The Ard Ri House Hotel is already a popular base for charity cycling events such as the Jigsaw Tour d'Galway and many Malin2Mizen challenges, so if you are considering using the hotel as a base for a cycling trip or event this information may be of assistance : Very accommodating staff As a cyclist…
An omelette for breakfast can be the perfect choice for any cyclist when staying away from home. I have sampled many omelettes but the one presented in the Ard Ri House Hotel in Tuam is up there with the best of them. Freshly carved ham from the bone and proper cheese, not just easy singles,…
Queens boulevard in New York was a setting where I often witnessed big strong grown Irishmen reminisce fondly of home, down the neck of a coors lite with a small glint of a tear in their eye at 3am on a Sunday morning. The cause was a 4 minute piece of musical poetry by a…
This past weekend I returned to the Kenmare Bay Hotel and this time brought along my family too. It didn't take much persuasion to encourage them to come join me and right from the moment we arrived everyone had a ball. A wise man once told me that the secret to a happy holiday is…
Gregans castle makes a great base for exploring much of what County Clare has to offer. From spectacular coastal roads right into the heart of the unique landscape of the Burren it has everything a cycling enthusiast could ask for. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5QWXDD6SBs Barry www.thecyclingblog.com
Breakfast in Gregans Castle is an experience all on its own. The finest selection of the freshest offerings greeted me upon arrival in the dining room. With tables allocated by each individual rooms identity, I returned to my table by the large conservatory window looking out across the magnificent Burren landscape all the way down…
Gregans Castle, one of Irelands Blue Book Hotels, is situated on the lower slopes of the famous 'Corkscrew hill'. With its well earned place amongst Irelands most iconic climbs, it has been a feature of many races such as The Ras, The Junior Tour, Ras na mBan, The Tour of Ireland and The Nissan Classic.…
Here is a downloadable map of the Kenmare Bay 24k Here is the Strava file And here is a smartphone downloadable file on mapmyride A glimmer of bright sunshine made its way into my room in The Kenmare Bay Hotel this morning giving hope of a bright day ahead. Being my final day the plan was…
Here is a downloadable map of the Kenmare Bay 110k Here is the Strava file And here is a smartphone downloadable file on mapmyride Heading out the road towards Sneem from The Kenmare Bay hotel this morning I found bright orange and fifty shades of green leaves falling like snowflakes from the tunnel of trees overhead.…
Here is a downloadable map of the Kenmare Bay 83k Here is the Strava file And here is a smartphone downloadable file on mapmyride Arriving at the Kenmare Bay Hotel this afternoon I had one eye looking up over the nearby mountains at a glimpse of blue beyond the clouds. The forecast was for the sun…
Leaving the front of the Clifden Station house and passing through the small scenic town of Clifden you get a taste of why this quaint picturesque place is so popular with visitors from both home and abroad. Taking the Sky road out of town gives you another reason again. The road rises as soon as…
Enjoy watching the experience of cycling from The Clifden Station House along The Wild Atlantic Way on yet another day when the sunshine is never ending. [iframe width="853" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/acItj0uHsww?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe] Barry www.thecyclingblog.com
Leaving The Clifden Station House this morning the sun was shining brightly and there was plenty of blue in the sky. The temperature was rising and I was in shorts and short sleeves. It turns out that September really is a perfect month for cycling in Ireland. Signposts for The Wild Atlantic Way (S) directed…
I arrived at the Clifden Station House just after 3pm today and was itching to get out on the bike. This part of the country is truly unique and has so much to offer cyclists with spectacularly scenic roads and challenging climbs. The Sky road got its name in the early part of the last…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3yzkREV_So Barry www.thecyclingblog.com
I rushed my breakfast in The Celtic Ross Hotel this morning. It was delicious, but the sight of two swans gliding gracefully along the clear water as I looked out from my breakfast table made me impatient to get out on the bike and make the most of my last day in West Cork. I…
Back at the hotel I bumped into a group of English motorists in some beautiful classic convertibles. They too had travelled along The Wild Atlantic Way today. Their total distance for the day was just over sixty one miles. I had travelled further on my bike :-)
Leaving the scenic surroundings of the Celtic Ross Hotel I turned right in the direction of Skibereen. The sun was reflecting its bright rays against the clear blue water and there was very little wind. A perfect day for a cycle. Within 500 meters a sign for the Wild Atlantic Way directed me left along…
Donegal is a treasure trove of cycling routes for all levels of cyclists. The hills around Letterkenny have produced Irelands best pure climber and a top professional, Philip Deignan. With incredible scenery and smooth quiet roads, every cyclist will enjoy a visit to the area. For those undertaking a Malin to Mizen challenge, Letterkenny makes…
Glenveagh National Park is the second largest of the six National Parks in Ireland. It took me less than thirty minutes to drive from The Silver Tassie Hotel after a good hearty breakfast to reach the car park and begin my experience of all that the park has to offer. First stop was the impressive…
