Thursday 1st July Leaving from Stormont Estate , home of the Northern Ireland Executive the peloton will head through the outskirts of Belfast along shore road to Larne, where it will then follow the stunning Antrim coast before climbing over the Glens into Ballycastle. Take in the views along the North coast as the group heads via Bushmills and into Portrush.
Day 1 – Strava Route

Day 1 Highlights – 4K.mov from Anthony Campbell on Vimeo.

Friday 2nd July 
The second day follows the North coast from Portrush via Castlerock and Limavady following the border south though Strabane and the counties of Tyrone and Fermanagh before we cross into the Republic of Ireland at the North end of Lower Lough Erne before heading West to the Coastal town of Bundoran and the destination of our second night’s accommodation.

Day 2- Strava Route

Day 2 Highlights – 4K.mov from Anthony Campbell on Vimeo.

Saturday 3rd July 
The majestic Atlantic Ocean will be in view for the majority of the ride as the group heads south out of Bundoran towards Sligo and then follows the coastal route until Ballina then we head West passing through Crossmolina before we head south with Lough Conn on our left, with Castlebar only a few miles South.

Day 3 – Strava Route

Day 3 Highlights – 4K.mov from Anthony Campbell on Vimeo.

Sunday 4th July

The peloton leaves Castlebar heading South passing Lough Mask and Lough Corrib before stopping off in Galway for some lunch. Hopefully some of the Connacht Rugby Management team can join us for a few miles. Taking in the view of Dunguaire Castle before entering Burren National Park before getting to Limerick after a relatively flat 105 mile in the saddle.

Day 4 – Strava Route

Day 4 Highlights – 4K.mov from Anthony Campbell on Vimeo.

Monday 5th July 

We are not taking the direct route from Limerick to Killarney instead the peloton will head West along the coast, passing through ‘Gin’ but not stopping for a Gin and cycling past the front door of Ballybunion Golf Club but no time to stop for 18 holes on their Championship course. Views to our right of the Atlantic Ocean and Tralee Bay as we cycle into killarney. Well deserved Guinness awaits as we are now half-way through the challenge.

Day 5 – Strava Route

Day 5 Highlights – 4K.mov from Anthony Campbell on Vimeo.

Tuesday 6th July 
Day 6 is the biggest elevation climb. Heading through the stunning Killarney National park we take on Molls Gap or Ceim an Daimh, the mountain pass on the N71 road, which is also of the ring of Kerry route, offering views of the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks. Its an impressive 260 metre elevation gain. One more climb on the Manister North as we move from County Kerry into County Cork then it’s a flat cycle into Cork.

Day 6 – Strava Route
Day 6 – Alternative Route

Day 6 Highlights – 4K.mov from Anthony Campbell on Vimeo.

Wednesday 7th July 
We are on the home straight now. Day seven is a long 110 miles from Cork into Wexford. A relatively flat start to the ride before the 40-mile mark as we cross into County Waterford when a few climbs test the legs. Following the coast we head through Dungarvan before a few more climbs around Killmacthomas. We take the ferry at Passage East and cross over in County Wexford for the final 25 miles into Wexford.

Day 7 – Strava Route

Day 7 Highlights – 4K.mov from Anthony Campbell on Vimeo.

Thursday 8th July 
The peloton now heads North as it follows the coast along the Irish Sea with views across to Wales (weather permitting!). Crossing into County Wicklow just outside Akrow before we head through Wicklow, Greystones, Bray and the Southern districts of Dublin.

Day 8 – Strava Route

Day 8 Highlights – 4K.mov from Anthony Campbell on Vimeo.

Friday 9th July 
The penultimate day is a nice flat 100 miles from Dublin up to the coastal town of Newcastle, home to the world famous, Royal County Down Golf Club. The route passes through Malahide, Balbriggin, Drogheda and Dundalk before crossing the border just before Forkhill. A climb up to Newry before we descend into Warrenpoint and follow the coast in the shadow of the Mourne Mountains before arriving into Newcastle.

Day 9 – Strava Route

Day 9 Roy Taylor – 4K.mov from Anthony Campbell on Vimeo.

Saturday 10th July 

The ‘ceremonial’ 82 miles on the last day is a beauty. The group will follow the coast out of Newcastle turning right at Clough and follow the the coastal route through Ardglass before catching the ferry at Strangford over to Portaferry. Now on the Ards peninsula we head south and then up the outside through Millisle, Donaghadee and round past Groomsport. One last climb up Craigantlet before the peloton rolls back into Stormont.

Day 10 – Strava Route Part 1
Day 10 – Strava Route Part 2

Day 10 Highlights – 4K.mov from Anthony Campbell on Vimeo.