Distance: 97 km
Time: 5 hrs 38 mins
Av Speed: 17.2 km/hr
Av Heart Rate: 104 bpm
Calories Burned: 3065
Ascent: 3219 ft
Distance so far: 767 km
Punctures: 0
Caught the first ferry this morning at 9 am for the 10 minute crossing of the mouth of Lough Foyle. Toiday was to be another scenic one and hoped to meet a sportstar...and I did. Spent a few hours at the various attractions and so didn't arrive at the B&B till 6 pm.
Only 7 cars on the ferry of a possible 30 and only cost me £2 but saved a very long cycle back through Derry.
Landed at Magilligan and the first 10 km was along what looked like reclaimed land...like the fens in Lincolnshire. Passed by Magilligan Prison...wouldn't like to be confined in there when there's so much to be experienced out here.
On this flat land there was a large plant producing ready-made roll-out lawns for immediate laying. Acres and acres of it on both sides of the road.
By the coast on towards Downhill it was spectacular. The sea and beach on one side and towering cliffs on the other with many waterfalls tumbling down. A new view at every turn of the road. In Downhill met with a cyclist from Bann Wheelers. Had a nice bit of a chat about his and my cycling. Gave me a bit of a break.
Down in Portstewart I had to take shelter for a short while as a bit of a shower passed over. That was the only bit of rain I had all day. But didn't get wet. There were some hardy souls out for a bit of surfing.
Cycled in through the golf Club in Portrush but no Graham McDowell to be seen. At a previous event in Killarney. Plenty of golf links all along this coast. Portrush covers a vast area and all in such a beautiful location. Lovely to look back at the coast towards Dionegal.
My first major stop was at Dunluce Castle. had the added bonus of being admitted for the OAP rate (£1). Great remains here of the original fortress of 1400 and the manor-house of 1600. I spent about a half-hour wandering about and met a Bantry family also doing the Causway Coastal Route. Met up with them a few times during the day.
Passed through Bushmills but didn't visit the brewery. I was still in charge of a vehicle. But did pick up the necessities for my lunch.
Spent about an hour in Giants Causway. No charge for bikes going in, but £6 for cars. Another advantage of the bike. It was a 1 km walk to the Causway itself but no charge for that. Passed by some loose basalt - the type that Dunluce Castle is built on. The photos tell the story. They would make great gateposts if you could shift them! Not all are 6-sided columns. Had my lunch in this beautiful location. There was a bus ferrying people from the reception right down to the causway. I walked. They are building a new Visitor Centre that will be ready in summer 2012.
Another couple of miles brought me to Carrigareed Rope Bridge after passing the lovely White Park Bay beach just beneath me. At Carrigareed, anothe 1 km walk to the actual bridge and a 20 minute delay there on both sides promised. Admission was £4.90 ..... a bit steep in comparrison to the other attractions. And all are run by the National Trust. They wouldn't let me go across on the bike. It is shaky but not terrifying. Spent a while over on the island. Good views of the cliffs and of Fair Head at the north-east corner of Ireland. Spotted a strange red-and-black bee on the thistles.
At this part of the coast Fair Head, Rathlin Island and the coast of Scotland were all very visible.
Next major town after the bridge was Ballycastle. A fine GAA complex there - it is also one of the hurling strongholds of Antrim.
After Ballycastle I was cutting across the top corner of Antrim keeping to the A2. It involved a gradual climb to higher ground; first up to forestry and the to open highland. Now, I could view some of the 9 glens of Antrim. After the 80 km point I had a glorious descent to the coast.
Coming into Cushendall one is faced by a giant Hurling mural.( The Bogside haven't got the world patent on that). Hurling is all the go here. Youngsters and teenagers all along the street and all with hurls. I stopped by the tower in the centre to check the address of the B&B and I bumped into Sambo McNaughton, the Antrim hurling star of the 90's. had a good chat about last Sundays match. They weren't too disappointed; put up a good show. Hurling is too confined and too few from Belfast. went down to his pub (Lurig) by the bridge for a drink this evening and it was all hurling talk there and hurling photos on the walls.
Tomorrow, I'm on a dedline to be in Belfast for the 4pm train.
So, a great day along the north coast and ending up in a lovely spot and meeting a star.
Thank God for the health and for the energy.