IRELAND
Connemara Pre Tour Extension
6 Days
Self-Guided
3 Cycling Days
115km-129km
Price TBA
This is a 6 day pre-tour extension to our main Ireland tour: The Wild Atlantic Way & Causeway Coast
What makes this trip special?
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A relaxed warm-up to the main tour – Get your cycling legs going on an easy-paced introduction to Ireland’s west, soaking up scenery before the main adventure begins.
Cycle Connemara’s coastline at its most beautiful along Clew Bay, the Renvyle Peninsula and the famous Sky Road, with constant Atlantic views, white-sand beaches and time to stop and enjoy the moment.
Ride through the peaceful landscapes of Delphi and Doolough Valleys, where still lakes, wide skies, open boglands, and empty roads capture the true spirit of Connemara.
Discover Ireland’s only glacial fjord at Killary, visit the magical Kylemore Abbey and gardens, and pass beneath the brooding peaks of the Twelve Bens.
Enjoy time in characterful west-coast towns including Clifden and Westport, combining traditional Irish hospitality with lively streets, cafés and pubs.
Dates
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Itinerary
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Your adventure starts in Connemara’s Capital – lively Clifden. There are easy transport connections from Dublin via Galway.
Arrive during the course of the day at our starting hotel. In the evening you’ll have a briefing by our local representative in preparation for your ride.
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Your first ride in Ireland is stunning, taking you along empty roads, lovely beaches and onto the famous Sky Road. Take your time here to admire the beautiful view over the Atlantic Ocean and discover an old castle on the way.
Head further on to lovely Renvyle peninsula – home to stunning white beaches and an authentic Connemara community!
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In the morning cycle to one of the most awe-inspiring places along the entire Wild Atlantic Way – the Sliabh Liag (Slieve League) Cliffs. Take your time here to soak up the beauty of your surroundings. After leaving Sliabh Liag, more breath-taking coast, beautiful sandy beaches and 5,000 years of history await. Don’t miss the side trip to the Silver Strand – one of Ireland’s most beautiful beaches. From there continue to Glencolmcille where a treasure trove of history from the stone age to the present awaits. Return to Carrick where you will spend your second night.
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Leaving Leenane you’ll also move away from the Killary Fjord and through Delphi Valley. Cycle on through beautiful Doolough Valley. Soak in the stillness of this place as you follow the shore of its lake. After Louisburgh, following the coast road, ride along the shores of Clew Bay. You will pass by Croagh Padraig, Ireland’s holy mountain, before arriving in Westport, one of Ireland’s most beautiful towns, where your Connemara cycling adventure ends.
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After breakfast, pick up is at your accommodation for the transfer to Donegal. Enjoy the chance to see the varied Irish landscapes. Stop for a break and coffee at Drumcliffe — the resting place of poet W.B. Yeats. The graveyard and beautiful church are located on the site of an old monastery where you will still find the remains of a round tower and a very impressive high cross.
Donegal is a very pleasant town to explore with its history as the former seat of the O’ Donnell Chieftains. It also boasts a good selection of restaurants and bars.
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Take the day to relax before the main Wild Atlantic Way & Causeway Coast tour starts this evening with a group meeting and dinner.
Itinerary is subject to change.
Inclusions
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Accommodation
The accommodation used on this trip is of a 3-4 star standard, mostly small local hotels and B&Bs. In a couple of locations where the hotels are very small, we will use two hotels within the same town.
The tour accommodation is based on twin sharing. If you are a single traveller there is a single supplement of €TBA.
Meals
All breakfasts are included at our accommodation.
Lunches and dinners are not included allowing you to choose where to eat as you ride and in the overnight towns.
Support
This tour is self-guided trip with no dedicated support vehicle. Your luggage will be transferred each day and should you need support while cycling a phone call will get you through to our local support team.
Jason Williams from Pedal Pedal will join this group if there are 5 or more riders.
Bikes
The bikes included in tour price are the premium 27 speed hybrid bikes.
Waterproof handlebar bags, panniers, pump and repair kit are included with each bike.
Feel free to bring your own pedals, saddle, and helmet. You must bring your own water bottle.
Ebikes will be available at a surcharge of €TBA. Ebikes must be reserved well in advance of the tour so please do let us know when you book if you would like to use one.
The Nitty Gritty
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Self-Guided
This will be a self-guided experience where your luggage will be transferred each day and you will will navigate your way along the route each day.
For groups of 5+ people the group will be joined by Jason Williams from Pedal Pedal.
There is no dedicated support vehicle following you for this ride, however, help is just a phone call away should you need it.
Trail Conditions
For the vast majority of this tour you are on roads that are also open to traffic. However as we focus on small back roads the traffic is almost non-existent in most places. There are some short stretches on roads with moderate traffic. However even here cycling is not difficult.
The routes on this bike tour are very hilly (this is partly why it is so beautiful.) The gradient varies constantly from gentle to very steep. The length of the climbs also varies greatly. For this reason, if you are unsure of your abilities, we strongly recommend using an electric bike.
The tour includes a comprehensive guide booklet, GPS unit with all routes pre-programmed (one per room), and GPX tracks are available if you would like to use your own GPS device or mobile app.
Group Size
1-24 people
As a self-guided trip you will be free to travel at your own pace leaving each day at a time that suits you, stopping when you want and controlling how you see the regions we are cycling through. Usually small groups of similarly paced cyclists form and ride together throughout the day so while you are travelling with a large group it never feels like a crowd.
Pricing & Payment
The pricing is still a work in progress. We will have this sorted very soon.
A AU$300 deposit is required to confirm places on the trip.
Deposit Refund Policy
You can cancel up to 3 months before the start of the tour for a full refund of the deposit.
Final payment will be due 75 days before the start of the tour. Payments are accepted in AUD, EUR, GBP, & USD. We will calculate your local price based on the exchange rate at the time of final payment. For those outside these currency locations you will be invoiced in EUR.
Extras
You must have travel insurance as part of the conditions of travel. Your insurance must cover emergency medical and evacuation.
Ebikes are available at a surcharge of €TBA.
Single Supplement €TBA.
Flights, Stopovers & Excursions
Our agent partners at HelloWorld Travel in Pakenham are on hand to help with flight bookings, insurance, extra hotel nights, stopovers, Ireland & Europe extensions and anything else that you might need aside from the bike tour. If you would like any help or advice email Lucy at lucy.pakenham@helloworld.com.au.
Questions
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If you have any questions about the tour please do let us know.
Phone (Aust): 0437 599 363
Phone (International or WhatsApp): +61 437 599 363
Email: jason@pedalpedal.com.au
Or fill in our enquiries form
The Wild Atlantic Way & Causeway Coast
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Our main 14 day Ireland tour takes you cycling two of Ireland’s most dramatic routes, the Wild Atlantic Way and the Causeway Coast, with ever-changing views of rugged cliffs, sweeping beaches, remote headlands and rolling green countryside.