Are the tours guided?
On our bicycle trips, our guide will be driving the support van, making
sweeps to ensure that all is well, and offering lifts to those who
want a break. This provides us with the freedom to travel at our own
pace, with the security of knowing that our guide is there if we need
him. Our walking trips are self-guided—we provide accommodations,
route details and transfer your luggage—taking away all of the
hassles, but none of the adventure.
What is the weather like?
While Irish weather is not easy to predict, the mild climate is ideal
for walking or cycling, and the occasional shower can even add to the
atmosphere of the landscape. The temperature will almost always be moderate,
typically between 60º–80º F. We recommend that you bring
some rain gear, however, as well as suntan lotion and a hat!
What about food and accommodations?
We stay in a combination of small family run hotels and guest houses.
We try to pick places with character—typically a Victorian town
house, a remote lakeside hotel, a farmhouse by the sea, an attractive
harbor guesthouse, or an old style family hotel in the middle of a bustling
market town. Breakfast is included in all of our trips, and our guides
can recommend eating places for lunch and dinner that cater to everyone's
taste and budget.
How about our luggage?
Our luggage is transported ahead of us to our next hotel or guest house.
Do I have to be an avid cyclist?
People of all ages and abilities come on the tours (except young children),
so don't 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 kind of bikes do we get?
We are currently using GIANTS for our tours. They
come equipped with 21 speed grip-shift gears, carrier, mudguards, water
bottle carrier and a small pannier bag. If you wish to use toe clips
please bring your own pedals with toe clips which we can attach to
our bikes. (The pedals on our bikes do not accommodate toe clips.)
We give out maps along with route directions and historical details
at the start of the week.
Where do we meet, and how do we join our tour?
Our tours start close to bus and railway stations
and are accessible by public transport. At the time of booking, we will
send you more specific information on the travel arrangements to and
from each starting point. Each tour starts on a Saturday evening and
ends the following Saturday morning.
