Touring - April in Ireland

I'm heading for Ireland from the USA on April 16th. I'll land in Shannon and bike out of the airport. If anyone want to join me, either meet me there or talk to me here. I've got to be back at the airport by April 24th. Short trip, but should be fun:) I'll probaboy stay on the west coast. Bring rain gear!

Schatz:beer:

Seems interesting. But I can't, school is still on. We're planning a N. Ireland trip sometime in the future to visit some old friends we have re-located (after 20 years!). They live southeast of Belfast. We hope to cycle down the west coast into Ireland.

What will you do with your cycling box you use for your bike in baggage while you ride?

Hide it under a bush? Gosh, I don't know, but the problem has crossed my mind. Guess I'll have a travel agent call Aer Lingus and try to find out. The last time I left it somewhere in the airport, but when I returned someone had swiped the box, so we had to take someone else's. I don't know if there are lockers for these things or not...but I better find out. Thanks for jarring my mind.

Roadrunner

I think I've mentioned this before somewhere, but I recommend trying to get hold of a copy of Eric Newby's 'Round Ireland in Low gear' before you go.

Richard

My mother-in-law lived in County Sligo for 15 years- she was a chiropractor there- lotsa farmers to work on- the west coast of Ireland is the best... you can be driving/riding along when out of nowhere appears an old abandoned castle in which you can stop to have lunch at or explore at your leisure- b&b's ae plentiful and cheap and the people very welcoming- it is just like the postcardds with sheep crossing the narrow roads, etc- but the emphasis here is narrow- be careful of very fast moving vehicles approaching from EITHER driection- there is a reason that insurance rates are extremely high and there are those signs around blind curves that say "black spot in road"...( a very high incident-crash rate in which car oil and other stuff spatters everywhere)... also be aware of bands of gypsies- no joke -as great as this country is and all of the wonderful, welcoming people, it is still a very rural area- I do not want to dampen the energy level, just put up a wee flag...my wife and I had a somewhat uncomforatble experience that could have turned out a lot worse as we looked like yank tourists to the "caravaners"- just use common sense. Oh, yeah, a trip would not be complete without a visit to the town where the John Wayne movie "THe Quiet Man" was filmed. The little tearoom still has a small 8x10 b&w photo of J.W. and Maureen O'Hara... have fun

Thanks for the advice, but this will be my sixth trip to Ireland. I've been all over the country by bike and thumb.

My trouble now is what to do with the bike carrier when I arrive in Shannon. I had the travel agent try to find out today, but she couldn't find out a thing. She checked with Aer Lingus and the tourist people...and got no answer. The last time we begged a fellow to store the box, but this time I'm going to take an expensive case and I don't want to lose it. Any ideas?

Roadrunner

The problem of storing a good bike box is one that confronts all world touring cyclists.

I would first check to see if the airport you arrive in has a place for "left luggage". This is a place whereby one can drop off luggage, sometimes as long as 3 weeks and pick it up on the departing date. This is how I did it in Schipol airport in Amsterdam and it cost about $20.00 Canadian.

Another suggestion would try to see if you can arrange something with a local bike shop or B&B to store it for a small fee or at least a one night stay.:(

Yes, thanks. Triple A tried to get a number for the Shannon Airport, but it seems that the Irish Tourist Office didn't even have a number. If I do decide to take a good case, then I may try to store it at a bikeshop in Limerick or a B&B, though I'd hate to have to waste time with a taxi and that problelm. I enjoy riding right out of the airport. I hope storing a box has not become a problem due to 9/11.

Roadrunner