References

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I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. You bust your hump taking care of us and did everything in your power to make it a great experience. If you ever decide to come thru Tucson we have an extra room. Thanks again for a great experience.
Pat Culliney, Arizona, USA
Custom Group Tour of Clare & Connemara, 2005

Just wanted to send you a quick note to thank you so much for a fabulous cycling vacation!! The trip was well-planned from beginning to end. The bikes were great, the accommodations were wonderful and the routes were easy to follow. We didn't get lost once and we always felt safe on the roads we traveled. It was a treat to see both small villages and larger tourist towns along the way. This was the first cycling trip for us and it surpassed our expectations. I am already thinking about my next cycling adventure! I am responsible for fitness programs for the City of Toronto so I have many opportunities to promote your cycling trips to our participants. I will highly recommend your company!
Kelly McInnes, Toronto, Canada
Self-Guided Tour of Tuscany, 2005

We had a wonderful time on our England tour. Before we went, I thought that the cycling would not be as beautiful as when we were in Ireland. How wrong can you be?? The scenery was fabulous, and Helen says that she thinks the routes were the best and most enjoyable of all out bike touring trips! We particularly enjoyed seeing Stonehenge and Avebury. And the accommodations could not have been bettered – everyone was just so friendly and helpful! We are looking at your Italy tours for our next venture! Thanks again for everything.
Jonathan Reeves, Ontario, Canada
Self-Guided Tour of Wessex and The Cotswolds, 2005

My body had adapted very quickly to the daily cycling regime and sadly, by the end of the tour, I wasn’t really ready to stop. I couldn’t have enjoyed a holiday more – the heady mixture of great cycling through wonderful scenery, fabulous food and wine, perfect weather and convivial company made for a perfect vacation. The question is – where will the next one be?
Dr Susan Faulkner, Cardiff, Wales.
Guided Group Tour of Tuscany, October 2005

A month has gone by since our 'Irish Experience' ended but we still treasure happy memories and.....loads of lovely pictures! I never found the time to say a big THANK-YOU for giving us a chance to see part of Ireland from the cyclists' point of view! It was a great experience for us and all was absolutely perfect...even the weather....Your road-book was correct 'to the inch' and the bicycles, real 'iron donkeys'! Your choice of guest-houses was also great; everybody was really nice and friendly adding that something extra to our trip. I hope you will not forget to send us your new catalogue for 2006!
Elena Comolo, Italy
Self-Guided Tour of Connemara & The Burren, 2005

I had a fantastic time! Most of my body parts appear to have recovered, and I can think almost fondly about some of the hills!
Orlagh Bradley
Guided Group Tour of Tuscany, October 2005

Just wanted to let you know Rich and I really enjoyed the trip! There were a few challenging climbs but lots of great downhills. The accommodations were very nice, especially the houseboat in Devizes!
Cindy Greenlee, USA
Self-Guided Tour of Wessex, 2005

I wanted to thank you for a GREAT time on my cycling trip to Ireland - in spite of my fall/injury on day one, I made the best of it (kind of proud of myself, actually) and I truly enjoyed it despite the nice walking and hiking I missed due to the foot. The two of you were great leaders and so supportive to me especially with my injury. I had a great time and I would recommend Iron Donkey to ANYONE who wanted to cycle Ireland but is put off by the prices of "Backroads" or "VBT" - there is a financially feasible way to cycle Ireland: it's called the Iron Donkey!!! Please feel free to use me as a reference for prospective clients.
Cindy Sragg, USA
Guided Group Tour of Connemara, 2005

The Ireland bike trip with Iron Donkey was great! I'm so glad we rented your bikes as they were more suitable for the riding there. The routes were super. We could never have found those small roads that you put us on. The lodging was wonderful and having it already arranged saved us time, energy, and stress. Having the 2 night stays gave us a chance to see so much more of the particular area. I would certainly reccommend Iron Donkey to any one considering a trip to Ireland and I would book with you again with pleasure.
Barbara Weisbecker, USA
Self-Guided Tour of Connemara & Burren, 2005

Tony, thank you for all the fine arrangements you made for our bike tour in Connemara....it was most wonderful.....a bike trip we would like to make again.
Kent Gloor, USA
Self-Guided Tour of Connemara, 2005

