I just purchased my airline ticket and am going to Western Ireland in June! I do have a few questions:
1) I was thinking of buying a used bike there instead of bringing one on the plane. I’ve done it before in other European countries, but in looking at Ireland Craigslist there are few choices.
2) I want to do the Ring of Kerry, but am concerned about distracted drivers and narrow roads. Is it safe to cycle this route? I am planning on doing the Dingle Peninsula too. Is this too much of Southwest Ireland?
3) In case if it rains I might want to take a bus instead of riding. Do Irish buses have a rack or accommodations for bicycles? The train does have room for bikes, but does not go to as many places.
Any help you can offer would be great! John

Hi John for used bikes look at Donedeal.ie or adverts .ie ,the ring of kerry is Gods own country as is the Wild Atlantic Way. theres any amount of steep hills so be sure u have plenty climbing miles in your legs lol.
as far as i know bus drivers will allow bikes they keep changing the rules honest to God .
oh yeah bring your wet gear it does rain every now and again .
boards.ie is pretty good for finding routes from locals.
have fun.

There's no such thing as "too much of South West Ireland."

Yes, roads are sometimes narrow, but look at it this way. Narrow roads tend to focus the mind, which means fewer distracted drivers and slower speeds. It's a pretty safe environment.

It is virtually certain to rain. Can't help you about Irish buses, never used them.

John426, I'm jealous!

Brad

The weather here at the moment is only fantastic the paddys day parades are in full swing.

Thank you for your advice. I am getting excited about my upcoming trip. Will look on donedeal for a used bike. John

I found that Due to the EU Fuel price for farm tractors is lower than the same when put into a Licensed Road Vehicle ,

Lots of heavy bulky stuff was towed over the rolling Highways By slow moving Farm tractors.

and so to not be speeding over the hilly roads and running into the back of a Manure Spreader

Drivers did slow down substantially.

Back in '81 or so I did 2 weeks in Ireland. It was warm and dry. The wind on the west coast was so strong that it flapped the tent so much I lost a few nights of sleep. But 2 stories.
I was riding down the road and saw a nice little brook in a glade of trees, I had not had a bath for a few days. So I took my self and my clothes to the brook, washed myself, found a good flat rock to wash my clothes on. Then hanging the clothes off the back of my bicycle, a 10 yr. old lad came by and asked me if I needed a place to camp for the night. I said "Well that I do" We walked to his farm, he showed me where to camp. I went into town for food and a Guinness or 2. When I woke up in the morning from a cow grazing next to my tent he soon came to my tent with a pint of warm rich milk. Why was it warm do you ask? I went to the farm house and thanked the parents before I left. That was magic.
Story2: I was riding on a small 2 lane road, A cottage to my left. And the man in front of me was closing a gate across the road in front of the railroad tracks. We chatted for a minute. And then I asked if I asked if I could get across the tracks. He said "Sure the train will be by in 15 minutes or so" . He didn't realize I was asking now! I realized my mistake and the rest of Ireland was very pleasant.
Anywhere you go drop your American attitude and adopt the local attitude. You will have more fun!!

Safety wise it is all about attitude. Been a long time since I was back so current conditions I will leave to the locals. But what seems like a narrow road is wide to them. They pass down the middle three abreast when they can. The euro approach is to put more responsibility on the driver, so you get round abouts rather than endless stop signs, the theory is drivers are more alert than in the over controlling NA. Then there is the whole deal about whether people will accept cyclists. Numbers of cyclists are down a lot, at least as a means or local transportation, but I think you would still find more acceptance. Probably recreational cyclists are up.

john, without knowing what bike experience you have, riding, fixing etc, I would add my opinion that its not worth the risk trying to find a used bike when you get somewhere with teh plan to do a bike trip.
Its hit and miss with used bikes, even here in Montreal, you could find something suitable or you may not and end up with something with all kinds of repair costs, mechanical breakdowns (especially if you are not mechanically savvy about bikes) and especially breakdowns and extra costs that could waste time of your hard earned trip.

bottom line, you are taking a risk thinking that all will be fine arriving and buying a used bike for a bike trip. Its up to you to determine if you want to take that risk, and have backup plans and repair money/bike shops lined up etc for circumstances unforeseen.

*I should add that my opinion comes from very much enjoying riding my own bike and knowing it will perform properly without problems, not to mention that if fits me properly--but I've been riding and touring for a long time, so those are my priorities.

Bringing your bicycle with you will probably be in the $125-150 range each way. Cheaper than a used bicycle. Not to mention the time involved in getting and then selling a used bicycle. Bicycles are much more expensive in Europe as far as I hear.

Dear DJB:

Thanks for the cautionary advice. I have done this three times in three separate trips. I am somewhat handy (but getting better) with bike repair. When I retire I want to take a bike trip around the world!

In fact it was in Montreal that I first bought a local bike instead of bringing my own. It turns out I got the first Canadian made mountain bike. Not only was it cheap, but it started so many conversations in rural Quebec. Other than an annoying click in the bottom bracket it served me well for my three week trip. I also sold it for a slight profit at the end of the trip! I have since done the same thing in Romania and Poland. My only concern about my Irish trip is that prices for bikes seems very high. I am sure it has something to do with high taxes over there. John

take lots of asprin/headache tablets

Irish know how to party and the pubs are buzzing

I've always enjoyed going to Ireland on business trips .... good people... good beer...good music

not high at all look at donedeal.ie your sure to pick up a gic.
https://www.donedeal.ie/bicycles-for...6839#xtor=AD-3

Sounds like you're perfectly up for that sort of thing then. Have fun and good luck with finding something.

i think i would be taking my own bike ,ok u can pick up a bike anywhere but is it going to suit you i very much doubt it, still each to there own.

i'm hoping to pick up a decent cheap bike (as im broke) and fix it up exactly the way i want it.no harm dreaming i suppose