03/06/2026
NORTHERN IRELAND RECAP
The first country of the UK š¬š§ coastline completed.
588.9 kilometres.
3,980 metres of climbing.
16 riding days.
Three punctures.
One trike.
One dog.
And countless acts of kindness.
We rolled off the ferry from Cairnryan into Belfast with nowhere to stay on our first night.
Then Barbara stepped in and booked us a room in Carrickfergus.
That was the moment Northern Irelandās generosity began.
In Carrickfergus, I met fellow burn survivor Mark before enjoying a complimentary tour of Carrickfergus Castle with Jacob.
From there we rode to Larne, where Carol at Seaview Guest House hosted us. We also dropped in at Larne Football Club, who welcomed us onto the pitch and donated shirts to support the cause.
Carrick Rangers FC later donated shirts to Mark on my behalf for the finale fundraising auction.
Next came Carnlough and two nights at the The Harbourview Hotel, Irelandās first whiskey hotel. They generously donated a bottle of Carnlough Irish Whiskey which we raffled off, eventually raising around Ā£700 for charity.
Then came one of the most beautiful rides of the entire coastline journey along the Antrim Coast to Ballycastle and Ballintoy, where we stayed at the The Fullerton Arms and Guesthouse Inn in the heart of Game of Thrones country.
From Ballintoy we rode to Portrush, where Anne hosted us for three nights during the Northwest 200.
Then on to Derry, where Paul welcomed us and shared some of the cityās remarkable history.
Turning south again, we reached Ballykelly and stayed with Farmer Tom. It was here I woke up to my very first puncture of the entire journey.
The next stop was Ballymoney, where Bann River Cruises hosted us aboard a riverboat for the night ā our first overnight stay on a boat anywhere around the UK coastline.
From there we rode to Bellaghy, where Dana hosted us, before suffering two back-to-back punctures on the road south.
With no way to continue, we found ourselves stranded in Castledawson.
Then another act of kindness arrived.
Steph, a follower from Scotland, who once passed me on the road out of Oban contacted me completely out of the blue and booked us into a hotel for the weekend while we waited for replacement tubes to arrive.
Once repaired, thanks to Newbridge Stores for safely storing the trike, we continued to Tandragee, where Natty, Paul and Carol hosted us before an interview with Armagh I the following morning.
Then it was on through the Newry Canal and down to Annalong, where Willowtree Glamping Mournes gave us a beautiful shepherdās hut to rest in, complete with hot tub.
Around this point my chest started causing problems ā issues that would eventually force me to pause the journey altogether.
But first there was one final surprise.
In Newcastle, King Charles was visiting. The Royal Family
We were only a few metres away from him.
Unfortunately, he chose to speak to the lady standing next to me instead.
Gutted.
From Newcastle we rode to Portaferry, where another follower, Clare, kindly booked us a guest house.
And finally, back to Belfast.
The kindness continued right to the very end.
Gale booked me a night at the Malmaison Belfast. The hotel then matched it with a second complimentary night.
Another follower called Leigh, then booked another night for us at a guesthouse on Lisburn Road.
The guest house even paid for a taxi back to collect the trike before we rolled to the ferry terminal and left Northern Ireland. With Stena Line UKIE refunding my ferry ticket after hearing of our quest.
The miles were incredible.
The scenery was spectacular.
But what Iāll remember most is the people.
This entire journey has been powered by the kindness of strangers, and nowhere demonstrated that more than Northern Ireland.
We arrived not knowing where weād sleep on our first night.
We left having completed our first country of the UK coastline, carrying memories, friendships and acts of kindness that will stay with us forever.
Also Belfast Tandems and City Centre Cycles, Belfast Bike Tours amongst countless others also worth a mention.
Thank you, Northern Ireland.
Until next time. ā¤ļøš¾ā¤ļø
If you have Ā£10 that needs re homing drop it in here: https://gofund.me/d6ce2a8b4
