, antique bricabrac type stalls and several jewelry stands. I kept returning to one of these which was selling steampunk type clockwork pieces and bought a timepiece necklace. Looking at it now I realise the time on it isn't right, I will need to work out how to wind it!

Bustling St Georges market

Sent this to my friend Erin

I also had lunch here - never having eaten Irish soda bread I decided now would be the time to try and bought myself a soda fala - basically a breakfast soda bread with egg, sausage, bacon and black pudding. The guy who made these was brilliant to watch - and piled on the bacon. I asked for just one sausage and not too much bacon, I knew I wouldn't be able to manage some of the portions he had been dishing out to others! It was really tasty and I think I am now a soda bread convert. I also balanced this out with a fresh made smoothie and an orange juice, so I had at least a couple of my 5 a day!

I jumped back on the bus and got off a few stops further on which happened to be close to Arnies, I needed to move my things from the room I had been in last night, to a new room for tonight, and I also wanted to get changed into something cooler, and grab my water bottle. Just before the stop the guide had told us about the Game of Thrones tapestry on display in the Ulster museum just up the street, so I popped in there first. If you are a fan of the show and are in Belfast while it is on display I would definitely recommend going to see it. It has been designed by artists and illustrators, who then pass the designs to a weaver to be woven on a jacquard loom. Once the basic design is done further details are then hand embroidered. It follows the TV series rather than the books, and captures all the major plot points from the story, it is incomplete as it will be added to as the next 2 seasons are released. I also took some time to have a look around The Troubles exhibition. I knew Belfast had a violent past, but this really brought home to me how bad things had been during this period.

Back in Arnies I took the opportunity to sit in the sun in the tiny garden for a bit talking to the staff. I hadn't realised, but the staff are mostly there to gain experience in working in a hostel/bnb environment while studying a related subject, this means that they change every few weeks/months depending on how long they stay for. The girls there currently are lovely, and couldn't have been more helpful. I had handed over a pile of laundry that morning, putting £5 n the charity box as payment - at Arnie's the money you pay for many of the extras offered at most hostels all goes to charities.

Heading off again I had a short wait in the sunshine before getting back on the bus. The tour continued around The Falls Road and Shankhill, predominantly nationalist and unionist areas respectively. Here the guide talked much more about the murals and the history of the city cementing what I had learned in the museum earlier. Nowadays the battle is much more about political stance than it is religion, and all about civil negotiations rather than violence. Looking at Belfast now, it is hard to imagine the horrific sectarian motivated acts which took place during that period. The city has certainly changed.

The tour coming to an end I made my way to an internet cafe to get the pictures from the action cam over the last few days so that I can add them to my posts. Successfully got them on my Google drive, but now need to work out how to move them from there to blogger, so you will need to wait a bit longer! It now being 6pm, I went to find some dinner.

I finished off the evening in a pub called 5 Points, which has live music 7 nights a week.  Aware of the early start and day of cycling ahead I was restrained in my alcohol intake drinking just a pint of cider over a couple of hours while enjoying the music. It was here I got chatting to Lana from Salt Lake City, Utah, a researcher who was in Belfast for work on a collaborative project in eye diseases particularly for diabetics, and Mateus a business man from Germany, who had been on a language course in Dublin with his work and took the opportunity for a weekend break to Belfast. The 3 of us spent a pleasant couple of hours chatting, about ourselves, the various tours we had done.

I learned that Lana could palpitate a mouse to make it pee in a test tube - no small skill among scientists! As well as play piano, and make pottery - definitely a multi talented lady!

Mateus had spent the day on a tour to the giants causeway - a natural rock formation off the coast to the north of Belfast a sight I must visit some time....another thing to add to my list! It sounded like a great tour.

Having an early bus to catch he left a bit before us, Lana and I were heading in the same direction and both having to be up early we left shortly after, keeping each other company on the walk back towards our respective accommodations.

Unfortunately my phone battery had died earlier in the evening so I don't have any pictures to share from the evening.

To the ferry! Day three

Ok. I'm not gonna lie. Today was tough.

I have a bit of time to kill so this post is also going to a bit longer than the other 2!

Let me give you a bit of background info so you understand some of what comes later.

As mentioned previously I haven't really arranged accommodation in advance as, if I don't reach my intended destination each day, I don't want to be cancelling at the last minute. The exception was tonight and tomorrow. Knowing I had to get the ferry to Belfast I put out some feelers a few days ago and had been in contact with an independent hostel called Arnie's.

