Self guided tours

[bikerchick68]

in 2004 I also did an Iron Donkey self guided tour... I opted to have my stuff transferred as I did not want to carry everything...it was a great tour!

I did the Connemara region... the Tour started in Oughteraard and then went to the Aran Islands for a night... it was 6 days and just awesome. All I carried was a back pack with a pair of sneakers that I could change into for stopping for lunch or touring sights... I also carried extra carbs/fruit/drinks in it... most rides were between 35-55 miles... nothing major. There were rollers but no real climbing. My favorite town was Clifden... I have a watercolor of the town painted by a local artist from the area that I brought home with me...

I opted to rent a bike from Tony... he met me the night before the rde started, and I told him my saddle height etc. I put on my own saddle that I brought with me, and my own pedals so I could use my shoes... overall it was a wonderful trip and Tony was a delight.

After the tour was over I flew to Paris and was on the Champs Elysees for the final day of the 2004 Tour de France as well... it was amazing to be there when Lance won #6... I wore my American Flag jersey and ate bread and cheese and drank wine... just awesome!