Bike Ireland Along the Wild Atlantic Way Biking Killybegs to Letterkenny

Transcription

1 August 6-16, 2019 Bike Ireland Along the Wild Atlantic Way Biking Killybegs to Letterkenny Leader: Dick Cable Trip #1918 Co-Leader: Joe Thomas Escape to Ireland s beautiful North West with this unique cycling tour. Allow yourself to be awe-struck by the beauty of the Irish surroundings. Feel at home with the genuine warmth of the local hospitality. Let the salty sea breezes soothe your senses as you explore Ireland s most off-the-beaten-track region. You may have been to Ireland before, but that was the tourist Ireland. Come visit this breathtaking, seldom experienced region of this beautiful country. Come experience the Wild Atlantic Coast of County Donegal. For biking purposes, this trip has be rated 4 bikes out of 5 (distances are long and hilly). All participants should be capable of riding at this level. The route may also experience strong winds. If the distances, climbs or wind seem a bit much for you, an E-bike is available and worthy of consideration.

2 This fabulous long-distance biking route takes you along the Wild Atlantic Way (the longest marked coastal route in the world) from Killybegs in the south to Letterkenny in the north. It is one of the most stunning stretches of coastline in the world. Make your way along the coast, where every turn will leave you awe-struck with everchanging panoramas. You ll explore one of the strongest Gaeltacht areas in Ireland, where many residents still use Gaelic as their primary language, and take in key landmarks such as the Slieve League Cliffs, the Glengash Pass, Horn Head & Fanad Head. The route is 181 miles in total with 11,811 feet of climbing giving an average of 30 miles per day and just under 2,000ft of climbing. The daily cycling stats are shown in the itinerary. You ll visit unique ancient sites on this cycling holiday. Ireland has a history that stretches back more that 5,000 years. Here you can visit sites from virtually every era right up to the present. Marvel at stone age court tombs, bronze age dolmens, Celtic ring forts - impossibly situated in lakes and on mountains and early- Christian standing stones and monasteries. Take a break to visit rural pubs, where the hospitality of the locals will soon have you feeling like you are in a second home. Hear vibrant traditional music, unique to

3 OUR ITINERARY (This itinerary is what the leaders have planned at the time of this writing; various factors may require changes for reasons of safety, weather, transportation or lodging availability and other unforeseeable circumstances. The leaders reserve the right to make such changes as necessary both before and during the trip. Day 1 - Tuesday, August 6: Leave USA Day 2 - Wednesday, August 7: Arrival in Belfast Today we have the day to explore the fascinating city of Belfast with it s history, charm, and pubs. Day 3: Thursday August 8 Transfer Belfast to Killybegs. Situated on a natural deepwater harbor, Killybegs is Ireland s largest fishing port. Visitors not afraid of heights can try walking along One Man s Pass which takes hikers to the highest point of Sliabh Liag. There is also a visitor s viewing platform for nonhikers to experience the views. It is also possible to view the cliffs from the sea via a Sliabh Liag boat ride. Day 4: Friday August 9 Killybegs to Ardara (32 miles, climbing 2,673ft) Ardara is a vibrant and bustling town which is very popular with holiday makers. Day 5: Saturday August 10 Ardara to Dungloe (28 miles, climbing 1,719ft) Day 6: Sunday August 11 Dungloe to Falcaragh (37 miles, climbing 2,007ft)

4 Day 7: Monday August 12 Falcaragh to Downings (34 miles, climbing 2,109ft) Day 8: Tuesday August 13 Downings to Portsalon (27 miles, climbing 1,774ft) Day 9: Wednesday August 14 Portsalon to Letterkenny (24 miles, climbing 1,528ft); nicknamed "the Cathedral Town Letterkenny is the largest and most populous town in County Donegal, Ireland. It lies on the River Swilly in east Donegal. Day 10: Thursday, August 15: Bus transfer back to Dublin for a day in this great city. As of 2010, Dublin has been listed as a global city, with a ranking of "Alpha-", which places it amongst the top thirty cities in the world. It is a historical and contemporary centre for education, the arts, administration, economy and industry. Whether you take the opportunity to tour Trinity College including the Book of Kells, take a tour or the Guiness or Jameson distilleries (with samples!!) or just wonder this beautiful city over the Ha Penny Bridge and the Liffey River, you ll be enchanted by this city. Day 11: Friday, August 16: Flights home from Dublin

5 TRIP COST: $3550 Leaders: Dick Cable has been an AMC member for many years. He is a CT and Berkshire Chapter bike and hike leader He has been an Adventure Travel Leader for 10 years and has led nearly 25 trekking, hiking, horse trekking, walking and biking trips to Yosemite, Mongolia, Nepal, Italy, Sicily, France, Norway, Finland, Tanzania, Cambodia, Vietnam, New Zealand, Patagonia, Peru, Easter Island, Germany, the Czech Republic and India/Bhutan. Dick is a retired teacher, Early Childhood administrator, and a national and international educational consultant. He is a certified trainer and fitness instructor. When in CT, he teaches senior fitness at a YMCA. He spends part of his year in Salamanca, Spain. Joe Thomas has an avid interest in health and fitness which has paved the way to adventure travel. He has participated in bike trips through the Po Valley of Italy and the Camino de Santiago in Spain. He has co-led trips to Machu Picchu/ Easter Island, Italy, Patagonia, Dolomites, Tanzania, Vietnam/Cambodia, India/Bhutan and Croatia. Both leaders have a strong interest in sharing the allure of adventure excursions to the most beautiful and intriguing places on earth. Both are CPR and Wilderness First Aid certified. Disclosures AMC Adventure Travel trips are run on a nonprofit basis. Leaders are not compensated except for their travel and administrative costs associated with the trip. A program fee is assessed toward AMC Adventure Travel Excursion program and administrative expenses. $1200 due with application; $1200 due June 1, 2018 and $1150 due January 1, TRIP INCLUDES: 9 nights (4* hotels in Belfast and Dublin. 3*/4* hotels while biking); all breakfasts, bank debit card for lunches and dinners; hybrid bike rental (optional upgrade to E-bike available for $120 and is recommended), luggage transfers, guide, support driver with vehicle and travel insurance TRIP DOES NOT INCLUDE INT L FLIGHT OF APPROXIMATELY $800. CANCELLATION POLICY: Cancellations will receive a refund to the extent that it does not affect the trip status. Cancellations affecting the trip status may result in forfeiture of all or part of monies As leaders, our goals for the group are to have fun, utilize your skills, and savor a foreign culture at reasonable cost and in the company of other adventurers with similar interests. We encourage your individual contributions, cooperation and good humor to enrich the group s experience. We anticipate each participant s engagement as part of a group, and expect each to abide by the leaders decisions and work towards the group having a good time. Be prepared to help your fellow participants and spend time with other participants on the trip. In doing so, you will help ensure each participant s maximum experience. and enjoyment of the trip. OUR GOALS For additional information, contact Dick at r.cable@sbcglobal.net or Joe at or thomasj73@sbcglobal.net.

6

7