Why am I doing this?

As with LEJOG two years ago, I’m going to blame this on Larry. After we finished our epic trip the length of the United Kingdom, I said to Larry: “How about for our next trip we do the Channel to the Med?” That’s a 870-mile trip beginning at the English Channel, heading southeast across France, over the French Alps, and ending in Nice. Fewer miles than LEJOG. OK, slightly more climbing, at 62,400 feet vs. 59,000 for LEJOG, but that’s minimal.

The always sensible Larry countered with, “How about Ireland?” So, here we are, eighteen days from our flight to Dublin and a bus to Cork. A massive heatwave in the eastern U.S. is curtailing our training, but Larry (or Legs, as I’ve started calling him) is ready to roll and I’m almost ready I think.

This will be my first trip to Ireland. I’m particularly excited about Day 6, when I’ll be cycling by the sheep farm owned by my future daughter-in-law’s family.

Here are some details from the Peak Tours website:

The Mizen Head to Malin Head cycle tour, or “Head to Head,” conjures up a variety of images, ancient hill passes, rolling green fields, fantastic pubs, the “Craic,” stunning scenery, a pint of the black stuff, and a sing-song at the end of the day. In devising this route we have heard on numerous occasions from our customers that “it’s only on our doorstep and I don’t really know much about it.” Well, now is as good a time as any to find out! This cracking tour arrives to Cork and then the following day we transfer by coach to the wildness of the Mizen Head lighthouse to begin our fun. The cycling straightaway is amazing. As we head up through the ridiculously picturesque county of Kerry you would be forgiven for thinking that you had seen all the spectacular stuff, but this is the tour that keeps on giving. Right the way up through county Galway and county Clare you are treated time and again to some of the best scenery this Island of Ireland has to offer. Pushing further north you will hear the accents change but the scenery doesn’t let up a bit, culminating in two challenging final days to reach our destination at rugged Malin Head.

Highlights
– The stunning ride through the Gap of Dunloe
– The brooding, atmospheric region of the Burren on the way to Galway
– Secluded white sand beaches and winding coastal roads
– The superb cycling in and around Connemara and the villages of Clifden and Westport
– The wild remoteness of Glenveagh national park
– The warmth of the Irish people and their stories and music!

Duration 10 nights / 9 days cycling

Total distance 570 miles / 917 km

Average daily elevation 3795 ft / 1157m