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Maple Ridge, BC
Canada
344 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2012 : 11:25 AM
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I have never been in a plane. I think that might succinctly illustrate how much I don't know about travel. But I was dreaming about cycle touring Ireland next year or the year after (depending on cost).
I'm looking for some general concerns that international cycle touring may create. For example, I looked into the cost to ship my bike and costs more than my bike. I know of independent bike tour/rental options but they seem to operate on the assumption that I'm riding from hotel to hotel and can ship luggage rather than carry it on the bike. What other options are there? How did you folks go about cycle touring overseas?
Also, if you know anything about ireland (e.g., road condition, hills, campgrounds, people, cultural concerns etc.) that would be helpful.
Again, this is really really speculative early stage planning and may never happen. |
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Squamish, British Columbia
Canada
1002 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2012 : 12:16 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Cherry Pirate
Also, if you know anything about ireland (e.g., road condition, hills, campgrounds, people, cultural concerns etc.) that would be helpful.
Bring a rain jacket and a thick skin.
I'm Irish and bike touring is pretty popular for tourists. The country is a lot smaller than people imagine it's going to be (280km wide east to west). If you are limited on time I'd recommend cycling South to North along the West coast. Definitely more scenic than the East coast and you can avoid going into Northern Ireland, Bonus!
Irish people in general don't "camp" in tents, so if you are looking for somewhere to pitch a tent you might get more information if you ask for the nearest "Caravan Park".
Towns are everywhere which is why people don't tend to tent camp. Most caravan parks are in or next to small towns and they usually have a hostel that you could stay in for shillings. Don't expect a lot of wild land unless you are in Clare or Galway. It's mostly rolling farmland and small towns as you head away from the East.
Plus, hostels are usually near a plethora of local Pubs where the barman will be more than happy to tell you a few yarns if you sit up at the bar. Take any insults on the chin. It's part of the craic.
The biggest cultural shock that Canadians I've had stay with me in Ireland was our sense of humor. Usually no subject is off the table and if it will generate a bit of craic we'll talk about it. Canadians in general tend to be a little reserved and polite in the company of strangers, whereas the decorum for Irish people, especially in pubs, is a complete lack of it.
If you expect it and retort with your own quips you will be well received.
In regards shipping your bikes, maybe shoot LeeL a message. I know he bike tours abroad. |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
343 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2012 : 12:29 PM
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Did you look into "shipping" your bike vs taking it with you on your flight as "oversized luggage"? You don't want to "ship" it, you want to take it with you. I believe the airline term is "Additional Checked Baggage".
I took a bike to Nova Scotia via Air Canada. (Cabot Trail in Cape Breton Highlands was a nice little bike tour.)
I didn't actually use a case or bag for it, even though they recommended it. I just had to put the handlebars parallel to the frame, remove the pedals and deflate the tires.
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ALBANY, OR
USA
588 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2012 : 1:54 PM
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if you are not all that selective in the features of the bike you are touring, sometimes buying a bike at your destination can work. I met several people in Australia who did that. At the end of their trip they put up an ad in the last hostel they stayed at and sold the bike. Could be less expensive than renting. I have read about bike shops "selling" you a bike then agreeing to buy it back at a reduced price at the end of the trip. Don't know if this happens in Ireland.
The couple of times I have checked a bike as luggage, the airlines always required the bike to be in a box (U.S.). It used to be real economical to take along a bike but costs have risen over the past few years. |
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Southern Vancouver Island, BC
Canada
230 Posts |
Posted - 09/06/2012 : 4:49 PM
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I've done a lot of cycle touring in the past 20 years, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, mainly. I like to have my own bike because it fits me and I am used to riding it. I have a soft sided bicycle bag that I line with cardboard. The bike is partly dismantled and sensitive parts (e.g. derailleur) are padded with foam or bubble pack. There is a separate wheel pocket. Make sure to deflate your tires before flying. I bring tools so I can put the bike together again and for emergency repairs during the tour. I pack my helmet in my carry on. If the airlines can smash anything, they will. Even with careful packing, they've managed to bend things on my bike.
Before travelling, I make a hotel/motel reservation for my arrival day and the day before my departure and make sure they will store my extra luggage (the bike bag and the duffle bag containing my panniers, clothing, etc.) while I am on tour. If I am flying into one city and out of another, I make an accommodation reservation at the departure city and ship my extra luggage there. You used to be able to air freight luggage to yourself to pick up at the air port but the rules have changed.
Depending on the airline, if you tell them you have sports equipment when you make your reservations, they might not charge you for oversize baggage. Most charge for bikes now. In the old days, they did not charge for bikes on international flights.
