Day 12 - back home at last!

Well,after 11 days of adventure, mishap and misery Gordy made the last stage of his challenge just a mere 60 miles from Newcastle..After meeting up with his friend Colin,they made their way round the coast through Dundrum, Clough, Ardglass, to Strangford where they got the ferry across to Portaferry. The weather was wet and grey but Gordy said it was great to have his friend cycling with him as it seemed to make it easier and a more pleasant cycle, so he really appreciated that. They had lunch (thai chicken curry and fish and chips) in Portaferry and ploughed on into a head wind up through Portavogie, Ballyhalbert, Ballywalter and Donaghadee where they stopped for a coffee and scone (for the discerning cyclist!). Only 6 miles to go until he's home.He arrived to a warm welcome by friends and family (we were all standing by the road waiting for him to come around the corner and cheered when we saw him! people in cars were slowing down wandering what on earth was happening!) It was lovely, and Gordy was thrilled and delighted to see such a reception waiting for him, everyone was there to support him, as they have done these past 12 days, and he really appreciated it. So he told a few stories and we all laughed at his white feet and hands (as they were covered with gloves and shoes) and we all ate and drank and caught up. It was a very pleasant homecoming by all accounts he said and he loved it!  Gordy says that Ireland is a beautiful country when it's dry and warm, but when it's wet and windy ....it's a miserable hole!!!!So the cycle gear is in the wash, the bike.,,, well she has been locked in the basement (don't think she's happy about that!) and Gordy is washed, fed and sipping red wine infront of his fire ....with me...right now. A wonderful achievement made by...well a wonderful man (maybe I am biased), what are we going to do with our time now? watch this space. and thankyou for travelling with us on this strange and slightly quirky journey.
xxx Julie...wife of Gordy xxx
(Gordy has taken lots of photos some of which I have put below...just scroll down to bottom of page!)

Day 11. it all goes wrong!

He has come so far, through 50mph winds, rain, B&B's from the Deliverance and only had one puncture! Well today was just as much of a test! After a late start (@10a.m he just couldn't get out of bed!)  he ploughed on to Slane and then a fellow cyclist joined him for a while to a place called Colin, then on to Ardee, where he called me. For whatever reason he didn't get much to eat at lunch and ploughed on to Newcastle. When he arrived he spent an hour and a half looking for somewhere to stay, but every B&B, guest house and hotel were full ,ironically,with  people doing a charity walk up Slieve Donard, for Marie Curie!! Starving hungry and exhausted he met a nice lady who new a place a little way out and made a call. (Incidentally it was 7/8 miles back the same way he had just come!). So off he went up a big climb when he fell off his bike and hurt his knee and elbow and wrecked his gears! After ages he managed to fix them up (with the tools he thankfully packed) and made it to his lodgings. When he called he was looking up at the Mourne mountains and was waiting for a taxi to take him BACK to Newcastle for some dinner! (and breath...).
Tomorrow he is meeting up with his friend Colin Stevenson at Newcastle, (hi Colin!) who is going to accompany him on the last 60 miles or so, where they will be travelling the coastal route back via a ferry at Portaferry (the clue's in the name!) and then on to Donaghadee (the DEE) and then finally home to sunny Bangor!! The boy has done good! There has been much excitement, jumping up and down and banner making here (and that's just me!!) and the time is almost here for us to get our Gordy back! Oh and did I mention that the lovely Graham Norton mentioned Gordy this morning on Radio two, and said the fact he is doing it "on his own with no support" meant there were probably loads of corners cut and that he probably hasn't done it at all!!! hilarious!...thanks Graham xx

Day 10 - hit the 1000 miles!!

I answered the phone at 4.11pm this afternoon to hear a voice say he had cycled 1000 miles (I said "who is this and stop calling me!"). Gordy was calling from Bray and said after a break he was going to try and get through Dublin (something he was not looking forward to due to sheer traffic etc). Today he took detours away from the main roads (after yesterdays traffic nightmare) and said he had a tough but lovely (?) cycle along the coast along Gorie, Arklow and Bray.He was amazed as he saw his first cyclist yesterday on his whole journey, and quite a few more today (must be fair weather cyclists ..tut!). Infact a cyclist overtook him today (he must be tired!) and Gordy called out to him to ask his advice about best routes through Dublin for cyclists. Anyway, the chap stopped, had a chat and was a great help. Actually  his name was Owen Shortt "with 2  't's  to make it long" he said (there's some Irish logic for you) after chatting for a while Owen very kindly gave Gordy a ten Euro donation!!! need I say anything? humans can be great can't they?  he also had another stop in a bike shop for supplies (where the shop keeper Paul Nolan, gave him some money off and 2 free gel packs for his journey). So he is making lots of new friends and getting them to give him money....there is a name for that...just can't think of it. (just kidding). When he called this evening he had survived Dublin and was settling down for the night in Ashborne -92.5 miles today (1029 in total). Still cannot believe he's nearly done it! He is heading towards Newry and Newcastle tomorrow (so close!!) He is still thinking about the huge mixed grill (Gords favourite!) he ate last night with loads of toast and wheaten bread..he said the man kept bringing more wheaten bread and he said he has never eaten such a huge meal (not even when he entered that steak eating contest in Cockington 20 years ago...good times!).Penultimate day tomorrow... make sure you are at our house at 3.30pm on Sunday to see him arrive home...he'll be the one that looks like Forest Gump in lycra! x

Day 9 -Tunnel nightmare!

