I woke very early after less than 3hrs sleep. I was excited, despite the lack of sleep, as I anticipated the possibility of finishing.

I had a big climb to get over (called Poison Glen Full on Strava: 5km average 4%) and then made it to the entrance to Glenveagh. There were toilets! The relief at finding a toilet is not to be scoffed at on these long rides. Shortly after I arrived Jackie and Rupert turned up as well. I had been yo-yoing with them and Paula the last couple of days. It was nice to have some company as we made our way round the gravel track in Glenveagh, a scenic route.

I found a resupply and decided it was a good time to up the caffeine energy drink game.

I was making my way to Rathmullen for another ferry crossing. Jackie and Rupert disappeared ahead and for some reason I had it in my head it was only a few kilometres to the ferry. It wasn’t but I rationalised I was still munching the distance under my wheels so it didn’t matter and the views continued to exceed expectations.

As I got to the ferry I found Rupert and Jackie. they had made it there just as the ferry was pulling out and hour before. It was just pulling in again and we all got on board and I found somewhere to charge some of my electronics as we crossed to Buncrana.

The next major landmark would be Malin Head. Unfortunately there were some pretty lumpy bits still to get over.

The weather had turned ‘damp’ again so I took a moment to swop out my normal for waterproof socks. These worked a dream keeping my feet warm and dry in the rain. Totally recommend.

I made it to Malin Head around 6pm and had a little moment as I remembered my mother and the trip we had made here all those years ago.

We were not far, either, from Carndonagh, where the family had a house I visited as a pre-teen. the Bridge House, I think it was called. The copper pipes in the kitchen gleamed so brightly I remember asking if they were made of gold, to much laughter.

Annie Dixey had come third overall on the Setanta route and first woman to finish. She had texted me earlier in the day:”Keep some legs for the ride from Malin to Derry. There are some unnecessary hills.

It was about 70-80km to Derry and there were several climbs between me and the finish including one of 3.5km at 4% (30minute effort) and the Kinnego Bay climb at 6% average which took me nearly an hour to summit (some hiking was involved on the steeper bits).

Remember I said how time warps when riding – the last 20km lasted an eternity before I saw the Peace Bridge lit up in the distance.

It was about midnight as I rolled across the bridge to finish. At the far end Annie was waiting and shouting “top ten finisher”. I couldn’t believe it and expressed my disbelief with many a WTF! It took me several days to really believe that I had come in tenth on the Setanta route. Of the 49 riders who started only 4 scratched.

I made my way to the accommodation to be met by a surprised Adrian who said ” I wan’t expecting you to finish until two or three am!”. I had a cup of tea and found a bunk to sleep in. I had done it in 6 days 18hours and 40minutes.