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Brittany East
This tour takes place from July 5th - 12th 2008
Saturday August 23rd.
This Rothar Cycles 2008 tour commences at the Ferryport, Ringaskiddy at 14.30 H. It is 12 miles south of Cork city and well signposted with a 'ferry' sign. If you arrive by train ? walk to the bus station ? 10 minutes. Bus Eireann have a dedicated bus to the ferry. Dept. 14.30 - Ringaskiddy Ferryport arr. 15.00.
Most participants choose the "hybrid" multi speed touring bike supplied by Rothar, which will await us in France - others will bring their own bikes. After (the hands on) transfer of the luggage and (perhaps) bikes to the new Pont Aven ferry and allocating berths, the tour of the ship begins! A good thing is to go up on deck within 5 minutes of departure -16.00H to the LEFT hand side of the ferry. An excellent view of Cobh ensues. The Pont Aven is like a floating hotel, large, with much on board facilities. We meet at the restaurant - level 6 at 18.30 for an onboard reception. There are 3 onboard restaurants - all serving excellent food - fine French cuisine. The journey is completed overnight with an early morning arrival - usually 06.00H Irish time - 07.00H local - French time.
Sunday August 24th
Sunday. The genial minibus driver will be at Roscoff port where we do a short transfer of group and bikes to the starting point of the tour "The Baie de Morlaix". (The minibus then continues with the luggage to the hotel.*). Morlaix is dominated by its railway viaduct. Perhaps breakfast 2 here in Morlaix.
A journey beside the river follows. Then we go inland through quiet rural Breton countryside after which you arrive at the baye de St. Michel. A good place to seek lunch and perhaps watch adults and children alike flying their kites in the afternoon breeze. Time to dive into the inviting sea? If the tide is out its a fair walk to your dip. Refreshed you then pedal onwards to Lannion and the hotel.
The hotel is situated in the town. For a view of the surroundings climb the steps up to the 12th century " Eglise de Brevenez." Flamboyant seafood delights or just slightly less fanciful meat dishes makes eating out in France a gastromique delight.
* The minibus has plenty of space should any participant want to put the bike in and be transported on to that days destination. You may not want to, but the option, if necessary, is there. Day 2 - 47 km (29 Miles)
Monday August 25th
Day 3 Monday. The coastline east of Lannion is known as the "Cote de Granit Rose". The area is full of deformed and water sculpted pink rocks, quite like sentry's. The best of these "Sentiers" are near Ploumanac'h. These will be visited - an exquisite beach stop. Lunch here could well be bought in the supermarket, prepared and eaten "pique-nique" style. After the beach is ascended out of - admire the whole pink coastline. To the inland town of La Roche-Derrien, for coffee! Finish near Paimpol. ( Day 3 -69km (43 M) - so a 9 am start !
The roads used on the tour are for the most part quiet with low traffic densities. The sign for a crossroads is unusual. It can mean - a road on the left, a road on the right - or a crossroads. While road surfaces are excellent there are no hard shoulders. That is the yellow line on the edge of the road is the road edge. Inside this line - no space.
Tuesday August 26th - rest day
Day 4 Tuesday. Paimpol will be the stopover point for two nights. There is a market in the square on Tuesday mornings. Once a thriving fishing port, now more a pleasure harbour. There is a spectacular steam train journey from town centre to Pontrieux, c/w Breton music stop en route. Ile de Brehat - 6km away is the prettiest island on the northern coastline. No cars are allowed on the island, so while you can take a tractor or cycle tour, it is best walked. The island is actually two, north and south, connected by a causeway. It can be walked in under an hour. The northern part is less visited and more secluded. Swimming, sightseeing, stops for coffee and cool drinks - a laze around day. Cycle back to the hotel, or return to Paimpol by bus (last one 18.10) from the ferry terminal. The harbour will have many classy looking yachts. For food there is an excellent pizza house in the town centre whose desserts are tres bon.
Wednesday 27th August
Wednesday - will be a journey inland to see the little village of Kermaria and it's chapel's "Dance of Death" fresco's. Continue on a southwards journey to the seaside resort of Binic for an overnight stay. 43 Km (27M)
Thursday August 28th
Day 6 Thursday. Transfer by minibus to the long beach at Les Sables D'Or. The windswept outcrop of Cap Frehal will be a noon stop point. A former lighthouse the view after climbing the spiral staircase is breathtaking. Nearby, and the next stop is Fort La Lette, often used in film sets. It is only accessible by crossing two draw bridges. Lunch stop point. A short journey southwards before regaining the wind on your back to St. Jacut - a town founded by an Irish itinerant monk. The area after here has still some quiet roads, along to the coast town of Dinard and overnight 64 km
(40 M)
Friday August 29th.
A late start - time to walk Dinard town. A few minutes will take you to its beach. Want a tiny flutter at the Casino ? it's by the beach! You may wish to take the boat - bus to St Malo - a 10 minute journey each way. About 14.00 depart for a 24km cycle- for the most part along an old railway line -to the inland pretty town of Dina, where we finish the cycle tour. After a short stroll in this very pretty walled town - you may wish to walk a little of its ramparts (17 Miles) At 16.45 we do a taxi transfer back to Roscoff. Time - yes - to get your wine en route. Boat departs at 21.30H. Evening meal taken aboard the ferry. 24km (17M)
Saturday August 30th
Day 8 Saturday. Arrive Cork 10.30H. -this is local time so you will have an extra hour in bed ! Adieu. Slan abhaile.
A Bus Eireann service is available to transfer you to Cork city. 10.45 (wait for passengers off ship) Parnell Place bus stn. arr: 11.15H
Relevant train times to Dublin. Dept. Cork 11.30 Arr. Dublin 14.20
Dept. Cork 12.30 Arr. Dublin 15.15
Dept. Cork 13.30 Arr. Dublin 16.20
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