Gordy is tired! he said he woke up tired today and has felt tired all day, it has been a struggle, I suppose his body is just saying "hang on a minute here...this is getting silly!". He said, at 3.15 today, that his cycle to New Ross was boring and busy traffic. Plus he made a couple of bad choices, namely going through a tunnel he realised he should not be going through on a bike (yikes!) but he figured he got so far and couldn't turn back. He was just waiting for the flashing lights of the Garda- luckily there were none . Then in Waterford he went on another road he should'nt have gone on (what a rebel!!) and when he came to another he thought he would be tempting fate so he had to do a load of extra unecessary miles, around the houses, because of roads he couldn't go on!!! So a bit of a traffic disaster (I can see why he likes those country hills now!). Anyway, at that stage he had done 72 miles (902) in all, and was having lunch. He is ploughing on to just North of Wexford for tonights stop. He said he just wants to be at home with us now and is just putting the miles in. At least the wind has gone. He asked if he could have a lie in on Monday morning after he gets back on Sunday...what do you think??

Day 8- Bad start.

Gordy just phoned @ 3.45 to say he's done his 800 miles and is still going strong.Because he stayed in Murphy's village Hostel last night there was obviously no breakfast, so he headed off first thing to find somewhere. However, he ended up having a huge struggle to get up a big hill without any fuel in him! but once he got some hearty soup and a roll in him, he said he was flying (see those fry's every morning  are good for something!!). He said he is making great time, despite the tough start, and was just going to try and get through Cork before the rush hour (he doesn't like the city's). So he is planning to carry on to Youghal or Midleton. At this rate he is going to be home early!! Gords also mentioned that the owner of the Hostel Mr Murphy had sadly lost his wife to cancer and was left with 5 kids and when he got wind of what Gordy's doing he gave him 10 euros donation!!. The kindness of people never ceases to amaze me- gives you faith in the human race!  He's having dinner in "The Thatch" and has done 107 miles today.I hope you all have sunday afternoon free to welcome him home with us!!only 4 more days- my husband is outstanding!!

Day 7- Broken the back of it!

Gordy is slumming it tonight in a Hostel in Glengariff, bottom bunk he says (wonder if the bike's on the top?). He has the dorm to himself for 15 euros, not bad. He said he enjoyed todays cycle, after a long hard climb out of Waterville (check the map to see) he had a good descent towards Sneem. then another long climb from Kenmare to Glengariff (sounds like Lord of the Rings!). Weather was cool and breezy and sunny at times and he was able to enjoy his surroundings a little. 723 miles in all. He ended up doing 120 miles yesterday and called me very late as he decided not to stay in Tralee so went on to Killorglin, but got a lovely b&b and a nice man in "Bunkers" made him a massive chicken dinner (at least it wasn't Hooters"!)He said he's feeling good and strong and likes the hills. Off to Bantry, Skibereen and Cork tomorrow. He did say he had a comedy moment when he was balancing on the side of the road (with his cleats on his pedals) when a coach pulled in next to him and for some reason he lost it and just fell sideways to the ground (as he could not unattach his feet from the pedals for those of you non cyclists). He just new the whole coach was wetting themselves (of course!) but could not bring himself to look at them! class Gordy! 

Wow!!! 1/2 way. Day 6.

It's 6.29pm. and just got a call from a happy Gordy, as he has just hit the 600 mile point on his computer...HALFWAY.!!! He said it's been a tough, but good day (yes, you guessed it..due to the wind!)
Corkscrewhill was hard going (check out the map?) and he liked the ferry from Killimer to Talbert (3miles- which no, he has not counted!) He has taken lots of photos (asked strangers to take them of him standing under/next to sign posts like I instructed, bless him!). He's now on the way to Tralee @ 45mins cycle, where he plans to stop for the night. Tomorrow he's doing the ring of Kerry, which he expects to be tough going ( there seems to be a pattern forming- I'm thinking next time he should try Spain......
did I just say next time?). Oh and incidentally, the seafood place last night was nice...he had a steak!? Well that'll do for our Gastronomic tour of Ireland today! the nice man on the BBC is promising great weather @ Wednesday, for the rest of the week- but as we all know, Ireland has a weather zone of it's own, so who knows what Gordy will get. x

