|
We run a choice of
safaris catering to your timescale and fitness level, in the most
beautiful parts of the country.
We take care of all accommodation, bicycles and maintenance, we
provide a guide, as well as all the equipment you need - and best of
all, we carry your luggage for you - taking away all of the hassles,
but none of the adventure.
All you have to do is enjoy a special vacation of calm, exhilaration
and fun.
Cycling safaris in Ireland
|
Guided Tours
On our group cycling holidays we
bring together groups of people from all over the world. Our
daily cycle is a leisurely 30 - 40 miles which we find gives
plenty of time to stop and explore your surroundings. Longer
options are available for those who want to stretch their legs.
Self-led Tours
Head off on their own, without
guide or group. As with our group tours you can leave your cares
behind while we take all the hassles out of your holiday
|
 |
Our Philosophy
The best way to enjoy Ireland is to absorb the Irish pace of life.
Each day, after a
hearty breakfast, we start the day's cycle at approximately 10.00am.
A few hours' leisurely cycling in the morning brings you to our
lunch stop, where you can put up your feet and swap stories. After
digesting the last of the lunch, we continue on our road.
The guide brings your luggage ahead to your room while you take your
time and amble through the beautiful back roads. Each evening after a
relaxing shower you meet up with the guide and rest of the group for
dinner. A day typically winds up in one of the many pubs whose
atmosphere has made Ireland famous for music and "craic".
Our guide should always be on hand in case anyone wants a lift. We
make sure that your bike is ready to go, and that your luggage is
transferred ahead each day. You explore the country at your own
pace, and there is all the time in the world to stop or to make your
own detour. We stay in comfortable hotels and guesthouses, and
arrange the best place for lunch and dinner each day. Our
recommended routes are about 30 miles a day and there are always
longer options for keen cyclists.
Are we
accompanied by a guide?
Although the guide
will not be cycling with you, he or she will be driving the support
van and will make a sweep to ensure that all is well, and offer
lifts to those who want a break. If at any point you need to contact
the guide, you will have the telephone numbers of the guesthouses
where you will be able to leave a message. This provides a sense of
freedom in that you can travel at your own pace in the security that
the guide is there for you in the event that you might need them.
The guide will recommend places to eat and try to find out where the
best entertainment is each night.
Most importantly,
the guide sets the right tone, to make you feel welcome to the
country and to help you in whatever way possible so that each day
you are free to leave your worries behind.
Do we have
to carry our own luggage?
No, your luggage is
carried in the support van to your next hotel or guest house.
What will
the weather be like?
While Irish weather
is not easy to predict, our mild climate is ideal for cycling and
the occasional shower can even add to the atmosphere of the
landscape. The temperature will almost always be moderate, typically
between 15-25 C (60º-80º F). We recommend that you do bring some
rain gear; however, equally we recommend you bring suntan lotion and
a sun hat!
Do I have to
be super-fit?
Other than young
children, whom we discourage from attending, people of all ages and
abilities come on the tours, so do not worry if you are not
super-fit. You have all day to cover the recommended route, and
while Irish roads rarely follow a straight line, there are few
really high climbs. Sore bottoms are an occupational hazard on a
cycling tour, but a pair of padded cycle shorts or a gel saddle
cover can work wonders. Complete beginners might also take a few
practice rides before coming on the tour.
What bikes
do we get?
We will be using
Trek 721 hybrids on our tours this summer, as well as the latest
Dawes Kalahari Trekking Bicycle on some trips. They come equipped
with 21 speed grip-shift gears, carrier, mudguards, water bottle and
a front pannier bag. People looking to use toe clips can bring their
own, which we can then attach to the pedals. We give out maps along
with route directions and historical details at the start of the
week.
What kind of
food and accommodation should I expect?
We stay in a
combination of small family run hotels and guesthouses. The standard
of such accommodation in Ireland is very high, with the vast
majority having en-suite bathroom and other excellent facilities. We
try to pick places with character; your home for the week can vary
from a Victorian townhouse, a remote lakeside hotel, a farmhouse by
the sea, an attractive harbour guesthouse, or an old style family
hotel in the middle of a bustling market town.
Breakfasts are
included each morning, which in many cases will keep you going for
the day! Our rooms are allocated on a twin-sharing basis.
Unfortunately, we are very limited in our ability to provide any
single rooms.
Fortunately, the
days when Irish vegetables are cooked for an entire week are long
gone. Most people are very impressed at the quality of new Irish
cooking. While people are free to do their own thing in the evening,
our guide will recommend a place for lunch and dinner each day that
will hopefully cater to everyone's taste and budget.
What should
I bring?
As we transfer the
luggage each day, you are free to bring a ballgown and tuxedo should
you wish to. However, we find that more experienced travelers arrive
with one compact piece of luggage, and look on with amusement at
those who have to drag their kitchen sink along airport corridors.
Do bring a comfortable outfit for the cycling, and a pair of padded
cycling shorts if you have them. We keep a limited stock of cycling
helmets in our van, but you are advised to bring your own, which
should be more comfortable.
Where do we
meet, and how do we get to our safari?
We are happy to
advise you on any travel arrangements into and around Ireland, and
about additional accommodation or other services. Each of our
safaris starts close to bus and railway stations, so they are all
accessible by public transport. We can provide rail vouchers, which
give you a discount on journeys from Dublin to Cork or Kerry. While
we encourage you to give your car a holiday for the tour, we can
arrange parking for those who have to arrive on four wheels. On
booking, we can send you more specific information on the travel
arrangements to and from each starting point.
Each safari starts
on a Saturday evening at 6.30pm, and finishes the following Saturday
morning. Although most the tours finish where you start, some are a
little different: check with each tour. Our office can usually make
separate arrangements for those arriving late or having to leave
early. |
Ireland
