Wild Atlantic Cycling Blog

Excited to kick off 2024 with a bang … and a trek and a swim and a run … and I hope very soon, a hop back on the bike! Can you believe Strava says I RAN more than I cycled in 2023!!? I have clearly been working too hard in the van :( New Year Resolution is definitely to ride my bike more in 2024! New Zealand has been an absolute blast—hands down one of the coolest places I've ever visited.  The Queenstown backdrop will be etched in my memory forever! As we wrap up 2023, I’m delighted to say that the response to all of our tours at Wild Atlantic Cycling has been terrific and 2024 bookings are such that the majority are now guaranteed to run. Interest is pouring in! 🚴‍♂️  If you've been dreaming of joining one of our tours, now's the time to act!  Don't miss out on the adventure of a lifetime. 🌍 With 2 tours already over-subscribed in 2024 and a waiting list, the earlier you register your interest the quicker we can get another one slotted in the calendar fo...

So, you’ve a big summer of cycle tours and events to look forward to. Unfortunately it’s dark outside, it’s probably raining and it is most definitely cold. On top of that, winter roads, with their proclivity for mud, ice and salty, slushy water are no friends to your precious bike’s components. No one would blame you for giving the whole thing a swerve and hunkering down in the warm, biding your time until the weather and climate turn a whole lot more welcoming. However, there are, as it turns out, an absolute bevy of incentives to stick it out and keep up a strong cycling routine throughout this most unforgiving of seasons.  Why it Pays To Stay on Your Bike in Winter The first reason to forego couch for saddle this time of year is an obvious one; just as with any sport or pastime, taking several months off and expecting to hit the same levels when you start up again is simply not gonna happen. As less than ideal as the conditions undoubtedly are, your body will thank you come Mar...

Just one of the many wonderful things about having a cyclist in your life is never having to suffer through the old ‘they’re impossible to buy for’ dilemma come Christmas time! Whether you are looking strictly for stuffing fillers or are going for a more serious investment, the range of options out there is practically without end. Of course, too much choice can sometimes become a problem in itself. But never fear; we have scoured the internet and spoken with some of our most avid rider friends and whittled the whole thing down to a list of more manageable proportions.  Budget 1. Rapha Brevet Reflective Socks. £24 Getting socks for Christmas is about as traditional as turkey, tinsel and Tiny Tim. But as any rider will tell you, wearing high quality, cycling-specific socks can make the whole business a lot more comfortable, enjoyable and, if you choose the right pair, fashionable.  Our favourites are the Brevet Reflective from Rapha. Made from a blend of wool and PrimaLoft, a...

Guided or self-guided? A summary of the Pros and Cons. Sometimes people ask us about self-guided (or self-supported) tours. If you're planning your next adventure on two wheel, we hope you enjoy reading about both styles of cycle touring. Whatever you decide to embark on, we wish you all the best and if you choose a supported tour, the team at Wild Atlantic Cycling Tours will ensure you have the best experience possible. Guided Tours  Pros  Someone else has taken all of the wrong turns before so you just get to cycle the best bits. You know exactly how long it will take so it helps with planning your holiday(s) You can join a tour that best matches your fitness level You have the reassurance and security of support on hand should you need it You can relax knowing that accommodation and sustenance are all taken care of Most guided tours will offer convenient transfers to and from airports to the starting point of the tour Cons There may be specific places you’ve read or heard ...

Lisa is one of  our fittest Tour Guides! Here she tells us about her adventures on gravel in Mallorca and Spain. Adventure, that’s the word probably most associated with gravel riding and for those who do it we know why. The crunchy stuff under your knobbly tyres, the sound of birdsong and baby lambs as your soundtrack and constantly being surprised by cool single tracks, steep bumpy climbs that lead to amazing views, hopping over the occasional gate or fence and finding a cafe in a tiny off the beaten track village somewhere that has the best almond cake. That’s the kind of adventure that awaits you and why more and more people are trying out gravel riding, myself included. I came to Mallorca in the autumn of 2020, friends had told me about the smooth roads and long climbs that the island is famous for. Facing into a cold wet winter in Ireland and not allowed to work due to covid restrictions I packed up my bike and headed for the sunny island. The roads and terrain lived up to ex...

Christmas is only 28 days away: you're working 20 of them, the school curriculum and family engagements take up another 6 of them and if you're really lucky riding your bike two Sunday mornings might take up one of them. That leaves the usual one day on Christmas Eve to do your Christmas Shopping! The above isn't something you can change but you CAN get an early bid in for what you'd like to find in your own Christmas Stocking by forwarding this e-mail on to the all important people now highlighting the appropriate parts! Tell them the truth! No, we don’t want yet another pair of socks with bicycles on them or a bicycle shaped bottle opener or yet another tee-shirt with an over-used stereo-typed slogan! 😠 What we REALLY want is another bike … 1. A New Bike The price tag 🏷 on this one is admittedly rather expensive but bicycles 🚲 do range in price from free to frightening. Your local Bike Rescue centre will have some of the former (they usually accept donations) and o...

Here we address 5 common situations where we would love you to consider the greener alternative. Mohacs, Hungary : Cycling is just the way one gets around Much as we’d all like to do the best possible thing both for the planet and our own health, let’s face it, SOMETIMES it’s just not practical to use the bike ...  ... Although I have personally witnessed SOFAS being carried in Schkoder in Albania! A disability needn’t stop you enjoying the joy of cycling But if everyone used their bike for the things they COULD use it for then maybe we could preserve what’s left of our resources and planet until we come up with some good long term solutions.  One size does not fit all and for many people cycling just isn’t an alternative. However, a little bit of thought and preparation alongside the help of friends and innovation can find wonderful solutions for what may initially appear to be an impossible task. Act now to save our planet Glasgow – COP 26 summit We’re constantly being told ...