Day 5- A better day

Just left gordy on the phone in great form after a good days cycle. The fist half was tough due to the wind but then he turned a corner and the wind was behind him and made a world of difference and had a good run from Clifden to Galway. He said Connemara was stunning and even took some photos...better than the misery that was Mayo yesterday! He covered 105 miles (512 in total now) and stopped for the night at Kinvara in a nice little guest house run by a pork farmer (I'm guessing the sausages at breakfast should be good!!) after a shower and washing his kit he is heading down to the pier to a nice seafood place that was recommended for dinner (this story just gets better and better). So he said he felt strong and happy and apart from a slight flap involving his bike computer and his big thumbs (being the techy in our family- I talked him through what to do!) it was a good day! Tomorrow is going through Burren country and going on a ferry (is that cheating...should he swim?) Incidentally, if you want to see his actual route then click on the google map to the right and, once you have zoomed in on Ireland, if you drag the wee yellow man to the blue line I have marked, you can actually see the roads he's been cycling on...cool!

Day 4 .Has the wind got it in for him?

7 hours and 52 mins in the saddle! Most of us would have trouble with that amount of time in a car!! Anyway the wind seems to have it in for Gordy as every time he changes direction so does it...to straight in his face. Another gruelling day battling against the wind, only managing between 5 and 12mph and having to stop alot as he was wrecked! I just don't know how much of this he can take?
He seemed in good spirits  though (considering) and did say that why anyone would want to visit let alone live where he cycled today was beyond him as he could only describe it as bleak! He stopped in a nice place called Bangor Erris, though, and had fish and chips in a cafe which was nice...well it was until the man next to him vomitted everywhere (and we all know what a weak stomach Gordy has!) . He finally made it to Westport after having his first PUNCTURE and found a nice B&B (not like the "deliverance" last night!) and is going to dander into Westport town and grab a snack before going to bed. So he covered 95.5 miles today, so that makes a total of 403.5  miles in 4 days so he's on track. He changes direction tomorrow and guess what....so does the wind! Gordy said that it's the morning fry's and red wine that's keeping him going!

Day 3 Dungloe to Sligo

There wasn't much chat from Gordy tonight...needless to say, the cycle was tough again due to head on strong winds and constant rain- just miserable he said. He covered a fantastic 92 miles despite this, but said all in all it was all pretty bleak and he just put his head down and cycled! He stopped 20 miles outside Sligo,in Ballisodare in "a hole of a B&B" with strange owners (he's checked he's locked the door!) and the shower was cold and the radiator no more than 2 degrees-so he hopes his kit dries! He's miles from anywhere (and does not fancy a "quick cycle" to get some dinner, understandably!)so he bought some food to have in his room. He's optomistic about tomorrows weather and is heading on a real round the houses (or lack there of) trip to Westport...while writing this he just called to say the heating's on and his radiato'rs warming up and the shower should too....so things are looking up for our boy!!

day 2 and the weather takes it's toll.

The weather today was still horrendous and Gordy set off in torrential rain and strong winds. He ploughed on with the wind pushing him back and he said it was all he could do to keep the bike straight and on the road and was at times only able to spin at@ 5mph! He was nearly blown off countless times.  All in all he said it was the most horrendous cycle he has ever done, nevertheless he covered 87 miles and stopped in Dungloe. I have just spoken to him and he has washed his kit,had a nice meal and a couple of pints of Guiness and is settling down (with his bike) in his huge, but comfortable, room (complete with yellow leather sofas!) for the night having ordered a full Irish brekky! (well the boy needs those calories!). He said, walking back up a wee hill to his B&B after dinner was agony! Hopefully he'll sleep tonight as he didn't get much last night and will wake up refreshed ready to face yet another day of unforgiving Irish summer weather!!! He hopes to get to Sligo tomorrow, but is 15 miles ahead of schedule so far. Only 10 days to go Gordy! x

The first day over!

Just spoken to Gords (rang while he was sitting in freezing cold bath...good for the leg muscles...don't ask!) He said he had a horrendous cycle due to high winds and rain, plus being on the coastal roads and was nearly blown off the bike at Waterfoot.The words "Miserable" and "Soaked" were uttered. He stopped off for coffee and scone at Ballygally Castle Hotel and carried on to Ballycastle , where he had some lunch and stopped for @ an hour and spoke to me.It was about 2 o'clock and he had covered 78 miles.

Well he was aiming to stop at Portstewart (100 miles) but because the weather is going to be REALLY bad tomorrow, he wanted to cover more ground...so he carried on until Ballykelly ...130 miles in all.7 hours and 49 mins in the saddle (ouch! What can I say, the man is obviously a machine!).So there he is, in a lovely warm B+B and has a nice lady called Joan drying his clothes on her aga for him already (he's a fast worker...you know...the quiet ones and all that!). He's not expecting to do well tomorrow...we shall see. x