From June 9 - 16, 2000, 20 intrepid souls and I (plus our two leaders) went on a little bike ride along the west coast of Ireland around Galway Bay, from Lahinch, County Clare in the south, to Renvyle, Connemara (County Galway) in the north. The trip was organized by Bike Ireland (better known in North America as Bike Vermont, with whom I'd participated in two previous week-long inn-to-inn tours, so I knew I'd be happy with the arrangements and general approach). We covered roughly 30 miles each of the 6 1/2 cycling days, stayed in 4 different "inns" (castles?), and enjoyed gorgeous scenery, fine meals, excellent camaraderie, and a warm Irish welcome wherever we went.

We also learned first hand why the Emerald Isle is ssoooo green, gained insights to the wonders of the Burren, and discovered that Smithwicks (don't pronounce the "w") goes wonderfully well with the friendly ambiance of an Irish pub.