As for road conditions and other cycling information, do a Google search for an Irish or UK cycling forum. Likely there is one.
You can get some useful information from official tourism sites, such as accommodations, sources for maps, etc.
You didn't say if you've ridden a fully loaded bike (both front and rear panniers). A loaded bike does not behave like an unloaded one. It is like the difference between driving a tractor and a sports car. If you have both front and rear panniers you'll find your bike won't corner as well as you are used to. If you just use rear panniers, your front wheel might lift off on the up hill so the bike really is balanced better if you divide your stuff among front and rear panniers. Long down hill runs are fun but don't wait until the bottom to use your brakes. |
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Maple Ridge, BC
Canada
344 Posts |
Posted - 09/08/2012 : 01:43 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Osbos
You didn't say if you've ridden a fully loaded bike (both front and rear panniers).
I did a two week tour of the gulf islands in august which was my first run in cycle touring and I decided it was the only way I wanted to explore places. So yes, I have ridden a loaded bike.
Man, there are a lot of options here. I'm glad to hear the oversized baggage option because I very much prefer to ride my own bike even though it's only worth $700.
I especially appreciate the information about Ireland in particular.
One concerned I had was I'm something of a hardcore atheist but I was raised religious. I was thinking I should probably not mention my non-religious stance in Ireland. I don't know enough about Ireland but I do know, at least some areas, they are pretty militant about their religions.
I am part Irish and it's funny that poster should mention the irish being abrupt since, amongst Canadians, I have a tendency to be more abrupt and rag on people's weak points... I always think they should find it funny. Maybe it's in the blood.
How do the cost of hostels compare to camping rates ($20 - $30)? Also, aren't bed bugs a rather significant issue in hostels now?
Also, is there no "less rainy" season I should aim for? |
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1058 Posts |
Posted - 09/08/2012 : 06:21 AM
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| The whole bed bugs issue with hostels is overblown. The few isolated cases make a lot of noise, that's all. I've never encountered them on my travels. To be sure, online reviews of hostels are abundant and free. |
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323 Posts |
Posted - 09/08/2012 : 08:34 AM
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Hi Cherry Pirate,
Bike touring is a great way to see new landscapes and experience new cultures.We've become addicted in recent years. See "bike trips" at our site here:
http://candmwanderings.wordpress.com/
If you're going for a decent length of time, take your own bike. It fits you, has the right saddle etc etc. The end effects (logistics) to overseas bike touring are a bit of a hassle, so if you can go for a longer stretch that's great. You have more time to get into the flow of being on the road.
Air Canada currently charges $50 for a bike. There's a lot of discussion of the pros and cons of boxing it versus simply removing pedals and turning bars. (Without the box, the handlers can see it's a bike etc.) For big transcontinental aircraft it's probably best to box it. Theres less to get caught as it gets moved on and off conveyor belts etc. You can even reinforce a standard cardboard bike box with corrugated plastic sheeting cut to fit, to create a poor man's hard shell case: http://members.shaw.ca/boxyourbike/
We've never had serious damage, but we've heard of forklift trucks etc. piercing the cardboard.
It's a good idea to remove the rear derailleur as per these instructions. If it's loosely tied to the chainstay, it can move (and not bend or break) if something should hit it.
Tailwinds!
GH
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Sechelt, B.C.
Canada
61 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2012 : 11:29 AM
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I just now came on your tread regarding cycling in Ireland. I agree with all of Leimrod's comments -except for avoiding Northern Ireland. I'm Irish also, (from N.Ireland) Two of us recently returned there and did a cycling trip in the North West part of Ireland, -around the lakes of Fermanagh, and through parts of Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo. We rented bikes from a rental place in Limerick and stayed in B&B's. The rental bikes were fine and were delivered to destination in Enniskillen and awaiting us on arrival. If you wish you can google "Kingfisher cycling trail", which was the route we followed. As Leimrod mentioned the west of Ireland is quite scenic. Galway city is an interesting and historic place and Connemara to the west of it is worth seeing. In parts of Connemara the Irish Language is still spoken, and so also in the north of Donegal. Hence the line in the song "Galway Bay" "And the women in the uplands digging praties speak a language that the -clergy? do not know."
I'd advise at all costs staying off main roads and travelling on side roads -which in any event are more scenic. You'll have no trouble doing this as the country is a maze of side roads. However exercise caution also on the side roads, as Irish motorists drive with verve and elan. Camping as we know it in Canada might not be a great option. The land is mostly privately owned and the frequent rain showers might not be so welcome. Hope you have a great time.
time. |
Edited by - DenisR on 10/18/2012 8:13 PM |
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Cycle Touring Ireland
