CUSHENDALL TO BELFAST
Distance: 78 km
Time: 4 hrs 38 mins
Av Speed: 16.8 km/hr
Av Heart Rate: 110 bpm
Calories Burned: 2293
Ascent today: 845 ft
Punctures: 0
Total Distance : 845 km
I knew that today was to be a wet one. The NI forecast last night stated that Belfast would be a washout. Ah, well, I couldn't complain. Weather had generally been kind over the previous 8 days. And , in fact today wasn't a 'washout'.
My first glimpse out the window at 7.00am was reassuring - just wet ground. Before I had polished off my Ulster Fry (no black or white pudding, but with fried potato bread instead) the heavy rain had started outside. I could delay departure. By 9.00 am it was suitable to start. Just a few odd drops.
Almost opposite my B&B was the Cushendall Ruairi Og grounds ( 2 pitches in a beautiful setting). Could be difficult to concentrate on the game there.
I was following the A2 (Causway Coastal Route) for the day and it hugs the water's edge all the way. Still a darkness in the sky as I approached Glenarrif (Waterfoot) and the mist slowly drifting down the glens. I hoped that it would stay away for a while till I captured some images. I was finding progress slow as I was stopping too often. Every turn produced another gasp. I would have to resort to my usual practice of shooting from the saddle.
Glenarrif is another hurling stronghold with the local 'Oisini' club feted in a number of murals. Passed by the pitch where I played against Antrim in 1972. We won; can't remember the score; forget what position I played in or how I played; but I do remember the table-topped mountains surrounding the venue.
Villages, churches and farms were concentrated in a narrow strip by the road. It was like the coast by Downhill (Derry) yesterday but no beach.
Cormorants were drying out after diving for breakfast and enjoying the coastal scenery. Cycling along that coast, I was high over the wall, could listen to the waves wash up on the stones, catch the calls of the seabirds and also stop at any point I wished. No need for an official layby....just enough space to lay the bike against the wall and take it all in....ahead and also behind.
Both on the seashore and in the overhanging cliffs there were black(basalt) and white rocks. Nice contrast in colour and in texture.
Carnlough was still quiet (and free of mist) as I passed through. Tiny harbour being restored with Lottery funding and all was so still .... neither boats nor water were making a stir. Just the postman was on his rounds.
The road continued on by the waters edge but the rain/mist came down as I passed along through Ballygalley, Larne, Glynn (with plenty of Union Jacks up and lots of 'No Surrender' etc statements painted on the road) and right in to Carrickfergus. After Larne it was a long steady pull to Whitehead (away from the coast) but then a glorious descent to the seafront in Carrickfergus. The castle there was a must. Again I got OAP (or pity) rate of admission. There was a guided tour available but I did my own with the help of their brochure. Very like Cahir Castle in side. The keep has been restored to some of its medieval splendour..all 4 levels. All around were scenes of castle life. In the banquet hall on the minstrel gallery were the original vuvuzelas.
Also made use of KFC in Carrickfergus for lunch and a bit of shelter. I just had 2 hours of constant mist and was quite soaked.
From here right int Belfast it was just commuter cycling. All built-up as I passed through Newtownabbey and Jordanstown. Had no difficulty in locating Belfast Central railway station. It did mean that I walked up a few one-way streets ... but that's the advantage of the bike.
In the station at 2.00pm for my 4.10pm train. Had all these transfers booked for self and bike. In Dublin the bike again got me from Connolly to Heuston in 10 mins and safely at the Junction at 10.50 pm.
A most enjoyable cycle for a good cause and then a lovely part of our coast.
Over the last 9 days I only came across 1 funeral (in Bantry) and 1 bride on the way to her wedding (on the Shore Road into Belfast), no christenings, no punctures, 1 new tyre, nothing threatening but lots of friendly, chatty, generous active supportive people.
Thanks to all those who posted comments over the last number of days ...will be in contact.
