Tour de Dingle
This weekend the International Student Society teamed up with the Irish Society and we all boarded a bus for Dingle. I spent an afternoon in Dingle with Mom and Dad when they were in town, but liked it so much that I didn't at all mind having the chance to spend another two days there.
Right when we got to Dingle on Saturday, I ducked away from the masses going dolphin-watching to head off on a slightly quieter, but intense, mission. Megan and Holly joined me, and we rented bikes to head out around Slea Head Drive, the road that takes you around the Atlantic coast. I saw how beautiful the trip was when I was with my parents going around in a tour bus, and knew that doing the path on a bike would offer a different perspective.
The 30 mile path took us through rolling hills and the occasional steep climb, but the trip validated my contention that the Dingle Peninsula, and specifically the westernmost fringe of it (and of Europe itself), is the most beautiful place I have ever personally seen. To be alone on a bike, on the outskirts of European civilization, with the sounds of Atlantic waves crashing into cliffs and sheep bleating, smelling crisp, clean air and grass...and getting a nice workout, as a bonus...was simply incredible.
The only downside to the whole affair was the lack of cushion in the saddle, so my posterior has been a bit sore today. Eight euro for the rental was the best 8e I've spent yet, though, I'll tell you that much.
Right when we got to Dingle on Saturday, I ducked away from the masses going dolphin-watching to head off on a slightly quieter, but intense, mission. Megan and Holly joined me, and we rented bikes to head out around Slea Head Drive, the road that takes you around the Atlantic coast. I saw how beautiful the trip was when I was with my parents going around in a tour bus, and knew that doing the path on a bike would offer a different perspective.
The 30 mile path took us through rolling hills and the occasional steep climb, but the trip validated my contention that the Dingle Peninsula, and specifically the westernmost fringe of it (and of Europe itself), is the most beautiful place I have ever personally seen. To be alone on a bike, on the outskirts of European civilization, with the sounds of Atlantic waves crashing into cliffs and sheep bleating, smelling crisp, clean air and grass...and getting a nice workout, as a bonus...was simply incredible.
The only downside to the whole affair was the lack of cushion in the saddle, so my posterior has been a bit sore today. Eight euro for the rental was the best 8e I've spent yet, though, I'll tell you that much.
posted by craichead at 4/24/2005 05:25:00 PM
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