Cycling vacations and bicycle tours in Ireland with Easy Rider Tours


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Best of the West
(combines Western Shores and Kerry)

Clare and Connemara
Aug 7-17, 2005

2005 Price: US$3009 for 11 days/10 nights.
Includes 7 dinners, 2 picnics, and all breakfasts.
Bike Rental: US$159.

Clare, Connemara, and Kerry
Aug 7-21, 2005

2005 Price: US$3929 for 15 days/14 nights.
Includes 10 dinners, 2 picnics, and all breakfasts
Terrain: Moderate to hilly.
Arrive: Shannon Airport
Depart: Shannon Airport

Our two-week cycling tour weaves together the best of Counties Clare, Galway, and Kerry in a grand tour of Ireland's west coast. We'll pedal a mix of country lanes and coastal roads on our way to the Cliffs of Moher. Megalithic monuments, an Irish storyteller, and the legendary music of Doolin's pubs all add to the charm of County Clare. A hike with a local naturalist will explore the Burren's limestone hills and exotic flora. Two days on Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands, give us extra time to appreciate the archaeological wonders that are the heritage of a people living on the westernmost edge of Europe.

Connemara's wild beauty seems a world apart from the well-tended farmlands of County Clare. An adventurous four-day loop celebrates Joyce's Country, with its sweeping vistas of peaks and glens. From Galway City, a private coach will take us south to County Kerry, with a free day for cycling, hiking, or horseback riding through the magical Gap of Dunloe. Bright red fuchsia hedgerows and magenta bells of foxglove line our final ride to the rugged headlands of the Dingle Peninsula. In the scenic harbor town of Dingle, we'll celebrate our last night in Ireland with a gourmet feast, followed by music and pints around the turf fire at O'Flaherty's Pub.

"Best of the West" is offered as an 11- or 15-day bike tour. The 11-day trip ending in Galway is identical to the "Western Shores" itinerary, with an extra day on the Aran Islands. Please refer to that tour description for more details.

Ireland Bicycle Tours
Best of the West Itinerary
Day 1: Morning van transfer from Shannon Airport to our B&B in Cratloe. Warm-up ride and welcome dinner.

Day 2: Quiet lanes lead to 600-year-old Quin Abbey and its cloisters, the bustling market town of Ennis, and a fascinating archaeological center at Dysert O'Dea Castle. In Killinaboy, a folklorist will regale us with tales of old Ireland. (37 mi.)

Day 3: Stops at Lemaneh Castle, Poulnabrone Dolmen, Caherconnell Stone Fort, and the Kilfenora Cathedral. Continue through the seaside resort of Lahinch to the Cliffs of Moher and Doolin, for a two-night stay and an evening of traditional music at McGann's Pub! (26 or 33 mi.)

Day 4: Cycle one of the most beautiful coastal routes in Ireland to Ballyvaughan. Fine stonework at Corcomroe Abbey and an optional afternoon hike through the Burren. Return to Doolin by van or via a challenging ride over Corkscrew Hill. (18, 23, or 48 mi.)

Day 5: Ferry to Inishmore, largest of the Aran Islands, for a two-night stay at Kilmurvey House. Visit the Aran Islands Visitor Centre, hike to clifftop ruins at the Black Fort, or shop for locally-knot fisherman sweaters. (7-18 mi.)

Day 6: Free day to explore on bike or by foot. Visit Dun Aengus ring fort (one of Europe's finest prehistoric monuments), monastic "beehive" huts, and the ruins of The Seven Churches. In the evening, enjoy a ceilidh featuring Ragus, a Riverdance-style performing troupe. (0-20 mi.)

Day 7: Mid-day ferry to Rosaveel, County Galway. Views of the Twelve Pins mountains and inland seas as we cross the Cashel bog to the fishing village of Roundstone. (34 or 42 mi.)

Day 8: Bicycle along the Connemara coast to Clifden. Optional "Sky Road" traverses a rugged peninsula with a bird's-eye view of Killary Harbor. (15, 24, or 34 mi.)

Day 9: Everyone's favorite ride: Connemara Handcrafts (great shopping!), Kylemore Abbey, and spectacular vistas of Killary Fjord and the Maumturk Mountains. Continue along the shores of Lough Mask and Lough Corrib to the village of Cong. (45 or 53 mi.)

Day 10: Cycle past the magnificent ruins of Ross Abbey to Galway. Afternoon free to shop for Irish wool or crystal, admire the medieval Church of St. Nicholas, or explore fashionable Quay Street (Galway's" Left Bank" and literary quarter). After dinner, take in a play at the popular Druid Theater. (12 or 26 mi.)

Day 11: Morning transfer from Galway to County Kerry, with a stop at Shannon Airport for those departing today. Continue to Killarney for a two-night stay. Afternoon free to shop for wool bargains or bike a scenic trail in Killarney National Park.
(0, 15, 26, or 31 mi.)

Day 12: A spectacular loop ride through the glacial valleys of MacGillycuddy's Reeks includes the Gap of Dunloe, Lakes of Killarney, and a challenging return option via Kenmare. (34 or 46 mi.)

Day 13: Bicyle along the south coast of the Dingle Peninsula (via the beach at Inch) to Dingle Town for a two-night stay. (42 mi.)

Day 14: Free day for sightseeing in Dingle. Optional ride to land's end at Slea Head with vistas of Ventry Bay and the Blasket Islands, or a challenging climb up Conor Pass. Farewell dinner. (0, 29, 34, or 43 mi.)

Day 15: Private coach transfer to Shannon Airport for mid-day flights.

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