Great achievement, sorry it's so late lol
£890 raised so far
of £250 target
by 24 supporters
Ben Linden's Story
Over 6 days at the end of August me and my mate Tom will be cycling the length of Ireland. The route starts in the south at Mizen Head and finishes some 450 miles away at Malin Head in the north. Before preparing for this trip, my cycling experience was next to none, mostly limited to riding a fixed-gear bike down Trafalgar Road to The Valley. With this trip averaging 75 miles a day, it’s fair to say I’ll be well out of my comfort zone. But I’ve bought a bike and booked the ferry, so there’s no going back now.We’re doing this fo...
Over 6 days at the end of August me and my mate Tom will be cycling the length of Ireland. The route starts in the south at Mizen Head and finishes some 450 miles away at Malin Head in the north.
Before preparing for this trip, my cycling experience was next to none, mostly limited to riding a fixed-gear bike down Trafalgar Road to The Valley. With this trip averaging 75 miles a day, it’s fair to say I’ll be well out of my comfort zone. But I’ve bought a bike and booked the ferry, so there’s no going back now.
We’re doing this for charity and I have chosen to raise money for CACT. I have always been passionate about the local area and the work that CACT does here. They support thousands of people each year across South East London and Kent, helping to improve health, education, and community wellbeing. Their vision is to build healthy, happy, resilient and thriving communities and they deliver on this through programmes that improve mental and physical health, boost access to education and employment, and strengthen social cohesion. In their most recent impact report, CACT generated over £49 million in social value meaning that for every £1 spent, £9.52 is created.
Every donation, big or small, genuinely helps make that impact possible.
We set off on Sunday August 24th and are due to finish on Friday 29th and I will share more on plans and preparation for the trip and update on our progress as we go.
Thanks!
Ben
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Day 6 - Donegal to Malin Head
You’ll never guess but it was raining again when we set off. Headed along more main roads towards Letterkenny which weren’t very nice but pretty fast. Found the scenery in Donegal pretty interesting and felt very unique. Didn’t think much of Letterkenny but the next bit of cycling towards the Swilly ferry was really nice and the weather had cleared by then. Cycled into a headwind up to Malin Head and taken a bit by surprise by the final small climb but made it more satisfying really.
Feels great to have got it all done. I imagine I will need some time to reflect on the trip as a whole but I will say that I loved it, it was tougher than I expected but it’s been a better way to see the country than I could have imagined.
Day 5 - Westport to Donegal
I knew this day would be tough but I didn’t realise how tough. From Westport to Sligo was pretty much non stop 100kmh N roads in torrential rain and 30 miles into the day Tom got a puncture. I swapped the tube at the side of the road only to get another one just after Swinford. Cue getting a lift to a bike shop to swap the tyre out which had a gash in it. The next part from Sligo to Bundoran was pretty grim still but from Bundoran to Donegal the rain stopped and sun came out and we had a nice ride in. Set off at 8.30 and arrived just after 7 so was a hell of a long day. But we did find some trad and dancing in Donegal which was a very nice end to the day.
Day 4 - Galway to Westport
60 miles of pretty torrential rain. Connemara was incredible though and probably the most atmospheric part of the trip so far. Had a good stop in Oughterard but proving to find a lunch that isn’t a toastie. Got into Westport just after 3 so looking forward to a relaxing evening here before a monster of a day tomorrow.
Day 3 - Ennis to Galway
A shorter 45 miles today but found it a bit tough going. The burren was cool to visit but weather and surface pretty bad so we were quite slow. Stopped in Kinvara for lunch which was nice but then had a rough final 20 miles into a headwind. Feeling very tired now so glad to be finished a bit earlier than yesterday.
Day 2 - Killarney to Ennis
Today was an 85 mile day. Bit of a tough start along some busy national roads but at least they were quick. Good stop in Listowel but then the following hour was non stop torrential rain until we reached the Tarbert ferry - pretty grim stuff. Dried off a bit on the ferry and the ride through Clare was pretty nice. A day of many parts but good to get the 2nd longest day done. Ennis seems a pretty fun place and found a good pub to watch the Newcastle game.
100% of target reached!
Fundraising complete! Ireland End-to-End 2025 has reached 100% of the target!
75% of target reached!
Almost there! Ireland End-to-End 2025 has reached 75% of the target!
50% of target reached!
At the half way mark! Ireland End-to-End 2025 has reached 50% of the target!
25% of target reached!
Making great progress, Ireland End-to-End 2025 has reached 25% of the target!
First donation made!
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Fundraising started!
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