Four of us just completed the 10 day self-guided tour of the Burren and Connemara. The routes Tony chose are fantastic - little country lanes through the most scenic areas, no traffic, gorgeous wildflowers lining the way, stunning views around every corner. What a magnificent tour! The accommodation was luxurious, food delicious and the people delightful. I highly recommend you see Ireland on a bike with Iron Donkey . . . Thanks, Tony, we'll be back for more!
Tim and Karen Donovan, USA
Self-Guided of Connemara & Burren, 2005

Add Pam and me to your lengthening list of happy cyclists! Back home now with a little perspective, our entire Iron Donkey experience, from initial contact last February through to the last day of our tour impressed us with the attention to our questions, the thoroughness of arrangements, and the well designed routes. One regret - we were not ready to stop touring after 10 days! The north now offers the lure of another trip! The self guided choice met well with our sense of exploration. We very much enjoyed the discovery of how the routes unfolded and the flow of one day into the next. Though the small roads were at times tricky, we were able to meet the challenge of staying on course. The careful construction of the routes was matched by the accommodations that had been arranged. Each was a welcomed port after a full day on the tandem. We were readily welcomed each night and it was apparent that each proprietor was very pleased at working with Iron Donkey. The towns where we stayed also gave us a chance to frequent a pub or two and clap along to some great music. The Kincora House, The Man of Aran, and the Leenane Hotel were our favorites. The tandem was a good, sturdy bike that measured up to the demands of the tour. No problems whatsoever with its reliable performance. Cheers!!
David Palmer and Pam Overstrom, USA
Self-Guided Tour of Connemara & The Burren, 2005

Wow! What a great time it was! I am going to start my planning for my next trip next year. I really enjoyed Ireland; you did an outstanding job!
Victoria Groblele, USA
Self-Guided Tour of Connemara & Burren

Great job! Thank you very much for putting this together for us. It was flawless. You were right. Our rental touring bikes were much more suitable for the trip than our racing bikes.
Mike Wall and Ann Marie Lozito
Self-Guided Tour of Cotswolds

I just wanted to drop you a note to thank you for our wonderful cycling vacation in Connemara. We appreciate how carefully you planned every aspect of the trip. The routes were gorgeous, and the directions very clear and easy to follow. The B&B accommodations were terrific -- not only comfortable, but the people were so wonderful to meet! The hosts and hotesses in Clifden and Westport were especially kind and went out of their way to help us out. The bikes were great. I had no trouble with them at all -- frankly, they worked more smoothly than my road bike at home! All in all, it was a fabulous time and we can't wait until next year. I'm going to look at what you offer on the website in Italy!
Claire Zion, USA
Self-Guided Tour of Connemara, 2005

Tony, Thank you so much for a great holiday. I have been on many bike tours and this was by far the best organized and stress free. We appreciate everything you did to make this a most enjoyable experience. Please feel free to use us as a reference.
Jack & Janet Nield
Self-Guided Tour of Clare & Connemara, 2005

Hi Tony, I just wanted to thank you for a great week. Your directions were perfect; we never made a wrong turn. The accommodations were great, especially in Oughterard, Cliftden, and Westport. The way you structured the tour was perfect. The bikes were also perfect for the terrain, well tuned and comfortable. Mine fit me perfectly! If you ever need someone to ride as a guide on one of your trips, let me know. I would love to do it. It was fabulous to get back to Ireland. I loved it even more this time. The countryside is absolutely beautiful, but the Irish people are what make it the best! Thanks again.
Cathy Boyce
Self-Guided Tour of Connemara, 2005

Just a note to let you know we enjoyed our tour very much. The directions and distances were all precise and the B & B's were excellent. Looking forward to doing one of your Ireland tours!
Anne and Terry Anderson, USA
Custom Group Tour of Cotswolds, 2005

Just a quick note to let you know how much we enjoyed our recent Iron Donkey tour. Everything went off without a hitch. The guest houses were just great, the routings and maps were well designed and easy to follow, and the luggage transfers all went smoothly. In fact, we enjoyed our tour so much that we are planning to do the Iron Donkey Self-Guided Tour of the Causeway Coast and Glens of Antrim next year.
Tony and Mallen Komlyn
Self-Guided Tour of Connemara, 2005

