Newest Concept in Bicycle Touring, Supported and Self-Directed, Now Offered in Ireland through Pure Adventures

Bicycle vacation specialist Pure Adventures recently announced a new way for bicycle enthusiasts to vacation on bikes in unfamiliar territory. The company’s new, supported and self-directed international adventures enhance trips with maximum rider flexibility plus the services of a trip leader and a sag wagon to transport luggage.

These conveniences leave adventurous cyclists free to enjoy the open road on their own terms on a supported, self-directed itinerary in Ireland this season.Ireland - Biking Cork County to Kerry County, available April to October, is a challenging, seven-day program from €1540 per person, double (roughly $1,675 US), averages 65km a day through County Cork and on to the Dingle Peninsula. Included are six nights accommodation in quality guest houses and small inns, daily all-Irish breakfasts, seven days of dedicated support from the guide/driver and a support vehicle, luggage transfers between lodgings, some transfers, orientation, route maps and cue sheets and more.  A choice of bike rentals is available starting at €105.

Guests arrive in Cork and are transferred to Clonakitty on the coast of County Cork where the briefing takes place and bikes are checked out. The destination today is Baltimore, the most southerly section of Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way, a long-distance route that journeys some 2,500km from Corkin the South to Donegal in the North. Here overlooking the islands of Roaring Water Bay guests will sip their first pint of Guinness in Bushes Pub.  Day 2 brings cyclists to Ireland’s most southwesterly point, the Mizen Peninsula and the village of Ballydehob before traversing historic back roads to one of West Cork’s most noteworthy villages, Schull. Enroute is a ferry ride to Cape Clear, a Gaeltacht (Irish speaking) island with megalithic standing stones, a 5,000 year old passage grave, a 12th century church ruin and a 14th century castle.

Quiet rural roads on Day 3 lead to Bantry Bay, its richly textured history displayed in part at Bantry House, a fully furnished stately home. Tonight guests lodge in Glengarriff, having said goodbye to Baltimore. They are positioned for the Caha Pass the next morning leading from Cork to Kerry. Views appreciated, cyclists move onto a single track road through the Black Valley to overnight in Sneem. From here the Ring of Kerry climbs up to Coomakista Pass, a vantage point that is a jewel in Kerry’s crown. Back roads again lead to Waterville on the Atlantic Ocean– and more Guinness.

Day 5 brings the Ring of Skellig winding up and down along the coast. The ride concludes with a ferry (weather permitting) to the Dingle Peninsula, another Gaeltacht region replete with ancient sites of iron-age forts, inscribed stones and historic churches. From dramatic Slea Head is a site known as Gallarus Oratory and Castle, not to be missed. The active part of the trip concludes at Dingle Benners Hotel, with toasts before the next day’s departures.

“This supported self-directed concept allows independent cyclists to ride and explore remote destinations where roadside assistance or local services may not exist, essentially creating their own ride complete with all the support needed,” says Loren Siekman, Pure Adventures founder/owner.

A less strenuous, self-guided trip is Ireland - Best of the Wild Atlantic Way, a self-guided, seven-day program from €910 Euros ($987 US) per person, double. This adventure focuses on Ireland’s west coast, from Galway City to County Clare, embracing the Aran Islands and Connemara.