Ireland + bicycling + rain = bad idea????
Apr 9th, 2010, 04:38 AM
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Ireland + bicycling + rain = bad idea????
We like active traveling and have taken cycling vacations of 5 to 9 days elsewhere in the world. But, we are fair weather friends when it comes to biking, and we are not big fans of day after day of biking in the rain. We are not that type of die hard enthusiast; rather, we enjoy biking because it is a way to slow down and get an intimate view of a place. Obviously, Ireland is green because it rains a lot. We'll be in Ireland in the second half of May, and while it is certainly the the rainiest month it does rain. Can those of you who've visited or live there give me an idea of whether I'd expect day after day of hard rain or just occasional misty rain or rain for an hour ot two a day and then clearing? The term "rain" can mean so many diferent things. And, if you've biked in Ireland, I'd like your feedback too. Thank you.
Apr 9th, 2010, 04:53 AM
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May is one of the driest months (although 2009 was an exception). Have a look at http://www.met.ie/climate/monthly-data.asp?Num=518.
If you want to know on which days heavy rain is likely, check with me on when I plan to cut the grass.
If you want to know on which days heavy rain is likely, check with me on when I plan to cut the grass.
Apr 9th, 2010, 06:26 AM
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I'd suggest you browse Amazon or similar for a decent local guidebook on good bike trails.
The term "rain" can mean many things, indeed, and you have a fair chance to encounter all the types you mentioned plus some more. Add gusty winds along the coast, and even a light drizzle will feel like a downpour.
Many signposted bike routes often use regular (mostly secondary) rural roads and rarely have dedicated bike lanes.
So you also have to deal with some traffic (and those nasty little dogs that love to chase anything moving on wheels.
Your rental station should equip you with a hi viz vest. If not, stop at a petrol station and get one. They weigh and cost nothing.
Cute rolling hills that look like nothing when driving a car can become quite "mountanous" on a bike.
The term "rain" can mean many things, indeed, and you have a fair chance to encounter all the types you mentioned plus some more. Add gusty winds along the coast, and even a light drizzle will feel like a downpour.
Many signposted bike routes often use regular (mostly secondary) rural roads and rarely have dedicated bike lanes.
So you also have to deal with some traffic (and those nasty little dogs that love to chase anything moving on wheels.
Your rental station should equip you with a hi viz vest. If not, stop at a petrol station and get one. They weigh and cost nothing.
Cute rolling hills that look like nothing when driving a car can become quite "mountanous" on a bike.
Apr 9th, 2010, 09:46 AM
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I knew that May is a bit drier than other months, and this is one of the resons I am considering it. Coasts and wind and mountains! Not our type of biking! I think we were thinking of more gentle types of biking perhaps along river valleys, and I did see that Amazon has a book on biking towpaths, so maybe that would be more doable. Actually, we'd really prefer to bike in places where there are lots of small, charming villages fairly close together. Does such an area exist? Thanks again.
Apr 9th, 2010, 09:58 AM
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IMHO not lots od downpours - but lots of days of isting on and off - at any time of year. (I don't find walking in this a problem - in fact I like it - but you really can't count on dry at any time.)
Apr 9th, 2010, 10:07 AM
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We've biked in Ireland on three separate occasions, all with tour companies, so I can give you "experience" but not that much help with your actual route planning.
In general: I HATE biking in rain, but am willing to do so if I don't feel it's just a stupid, purposeless day of biking. I DO enjoy biking in cooler temperatures. It's a heck of a lot easier to add and peel off layers rather than suffering from sunstroke after Mile One.
Why we do biking tour companies in Europe: The biking tour companies make sure that their clients skirt major highways as much as possible and provide support on these meandering routes. Plus, if it's pouring down rain and you choose to opt out of a ride or part of a ride, you can be drinking tea (or be pouring down alcohol with the locals--especially wonderful in Ireland) while the tougher members of the party soldier on.
Ireland: There ARE places with lots of small villages close together. We loved biking the West Coast from Lahinch north to the Connemara area, so much so that we did basically the same itinerary with two different companies in different years. Quite frankly, we're considering our third trip there, even though we try to change up locations all the time. It's not always easy biking, but I'd say we always felt our hills or headwinds in that area have had some sort of payoff--a good downhill, a great pub, a good teahouse or a great view. We LOVE the music and dancing in pubs, so....
On another Ireland trip, we worked our way on the Southwest/South Coast from Kenmore to Kinsale. This ended up being a very scenic trip (again, with some lovely town), but OMG, we did two biking passes (Healy and Beara) that even challenged our "fit" family members (I don't count).
Ironically, on all three trips, it barely rained while we were biking. On one week, all the storms came in overnight. On another trip, a heat wave had hit all of Europe (and Ireland was 10 degrees cooler in the 80's) and we never even uppacked our rain gear. And on a third week, it was just "soft rain" (Irish terms for drizzle) and moderate temps.
In general: I HATE biking in rain, but am willing to do so if I don't feel it's just a stupid, purposeless day of biking. I DO enjoy biking in cooler temperatures. It's a heck of a lot easier to add and peel off layers rather than suffering from sunstroke after Mile One.
Why we do biking tour companies in Europe: The biking tour companies make sure that their clients skirt major highways as much as possible and provide support on these meandering routes. Plus, if it's pouring down rain and you choose to opt out of a ride or part of a ride, you can be drinking tea (or be pouring down alcohol with the locals--especially wonderful in Ireland) while the tougher members of the party soldier on.
Ireland: There ARE places with lots of small villages close together. We loved biking the West Coast from Lahinch north to the Connemara area, so much so that we did basically the same itinerary with two different companies in different years. Quite frankly, we're considering our third trip there, even though we try to change up locations all the time. It's not always easy biking, but I'd say we always felt our hills or headwinds in that area have had some sort of payoff--a good downhill, a great pub, a good teahouse or a great view. We LOVE the music and dancing in pubs, so....
On another Ireland trip, we worked our way on the Southwest/South Coast from Kenmore to Kinsale. This ended up being a very scenic trip (again, with some lovely town), but OMG, we did two biking passes (Healy and Beara) that even challenged our "fit" family members (I don't count).
Ironically, on all three trips, it barely rained while we were biking. On one week, all the storms came in overnight. On another trip, a heat wave had hit all of Europe (and Ireland was 10 degrees cooler in the 80's) and we never even uppacked our rain gear. And on a third week, it was just "soft rain" (Irish terms for drizzle) and moderate temps.
Apr 9th, 2010, 10:26 AM
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Alessandra--
This was a very helpful reply, especially when you mentioned the southwest area with the super challenging hills; we'll avoid this because we are well into middle age and definitely not looking for a challenge that will kill us. I too HATE biking in the rain unless it is a gentle rain for an hour or so, and I know what you mean when you are referring to the idea of staying in a pub and drinking instead. We did something similar in the Loire Valley when the rain set injust as we were (luckily) pulling into the town we were stopping at for the night. I'll check out the west coast Connemara area since you thought it was good enough for a repeat trip to the area. Thanks much.
This was a very helpful reply, especially when you mentioned the southwest area with the super challenging hills; we'll avoid this because we are well into middle age and definitely not looking for a challenge that will kill us. I too HATE biking in the rain unless it is a gentle rain for an hour or so, and I know what you mean when you are referring to the idea of staying in a pub and drinking instead. We did something similar in the Loire Valley when the rain set injust as we were (luckily) pulling into the town we were stopping at for the night. I'll check out the west coast Connemara area since you thought it was good enough for a repeat trip to the area. Thanks much.