Initially, they couldn't accommodate me, but I got an email advising they had a cancellation, did I still want the room? Yes please! What time BEFORE 9pm would I arrive in Belfast. Ah. I was booked on the 7.30pm sailing from Cairnryan. The ticket asked me to be at the ferry port an hour before that so 6.30. the ferry didn't arrive in Belfast until 9.45pm. the earlier ferry left at 3.30, meaning I would have to be there for 2.30. I had bought a flexible ticket just in case of problems. Could I get to the ferry port in time for the earlier sailing time?

I checked the map and Google told me that I had 43 miles to cycle. If I left as planned around 9/9.30am That gave me 5 hours to get there. Doable. If tight. I told Arnie this, and he said as I was cycling he would wait for me if I didn't make it. If I could get the 3.30 boat that would be preferable, but don't get myself killed trying. Ok. Challenge was on.

When I first got up this morning my legs were a little achey, not too bad, but I could feel it. After a little walking about, a good breakfast of scrambled eggs and bacon plus toast and butter x1, toast and Nutella x1, a tangerine and a yoghurt, a glass of orange juice and 2 cups of coffee however, the aches were pretty much gone and I was ready to go.

The first section out of Troon was dead easy, and I found myself passing Prestwick  airport, going through Prestwick and then Ayr in no time. The path for this section was a mixture of coast paths and roads - lovely scenery of beaches and green spaces looking over the Firth of Clyde before it becomes the Atlantic Ocean, interspersed with the odd housing scheme and a quick run through Ayr main Street before cycling along the promenade. There were quite a few folk out, walking dogs, just walking, or cycling. The weather after threatening rain just as I was leaving had instead remained clear, and while not sunny, it was still a nice morning. If I had more time I may have stopped and paddled, but I had a ferry to catch.

Passing Prestwick

Ayr Town Centre

Passing through Ayr

Coming out of Ayr I got my first real but fairly small hill of the day, managed up it feeling ok, and had fabulous views looking back towards Ayr. The small lane I was on went past Greenans Castle, there was a bench with 2 girls and a small motorbike, it looked like they were on tour too. I said hello as I went past, and then it was downhill to meet back up with the A719, this was a fairly wide road with a good surface and most of the passing traffic gave me a wide berth, it was around 11 when I passed Craig Tara holiday park, and I felt like I was making good time, and enjoying the ride. I passed another female cyclist with panniers who looked like she was also touring, going in the opposite direction, and we gave each other a wave.

Looking back towards Ayr near Greenan Castle

It was shortly after this that route 7 turned off the main road, a sign saying 7 miles to Maybole, where I would abandon the route in favour of the A77 to the ferry port.  Great only 7 miles! But next to the turn off was another sign, pointing the same way which gave me an 'oh dear' moment. It said Carrick Hills. Now I don't mind the odd hill, I'm not a lover of them like my fellow Belles Ullie and Claire, but I can normally manage them ok if I need to. But these hills had a name. And that meant they were big enough to be a land mark. Which meant they would be tough.

Climbing the Carrick Hills

Looking back part way  up

Sure enough, the gradient soon became too much for me, and I'm not ashamed to say that a lot of the next few miles were spent walking rather than cycling. Those 7 miles to Maybole took me around 2 hours. My hopes of catching the 3.30 sailing were vanishingly slim.

At the top looking back to Ayr

The hills themselves were challenging and beautiful, I had great views back towards Ayr - not so much on the other side. I was hoping for a lovely descent to make up for all the climbing, but it never really materialised. Nevertheless the country lane I was following while quite potholed in parts was fairly good for the type of terrain, there were sheep out to graze on the scrub grass on the hill and the scent of bracken filled the air on the way up, the vegetation was mostly bracken and gorse, which was not yet flowering - I can imagine when it is in bloom it would also fill the air with its scent as well as brightening up the scene with its brilliant yellow flowers, but that will happen later in the year.

Looking back some more

I finally reached the top and found a passing place where people had obviously parked up to enjoy the view and eat dinner - unfortunately the reason I could tell this was from the rubbish they left behind, why can't people take it with them and dispose of it responsibly??? I considered stopping for 5 minutes and cleaning up a little, but I had nowhere to put the rubbish - and I had a ferry to catch! Despite the slow ascent I still hoped to make the ferry.  The path levelled out a lot undulating a little along the top of the hill. I was really feeling it in my legs now and felt a bit like a jack in the box jumping on and off the bike.