Thank God for the health and for the energy.
Distance: 78 km
Time: 4 hrs 38 mins
Av Speed: 16.8 km/hr
Av Heart Rate: 110 bpm
Calories Burned: 2293
Ascent today: 845 ft
Punctures: 0
Total Distance : 845 km
I knew that today was to be a wet one. The NI forecast last night stated that Belfast would be a washout. Ah, well, I couldn't complain. Weather had generally been kind over the previous 8 days. And , in fact today wasn't a 'washout'.
My first glimpse out the window at 7.00am was reassuring - just wet ground. Before I had polished off my Ulster Fry (no black or white pudding, but with fried potato bread instead) the heavy rain had started outside. I could delay departure. By 9.00 am it was suitable to start. Just a few odd drops.
Almost opposite my B&B was the Cushendall Ruairi Og grounds ( 2 pitches in a beautiful setting). Could be difficult to concentrate on the game there.
I was following the A2 (Causway Coastal Route) for the day and it hugs the water's edge all the way. Still a darkness in the sky as I approached Glenarrif (Waterfoot) and the mist slowly drifting down the glens. I hoped that it would stay away for a while till I captured some images. I was finding progress slow as I was stopping too often. Every turn produced another gasp. I would have to resort to my usual practice of shooting from the saddle.
Glenarrif is another hurling stronghold with the local 'Oisini' club feted in a number of murals. Passed by the pitch where I played against Antrim in 1972. We won; can't remember the score; forget what position I played in or how I played; but I do remember the table-topped mountains surrounding the venue.
Villages, churches and farms were concentrated in a narrow strip by the road. It was like the coast by Downhill (Derry) yesterday but no beach.
Cormorants were drying out after diving for breakfast and enjoying the coastal scenery. Cycling along that coast, I was high over the wall, could listen to the waves wash up on the stones, catch the calls of the seabirds and also stop at any point I wished. No need for an official layby....just enough space to lay the bike against the wall and take it all in....ahead and also behind.
Both on the seashore and in the overhanging cliffs there were black(basalt) and white rocks. Nice contrast in colour and in texture.
Carnlough was still quiet (and free of mist) as I passed through. Tiny harbour being restored with Lottery funding and all was so still .... neither boats nor water were making a stir. Just the postman was on his rounds.
The road continued on by the waters edge but the rain/mist came down as I passed along through Ballygalley, Larne, Glynn (with plenty of Union Jacks up and lots of 'No Surrender' etc statements painted on the road) and right in to Carrickfergus. After Larne it was a long steady pull to Whitehead (away from the coast) but then a glorious descent to the seafront in Carrickfergus. The castle there was a must. Again I got OAP (or pity) rate of admission. There was a guided tour available but I did my own with the help of their brochure. Very like Cahir Castle in side. The keep has been restored to some of its medieval splendour..all 4 levels. All around were scenes of castle life. In the banquet hall on the minstrel gallery were the original vuvuzelas.
Also made use of KFC in Carrickfergus for lunch and a bit of shelter. I just had 2 hours of constant mist and was quite soaked.
From here right int Belfast it was just commuter cycling. All built-up as I passed through Newtownabbey and Jordanstown. Had no difficulty in locating Belfast Central railway station. It did mean that I walked up a few one-way streets ... but that's the advantage of the bike.
In the station at 2.00pm for my 4.10pm train. Had all these transfers booked for self and bike. In Dublin the bike again got me from Connolly to Heuston in 10 mins and safely at the Junction at 10.50 pm.
A most enjoyable cycle for a good cause and then a lovely part of our coast.
Over the last 9 days I only came across 1 funeral (in Bantry) and 1 bride on the way to her wedding (on the Shore Road into Belfast), no christenings, no punctures, 1 new tyre, nothing threatening but lots of friendly, chatty, generous active supportive people.
Thanks to all those who posted comments over the last number of days ...will be in contact.
Thank God for the health and for the energy.