Freewheel - Clare & the Burren

Clare & the Burren

Ireland

From £800 P/P

If you want to experience some of Irelands rich musical heritage, then look no further. This is the perfect tour for you! Clare is the music centre of Ireland, and on this tour you are sure to have your feet tapping to traditional tunes all week long. The Burren region is also a natural wonder. An amazing limestone moonscape, famous around the world for its wonderful variety of botany. The area is rich in ancient and early Christian historical sites, and offers some beautiful coastal cycling, with views overlooking Galway Bay. Finally you will come to Clare, home to the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher; one of the best-known images of Ireland.

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Itinerary
Itinerary

DAY 1 - ENNIS, CO. CLARE

On arrival in Ennis, head over to your B&B, and make yourself at home. Check in is after 2.00pm on your day of arrival.

We will send you on full accommodation details closer to your departure date. A folder containing your route details and information for rental bike collection will be at the guesthouse.

Ennis is a fantastic town, known for traditional music and lively entertainment, so you can relax for the rest of the day and take in the atmosphere.

DAY 2 - ENNIS TO SPANISH POINT - 30 miles / 48kms

Having being fitted out with your bicycle you can head out on your first ride. Today's route will lead you towards West Clare. You will cycle on quiet country roads, through rolling, green fields, until eventually you come to the coast. Tonight you will be spending the night at Spanish Point, an area named after the famous Spanish Ships of the Armada which sank here in 1588.

You spend the night in a Hotel with views overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

DAY 3 - SPANISH POINT TO DOOLIN - 29 miles / 46 kms

Today, you will head out on quiet roads and eventually come to the popular holiday town of Lahinch, where you can stop for lunch. In the afternoon we visit the Cliffs of Moher. Rising a spectacular 660ft up from the Atlantic waves below, this iconic landmark is perhaps one of the most famous of the Irish west coast. You can stroll along the cliff tops and watch the birds as they glide in the updraft.

After a stop at the cliffs, you will head to the village of Doolin. That night you can have a pub meal and enjoy the wealth of traditional music for which the village is famous.

DAY 4 - DOOLIN TO BALLYVAUGHAN - 31 miles / 50 kms

In the morning you 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 you can 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. You stop for two nights in a comfortable hotel in the seaside village of Ballyvaughan.

DAY 5 - REST DAY IN BALLYVAUGHAN

The day can be spent doing a wide variety of activities. You can join 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 - BALLYVAUGHAN TO KINVARRA - 24 miles / 38 kms

The cycle heads straight into the heart of the Burren where you visit the localities most famous historical sight, the Poulnabrone Dolmen a small ancient burial site dating back to 2500BC.

Veering off the beaten track you stop at the village of Carran for lunch in an old police barracks. In the afternoon you 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 descend through a limestone lunar landscape to the pretty seaside village of Kinvarra where we spend the night.

DAY 7 - KINVARRA TO ENNIS - 31 miles / 49 kms

For the last day you head back into the Burren through limestone moonscape, passing Lough Buny and the impressive Mullaghmore before stopping for lunch in Corafin.

In the afternoon you visit a 16^th 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.

You then cycle back into Ennis for a final night on the town before heading home the following morning.
Route Overview

Route Overview

Total Distance: 443km Approx.

Over All Difficulty: Challenging

Start Point: Ennis

This is a not a difficult route however there are some hill climbs (particularly on the first day) so we would recommend that you do try to do some cycling before the tour in order to make your week more enjoyable. Try to get out for a few hours cycling during the weekends coming up to your trip and, if possible, do it on varied terrain and include some hill climbing. But don’t forget…our guide is always close by if you have any problems.

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.

Route Map (For guidance only):

Routes maybe subject to change or alteration. All route notes, maps and day-by-day information will be given to you upon arrival at the first hotel or at the welcome meeting. GPS/GPX Files are available for most our the cycling holidays we offer. Please ask us for details.

This tour is not suitable for persons with reduced mobility.
Getting There

Getting There

Visa requirements

If you hold an EU passport you only need to make sure your passport is valid for the period of your stay.

All other nationalities require a passport that is valid for 3 months beyond the intended length of stay. Most nationalities including the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand do not require visas for Ireland and receive an automatic 90 day visitor’s visa on arrival. If your nationality is not mentioned here you should check with your travel agent or consular office.
What’s Included?
What’s Included?

