This post recounts the seventh day of my Mizen Head to Malin Head cycle tour in Ireland with Peak Tours in June 2024. Read Day 6: Clifden to Westport

After the scenic fireworks yesterday, today was a more prosaic day. We had a late start as we had just 28 miles to ride to lunch at Foxford. This was unusual on this tour, as lunch stops have typically been well beyond the half way point.

Once again, I took the opportunity to stop to take photos, especially after spotting this lovely calf! I was overtaken as I paused.

After getting going again I got into a speedy rhythm and for once was one of the first to reach the brew stop – but one of the last to leave!

I had an enjoyable interlude on the shore of Lough Cullin, having spotted the rowing boats from the main road. After I set off again I had an even better view of the lough, with a sandy beach, but chose not to stop again.

As we approached Foxford, we found the railway level crossing barriers closed. It took a few minutes for the train to arrive – I’m glad we persuaded Ian to wait rather than try to get past!

We were soon crossing the bridge into Foxford, and the best lunch of the tour. The venue was Foxford Cafe in the town’s historic woollen mill, which produces rugs and throws. I chose a mix of salads, which was delicious and made me feel really virtuous after not eating much salad or vegetables over the past week!

The downside of an early lunch was a long afternoon, which also included one of the longest climbs of the tour – some five miles. The sky was darkening as we finished the ascent, but I was determined not to put my rain jacket on until I really had to, about a mile before the afternoon brew stop. (I’d rather get sightly wet than overheat when cycling.)

The Mill Cafe sign next to the brew stop table suggested that guide Wendy had gone into the hospitality business. She hadn’t – the building behind us was the Cloonacool community cafe, presumably open at weekends. The Peak Tours awning was helpful in keeping off the rain, which stopped soon after.

The rest of the ride to Sligo was rather nondescript especially as it was an overcast day. We were staying at the Glasshouse on the river Garavogue – a very impressive modern hotel. I enjoyed parking my bike in the underground car park!

Sligo makes the most of its connections with the famous Irish poet WB Yeats, and the great man is commemorated with a splendid statue on the other side of the river from our hotel. It features words from his works.

We had another enjoyable evening, first with an Italian dinner at Rugantino to celebrate Lucy’s birthday, followed by the inevitable Guinness at Shoot the Crows bar. We tried not to think about the weather forecast for tomorrow, the longest day of the tour, which is awful.

Read Day 8: Sligo to Rossnowlagh beach

The day’s stats

67.59 miles, 3,622 feet climbing, 4 hours 45 mins cycling, average speed 14.2 mph.

The day’s highlights video