Cycling Tours

Cycling Tours Group Tours Family Tours Self-Guided Short Breaks Day Trips FAQ Prices

Explore Ireland on two wheels!

Our cycling tour was incredible! I can't wait to come back next year and discover more of Ireland.
- Dan Bennington, Bakersfield, CA

A wealth of back roads, charming people, beautiful scenery and famous pubs have made Ireland a leading destination for bike tours. As the foremost supplier of both group and self led cycling holidays in the country, we continue to show the best of undiscovered Ireland at affordable prices.

We take care of all accommodation and bicycles, we provide a local guide, as well as all the cycling equipment you need - and best of all, we carry your luggage for you - taking away all of the hassles, but none of the adventure of your holiday.

We offer the following cycling options:

Group Tours
Self-Guided Tours
Family Tours
Short Breaks: 3 & 4-night options
Day Trips
Custom Tours

Group Cycling Tours

Join us on one of our many scheduled group tours over the summer. All our group tours are accompanied by a local guide who drives the support van, gives a lift to those who want a break from cycling and carries the luggage.

Our guide typically does not cycle with you and you will have a detailed route itinerary and map of the area.

We believe that this gives you the freedom to explore the country at your own pace, stopping off whever you like but with the knowledge that someone is there in the background in case you have any problems.

All of our group tours are for 7 nights and begin on a Saturday. If you are interested in a shorter package, please choose one of our short breaks. If a longer tour is what you are after, why not combine two of our tours or create a custom cycling tour.

Sit back, relax and peruse through all our group tours below! Click on any tour you are interested in to be directed to more detailed information.

West Cork & Kerry
Connemara
West Cork Coastline
Clare & the Burren
Ring of Kerry
Highlands of Donegal
Wild West Mayo
Glens of Antrim

Bring the family!

We are running two different family tours in Ireland this summer:

Clare Family Safari
Clare is packed with so much to see and do that will be of interest to all the family. The tour meets up in Ennis and then heads towards the coast and the seaside village of Lahinch where you can watch the surfers take on the Atlantic rollers on a magnificent beach or else get another perspective on the ocean by visiting the local aquarium. We continue on our journey via the Cliffs of Moher to the village of Doolin. We have a chance to visit the Aran Islands before taking a wonderful coastal cycle all the way to the village of Ballyvaughan where we base ourselves for two nights.

On our rest day here you can take a fascinating walking tour of the area, try some horse riding or else relax on one of the nearby beaches. Back on the saddle again the tour finishes up with a cycle through the Burren, an amazing limestone moonscape, famous around the world for its wonderful variety of botany before finishing back in Ennis town.

Connemara Family Safari
Connemara has much to offer the whole family. We start and finish in the colourful town of Westport, where you can visit Westport House, a centre for activities of all sorts, heaven for kids. Our cycle heads along the coast via Croagh Patrick where we can stoop and amble up towards the summit with wonderful views unfolding of Clew Bay behind us. Our first nights stop is in Louisburgh, home to a centre for Grace O’ Malley - the Pirate Queen of the West Coast!

Our journey takes us through the stunning Delphi Valley on our way to Killary Harbour, where we spend two days and where we have an opportunity to take in some other activities such as windsurfing and kayaking. The tour continues on via Kylemore Abbey and on to the coast passing by wide sandy beaches on the road to Renvyle , Cleggan and Clifden. The tour winds up in Clifden where you can visit Inishbofin Island or simply relax around this attractive town. Return to Westport by bus.

Cycle on your own schedule

If the group tour dates do not suit, you can head off without guide or group while we organize your accommodation, bike hire, route details. Best of all we ensure your luggage is moved on each day, so all you have to do is relax and take in the scenary!

We run a number of self guided tours throughout Ireland, click on any tour you are interested in below to be directed to more detailed information:

West Cork & Kerry
Connemara
West Cork Coastline
Clare & the Burren
Ring of Kerry
Dublin & Wicklow
Clare Family
Clare short break
Wicklow short break

3 and 4-night Cycling options

For 2009 we are offering a number of short break tours on a self guided basis, as well as a group tour weekend in Clare:

Clare & the Burren, Guided & Self Guided Short Breaks
Clare is arguably the musical heart of Ireland. As well as being home to the "Burren", a region of amazing limestone moonscape it is famous around the world for its wonderful variety of botany. Our Safari takes us to the musical village of Doolin via the Cliffs of Moher, before we continue along the coast twoards the village of Ballyvaughan. Our last days cycle brings us into the heart of the Burren back to Ennis where we finish up the tour.

Please enquire for prices. Complete the form below letting us know which short break you are interested in.

Tour includes:
3 nights bed & breakfast accommodation
guide with a support van ( group tour only )
luggage transfer
bike rental

Dublin & Wicklow Self Guided Short Break
A lively night in the Fair City kicks off our tour! Many come to Dublin without seeing its best feature, the coast. We take straight to it passing through the village of Dalkey and on towards the beautiful Killiney Bay with its many famous residents. We stay in the charming village of Enniskerry for the next two nights where you can explore the "Garden of Ireland" in all its beauty and tranquilty.

Please enquire for prices. Complete the form below letting us know which short break you are interested in.

Tour includes:
3 nights bed & breakfast accommodation
luggage transfer
bike rental

West Cork & Kerry Self Guided Short Break
This Safari is a perfect snapshot of our week long tour of the area. You bring your tour in the heart of the lakes and mountains of Killarney. You explore the relatively unknown Beara Peninsula which we feel offers some of the best scenery you will ever see in Ireland. You meander along the shores of Bantry Bay befroe heading inland towards your last nights stay in Gougane Barra. Your final days cycle will take you back into Killarney town.

Please enquire for prices. Complete the form below letting us know which short break you are interested in.

Tour includes:
4 nights bed & breakfast accommodation
luggage transfer
bike rental

Spend a day cycling around Dublin Bay

Nestling between the sea and mountains, Dublin has an unrivalled setting that very few get a chance to see! On this trip we explore the genteel southside coast and the foothills of the Dublin mountains.

We sweep along Dublin Bay with its charming Georgian sea front and views across to Howth Head. The highlight of the tour is probably the breathtaking views of Killiney Bay where the rich and famous live in style.

Group Tour:
Departs every Saturday at 10.30 from our bike shop in the southside of the city

Includes:
Bike rental
Cycling Guide

Self Guided Tour
Can depart any day of the week ( except Sunday ) at 10.30 from our bike shop in the southside of the city

Includes:
Bike rental
Map and route details

Please enquire for prices. Complete the form below letting us know which day trip you are interested in.

FAQ

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-75ºF). 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?
In 2008 we will be using Trek T30 (2008 model) for our tours. They come equipped with 21 speed grip-shift gears, carrier, mudguards, water bottle carrier and a small front 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.

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. 1 dinner is included on our 7-night group and self led tours.

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. While we encourage you to give your car a holiday for the tour, we can help to 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.