Another great day of riding. When I suggested making it to a vegan restaurant 65 mi away when we first started it seemed crazy. It was supposed to start raining in the early afternoon, so we had several hotel options marked out along the way (we learned our lesson). But the first 25 mi were easy riding and done pretty quickly. Then, we had open road with very little directions to follow for the next 20, while crossing into England.  By the time our last hotel option came around we were 17 mi from the restaurant and hadn’t felt a drop of rain. We decided to go for it and rode like the wind. Made it with plenty of time. Bingeing on junk food is guilt free when you are riding this much. 

While we ate we found a hotel just one mile away. It started raining before we left but out spirits were sky high. Topping the day of at an English pub that has been around since 1500. Not bad.  

A change in plans today. We decided we needed a hotel for a night so we headed in a more direct route. It turned out to be a really great day with lots of paths and although it was cloudy not a drop of rain! All the signs here are in Welsh and English. 

While we had stopped for a moment to check directions, we noticed that google maps listed a primate sanctuary that was only 0.3 mi from where we were at that moment. It didn’t take us long to decide to take the detour. All of the animals there came from really terrible circumstances. Its always sad to see any animal in a cage but they seemed well cared for in their current home. We recommend a trip to the Wales Ape and Monkey Sanctuary. This is Toto. 

Made it to our hotel in time for a shower and dinner than went immediately to bed. It was great. 

After a short ride we caught the ferry to Wales. By the time we got off the boat there was a light rain but we pushed on toward our planned stop. Our route went through Pembrokeshire Nathional Park. The hills were an insane 20% grade up and down, over and over. On top of that the weather never cooperated. 

We decided to look for any alternative. But finding nothing we eventually made it to our campground. Luckily they were nice enough to let us set up the tent under some cover. 

Less of a shoulder and more traffic than we would like but drivers have been very courteous. 

Google Maps cycling directions have been pretty good to us. Although, today we found a little stretch of sand that Google thought would be good for riding. 

Creative tacos on the menu for dinner tonight. It’s been pretty easy to find good dinner options from the grocery stores around here thankfully. 

A short ride to the ferry in the morning. Leaving for Wales. It’s sad to be leaving Ireland but we will certainly be back. 

Great day! Late start so we could get another sixer of donuts. Then we rode the sugar high out of the city on a sweet bike lane. 

Only 18mi later we had a stop at the Happy Pear in Greystones. 

Perfect sunshine for the whole ride. Even broke out my sunglasses today! Camping on the coast tonight, over a small beach. Dinner was a picnic on the grass. 

Lots to do in Dublin. First stop, vegan donuts. Yes, we polished off the half dozen before leaving the shop. 

Spent the morning sightseeing and learning about Irish history. Then lunch and a tour of Kilmainham Gaol, a prison known for housing political prisoners since it was built in the 1700s. 

Took a walk along the River Liffey to get back to the city center. Dublin is a really interesting city. Very cosmopolitan in some respects, but at street level has the appearance of all the small towns we have passed through. Lots of tourists too. The food has been great. A trip to Dublin wouldn’t be complete without a trip to a local pub for a proper pint. 

Guinness…now without fish!

Ever ride a bike for four straight hours in the constant rain? Well after today we can say that we have. It was still raining so we took cover in a coffee shop. After four bowls of porridge, three americanos and two hours, the rain persisted so we decided we would keep riding anyway. 

Luckily, it stopped shortly afterward. We crossed into the Republic of Ireland without so much as a sign. It was our longest and toughest ride yet but at the end of the day we were in Dublin! 

Finished up with a huge dinner. 

We are going to enjoy a day off tomorrow. 

Great ride. Another path for 15 mi out of Belfast. Lots of country roads otherwise. Saw the Mourne Mountains in the distance for a lot of the ride too. 

Found an escaped cow on the road. She was pretty scared of us and it took some time to get around her cause we kept scaring her up the narrow road. 

Seems like we are camping in a playground tonight, lots of kids! Gotta rest up for our biggest planned ride of the trip into Dublin.