We have just had a look at our photos, and reminisced about all the wonderful sights, experiences, and people that we enjoyed the past week. We would have loved to have stayed on another week. The trip was really perfect for us. Thanks for all the great organization, the venues, and the food. We would be happy to be references for other Americans who are considering the adventure.
Mary Kate Reeves Hoche, USA
Guided Group Tour of Connemara, 2005

Tony, Thanks so much for putting this trip together for us. We all had a
great time.
Claudine Simpson, USA
Custom Group Tour of Yeats Country

Hi Tony - We want to thank you for making our bike trip a wonderful experience. Everything met or exceeded our expectations. Incidentally, our best day was Leenane to Westport. We did the number 2 extension also. Kate would like to know what model Orbit we rode. She wants one. Perhaps we could cut a deal and bring an Orbit back following our next Iron Donkey trip. When you see Joe and Maura next, please tell them our stay on Inishmore was the highlight of our trip. Thanks again for all you did to make our trip enjoyable.
Ed Martin, USA
Guided Group Tour of Connemara

Just wanted to drop you a note and thank you again for the great Connemara Experience last week. It truly was a wonderful week. I know that everyone in our group thought it was fantastic. None of us had ever cycle toured before, but we all loved it. You are running a top-notch program. While it was a guided tour, I never felt constrained or shepherded. But you always knew where everyone was. You're rather amazing. The routes were spectacular. It's a beautiful country, indeed. If prospective clients ever need to talk with a previous participant, feel free to send them my way. I have nothing but good things to say. I am having a hard time adjusting back to 'reality'. I think I want to come back.
Ellen Gainer, USA
Guided Group Tour of Connemara

I had a safe and uneventful return to the states. Many thanks for a great tour. The country side was terrific. The food was great. The accommodations were excellent. Again, many thanks!
Steve Rajakovic, USA
Guided Group Tour of Connemara

Thank you so much for a wonderful time. I know we all really enjoyed ourselves.
Drew DeRose, USA
Guided Group Tour of Connemara

I just wanted to thank you again for all your work on the Connemara trip – it was beautiful!
Ann Collins, New York, USA
Guided group tour of Connemara

Just wanted to say a word of thanks for organizing an amazing trip for us. We really had a wonderful time, in large part due to your planning and advice.
Devraj Roy New York, USA
Custom tour of Connemara and The Burren

The bikes, routes, B&Bs, navigating guidance and logistical support were all excellent - as was your relentless good cheer.
Dan & Susan Friedman, New Mexico, USA
Self-Guided tour of Connemara

We just got our pictures back so it’s like we’re reliving the whole wonderful trip. Thanks again for all of your great assistance. We sure hope we can do this again sometime. Your Wisconsin friends!
Patsy and Eric Vollrath, Wisconsin, USA
Self-guided tour of Connemara

I just wanted you to know that Susan and I thoroughly enjoyed our Wessex/Cotswolds trip. The routes were great – beautiful, and about the perfect distance and challenge for us. The directions were outstanding, as we managed not to get lost the entire time. We almost managed to avoid the rain entirely as well! Again, Tony, many thanks for arranging such a fabulous triup.
Blair Patrick, Alberta Canada
Self-guided tour of Wessex and the Cotswolds

Greetings from Minnesota. We’ve been home a day and want to thank you for arranging the wonderful trip. We enjoyed it immensely, and were very pleased with the maps, arrangements, the bicycles and the weather.
Jean Dick and Ted Collins, Minnesota, USA
Self-guided tour of Yeats Country

The four of us want to thank you for setting up such a great trip. We would not change a thing – except maybe stay longer. Your suggestion to go to Bunratty on the last day worked out perfectly. As always, you were right on!
The Ryans and the Silbernagels, New Jersey, USA
Self-guided tour of Connemara

The trip was fantastic. I can’t tell how many times we said, Tony sure knows how to pick it! as we rode. Thanks for helping us take one of the best vacations we’ve ever had.
Greg and Emily Thompson, Quebec, Canada
Self-guided tour of Connemara

The rest of our trip went well although it wasn’t as exciting as our bike trip. We are really happy to have chosen this tour – we took many awesome pictures and this will be an experience that we won’t forget.
Philippe and Pascal Goffin, Geneva, Switzerland
Self-guided tour of Connemara

