6 days in July: The Route

Ok dear readers, as promised here is the proposed route for my cycle challenge in July (please click on the map for a bigger image).

We have re-routed thanks to very kind offers of accommodation.

The overnight stops are: 
Wednesday 1st July: Castle Archdale *Camping*
Thursday 2nd July: Limavady *accommodation kindly offered* 
Friday 3rd July: Ballyclare *accommodation kindly offered*
Saturday 4th July: Newcastle *accommodation tbc*

A lot of tweaking has taken place in the past few weeks due to the original route also being deemed too hilly and met with, well let's just say an air of despair in some medical quarters, heck, one even did their best John McEnroe impression...'you cannot be serious!!!'

Well I am serious, so ladies and gentlemen I give you....drum roll please..... the Children's Heartbeat Trust Cycle Challenge route.
I'll post a breakdown of each day nearer the time but as a snapshot the first day will see me set off from Banbridge for a 90 miles leg loosening jaunt to Co.  Fermanagh via Portadown and Armagh taking in Ballygawley, Fivemiletown, Tempo and Enniskillen.

The second day is the longest of the lot,  and here we'll venture into Donegal again passing through or close to Kesh, Belleek, Ballybofey, Strabane, and on to Limavady, a hike of some 102 miles.

The third day, from Limavady to Ballyclare will see me pass through Portstewart, Portrush, Ballycastle and Ballymena.

The fourth day on the road takes us from Ballyclare to Newcastle mainly via Carrickfergus, Belfast, Bangor, Ballywalter, Newtownards, Killyleagh and Downpatrick.

When I've finally managed to 'sprockle' back on to my trusty steed, the final day is a 'short run down the Co. Down coast from Newcastle to Warrenpoint and Newry, on to the tow-path to Scarva and back to the starting point at the Tesco Bridgewater Extra store in Banbridge...all-in-all 500 miles, well it's really 501.3 miles but what's an extra 1.3 miles between friends.

Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.....when you type or say it quickly enough.

The rest of the week will either be spent lying in an undignified heap, or most likely walking sideways, if you catch my drift!

The route is subject to slight changes and if you spot me on the road, please feel free to give me a shout or a wave, your support will mean a lot... thank-you.