Included in the Tour
- Seven nights twin sharing accommodation with full Irish breakfast
- One evening meal in Ballyvaughan
- Route maps and details
- Luggage transfer each day / guide in support van on set departure dates with minimum of 8 people
- GPS tracks available (on request)
Not Included
- Bike Hire Available
- You must privide you own cycle wear
- All other evening meals
- All expenses not mentioned in inclusions
Bike Hire

Bike Hire

About the Rental Bikes

This cycling holiday uses quality crossbar and unisex hybrid bikes. Quality Shimano components and puncture-proof tyres are among the components that will ensure you have an enjoyable cycle tour.

You will also receive a handlebar bag and map holder for easy navigation while. Prices advertised on the website include standard bike hire (unless stated). Colour and specification may vary from the image shown.

Unisex Bike (Colour may vary)

Rental Bike PLUS

E - Bike (Colour may vary)

Accessories

If you would like GPX files for a suitable device, please request them at the time of booking. Devices are not provided. Please ensure you bring any fittings required to attach the Garmin (or similar) to the handlebars. You might want to download maps onto your phone to avoid data charges when roaming.

All bikes are provided with standard flat pedals. You can bring your own cycling pedals but ensure that you have the correct tools to remove the pedals if the tour does not have a welcome meeting. You may also not be able to travel through airports with the tools if you are carrying hand luggage only.

You can rent a men's bike with a crossbar, unisex/female bike with a sloping tube or an electric bike for a supplement.

Gearing information available on request.

Frame Sizing

When you make a booking with us, we take your height(s) and the appropriate bike size is matched up accordingly. Unisex frame 21-gears with freewheel. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 / 43 cm. Unisex 7-gears-bikes with back pedalling brake. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 cm. Men’s speed bikes 21-gears with free wheel and crossbar. Sizes: 64 / 60 / 56 "sloping" cm. Helmets are not provided, and you will need to bring your own to use.

We always recommend wearing a helmet when on your cycling holiday!

Bike Hire Insurance

This cycle tour benefits from bike insurance against rental bike theft and damage in the holiday price. Please make sure you lock up the bike, leave it where told by the hotel, and treat your hire bicycle as if the bike was your own. Any negligent treatment of the bike will exempt you from cover. We advise you to ensure that you have adequate travel insurance for your cycling holiday prior to arrival.

Electric Bike Hire

Why not upgrade your cycling experience to an E-Bike (Electric Bike)? Using a power assisted bike is a great way to go on a cycling holiday and will help you smooth out inclines or longer days in the saddle. Each E-Bike features an LCD display, removable batteries for easy charging, and assistance up to 25 km/h. They have a range of around 120 km for each full charge.

E-Bike upgrade prices vary per tour, but if you require any more information about bike hire and electric bikes, please get in-touch with us on 0161 703 8161.
Hotels

Hotels

Hotels

This cycling holiday stays in good quality hotels with private facilities carefully selected for their proximity to your cycle route and comfort. If you wish to know specific information about the hotel facilities, Wi-Fi and upgrades used on the holidays, please contact us on 0161 703 8161 for more information.

You will receive your final hotel list approximately 4 weeks prior to your arrival date detailing the hotels used on your cycling holiday. If you wish to know more about the hotels prior to completing a booking form, please contact our Customer Services team via email or by phone.

Date & Prices

You can find out more about this cycling holiday by calling 0161 703 8161 to speak to one of the team.

2022 Cycling Holiday Dates & Prices:

Season	Date	Prices per person	Arrival Day
Season 1	01.04 – 30.06 \| 01.09 – 30.09	£800	Daily
Season 2	01.07 – 31.08	£830	Daily
Single Room Supplement	All	On Request

Bike Hire per person:

Bike Type	Price
Rental Bike:	£80
Electric Bike Upgrade:	£185

EXTRA NIGHT PER PERSON PER NIGHT PRICES (YOU WILL STAY IN THE SAME HOTEL AS PER THE CYCLE TOUR):

Location	Price DBL/BB	Single Supplement Price SGL/BB
Ennis	On Request

Reference: IBS22

Date From	Date To
01 April 2022	30 September 2022

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