I’ve done plenty of bicycle touring – both self-contained and supported: with small groups, large groups, or just with another person: in diverse settings: mountains, deserts, sea coasts, farmlands: with accommodations ranging from tent and sleeping bag to plush hotels – but I must rank this trip in Ireland with the Iron Donkey as the all around best. Susan and I are already talking about our next trip. We will choose Tony Boyd to help us plan it!
Kim and Susan Carlyle, North Carolina, USA
Guided Group tour of Connemara

I want to tell you what a fantastic time I had on the trip. It was everything I expected and much more. Please feel free to use me as a reference at any time. I have nothing but great things to say.
Eliza Jacobs, Washington DC, USA
Guided Group tour of Connemara

Thanks for setting up such a great trip. All the B&Bs and guesthouses were great. Even the rain showers end up being good memories.
Ray Setzer Wisconsin, USA
Self-guided tour of Connemara

Thanks again for such a professional, organized and enjoyable route. We truly had a memorable experience. Everything went off without a hitch, and the accommodations were the best, especially with Margaret and Peter in Leenane. The next time we come to Ireland (hopefully sooner than later) we will definitely be interested in doing another tour with you.
Brandon Greene, California, USA
Self-guided tour of Connemara

Dorothy and I had a great time on the tour – thanks to you – and I intend to take another one.
Tim Peterson, New Mexico, USA
Self-guided tour of Connemara

Just wanted to say thanks again for a great cycling tour of Connemara. We all had an incredible time and enjoyed every last moment we had in Ireland. We will talk to you again when we plan our Sligo trip.
Mark Hanna, California, USA
Self-Guided tour of Connemara

Just letting you know that we had a great trip with the Iron Donkey. We had our best fish and chips in Bushmills. Thanks again!
Jim Welsh Wisconsin, USA
Self-guided tour of Yeats Country

I’ve been meaning to write and tell you what a great time we had on out vacation. The trip wouldn’t have been as much fun without your wit and humor.
Theresa Musgrave, California, USA
Guided group tour of Connemara

I was so impressed with those Orbit bikes that I checked them up on the website! Once again, thanks again for all you did to make our trip so enjoyable. We intend to sing your praises to anyone who will listen, and if you need any references, I would be glad to correspond with any of your potential customers. One of these days we will be back to tour more of your beautiful island.
Bob Hutton, Alaska, USA
Self-guided tour of Connemara and The Burren

Thanks for a wonderful week inj Connemara. It ended much too soon.
Bill Nothstine, Oregon, USA
Guided group tour of Connemara

I wanted to let you know that we had a fantastic trip cycling in the Cotswolds. We would certainly do another tour with you.
Carol Swanson, Oregon, USA
Custom tour of The Cotswolds

In the fall of 2003, seventeen members of our family biked through the backroads of Connemara with Tony Boyd as a guide. All arrangements were made by Iron Donkey Bicycle Touring which we selected after many telephone calls to other operators.

We arrived in Ireland with our individual expectations and concerns. Our party ranged in age from early twenties to eighties. Some were bikers, while others thought that they were. We all ended up with the usual sore rear ends after the first few days – and did our share of getting off the bikes and resting on some of the hills in the beginning. There was some rain, some mist and some wind – not as much as we had anticipated – but we mostly had wonderful sunshine and the wind at our backs. We were soon caught up in the beautiful countryside, the quiet backroads, the colourful inns and scenic vistas of wild and sparsely inhabited grand country, of lakes and of the ocean. There were so many places we wished we could have just stopped and stayed for a couple of weeks!

Tony met us at the airport and took charge of all the details from there. We had great bikes and a sag wagon that seemed to always appear just when it was needed. The accommodations were great to outstanding – and all were very interesting. The service everywhere was friendly and considerate but not over-solicitous. We enjoy good food, but most of the meals were above our highest expectations; they were great!

The matriarch of our group has Alzheimers and did not ride. I’m sure that that would have been a challenge to many guides, but Tony quickly adjusted things so she had something to do. After a short time, when we had trouble persuading here to get into the sag wagon, Tony would just say the word and she would hop up into her seat without further ado.

