Touring in May

mcallaghan · 15-02-2013 9:59pm #1

My big trip fell through this past summer. Made it to parts of Wales but not to Ireland. This summer, in a few months actually, I plan on being in Ireland for the Month of May.

I'm route-planning right now, ~50 miles a day at this point. Probably going to do the B&B thing. Contemplating bringing the tent, just to cut down on lodging expenses. But not too keen on the extra weight that brings (tent, sleeping bag, etc). Though 50-mile days sound like it'll be a little more manageable.

I'll be starting near Galway, where my Aunt lives, and will spend my first few days acclimating/getting over time change along with doing some local day rides in the area to make sure the bike is all working etc.

It looks like its going to take me about a week to get down to Mizen Head. Contemplating going to Cape Clear as well, though not sure if its just a day trip or worth it to spend the night there? Doesn't look like a ferry to Schull operates in May, so I may just do Cape Clear as a day trip and spend two successive nights in Baltimore.

I can share links to proposed routes....heading South from Galway I go to Dingle and also do the Ring of Kerry. Plan on doing the Beara Way on the way back North but lodging seems a little more scarce on that route.

Suggestions are welcome. Would also be interested in riding buddies - either over the course of a few days or single legs of the trip.

Maidhci · 16-02-2013 10:40am

Sounds wonderful - what part of Galway are you starting from? I live in the Connemara area and may be able to help with suggestions / recommendations for some one-day cycles, of which there are many, depending on your location and the 50 mile/day plan. Best of luck.

Ole Rodrigo · 16-02-2013 12:05pm

Galway to Ballyvaughan and along the coast to Doolin is a nice spin, Vasco coffee shop is great for a stop off, inland to the Burren national park & Father Teds gaff, then back and along the coast to Spanish Point.
From there to Tralee and across the Connor Pass and around Slea head is a must, then from Dingle to Beaufort and through to Gap of Dunloe to Kenmare.
You can then get around the Beara and finish in Glengarrif. If you feel up to it, back up to Kenmare on the Caha pass and right towards Priests Leap and through the Borlin Valley to Bantry is well worth the effort ..then onto Clonakilty for a well earned rest. IMO, that covers much of what is best in the South West and could be done in 7 to 10 days on the daily distances you have mentioned. You could even throw in some of the Ring of Kerry and Killarney in 10 days I think. You can get cheaper B&Bs on Gulliver.ie, rather than using booking.com.

It would be shame not to see Connemara as well though..

mcallaghan · 16-02-2013 2:53pm

nilhg · 16-02-2013 3:13pm

mcallaghan wrote: »

Thanks for the responses!

This is what I've plotted out so far. Keep in mind that things I miss out on on the way South, I can revisit on the way back North. So if some one has suggestions, let me know!

http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=502447
http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=502450
http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=502452
http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=502455
http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=502457
http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=502460
http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=502463 (Can't plot route to Mizen Head due to graphical glitch on software)
http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=502465

I'd suggest giving yourself some flexibility, I'd recommend trying to save some of the better days for the trips out to the likes of Slea Head , Mizen head and the Beara Peninsula, often the mist is on the ground out there but things are better inland. The 3-4 day forecast is fairly reliable, so you might be able to switch things around to get the best value from your days (easier said then done I know) This is a good place to start for a forecast, just change the placename to suit.

http://www.yr.no/place/Ireland/Munster/Kenmare/long.html

Consider too basing yourself somewhere for a few days, somewhere like Glengarrif gives you multiple options and being able to leave your gear and travel lighter won't be any harm on some of those hills round there.

Ole Rodrigo · 16-02-2013 3:25pm

On a sunny day the Beara is probably one of the nicest cycles in the country, Slea Head and The Gap of Dunloe are too, more so than the Ring of Kerry IMO.

The last two are not long. The Beara is a full day in the saddle and, as Nihg says, better if you can dump your bags for the day.

mcallaghan · 21-02-2013 5:06pm

Ok. I think I've finalized my route.

Day 1 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504430
Day 2 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504434
Day 3 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504437
Day 4 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504439
Day 5 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504445
Day 6 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504447
Day 7 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504452
Day 8 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504454
Day 9 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504456
Day 10 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504459
Day 11 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504461
Day 12 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504462
Day 13 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504463
Day 14 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504464

Can't plot a route to Mizen Head on BikeRouteToaster as there is a major glitch on that area of the map for some reason. Look at Google Maps and its there too (look at Mizen Head on the Map Mode and the Satellite Mode and you will see what I mean).

I have two-nights in a row at two different locations, allowing for a bag-free day of cycling to take in Dingle (and a giant pass right over it) and the Sheeps Head pennisula. End Locations are based on where a Google-search reveals B&B's. Think I will leave the camping gear at home for this Tour.

Suggestions or route alternatives are more then welcome. I cut out going to Baltimore unless anyone really recommends going there (and perhaps spending on day on Cape Clear?).

Also, are B&B's accepting of bicyclists? I can't imagine them letting you store your bike in your room with you.

mcallaghan · 12-03-2013 3:23pm

Ok. Some major edits as I start dissecting my planned routes combined with places to stay. My first few days are certainly pretty much set in stone. After day 4, things are a lot more open to change.

Day 1 -http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504430
Day 2 -http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504434
Day 3 -http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504437 (Depending on how I feel, may do the last 12 miles to spend the night in Dingle)
Day 4 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504439 (Will spend 2 nights to do Conors Pass without all the gear on the bike. Thinking of doing it North to South based on posts on this forum)
Day 5 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504445 (Day 1 of 2 to do the ROK, counterclockwise...unless some one can convince me to do it the other way)
Day 6 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504447
Day 7 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=511559 (End in Goleen to do Mizen Head the following day)

The following day, not plotted yet, is to go down to Mizen Head, take some Photos, then head up to do the first part of Sheeps Head Pennisula. Kilcrohane has been marked for an overnight stay before finishing Sheeps Head the following day and doing the first half of the Beara Way, doing it Clockwise.

Certainly open to suggestions and alternatives.

petethedrummer · 12-03-2013 3:58pm

mcallaghan wrote: »

Day 3 -http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=504437 (Depending on how I feel, may do the last 12 miles to spend the night in Dingle)

Do the last 12 miles and go to Dingle. Take the R561 past Inch on the way, beautiful coast road.

Do Slea Head the next morning. AMAZING views.

mcallaghan · 12-03-2013 6:32pm

Thats what I hear. I think I'm going to stick with my original route, but make a return trip to Dingle on my way back north and do the Slea Head. Here is the plan. I think I've covered all the points of interest and places to visit. I've decided to cut out Cape Clear. :

Day 8 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=511573
Day 9 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=511967
Day 10 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=511970
Day 11 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=511982 (Molls Gap and Gap of Dunloe)
Day 12 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=511984
Day 13 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=511986
Day 14 - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=511993 (direct route back to starting point)
Day 14a - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=511987 (Alternate via Burren)
Day 15a - http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=511990 (Second day of Alternate)

Touring in May

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