Bike Hire Ireland
Discover the West with Ireland’s Premier Bike Hire Company
Bike Hire Ireland is a locally based bike hire and self-guided cycling business. They operate from their own bike shop, West Side Cycles, on the west side of Galway City. With more than 30 years of experience, they describe themselves as the West of Ireland’s leading bicycle hire supplier. They cater for solo riders, couples, families, groups, clubs and even day bus tour groups.
They designed the routes for their self-guided tours themselves, across Connemara, the Burren and the Wild Atlantic Way. The routes deliberately favour quiet country roads, small towns and villages, so riders see more of the west coast’s scenery away from traffic. Each tour runs for seven days. It includes a fully equipped bike (pannier bags, handlebar bag, helmet, pump, lock and repair kit), route information and GPS route maps through the Ride with GPS app. Unlike most tour packages, accommodation and luggage transfers are not included. The focus is on equipment and route planning.
The fleet includes Cannondale hybrid touring bikes, gravel touring bikes, e-bikes, tandems and road bikes, and each bike is sized to the rider at collection. A one-way hire service lets riders collect in Galway and drop off at places such as Clifden, Westport, Cong, Doolin, Ennis, Killarney, Sligo, Cork and Shannon Airport. They also collect hired bikes free of charge from accommodation in Galway City, store luggage at the shop, and hire bikes for the Gaelforce West adventure race.
Wild Connemara Cycling Route
Tour Operator: Bike Hire Ireland
Ireland
7 days (Bike: 7 days)
490 km (~70km per day)
Book own accommodation
Active
Rolling hills, On-road - mostly paved
Self-Guided
Unsupported
Prices from
Self-Guided
€ 120
Overview
Tour Operator Bike Hire Ireland
Explore Connemara by bike with Ireland's premier bike hire company
Wild Connemara is a seven-day self-guided loop from Galway City, designed by Bike Hire Ireland, who have more than 28 years' experience running bike hire and tours on Ireland's west coast. Riders collect a fully equipped touring bike in Galway along with an information pack of day-by-day route maps and local tips.
The route heads west along the coast to Carna, then on to Clifden and the Sky Road, before swinging north via Cleggan to Letterfrack, Connemara National Park and Kylemore Abbey. From Leenane the ride continues to Westport, then turns south to Cong and Ashford Castle before returning to Galway.
Along the way it follows quiet country roads, sections of the Wild Atlantic Way, the Connemara Loop and the New Connemara Greenway, passing lake shores, windswept bog and the foothills of the Connemara Mountains. This is a bike hire and route package; riders arrange their own accommodation.
Highlights:
- The Sky Road loop from Clifden
- Connemara National Park and Kylemore Abbey and Gardens
- Sections of the Wild Atlantic Way and the New Connemara Greenway
- Killary Harbour and the village of Leenane
- Westport House and the town of Westport
- Cong village and Ashford Castle
Surface and terrain:
Mostly quiet sealed country roads, with sections of the Wild Atlantic Way, Connemara Loop and the New Connemara Greenway. Rolling terrain through bog and lake country, with some climbs in the foothills of the Connemara Mountains.
Likely weather:
Mild, changeable Atlantic conditions, typically 10 - 19°C from April to October and cooler in winter. Showers are possible on any day, with strong coastal winds at times. Waterproofs and warm layers are advisable year-round.
Suitable for:
Independent, reasonably fit riders comfortable with consecutive days of 55 - 70 km on public roads, who are happy to book their own accommodation and carry their own luggage. An e-bike upgrade makes the hills easier.