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Brittany South
Rothar Cycle Tours was founded in 1992 by Aidan Quinlan and in 1994 started organising week long cycle tours to Brittany.
Why Brittany? Like Ireland it is a Celtic nation. Ireland has had trading links with Brittany since the mists of time and it is the nearest part of the European land mass to Ireland.
The Breton people hold tenaciously to their past. The Breton language is still spoken and names such as Plou - parish, Ker - town and Lan - church turn up frequently on road signs. Brittany was independent until 1532, it's last ruling monarch being the Duchesse Anne. This is the name of the Brittany Ferries ship that Rothar Cycle Tours used to use on the return leg of the trips to east Brittany. The ship was built in Cork and sold off in 1996. Rothar regrets the loss of the St. Malo link.
The trip runs at this time because Brittany is slightly warmer than Ireland ? and is usually drier. No airports are used making the start and end of the tour quite relaxing.
The roads used are mostly of a low traffic density and French drivers are very kind towards cyclists.
All bikes come supplied with a front handlebar bag ideal for that camera and swimwear.
Details of this tour will be posted in July 2006
Saturday July 5th
Meet Cork Ferryport, Ringaskiddy at 14.30 H. It is 12 miles south of Cork city. Travel on the luxury "Pont Aven" ferry. Depart 16.00H. At 18.30 we have a complementary on-board reception. Evening meal on board.
Relevant train times ex Dublin Dept. 10.00 - Arr. Cork 12.50 H
Dept. 11.00 - Arr. Cork 13.50 H
Sunday 6th July
Crozon to Quimper
Arrive Roscoff 07.00H. Transfer to the Crozon Peninsula. Cycle from the top (330M) of the Menez-Hom mountain to the pretty Locronan.
On to Douarnenez - a swim stop. Afternoon cycle an old railway line to finish at the cultural town of Quimper. 56km (35M)
Monday July 7th
Quimper - Pont Aven. Near the Odet river downstream to Benodet. Along the coast -and swim - near Concarneau with its Ville Clos - old walled city. Day's end at Pont-Aven, former home to painter Paul Gauguin. 58km (36M)
Tuesday 8th July
Pont Aven - Lorient
Mainly a coastal trip via Guidel- a swim stop. Finish day's cycle after Ploemeur in Lorient - famed for its festival Interceltique music festival. 45km (28M)
Wednesday 9th July
Lorient-Quiberon
Leaving the town, cycle past the wide estuary of the Riviere d'Elel down to Plouharnal, where we board the Tire Bouchon train for a short ride to Kerhostin. We then cycle the very sceinic Cote Sauvage to Quiberon 48km (30M)
Thursday 10th July
Rest day
Relax at the Cote Sauvage. Take a boat trip to Belle-Ile, shop for souvenirs in Quiberon - a busy small town, walk the coastal path, or you may like to take the Tire Bouchon train to Auray.
Friday July 11th.
Stone Alignments.
Carnac at the top of the peninsula contains the most important prehistoric site in Europe. While its ancient stone alignments are a must to view, Carnac-Plage, the beach area - and lunch stop - is nearby. Inland cycle to Ploemel, on to the village of Locoal-Mendon, where we finish the cycle tour. Late afternoon transfer to Roscoff - visiting a wine vault on the way. We board the ferry at 20.30H.- ev. meal on board. Dept. 21.30 H 40 Km (25M)
Saturday July 12th
Arr. Cork 10.30H. Adieu. Slan abhaile.
The bus transfer leaves at 10.45 (wait for passengers off ship)
Parnell Place arr: 11.15H
Relative train times to Dublin Dept. Cork 11.30 Arrive Dublin 14.20
Dept. Cork 12.30 Arrive Dublin 15.15
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