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A To Z of the Iron Donkey Guided, Supported Group Bike Tour of Connemara

Accommodation
You stay in a variety of quality hotels – many of which we have been patronising for several years. Besides location and comfort, they have been selected on the basis of facilities, good food and hospitality. For details of the individual accommodations, click on the links on the outline itinerary on the main Guided Group Tours page.

Getting to and from the tour
Each tour starts on a Saturday evening in Oughterard, Co Galway – a small market town about 15 miles west of Galway City. If you fly into Dublin on Saturday morning, there are direct buses from Dublin Airport to Galway. Alternatively, you can catch a train from Heuston Station or a bus from Dublin Bus Station to Galway. From Dublin the journey to Galway takes between 3 and 4 hours. If you arrive at Shannon Airport, there are regular buses to Galway, with a journey time of about 1½ hours. From Galway, you can take a bus or a taxi to Oughterard.

The tour ends on Saturday morning in Westport, Co Mayo. From Westport there are direct trains and buses to Dublin, and buses to Shannon via Galway, so you can connect with North American bound flights leaving Dublin or Shannon on Sunday morning. Should you need to fly out on the Saturday, it is possible to leave the tour on Friday afternoon to arrive in Dublin or Shannon on Friday night.

Meals and Refreshments
All dinners (3 or 4 courses) and breakfasts are included. There will be a suggested venue – usually a pub, a country hotel or a picnic site– for lunch each day. The sag wagon carries water and snacks so you can top up while you are on the road.

Rental bicycles
Bicycle rental is included in the cost of your tour. If however you want to bring your own bicycle, you are welcome to do so. Please see the Bicycles and Equipment page for more information and/or contact us for advice.

Daily biking options
There are several biking options each day – so you can match your riding to the weather and to your energy level. There is no pressure to ride any more or any less than you want.

Options (non-biking)
The tour includes two 2-night stopovers, giving you the option, should you choose, to take a half-day or a day off the bike to indulge in an alternative activity. Fishing, hiking, riding and golf are some of the activities that Connemara has to offer.

Solos
About half of the riders on a typical tour are solos. If you want to share accommodation, we will pair you up with another solo of the same sex on a first come first served basis.

Trip preparation pack
A trip preparation pack will be sent to you when we receive your completed booking form and deposit payment. The pack will contain information that you will find very useful in preparing for your tour.

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