KINSALE

Friday 9.7 ~ Cork to Kinsale, 40 km

The hostel’s receptionist has prepared a map for me showing the best bike route out of town and along the river. It is such a nice ride - except it’s so bumpy that my to-go lunch bag, from my wonderful dinner last night, has fallen apart! It’s a sign that it's time to stop for lunch at a harbor area with a small park, where older guys are gathered with their dogs and moms have brought their kids to play.

My route continues along a popular walking, jogging and bike path. It leaves the river when I get to Carrigaline and I see my first big hill looming ahead. I make it half-way up and push the bike the rest of the way. From there, it's up and down hills for the rest of the day on a low-traffic country road. There’s lots of pasture land and fields where they are harvesting wheat.

The last 2 km of the days ride is a great down hill zoom into the charming town of Kinsale. The hostel is back up the hill… so I push the bike and rest for an hour before showering and heading back into town. I rode 40 km on my first day and that is with a late start!

I have an uneventful meal from the super market but, an eventful evening! I meet a group of divers staying at the hostel and learn they are doing an exploration of the RMS Lusifania - a luxury liner that was sunk, under controversial circumstances, 19 km off the coast of Kinsale in 1915.

I love the stories I encounter when I travel…