Eventually though what goes up must come down, and I got a bit of a descent, although filled with potholed/gravelly roads and sharp corners I had to take it slow. It also wasn't long before I was climbing again, it went on like this for some time and I was beginning to think I had missed a turn. Eventually I saw a sign for route 7 turning right - up yet another hill! Walking up here again there were some raspberry bushes growing in the hedge row, so of course I picked some to eat as I went by - can't beat wild raspberries! I paused at the top to eat a banana and some energy ball mush (it had been nicely shaped, but the mix is quite sticky, and they had lost the shape lovingly rolled while at Heather's) still, very tasty and full of energy they gave me a boost. Finally there was another sign for Maybole - only 2 miles to go.

Coming out of Maybole I turned onto the A77 and finally got a bit of the descent I had been expecting. The road here was wide and well kept. The next 5 miles or so were pretty easy, and I enjoyed not having to pedal so hard. It is quite a fast road, but again most of the traffic gave me a good berth, and I was passed by quite a lot of cars and the front part of a lorry. Soon enough the route I was following turned me into another country lane, I checked the map and it looked like it cut off a corner of the A77 route so I went with it, it was actually a lovely little lane and gave me a great view of the sea coming back to the coast, with a nice downhill back to the A77 I didn't regret it, if it hadn't saved me time it was much nicer to be away from the traffic and when I met back with the A77 it was 5 miles to Girvan. Shortly after this the same front part of lorry went by me again and I was doubly glad of the decision, it seemed it had saved some time after all.

I liked the look of Girvan as I went through it, but didn't stop - although maybe I should have. By this point I had given up hope of making the earlier boat, but thought I would push on just in case. I was also pretty much out of water. I did see the train station and considered that as an option for about 20 seconds, but not knowing the frequency of the trains, how long it would take to Stranraer, and how long the cycle from Stranraer to Cairnryan would be I decided against it. Sorry Arnie! By this point it was 1.30, the satnav said I still had 20 or so miles to go (had I really only done 23?) And I knew I wouldn't get there on time.

Stopping at the lovely looking Woodhouse Farm Hotel and Restaurant to fill up my water bottles and use the facilities, one of the staff there told me I had another long ascent ahead before the road undulated down to Cairnryan. Thanking him for the warning I carried on and soon found myself climbing again, I hadn't seen a sign for the village he had mentioned so wasn't sure if this was the hill he meant or not but it was also at this point that the rain I had avoided to date finally caught up with me, I can tell you that climbing a hill in a downpour may not be fun, but actually it was quite refreshing in its way - I don't mind a bit of rain so long as I know I can get warm and dry at the end of it. The hill proved a challenge though and I stopped a few times on the way up, and was passed by a fellow cyclist also on tour. At the end though there was a lovely long downhill, and the weather let up a little, the rain turning to a refreshing shower for the next hour or so.

Passing through Ballantrae I was soon climbing again. A sign near the bottom of the ascent had told me it was 10 miles to Cairnryan. Not far to go! Except the hill went up. And up. And up. I was doing my jackinabox impression again, and taking the opportunity to snack and rehydrate on the way up. Finally reaching the top another sign told me it was now 6 miles to Cairnryan. I had covered only 4 miles. On the plus side, the weather had cleared and I had dried off a little. The next bit of road was easy, the road widened out and it was mostly downhill- where it did go up again mostly my momentum took me up the small slopes.

Descent to Cairnryan

To the left of me was rock face which was blocked in by wire fencing in case of rockfalls, but every so often a waterfall would make an appearance, gushing down the rocks and disappearing under the road. To the right was a tree covered slope. My legs still felt weak, but I was buoyed by the refreshing downhill and very soon after I could see the sea appearing again, quickly followed by the ferry terminal to the right. I had made it - sadly an hour and a half late for the earlier boat, but I was here.

The Ferry Terminal!

The terminal was deserted, but I rang the bell on the counter and someone appeared from a back room. Check in for the next boat wasn't open yet, but I could wait here, and as soon  as a female security guard appeared I could check in and get a hot drink and something to eat in the cafe. I emailed Arnie to let him know and took the opportunity for a quick change into dry clothes. I checked my mileage 58 miles! So much for the 43 promised by Google! Not sure exactly where I went wrong, but either I hadn't checked properly in the morning or Google had lied to me. Another nearly 60 mile day - and despite how tough it felt, my average speed was actually slightly faster! All the downhill made a difference after all.

