As with all our rentals, we can deliver to your accommodation. This is free of charge in the area from Terryglass to Nenagh to Killaloe, and a delivery charge may apply to places outside of these areas. If you contact us at info@loughdergebiketours.ie, we’ll discuss your particular circumstances and let you know whether a delivery charge would apply. If you are keeping a bike overnight, I would ask that you check with your accommodation provider that they are ok with you storing the bike there, and that there is somewhere secure that the bike can be kept. Ideally under shelter, but that’s not always possible, so as long as it can be locked to something, and/or is out of sight of passers by, then it should be fine. Most hotels would have a storage room where the bikes can be kept or at least would have a bike stand that a bike can be locked to.
When you get your bike, you will get a charger, a bike lock, a SatNav (if required), a choice of panniers or handlebar bags, spare inner tubes, a tyre pump and some basic tools. Don’t panic though, that doesn’t mean you’re responsible for maintenance, just that if you know how to (for example) fix a puncture, then you will have the means to do so. For those who would rather not get involved in such things, then rest assured that you can call us and we’ll get out to either fix or replace the bike in the (unlikely) event of any problems.
If there are particular routes you want to explore, then you can either use an app such as Komoot on your phone, or you can have them loaded up on the SatNav (notice would be required if the route is not one of the regular ones around Lough Derg!). Which brings me onto the kinds of things past customers have done. Starting with the shortest, and working up to the most ambitious!
The short haul
One couple from Canada had ancestors who hailed from Borrisokane and Cloughjordan. They were staying in Cloughjordan and wished to explore the local area. In particular they wanted to visit Modreeny Church to see if they could find any relatives. They took bikes for 2 days, and were able to store them in a shelter at their accommodation. They set off on their second day bright and early, and greatly enjoyed visiting numerous spots with family connections.
Another customer was staying at Mountshannon, and had no car. She wanted a way to get out and about with a minimum of fuss and without waiting for buses. So she took a bike for a week and enjoyed getting about easily, and on her own schedule. Another used the bike for a similar purpose from an Airbnb close to Ballina. A couple from New Mexico stayed in an Airbnb in Ballina and used the bikes to explore the local area, heading up the Lough Derg shore on both sides, up to Mountshannon on the west side and up to Garrykennedy (via the Graves of the Leinstermen) on the east side. They also used the bikes for ‘popping into town’, taking the short hop across the bridge into Killaloe for dinner.
Exploring the country
A couple from Vancouver took bikes for 2 weeks. Initially they explored the Nenagh area, using routes we had provided, to showcase the best of the local area. Then they set off to tour the country. They cycled to Limerick, then caught a train to Galway, where they explored some more. Next up was Kilkenny (also by train), where they stayed for several days. Then they cycled back to Nenagh from Kilkenny over two days (stopping over in Thurles). They felt this was a great way to see the country. The train travel took away the stress of driving, and having the bikes when they reached their destinations allowed them to explore at their own pace. There is one caveat to this approach, which is that you should always double check that there is space to carry the bike on a given train when you book it, as space can be limited, particularly at busy times.
Tour De Clare
A pilot from Texas had a 1-week layover in Shannon, and decided he would like to explore the Shannon Estuary by eBike. This plan gradually evolved into a grand tour of the southern half of County Clare, taking in Kilkee, up the west coast to Doolin, out to the Aran Islands, then back to Shannon via Ennis and Limerick. A route was devised, and loaded up on the SatNav, which avoided the busy roads wherever possible.
Our intrepid pilot had a blast. The weather didn’t always behave, but he got to really see County Clare, passing through all sorts of places which you would normally speed by in a car, but still visiting most of the ‘highlight’ spots as well.
If you would be interested in a longer term rental, you can book here, or contact us via info@loughdergebiketours.ie.
