DAY 1 - SATURDAY : ENNIS, CO. CLARE
You meet up with the guide at 6.30pm in the Temple Gate Hotel in the center of Ennis, just off O’Connell Square. We meet in the library just to the right of reception.
This is a meeting point only and not where you are staying. If you get there early you can leave your bags in the left luggage room at the Hotel Reception and then go for a stroll around the town
If you are unexpectedly delayed please ring our office number where we will have left your guides mobile number on our answering machine or, alternatively, call the hotel and leave a message for the guide as to when you expect to arrive. After an introductory talk, an evening meal is organized in the hotel bar while your luggage is being transferred to our central guesthouse accommodation in Ennis that night. There is a chance later on this evening to meet again in a local pub to hear some music.
DAY 2 - SUNDAY: ENNIS TO SPANISH POINT 30 miles / 48kms
Having being fitted out with your bicycle we head out towards West Clare, cycling along quiet country roads through rolling green fields to the coast, where we stay the night at Spanish Point named after those Spanish Ships from the Armada which sank here in 1588. We spend the night in a Hotel overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
DAY 3 - MONDAY : SPANISH POINT TO DOOLIN 29 miles / 46 kms
Cycling along quiet roads we eventually come to the popular holiday town of Lahinch where we stop for lunch. In the afternoon we visit the spectacular Cliffs of Moher rising 660ft up from the Atlantic waves below, making them the highest marine based cliffs in Europe. You can stroll along the cliff face and watch the birds gliding in the updraft. After visiting the cliffs we head to the village of Doolin. That night we have a pub meal and enjoy the wealth of traditional music for which the village is famous.
DAY 4 - TUESDAY : DOOLIN TO BALLYVAUGHAN 31 miles / 50 kms
In the morning we begin to see the first hints of the limestone landscape of the Burren and visit the monastic site at Kilfenora and its stone high crosses. Kilfenora is also home to the Burren Heritage Centre that gives you an excellent insight into the formation and history of the Burren. Later we stop off for lunch at the matchmaking town of Lisdoonvarna. The afternoon's cycle is a beautiful run where the road hugs the coastline with Galway Bay and the Aran Islands on your left and the limestone cliffs of the Burren on your right. We stop for two nights in a comfortable hotel in the seaside village of Ballyvaughan.
DAY 5 - WEDNESDAY : REST DAY IN BALLYVAUGHAN
The day can be spent doing a wide variety of activities. The guide can organise a wonderful four-hour walking tour of the Burren with a local man who is a very entertaining character and an encyclopaedia of knowledge on the area. There is also an optional short cycle to the impressive ruins of a Cistercian Abbey or you can visit the nearby Ailwee Caves. Alternatively the day could be spent relaxing in this attractive village.
DAY 6 - THURSDAY : BALLYVAUGHAN TO KINVARRA 24 miles / 38 kms
The cycle heads straight into the heart of the Burren where we visit the localities most famous historical sight, the Poulnabroune Dolmen a small ancient burial site dating back to 2500BC. Veering off the beaten track we stop at the village of Carran for lunch in an old police barracks. In the afternoon we cycle through quiet backroads to visit the Burren Perfumery that makes a wide variety of perfumes using the local flora and has a wonderful slide show illustrating the beautiful and unique botany of this region. You then descend through a limestone lunar landscape to the pretty seaside village of Kinvarra where we spend the night.
DAY 7 - FRIDAY : KINVARRA TO ENNIS 31 miles / 49 kms
For the last day we head back into the Burren through limestone moonscape, passing Lough Buny and the impressive Mullaghmore before stopping for lunch in Corafin. In the afternoon we visit a 16th Century Tower House and an even older monastic sight. This is also the site of the famous battle of Dysert O’Dea where the Irish Chieftains defeated the Normans and kept them out of Clare for another 200 years. We then cycle back into Ennis for a final farewell night on the town together before heading our separate ways the following morning.
The recommended route involves a total distance of 145 miles / 232 kms.
DAY 8 - After breakfast you make your way home with a head full of memories.
There are some hills on the route but you have all day to do the cycling and you are free to cycle at your own pace. If you find the cycling too challenging the guide can always give you a ride in the van for some stretches of the route. With the exception of the roads in and out of Ennis, the traffic on the route should be quite light. You should however cycle carefully at all times, especially when going downhill or during any rain showers.
Starting Times:
Each of the tours start with a meeting of the group at 6.30pm on the Saturday evening in a central hotel close to the local train and bus station. This is only a meeting point, typically the group will be staying in nearby guesthouses. The guide is able to return to the meeting place at 9.30pm again that evening. After an introductory talk the guide will organise an evening meal and direct clients to their first nights bed & breakfast accommodation.
For those arriving unexpectedly late they can phone our office number in Dublin and the guides’ mobile phone number will be on our answering machine.
The Bicycles:
We supply 21 speed hybrid touring bikes for the tours.
Repair equipment, helmets (for guided tours only) and front handlebar pannier bag are available for each client.
Clients are required to take due care of any rented equipment (includes bike, panniers, tool kits and helmets), we reserve the right to charge for any damages caused due to loss or negligence.
Distances:
The average cycling distance is an easy 30 – 40 miles (48- 64 km) with longer routes being available most days. The safaris are suitable for adults of all ages and fitness levels but the tours are not suited for children under 13 years of age.
There are a number of hills on the route but you have all day to do the cycling. You will be provided with a more comprehensive route description and map at the start of the tour. There is an option each day for a variety of longer routes. With the exception of the roads in and out of Killarney, the traffic on the route should be quite light. You should however cycle carefully at all times, especially when going downhill.
The Group, Guide and Back-Up Support
The group size varies from 12 to 20 people . Each group is lead by a local guide driving a support van. She/He will sweep during the day to check on cyclists. In the afternoon they will be gone for about two hours to leave the luggage off at your accommodation therefore may not be on hand to give you a lift, but there is no rush; you have all day to complete the ride. As soon as the guide has delivered the luggage to your accommodation they will sweep back to do a final check on cyclists.
Our aim is to allow you feel like an independent traveller, free to cycle each day at your own pace while at the same time having the security of knowing that a support van is nearby just in case you might need it. Most importantly, our guide is there to help in whatever way possible so that all you have to do is leave your worries behind and enjoy the many wonderful experiences that this cycling holiday has to offer.