Once through security I could relax, grab a drink and a sandwich and start writing today's post. My tablet died before I had finished, so I had to wait to finish and publish the post.

I am now ensconced in a tiny bed  in the hostel. The ferry crossing was lovely. Normally on a boat I would spend a good portion of time out on deck watching the waves, but not this time! This time I had booked onto the Nordic spa when I bought my ticket. Massage treatments were also offered so I took the opportunity to get a massage for my aching muscles and spent most of trip in a jacuzzi.

When I came out I had just enough time for fish and chips before the ferry docked in Belfast at 9.45pm.  I had to wait for the cars to go off deck and chatted to a motorcyclist who had been on a group tour in Scotland and was just heading home. Cycling off the boat I was finally in Belfast! I realised it was getting dark and stopped to put on my lights, set the satnav for Armies, and pedalled my first miles in Northern Ireland. I got a bit turned around and it was close to 11 before I arrived at the hostel. Arnie was very welcoming, showed me around, and offered me a cup of tea. All I really wanted though was a bed! All they had available for tonight is a tiny room with bunkbeds normally reserved for staff, but as I said to Arnie all I need is somewhere to lay my head - I'm not fussed what it looks like or how big it is, I'm just grateful to have somewhere to sleep.

Ferry docking in Belfast

As above

Coming into Belfast

First miles in Belfast!

On that note the sandman is most definitely calling. Time to go to sleep. I have a city to explore tomorrow.

75 turning 7 - Day two

Wow. What a day.

I thought I would feel more like 75 when I got up this morning, but actually, the legs seemed to hold up ok, and I didn't have much in the way of aches and pains at all.

It took me far less time to find route 75 from Heather's than it did to find my way to hers last night, and I was soon back on track. The first part going through Uddingston on the roads, and then country lanes with a lovely path running through what I can only call a wildflower  garden. Foxglove was prevalent, with lots of other flowers - yellow, pink, and several shades of blue and purple that I couldn't begin to identify. At one point coming down a slight slope  I accidentally startled a small flock of what could have been yellow finches? (As you can tell, I am neither botanist, or bird watcher!) They were tiny and had yellow tipped wings and tails, they rose up just in front of me before flying off and settling further from the path. July is a fabulous month to be out on the bike!

Coming off the roads back on to paths I soon found myself following the river Clyde towards Glasgow. Again the scenery was green and growing, huge hogweed forming a jungle along the path interspersed with trees and other plants that like damp ground.

Back on route 75 - quiet paths and country roads.

It had rained overnight, but thankfully stayed dry again for me, unfortunately the rain had left a little wooden bridge over a burn feeding into the Clyde very wet and slippery, coming round a corner onto the bridge caused my first (and hopefully only!)  incident of the trip, and I came off the bike. Getting up and brushing myself off (nothing worse than a scrape and a bruise thankfully) I turned round to see what shape the bike was in....to find it standing quite happily - upside down on the path as if I had turned it over to change a tyre, panniers and all still in place! Had to laugh.

Both of us being fit to continue I got back on and carried on along the path, soon finding myself coming to more populated parts. I hadn't realised, but route 75 goes right through Glasgow Green.

Just heading towards Glasgow Green

I thought about stopping here for lunch, but as I only got underway at 10.40 instead of 9.30 as planned  (pattern emerging here???) I decided to carry on for a bit before stopping for lunch...and ended up going right through Glasgow and out the other side of Pollock park before stopping about 1.30 finally, just 3 miles from Paisley. I had been feeling hunger pangs for a while, but just couldn't see somewhere I wanted to stop - there were no benches and the ground was still quite damp from the night before.

Going through Pollock Park

Quiche for lunch just after Pollock park. 

Going through Paisley

                         View from route 7

Leaving route 75

Refuelled, and very much refreshed, I carried on mostly following railway paths with some on road sections by Paisley and Kilbirnie, finally splitting from Route 75 and carrying on Route 7. The first part of this again was railway paths, heading down past Lochwinnoch you can see ruins on Kelmuir Hill and Barr caste. It was here I chatted to a lovely fellow cyclist called Robert who told me a little about them. The one on Kelmuir Hill was a hunting lodge that looked like a watch tower, used by the lord's hunting parties, not to watch for enemies, but to spot the rare white hart deer which were known to be in the area!

