Day 4 of the Ulster Way

Belcoo to Gortin

95 miles, just over 12 hours, 2875 vertical metres of climbing.

Glorious day that saw us get another roasting, and we amazingly finished an hour ahead of schedule. We did not start until nearly 9am, so reluctant were we to get back on the bikes an leave our hosts in Belcoo.

The views all day were simply breathtaking, but we had to work hard to get them, with the hills and the wind our enemies all day. Both of us were pretty banjaxed, both complaining of sore knees, and both REALLY looking forward to finishing.

We have concluded that single speed was madness for this trip , something we would have been better deciding before we started. Our Chips today were enjoyed in Pettigo. In an act of unblieveable generosity, the owner of our bed and breakfast in Belcoo donated to lifeboats and then offered to drive our bags to Gortin, which solved a big problem for us. More on this later.

The finish was savage, with endless climbing towards and around Gortin Glen, and we were very happy boys to finally roll to the hostel and collapse at 9pm. Tomorrow sees us hopefully reaching the North Coast!

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Day 3 of the Ulster Way

Tandragee to Aughnacloy on road, Slieve Beagh Way marked way to Donagh. On to Florence Court then Belcoo.

115 miles, 3025 vertical climbing metres, 14 hours on the go.

The weather was class and we are both burnt. We were in pieces when we arrived at the bed and breakfast at 10.45pm, too late to get decent food so cereal and toast had to do!

The run across from Tandragee to Aughancloy was good fun, the weather fantastic, and we took a long break in Armagh to enjoy the sunshine and some nice coffee.

We were sorry to see the departure of Transalp hopefuls the Cooley Bulls, Mickey and Declan, at Aughnacloy, where we enjoyed a superb lunch of chips, chicken and beans. Chips have proved to be our saviours - we have devoured lots of them every day so far.

Some savage climbing on the Slieve Beagh Way slowed us badly, and it was pitch black for the last hour. There was no way we could go up through Florence Court past the swallow holes and down the cave steps with no lights, and we were already far too late for our hosts, so we did not turn off for the caves.

3 days down, 3 to go - this is HAAAAARRRRRD work!!! Cheer us up :-(

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A big THANK YOU from 2 very sore chaps!

Many thanks to those of you who have been leaving us messages and sending texts. It really is great to get your notes during what is unquestionably the most arduous 'holiday' we have ever been on, so please keep it up.

Rick & Davy

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Day 2 of The Ulster Way

Across the Mournes to Rostrevor (26 miles), up the main road to Newry, round Ring of Gullion (36 miles), up the Newry Canal path to Scarva, then onto our night stop at Tandragee.

14.5 hours in the saddle, 84 miles, over 2800 metres of vertical climbing - we did not for a minute imagine that Day 2 would be as hard on us as Day 1, but so it turned out, as much of the terrain was simply woeful. We were carrying or dragging our bikes for probably half of our total time, and it was energy-sapping.

We decided to forgo our original 7am start time, and instead aimed for 8, as Day 1 had killed us. We were again joined by Mickey and Declan, who are now part of the furniture, and Joni McGlade, fresh from the hospital meat-slab.

We headed up into the Mournes in strong wind and heavy rain, and the going was slow and draining, much of it unrideable. Picked up the infamous Rowan McMahon in Tollymore, and staggered on as best we could in the terrible weather. Joni headed for home after the descent off Butter Mountain. The next section round Hen Mountain was appalling, totally unrideable and frankly depressing.

Reached Rostrevor after 5.5 hours, utterly spent, and took a break for an hour to eat the cafe out of stock. The weather then turned fantastic, and stayed so for the rest of the day, with unbroken sunshine. James Keown joined us on the road bike for a spell, but had to head back to Newry when the off-road got REALLY offroad in Ravensdale.

The run up to Newry was great, with the wind on our tails. The Ring of Gullion was much tougher than we had anticipated, with long and punishing climbs aplenty, but some fantastic descents to boot. The highlight was soup, sandwiches and coffee supplied by Davy (the other Davy) and son in Forkhill, where just previously a bull had prevented us from taking our intended route across a field - the monster was just daring us to climb that gate!

Declan and Mickey had to leave us for home at Slieve Gullion car park, so that they could prepare to meet us again tomorrow, by which time it was getting dark.

The push on to Tandragee from Newry was a slog, but we were delighted to have Dale join us just outside Newry to guide us home. Big chinese on the table when we arrived at 10:45pm - sweet!

Looking forward to Day 3, Scarva to Belcoo, County Fermanagh.

Thanks to everyone for your messages of support and humour - much appreciated!!

(T, 2 days down! Half-pints at the ready!)

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Day 1 of The Ulster Way

Belfast to Newscastle. via Lisburn, Carryduff, Stormont, Holywood, round the outside of Ards Peninsula to Portaferry, over the ferry to Strangford, then the Lecale Way all the way to Newcastle.

13 hours in the saddle - it was murder. 110 miles, 60 of which was into a stiff sea breeze.

We left Belfast City Hall at 8am, a team of 8 folks, 5 of us destined for Newcastle, and were glad of the company of these and other folks we picked up in Holywood. Good to have Jonny Gallier, Tim Holmes, big John, Paul Kennedy, Rick Monro, and good to see Dusty on the beach, and Terry (start pulling the half-pints, Terry! Funny the way your house happens to be on the new route!)

Highlight was the Lecale Way, particularly the first off-road section, which reminded us of North Antrim coast.

Lowlight was the drag from Murlough Bay to Newcastle along the beach. 5 bedraggled souls completed the day - Davy, me, Mickey, Declan and Mark.

Great chinese and B&B - ready for Day 2 - over the Mournes to start!

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The Ulster Way - only 600 miles to go

We start our 600 mile Ulster Way circuit tomorrow morning, Saturday 3 May, leaving from Belfast City Hall at 8am.

The plan is to head out the tow-path to Lisburn, swing round through Carryduff, Stormont to Holywood, coastal path and road to Portaferry, over on the ferry to Strangford, then the Lecale Way all the way to Newcastle. The guts of 100 miles on day 1.

If you fancy the spin, meet ready to go at 8 am at the City Hall on Saturday 3 May, or at the car park at the entrance to Slieve Donard Hotel at 7am on Sunday morning, from where we will be attacking the Mournes and the Ring of Gullion, before heading up the Newry Canal path to Tandragee, where we finish day 2. From there, we go west, young man.

We are joined on the first 3 days by two Transalp Challenge 2008 hopefuls, Mickey and Declan, plus a few extra folks for day 2, and a few others will be joining us for bits of various days, if they are as good as their word.

The plan is to keep the site up to date every night, to prove we still live, but it may not happen.

See all trip detail at our Ulster Way Blog

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County Antrim Victory for New Team

"Tango & Cash Meet the Spartans" proved to be a synergistic collaboration indeed.

The newly-formed foursome (seen left, arriving in their 'ride' in full Trailbadger uniform) stormed their way to an impressive win at the Adventure Ireland race in County Antrim on Saturday 12 April.


First back to base after 6 hours of frantic racing, all checkpoints gathered, we were feeling smug.

Almost choking on our minestrone soup, we were gutted to be denied our rightful place as victors, after the sour-grapes invoking of an ancient tribal ruling from 1279, which states that, to win, you must have a girlie on your team. Ba!

Race report - we turned up, had a great day, we smoked the course, arrived back first, ate like kings, and are extremely thankful to Greg and team for a great day out!

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