A word about Tony. He is a biker and knows the best routes in Ireland. Almost all of the time we were on lightly trafficked roads. He quickly assessed the group. For the experienced bikers he laid on additional and/or alternative routes. For the less experienced he designed routes which were within our capabilities, which were always interesting and which sometimes added a little challenge! He sometimes routed us into wild country with high mountains, lakes and streams, and at other times through quiet pastoral countryside with sheep and white Irish cottages – just as we had envisioned Ireland in our mind’s eye. He had a sixth sense of where and when to appear to offer help, a ride in the sag wagon, or to suggest where we could get a hearty bowl of soup and some home-made bread.

Tony is not the tour guide with the microphone and a spiel about the history and culture of Ireland, but he can capably fill you in on these aspects of the country and add to them a view into Irish politics. He is reserved with a good sense of humor – and most important, he is interested in you and is concerned that you are getting the most out of your trip.

If the fates shine favorably on me and I can return again to bike in Ireland, it will be with Tony Boyd and the Iron Donkey.
Bill Perry, Englewood, Colorado, USA
Custom Group Tour

Thank you for organizing such a wonderful trip for us. It was so much fun – beyond my wildest expectations. You took out wants and fulfilled them magnificently. It was the trip of a lifetime – and I can’t wait to do it again.
Anita Aguilar, California, USA
Custom tour of Connemara and Causeway Coast

We had a great time – thank you for your organization and the tailor made package. You got our measure exactly.
Paul Austin, London, England
Custom tour of Causeway Coast

We want to thank you for all the planning and support and the fantastic opportunity to tour Ireland by bike. We met some fantastic people. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, hills and all, and will remember this experience forever.
Tamra & Jim McCarthy, California, USA
Self-guided (honeymoon) tour of Yeats Country, Donegal and the Causeway Coast

JoAnn and I continue to relive the wonderful experiences we had in Ireland. Thanks again for your great guiding. We never felt that we weren’t the first and only thing on your mind.
Carol Countryman, New York, USA
Self-guided tour of Yeats Country

We can’t thank you enough for organizing such a wonderful vacation for us. We truly wished that we had biked for two weeks. We raved to everyone about you, the biking, Ireland – everything!
Liz Holt, Minnesota, USA
Self-guided tour of Connemara

Just wanted to say thanks again for a great tour. It was as pleasure to meet you and I truly appreciated the personal effort that was apparent throughout. It was wonderful to see the country and it’s people in the relaxed manner that I did.
Monica Siewertsen, California, USA
Guided tour of Connemera

We are enjoyably reliving our trip with the pictures. What a great time we had! Words are inadequate. We both feel that you made considerably more effort than we had a right to expect. Anniversary memories to treasure!
Sheryl Yourshaw, Virginia, USA
Self-guided tour of the Causeway Coast and Mourne Country

The Ireland trip is not fading into memory. It was one of the best trips we’ve ever had – and thank you again, and again and again!
Mary Laraia, Illinois, USA
Custom tour of Connemara

Connemara was more beautiful than I could possibly have imagined. I could not think of a better selection of routes – it was bicycling Nirvava!
Michael Trujillo, New Mexico, USA
Self-guided tour of Connemara

Tony – Robby and I want to express our sincere thanks for making our Ireland bike trip such a pleasurable and memorable experience. Your friendly professionalism, choice of the routes and the accommodations and your dependability allowed us to focus on just having fun riding for the entire 10 days of our first Irish trip.
Steve Zrucky, California, USA
Self-guided tour of Connemara, Yeats Country and the Causeway Coast

I would like to thank you so very much for the marvelous time I spent with you. All of it was great fun, and the best vacation I’ve ever had.
Lynne McFern, Ontario, Canada
Guided group tour of Connemara

Tony – Thanks for a wonderful week. The tour, the lodging, the meals, the other riders and of course you own good self were all first rate.
John Paul, Connecticut, USA
Guided group tour of Connemara

Tony, it was a great trip – hopefully not my last with you.
Paul Bassett, Vermont, USA
Guided group tour of Connemara

I’ve ridden two guided tours and another self-guided – and yours was my favorite. Thank you so much for everything. I would recommend your tours to anyone!
Nancy Prestopino, California, USA
Custom tour of Connemara and Causeway Coast

What the Press say ...

I highly recommend the Iron Donkey. These trips avoid the confusion and hassle of figuring out the best routes.
Tom Bol writing in Adventure Cyclist (USA)

Iron Donkey Bicycle Touring, with in-depth experience of the best roads to ride, comes highly recommended.
Cass Gilbert, writing in Cycling Plus (UK)

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