Mark let us slowies go early, as we had lunch booked in at 12 o'clock and a ferry to catch at 1:40pm. Tracy, ever the Mathematician, had fretted about this having run the numbers. We needed to leave earlier or she needed to pedal faster ("spin those little legs there Tracy" - said in a bad Irish accent by me regularly was in no way motivational apparently). Off we went into the brilliant sunshine, sorry I meant miserable rain.
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| Not sure what this sculpture was about. |
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| Some nice quiet roads... |
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| ....wish that I could say that the rain was in any way refreshing. |
It was a wet morning with some long climbs. We were overtaken by most of the group before first brew stop, but arrived before any of the group had left. This was a rare occurrence - we normally felt that there was a cry of "Get to your bikes, they're here!" whenever we appeared on the horizon.
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| A long climb up the head of the valley |
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| To paraphrase American werewolf in London, keep oft moor, stay in van |
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| Finally at the top and more importantly the brew stop |
We managed to increase our speed after being caffeinated and pushed on, arriving at the Travellers Inn for lunch at 12:05. Turns out the hurrying was completely unnecessary - the ferry had been cancelled. Unusually low tides apparently. I figured that if anything the journey should be shorter and therefore quicker if there was less water to cross. Ferry company didn't see it that way I guess.
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| Apparently low tides are unpredictable. Who knew? |
The peak tours team had managed to rustle up a coach to take us the long way around. We were so impressed by the organisation and professionalism of the team. Barely an inconvenience. Most of the bikes went in the peak tours van, but 'team slow' had theirs loaded and ready for a quick exit on the coach itself. Nobody seemed too concerned about missing out the hill and 7 miles of riding to the ferry. In fact we enjoyed (endured) a rousing sing song of the proclaimers hit, I'm gonna be 500 miles, led by Alison.
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| I will walk 500 miles, but for the sake of convenience this coach will do instead |
Team slow were on the move, whilst the rest of the riders were waiting for their bikes to arrive. We actually arrived at the 2nd brew stop before the brew van!
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| Tracy, Judith and Jeanette at 2nd brew |
A quick warming coffee, some snacks and we were off on our final push to Malin head. A nice flat along the coast was much more challenging than it should have been due to a strong headwind.
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| Very flat - yay! Very windy - boo! |
A couple of hills and Malin Head signs showed the distance to the finish decreasing far too slowly.
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| Bloody false advertising - seemed like an age to the actual finish |
Finally it was in sight - a ruined tower atop a final hill. The last climb was brutal, so much so that random strangers were offering encouragement as we zig zagged out way up to the top. Finally crossing the finish line felt like such an achievement.
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| And done... |
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| ...in both senses of the word. |
Before long, the remaining peak tours riders arrived in ones and twos. Always being cheered on my those that had already finished. A paper cup of prosecco, smiles, cheers and high fives all around to to mark the end of an epic challenge.
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| This is why I don't take selfies |
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| Tracy and Ingrid the indomitable |
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| Team Peak tours - Smashed it! |
Tired bodies but happy souls were loaded onto a coach to our hotel in Derry. The coach driver asked us which hotel we were in and was met with blank faces. It seems that the only person who knew was Joe's wife who had surprised him by being at the finish. We were staying at the Everglades hotel - famous for not being in Florida. Nice hotel though, huge bed that meant Tracy and I slept in different time zones.
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| What the hell? 4 pillows and 4 random cushion things that serve no purpose. 6 of those get chucked on the floor, probably by every guest ever, becoming both a trip hazard and safety mat at the same time. |
A quick change and downstairs to our final meal of the trip. Everyone was in good spirits, beverages were drunk, food was eaten, but the less said about the pea ravioli the better.
After dinner, Mark presented everyone with a certificate and a few words about every member of team Peak Tours. Tracy and I were presented with our very own packs of Tunnocks Caramel Wafers and Teacakes. Apparently we had become known for our Tunnocks addictions.
A lovely end to our trip, made special by not only the route through a beautiful country, but all of the fabulous people that we shared the experience with. I don't think that this will be our last PT adventure, but it will indeed be hard to beat.
Distance travelled: 65 miles
Total distance: 787 miles
Cake of the day: Chocolate torte (probably not a cake)
Tracy whinge factor 0/10
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