On Route 7 path - one of the Vistas at a bridge

Eventually the relatively flat and easy cycle paths came to an end, and I was back on country roads. It was not long after this that the slight tailwind I had had for most of the day decided to turn on me aswell, and I found myself struggling to get up gradients that I would normally manage ok - I think in part this was because I hadn't snacked as much as I should have, and part the cumulative effects of cycling so many miles 2 days on a row! Thinking this does not bode well for tomorrow but we shall see!

Back on the road!

However, while the railway paths are great they do get a little bit 'samey' after a while, and it was nice to have a change of scene despite the slopes. A lovely vista of lowland fields and glens opened up to the right and the sun came out for a little while - along with a slight (very welcome and refreshing) spatter of rain.

The route split here between paths and roads, down through Kilwinning (where I got a bit confused, lost the route and had to backtrack a little!) Finally passing through and on the road to Irvine, I had a decision to make - should I stop for dinner at Irvine, or push on to Troon? I could  really feel myself starting to flag, but wanted to at least make Troon today to have less miles on day 3. I stopped at a bench overlooking Irvine golf course, ate the remainder of my lunchtime quiche, and some snacks, and decided to push on. Troon was only 8 miles away, and I still had to find accommodation for the night as well. As I didn't know exactly where I would be each day I didn't book any accommodation in advance instead trusting that I would be able to find something!

The path runs along the coast from Irvine to Ayr and so it was at Irvine I got my first glimpse of the west coast! I had crossed the country! From within 2 miles of Portobello all the way to the west coast, it felt like a great achievement.

First glimpse of the sea! 

Panorama of the Irvine Beach park 

(behind on right, forward on left)

Coming in to Irvine

The route carries on through Irvine Beach Park, a huge green area with clearings and copses, that gradually turns into scrub grass and lovely sandy beaches. Would have loved to stop and go for a paddle, but by this point I just wanted to get to Troon.  From here the route is mostly path with some short road sections, at one point crossing a railway line before taking a quick run through the beautiful Shewalston nature reserve. From there it was only a couple of miles to Troon, and I made it for just after 6.

Crossing the railway in the middle of nowhere...

60 miles on a loaded bike in 6 and a half hours. I've never been that fast, but I know I can do the miles when I need to!

I called round a few places and managed to find a room for the night, at a lovely place called the Cherries. Turns out Troon only has 7 or so BnBs , so I was lucky to get something! Especially in the middle of golfing season. After a quick wash up, it was time to walk into town and grab a bite to eat - and then an earlyish night and hopefully an earlier start tomorrow! Just hope the legs hold up...can definitely feel it more today than yesterday!

I will be able to post more pictures when I get access to a computer, as I remembered to use my action cam today but can't connect it to my tablet.

In the meantime just a couple from my phone...now edited and added into the main text body! :)

Beyond the familiar - Day One!

So today I discovered (yet again) that you never leave on time when going on a staycation...so much to be done before you leave and so little time.

The cat had a vet appointment at 8.30, I know, I know, not the best timing, but needs must...anyway I figured it would get me out of bed and prepared for the day ahead. Which worked. Kind of. I was still running around doing things and left about 12.15ish - only an hour and 15 mins or so later than planned.


Ready to go! 

Given my first stop was lunch with my aunt in Bathgate, I decided to forego the first part of route 75 instead taking a more direct route on familiar paths out of Edinburgh. It was a bit strange cycling in these places with a loaded bike. I kept wondering if people were wondering about me and where I was going (and from - they didn't know I had just started in the city after all) the familiar become a little unfamiliar.

Up until I actually left on the bike some part of me didn't really think it would happen. Despite the planning and paying for ferries and the discussion and advice from friends who have done tours before, but here I was cycling out of my home time. Destination? Blantyre.

As I mentioned I abandoned route 75 out of Edinburgh and instead followed the cities quiet route 9 out to Newbridge. If you live in the city check out the council's quiet routes on their website - more are being developed all the time and they are generally quieter roads and paths suitable for beginners and kids. From Newbridge it's a straight run along the A89 to Bathgate, cycle path by the road all the way. What I hadn't banked on was the slight gradient along most of the miles here - just enough to be noticeable, but over a long long stretch I have to admit I struggled a bit! Past Dechmont the going gets a bit easier however and I made it to my aunt's in Bathgate by about 3.15 A bit slower than my normal pace but to be expected with a loaded bike! (And I haven't even mentioned the slight headwind 😋)

At Ratho looking back to Edinburgh...

