Ireland Biking Tips?
 

This board has already helped me out with phone lines, so I'm hoping the wealth of experience out there can extend to biking specifics, too.

As indicated on my earlier post, I'm taking my two daughters with me biking in Ireland. We've done a lot of biking trips, but never one where we had to bike along the left as opposed to the right side. So I have a few questions if anyone out there can answer.

1) How long did it take to get used to the left side? Any specific cautions? Any helpful hints to get us used to it?

2) Have heard that dogs are more of a problem in Ireland than in other European locations. Is that true? How did you handle it?

3) Am assuming weather in Ireland will be similar to coast of Brittany--cool and rainy. True? Untrue?

4) Anything else we should know?

I just returned from my first trip there - didn't bike but saw some bikers and can offer these bits that I observed

1) cool and rainy weather is common - it often lifts and blows over by afternoon and very light drizzle is not uncommon - we had only one days in 2 where it rained so hard all day that biking would have been impractical

2) dogs, especially in the small villages and the countryside, are common and roam free. Of the many that we saw only one chased the car - all those that I stopped to pet were friendly (I am a dog lover)

3) I adjusted rapidly to driving on the left - my biggest problem was forcing myself to remember to stay to the left when entering or exiting parking areas and roundabouts - should be easy enough top adjust on a bike

4) I assume you'll have helmets - it's a must. Roads in rural areas are narrow - about 1 1/2 lanes - on the country by roads thay get so narrow that one car often has to pull over in order for another to get by. Typically people tend to drive slowly in these areas. The bigger highways that go between larger cities sometimes have a "hard shoulder" that is very rideable but its presence is intermittent.

4) if riding on roads in especially scenic areas (e.g. Slea Head drive on Dingle Peninsula or others of that type), try to find out what direction the tour buses go in (i.e. clockwise or counterclockwise). Plan on riding in the opposite direction and it will make life easier.

Oh, do I have an ear full for you.
I would NEVER take my children for a biking trip in Ireland. We took a 5 day bus tour through Ireland a few years ago and witnessed the most dangerous driving I can ever imagine. They drive like a bat out of hell on narrow roads and have about the same regard for sheep as they do pedestrians, motorists, and bikers. I wouldn't do it.

I have not biked in Ireland although there are several tour companies that operate there, but I have biked several times in Europe.

Stick to the smallest roads. Fears of bad drivers are unfounded (even though i did had cars pass me two abreast on a two lane highway!)

I remember the complaints in the Cyclist Touring Club (England) magazine about British drivers. They were much more cycle friendly than Florida / Iowa / Arizona / California drivers.

It took very little time to adjust to the left hand side cycling.

I'd have to go along with "jor" and advise against it, especially with kids.
I'm living here and believe me, it'll be both uncomfortable and dangerous. Hope I don't sound too alarmist.

I had contemplated an Ireland bike tour last year, but plans fell through. I did make it to Ireland this year, but did a driving tour. Thank god!

We saw quite a few cyclists and all I could say was "what was I thinking?"

Sorry to rain on your parade, but I would not recommend a bike tour in Ireland. Roads are narrow, drivers are crazy, lots of buses in the touristy areas, and the weather is crazy (sunny one minute, rain and wind the next).

Good luck!

I recently moved to Ireland, and brought my bike with me, even though I considered not doing it. But frankly I'm terrified of riding on the roads here (and I used to commute by bike in Washington, DC). There are so many blind corners and hills, and people drive fast.

I would consider biking in some of the more remote areas, but even then it can be harrowing.

The roads can be dangerous but no more so than other european countries. If you have biked in Brittany you will find the raod conditions and weather similar. Dogs can be a problem in towns where they raom free in blue collar housing estates. If bothered a quick kick up the canine backside does the trick. If faced by a german shepherd dog peddle like hell. Dogs pose little threat in the rural areas as they are territorial by nature and stay close to their home. Let them be and they will ignore you. Riding on the left is quickly ajusted too beware of your first few roundabouts. Also on unmarked country road it is easy to forget and drift back to the right side. Remind each other every day "ride on the left." :-)

I have been on bike trips in Ireland with several other ladies. I would think it would be helpful to know where you are planning on biking. We were in a group by ourselves, but with a support vehicle. Although the roads were narrow at times, I didn't notice the drivers being that bad. Of course we were all living in Cairo at the time and may not have noticed. The Ring of Kerry, Beara, and Dingle are all trips we've been on. The left side was not difficult, but the uphill parts were. The rain was a blessing at times and the only scary thing I remember is one day of fog. It was so thick you couldn't see anything in front of you. We just walked that part.

Dear Owen O'Neil, Derrinraw and Michelle9: Thank you for appreciating the fact that I and my daughters are going biking, no matter what the naysayers say. You answered my questions beautifuly and added wonderful insights(and Owen, my kids have never been without a bike helmet nor a seat belt, so your concern is equalled here).

Good to know that saying to oneself, "Today, bike on the left" will work. Just have to do the mind thing. Like hourly.

Was so afraid of the dog situation, and you three clarified it beautifully. I love dogs, but they don't always love bikes. French dogs are wonderfully trained and/or restrained--farm dogs tend to stop at the end of the property or be fenced in. It was good to hear your advice--I have since read articles that support the "dogs are no different in Ireland" view that you've reported.

As to Ann41, we go to Washington DC and bike from Old Town Alexandria to the Mall at least once a year as a vacation. Why? Because it's flat, straight, and easy. There are actually bike paths there from time to time.

Where we live, bike paths are rare-only hills, u-curves, bad berms,rough roads and people who drive way too fast.

I guess Ireland will be like home.

I had to ride on the streets in DC to get to work. Would have been nice to spend all day riding up and down the trail along the Potomac to Old Town!

I live out in the country in Ireland, and I get chased by dogs all of the time when I run. I've pepper sprayed more than one of them.