Ireland: The West 2018

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

OVERVIEW:  Spend two weeks touring beautiful western Ireland with Ride Coordinator George Ellis and Ride Co-Coordinator Dianne Olsen. The West of Ireland region is a real gem – wonderful scenery, lively and colorful towns and villages, a multitude of sites of interest and numerous possibilities for alternative activities. The terrain, although not flat, is forgiving enough to accommodate cyclists of all levels. The region is centered on Galway, Ireland’s most alluring small city. To the north and west is Connemara, a region of legendary natural beauty.  Further to the north between Killary Harbour and Clew Bay are the valleys, lakes and sheep-dotted uplands of Mayo. To the south of Galway the entire County Clare coastline offers stupendous scenery all the way from the Shannon Estuary to Galway Bay, with the remarkable Burren region occupying the northeastern corner.  The unique Aran Islands straddle the entrance of Galway Bay where it meets the Atlantic Ocean.

THE RIDES:  We start in the ancient town of Ennis and head west on quiet backroads to the remarkable Burren region where The Cliffs of Moher are just one of many highlights. We then follow the southern shore of Galway Bay to Galway City before striking out into beautiful Connemara.  An overnight on Inishmore (Aran Islands), a virtually car free island, followed by a two night stop in colorful Clifden, the lively capital of the region. We then ride north into County Mayo to visit ancient Cong before finishing with two nights in Westport.

ATTRACTIONS: The musical pubs of colorful Doolin, the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, Ailwee Cave, Poulnabrone Dolmen, Dunaguaire Castle, Galway hookers (traditional sail boats!), Galway, Dun Angeus Fort, Connemara lakes, Connemara ponies, Roundstone Traditional Musical Instrument Craft Centre, the Alcock and Brown Landing Site and Monument, Clifden, Kylemore Abbey, Connemara National Park, Killary Harbour, Ashford Castle, Cong Abbey, Doolough, Aasleagh Falls, Croagh Patrick, Murrisk Abbey, the National Famine Memorial, Westport’s musical pubs and more.

RIDE RATING:  The average daily required riding distance is 35 miles with an average daily elevation gain of 2025 feet, making this a solid 2B ride. Three required riding days exceed the 2500' climbing limit for a level 2 ride (2520, 3018, and 3543 feet). The last day with 35 miles and 3543 feet of climbing, does have an easier alternative, if desired.

WEATHER:  July and August are two of the warmest and driest months in Western Ireland with an average daily low of 50 degrees F, and an average daily high of 64 degrees F.  Average rainfall for the months of July and August is 2-3 inches, with an average of two inches in July, and an average of three inches in August. This IS Ireland however, and you should be prepared for cooler temperatuares and rain at any time.

LODGING & MEALS:  The estimated cost covers 13 nights accommodations: Ennis, Doolin (2), Kinvarra, Galway, Inishmore (Aran Islands), Carna, Clifden (2), Leenane (2), and Westport (2). There will be two nights in 4 star hotels, 10 nights in 3 star,hotels, and one night in a guest house.  In addition, all breakfasts and 7 dinners (3 courses) will be included.

LOGISTICS:  Most people will fly into Dublin, although Shannon is a possibility (ask the ride leader if you plan to travel via Shannon). If you have the time, Dublin is a fantastic destination, and deserving of a few sightseeing days by itself.  Airport transport between Dublin and Ennis can be arranged for an additional fee if there is a demand. The tour officially begins with a get-together and dinner on Sunday, July 22 in Ennis.  The tour officially ends on Saturday, August 4 after breakfast in Westport.  Airport transport between Westport and Dublin can also be arranged for an additional fee if there is a demand. The cost of the shuttles will be determined by the number of passengers.  NOTE:  The shuttle bus from Westport to Dublin on August 4, leaving at 7:00 a.m., takes approximately 4.5 hours, and arrives at the Dublin airport around noon.  Please allow plenty of time when making your plane reservations home.

COST & ADMINISTRATION:  Included in the $3000 tour costs are 13 nights accommodation, all breakfasts, seven dinners, electronic cue sheets, maps, gps files, business meetings, luggage transfer, van pickup for emergencies, bike box storage, round trip ferry to Inishmore, and tips. The price is calculated on an approximate exchange rate of $1.30 to the Euro. Some fluctuation may occur between now and July 2018, requiring a price adjustment. Bikes and Garmin GPS units are available for rent from Iron Donkey and arrangements must be made directly with them. Nightly happy hour/business meetings will be held in or near the hotel pubs.  NOTE: due to hotel restrictions in Ireland, most of the usual BAC cocktail hours are not included in the tour cost.  Most of our hotels have their own pubs, where participants can purchase beverages.  Beer, wine, and soft drinks will be provided at the welcome and farewell Happy Hours.  

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY:  It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own. However, after receipt of the initial deposit, a single without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until September 1, 2017 to find a roommate. If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the $100 BAC fee and processing fees) or pay the $735 single supplement and stay on the ride.  If a single pays the supplement, they may continue to seek a roommate, but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary.  Single supplement payments will need to be made by check directly to the Ride Leader.  The Ride Leader will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride. 

CANCELLATION POLICY:  The $100 BAC ride registration fee and payment processing fees are not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled.  Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped.  The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations. If the canceling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time.  If the canceling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed.  If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the cancelling roommate may also be liable for the single supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour.  BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

In addition to the BAC Cancellation policy, those who cancel may be subject to Iron Donkey's cancellation policy: If the participant cancels, then the following penalties will apply.

• Between 90 days and 30 days before departure: 25% of full payment (unless replacement(s) found).
• Between 30 days before departure and departure: 100% of full payment (unless replacement(s) found).

RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY:  Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support.  Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles.   All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour. We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from Ride Leader.  While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and clean-up.  Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour.  Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you may have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions.

SIGN-UP:  To register for this ride, use the sign-up links just above the Ride Description. After preliminary acceptance, you will be moved to the pending list and receive an email requesting you to go back to the BAC site to digitally accept the Release of Liability (ROL), and pay the non-refundable BAC fee ($100) and tour deposit of $1000 by credit card. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. Final payment of $2000 is due no later than March 15, 2018. BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by "clicking" the name at the top of this Ride Description.