And forward to Bathgate!

Made it! (This is my Aunt's garden)

After a late lunch and lots of water I was back on my way, finally following Route 75. The path from Bathgate follows the railway line all the way to Airdrie. It's a beautiful stretch of path (on a pretty good cycling day anyway - apart from the slight headwind mentioned the weather today has been good to me - long may it continue!)

Hillend Reservoir (snack stop)

The path runs by Hillend Reservoir and has some great scenery. Mostly flat with a little bit of undulation, I would recommend it as a route for anyone living in the central belt. From Airdrie it gets a bit more complicated and I came across quite a bit of glass on the path. There was one bit of road around here that was a bit scary - not helped by someone shouting 'BOO' out of their car window at me. However, made it safe and sound and the rest of the route was shared paths or very quiet and posed no problems - have to say the signage for the route is excellent. Hats off to sustrans, when I get a bit of spare cash some of it may make it's way to them as a donation to keep up the good work.

Finally came to the turnoff for Blantyre/Hamilton and my bed for the night around 6.45 and to the most confusing part of the trip so far! Got lost several times and took much longer than it should have to get there... However finally made it and was welcomed with some yummy chicken fajitas for dinner. Thank you Heather!

Now to go and drink this glass of wine that has just been put in my hand. Mmm. Roll on tomorrow.

And relax! 

#Newbiecycletourer - The Ride!

I have Claire to thank for the hashtag. I'm not sure where she got it from, but I have adopted it for my upcoming Cycle Tour. I met Claire volunteering through a Cycling UK project called Belles on Bikes.  There are several groups across Scotland. I joined the Edinburgh Belles as a regular member, but received Cycle Ride Leader training through my work and let Claire know I'd be happy to help out once in a while. Before I knew it I was regularly leading rides and had met a group of fantastic women who have inspired me to push myself. Hence the Cycle tour. I will be blogging about the ride for the next week or so, and hope to inspire some others to get out there and explore!

But now, I am getting to grips with the prep for the this ride. The route is pretty much set with some fantastic advice from some Irish cyclists on the boards.ie cycling forum - although if anyone has some good advice then I am happy to revamp bits of it at any time. 

I will be starting off in my home town of Edinburgh. Loading up the bike and saying a fond (temporary) farewell to my cat Shadow. From the city I will be following Sustrans route 75 out to Glasgow. I am pretty familiar with the first part of this route having grown up in Livingston, which this route passes through, so for the first morning at least I will be in known territory! 

The route continues out of Livingston to Bathgate, again an area I know fairly well, but then comes the first unknown territory as I head out of Bathgate towards Armadale! this is where the adventure really begins....

I stay with Route 75 out to Uddingston, where I come off for my first nights stop at a friends house in Blantyre. The next day it's back on to Route 75 into Glasgow, but not for long. 75 and 7 run alongside each other for a bit and here I say farewell, and switch onto route 7 down moving down the west coast. This brings me to my second nights stop somewhere around Troon/Ayr region. 

Day 3 sees me continue on route 7 down to Maybole, where I cut back to the coast and follow Kirkoswald road to Cairnryan - hopefully in time to catch the ferry to Belfast at 7.30pm! 

Day 4 is a day off exploring the city - I have been told as it will be a Sunday a lot of places will be closed, but I am sure I will find plenty to occupy me - assuming my legs will hold me up! 

The next day it is back on the bike taking Upper Newtonards road to Newtonard, and following the east side of the Strangford lough down to Portaferry. From there it's a short ferry hop, and then more cycling to my next stop at Newcastle. 

Day 6 takes me from Newcastle down to Dundalk, with option of staying on dry land or another ferry ride - this depending on the new link between Greencastle and Haggardstown being open, and the state of my legs! 

The following day is from Dundalk to Skerries, leaving me with a final hop from there to Dublin on Day 8. 

Links to maps can be seen below, but if anyone has some tips, advice, or comments on route planning techniques  please feel free to share in the comments!  

SMXLL​​

Route 75   

SMXLL​​

 Route 7

​​SMLXL

 Belfast to Dublin

Time to get on the bike!