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Cycling Tours FAQ |
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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. |
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| No, your luggage is carried in the support van to your next
hotel or guest house. |
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| 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-80º
F). We recommend that you do bring some rain gear; however,
equally we recommend you bring suntan lotion and a sun hat! |
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| 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 on most
tours. 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 should take a few practice
rides over the average daily distances of 30/35 miles (50
km) before coming on the tour. |
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| We will be using Trek 721 hybrids on our tours this summer.
They come equipped with 21 speed grip-shift gears, carrier,
mudguards, water bottle and a front pannier bag. People looking
to use toe clips can bring their own, which we can then attach
to the pedals. We give out maps along with route directions
and historical details at the start of the week. |
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| 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.
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. |
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| 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. |
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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. We can provide rail vouchers, which give you
a discount on journeys from Dublin to Cork or Kerry. While
we encourage you to give your car a holiday for the tour,
we can 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. |
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