Packages and Options

DAY 1 - SATURDAY : ENNIS, CO. CLARE
You meet up with the guide at 6.30pm in the Temple Gate Hotel in the centre of Ennis, just off O’Connell Square (065 682 3300). 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 (01 2600749) 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 organised 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.

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.

*We would seriously recommend that you bring padded cycling shorts and / or a gel saddle cover that will definitely make your day’s cycling more comfortable.  Cycling gloves are also a good investment.  You can also bring your own saddle which we should be able to attach to our bikes

*We provide small pannier bags (not waterproof) in which you can keep your day-to-day items.  Otherwise you may prefer to use a daypack and there are back carriers on each bike for this purpose.

*We do not provide rain gear so be sure to bring your own light weight waterproofs.

*Although it is not obligatory to wear a helmet we strongly recommend that you wear one. If you own a bicycle helmet please bring it, otherwise there will be helmets available in the van.

*Don’t forget sun cream, sunglasses , sun hat as well as a bathing suit for that refreshing Atlantic Ocean.

*Finally 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 )

Please make an effort to pack lightly.  This will make your travels easier and will be much appreciated by the guide when he/she is carrying your bags up a long flight of stairs to your room!  Alternatively if you are travelling for a long time and do have a lot of luggage, maybe you could consider dividing your luggage into two bags,  we could leave one in your first night’s B&B to collect at the end of the week and the other bag to take with you on the tour.

Tour Accommodation:    

Is on a twin sharing basis in a mixture of family run hotels and guest houses with breakfasts  included.  Upon booking we need to know whether sharing will be on a twin (two beds) or double (one big bed) basis.  Due to the isolated nature of several of the places we stay in, we cannot guarantee the availability of single room accommodation. For people coming on their own we will twin share them with another single person on the tour.  In exceptional cases we may be able to provide a single room at a supplement for the week.  
 

Extra Accommodation: 

We can arrange additional accommodation either before or after the tour for you -prices are on request.

Meals:  The guide will recommend a lunch stop each day where a snack lunch will cost between €8 and €12. A group evening meal is organised by the guide each night which costs between €20 and €30. One evening meal during the tour is included in the tour price

Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all except:
(a) 1. persons born in the UK travelling direct from the UK (applicable to British passport holders only).
Note: Whilst UK citizens do not require a passport or visa to enter Ireland, most carriers by air or sea now require some form of identification with photograph, usually a passport or driving licence with photo. Visitors should check what form of ID is required with the individual airline, ferry company or travel agent before travelling.
(b) 2. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.
Passport Note
3. Imposition of a return ticket as a condition of entry is at the discretion of the Immigration Officer at point of entry.

Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for the following durations:
(a) nationals of EU countries for an unlimited period (nationals of EU countries wishing to stay for longer than three months must register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau).
(b) nationals of Australia, Canada and the USA for stays of up to 90 days.
Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements