There were options today for loop rides, but I decided to take a day off. I went for a long walk though.
This pitch and putt course looked brutal to me. Nothing but undulations, nothing flat. Sand traps were small, round and looked deep.
Dinner at McDermott’s tonight.
Bangers and mash: sausages and mashed potatoes.
The day started out with sunshine – a welcome change.
Miltown Malbay was jammed with people and cars.
Lahinch, a surf town, was also quite crowded.
The fog continued to thicken as I climbed up to the Cliffs of Moher. I’m sure these cliffs are impressive, but today, this was all I could see.
I bought postcards instead – lol.
The last 4 miles was downhill but on really rough roads.
46 miles today! My B&B for the next two nights.
I walked to McGann’s Pub for dinner. It was packed, everyone (except for the 3 girls and their dad who shared my table) watching hurling on multiple tvs.
Two routes were offered today, short and long . I chose long. Part 1 was along the River Shannon estuary, with a 20+ mph headwind.
Approaching Carrigaholt, with the tower castle in the distance.
Carrigaholt was also the corner where today’s triathlon bike riders made their turn.
Love the sign warning car drivers about what’s ahead. Carrigaholt Castle is a 5-story tower built in 1480 by the MacMahon family.
Rough roads and rain along this section. Lunch stop in Kinbah.
On to Loop Head Lighthouse.
Best part about this stop was the return would be along the Atlantic coastline – all tailwind for the rest of the ride! Plus amazing views.
The last remaining last sea arch – the Bridge of Ross – there used to be three.
Back in Kilkee. 43 miles. Whew.
After breakfast, time to ride.
Three groups left at about the same time. Three Australians, six women from Colorado, and me. Each group rode at their own pace.
My mantra all day: stay on the LEFT side of the road!!
Narrow roads! This single lane is for two-way traffic. If a car was following me, I would pull over when there was a patch of mown grass. All the drivers were so patient, no one ever honked.
About 35 miles today with a 20-mph headwind made for a tiring ride.Temps in the 60s, perfect riding weather.
I have the cutest tiny room.
I wasn’t able to stay at the same hotel for a second night, so packed up, walked around the corner and checked into Old Ground Hotel. Later, I followed a sculpture trail and saw quite a bit of the town.
I couldn’t find “Weathered Woman,” and must have looked lost. A woman about my age asked if I needed help. After I told her the title, she said with a smile, “Well there are quite a few of us walking around town.”
River Fergus:
I met the tour company people at the hotel to get the bike – a Trek! – and an overview of the upcoming ride.
Ready to go!
Mid-morning, I walked about 20 minutes to the Dublin Coach bus stop. Along the way: entrance to St Stephen’s Green Park.
Trinity College:
River Lyffey which divides the city into “north of Lyffey” or “south of Lyffey.” Looking east:
Looking west:
The fastest route to Ennis was by bus, a 4-hour trip on the “big green bus” which was actually a white bus.
What luck: the Ennis bus stop was right in front of the hotel:
My room wasn’t ready, so I wandered around a bit.
Excellent dinner at the hotel watching England beat Congo in World Cup.
Ending with an Irish Irish coffee!
Mid-morning, I took a train to Schiphol Airport.
The security checkpoint had impossibly long and slow lines. To make my flight before the boarding gate closed, I wormed my way to the front of lines, apologized profusely, and ran! I arrived at the gate, no one was there! The gate had been changed at the last minute and was just a few feet away. Relief! They’d just started boarding. An hour and 10 minutes later, we landed in Dublin. These signs were everywhere in the airport:
Tonight’s hotel: Harrington Hall.
4:15 am, we’re a bit blurry-eyed and the taxi is late. If it looks somewhat bright outside, that’s because it never quite gets dark dark at this time of the year.
By 9a we were in Amsterdam for a happy family reunion.
A day of exploring was ahead.
We were a group of 12. Besides Thais and Lenin’s family, Leah (Lenin’s sister), Jeff and Lauren were there plus Gina (Lenin’s aunt), Hans (whose family is from Amsterdam), and Harper.
On our way to the Van Gogh museum.
Because city taxes were based on the width of the house facing the street, this house is only about 6’ wide.
The fries are a must-try in Amsterdam!
Late afternoon: a tour of the Anne Frank House.
I am tired. I walked 21000+ steps today after getting up at 3a. Time for bed!
Our last day of riding! Just 20 miles to the ferry which will take us back to Bergen.
Last chance to take fjord pictures.
Sunde. It was a bit tricky to guide the ebike and pull a suitcase onto the boat.
In Bergen, the bike rental people met us and took back the bikes – really nice people. We took a taxi to the hotel with our suitcases, then walked back to Olivia for pizza.
No shortcuts today. We had to ride. Thankfully the sun was mostly out, no rain, and an expected high of 80 degrees. Woo-hoo!
Sophia and Avery consultation about the route. They are excellent navigators and strong riders. I’m the one lagging behind.
Mailboxes inside a bus shelter – a typical sight.
I think we went through 7 or 8 tunnels today.
In Arsnes, we took a ferry across the fjord to Lyngstranda.
We rode about 45 miles today. Time for a good rest. View from hotel balcony.
arletelouise 