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 Meeting Point
Every tour starts on a Saturday evening at 6.30pm in a central hotel , where the guide gives a talk on every aspect of the tour. The tour descriptions here on the website give only the briefest outline of the routes. A more detailed itinerary is provided on booking and at the start of each tour. Each tour finishes the following Saturday morning. Although transfers to and from the starting points are not included in our package, we would be happy to give out relevant information and advice on travelling in Ireland .
Fitness
Other than young children who are discouraged from joining, people of all ages and abilities come on the tours, so do not worry if you are not superfit. You have all day to cover the recommended route and while Irish roads rarely follow a straight line, there are few really high climbs. All our tours are of similar length with the Kerry , Derry and Donegal safaris being slightly hillier than the others. Each tour also has a rest day mid week. Complete beginners would be advised to take a few practice rides before coming on the tour.
Food & Entertainment
Each evening the guide will choose a location for the evening meal which you may decide to join. Selected restaurants should have a good choice and also suit different budgets. In certain isolated villages the best option may be to eat a meal prepared by the landlady in your own guesthouse. After dinner the guide should also be able to provide professional advice as to where the best music, refreshments and "craic" are to be found.
Accommodation
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 excellent facilities. Breakfasts are included each morning, which in many cases will keep you going for the day! Rooms are allocated on a twin-sharing basis and unfortunately, we are very limited in our ability to provide any single rooms on most of the tours.
Bicycles
We will be using TREK 721 hybrids on the tours. They come equipped with 21 speed grip-shift gears, carriers, mudguards and a front pannier bag. People looking to use toe clips can bring their own, which can then be attached to the pedals. Maps along with route directions and historical details are given out at the start of the week.
What to bring
As your luggage is transferred each day, you are free to bring the ball gown and tuxedo should you wish to. However, we find that more experienced travellers arrive with one compact piece luggage and look on with amusement at those who have to drag their kitchen sink containers along airport corridors. Do bring a comfortable outfit for the cycling and a pair of cycling shorts if you have them. We keep a limited stock of helmets in our van but you are best advised to bring your own as well as your own rain gear which should be more comfortable.
Guide & Luggage Van
Your guide drives the support van and makes regular sweeps of the route to ensure that all is well and to offer a lift to anyone who wants a break. You can travel at your own pace, in the security that the guide is there should you need him or her. The guide will recommend places to eat and try to find out where the best entertainment might be each night. Most importantly, the guide should set the right tone, to make you feel welcome and to help you in whatever way possible.
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