Ireland hosted the start of the world's second largest bike race, the Giro d'Italia. The race commenced from May 9-11, 2014, with a course tracing from Belfast through the Causeway Coastal Route and the Glens of Antrim. Little communities across Northern Ireland were particularly enthusiastic about welcoming the race's hot pink branding along the route. Much Pepto Bismol-colored paint was sprayed across the countryside. Hot pink bicycles leaned against stone walls and were lashed to poles as decorations along the route. Benches in towns were painted pink, as were mailboxes and metal farm enclosures. I even saw a flock of sheep whose coats were shocking pink.
