There are many ways to experience the natural beauty of Ireland, from bus tours, in the car or on a bike. Cycling gives you the unique opportunity of experiencing the Ring of Kerry with all of your senses and with total freedom. I want to give you my top tips for cycling the Ring of Kerry as it is one of the most immersive, sense-evoking, environmentally friendly ways of experiencing Ireland.
If you are not a cyclist, don’t worry – you can still cycle the Ring of Kerry! I’m not a cyclist and I managed to cycle the 195km-route with panniers and camping gear for five days.
You can check out our 5-day itinerary for cycling the Ring of Kerry here.
Below I have outlined my top tips for cycling the Ring of Kerry. This is the advice I wish I’d had before I had undertaken the journey!
1. Build up a little fitness
You don’t need to be incredibly fit to cycle the Ring of Kerry, but having some fitness will increase your enjoyment of the trip. My fitness levels are moderate (I can run a 10k slowly) and I was able for the cycle, including bringing all the camping gear.
Some parts of the route are flat, some have short elevated sections that are very manageable while other sections have gradual elevation over about 7km. But don’t worry – if you get tired, just stop for a quick break, and take in the beauty that surrounds you
2. Pack sensibly
If you’re going on a cycling trip, this is not the time for packing extra bits and pieces ‘just in case’. You should have a think about what you will actually need, and maybe throw in extra socks just in case!
Depending on the time of year, you may need a light waterproof jacket. Actually – scratch that – you will always need a light waterproof jacket in Ireland! It also works well as a wind blocker. And don’t forget, when cycling, the best waterproof layer for your legs is your skin. If it rains, stick with your shorts. You can dry off quickly. Layers are best, and you’re going to be somewhat warm considering you will be exercising.
A good tip is to bring a warm fleece for when you stop for lunch or in the evening as you will inevitably get chill. Here are the clothing items I packed for 5 days:
- 2 pairs of cycle shorts
- 1 pair of running shorts
- 1 pair of cropped running leggings
- 2 long-sleeved sports tops
- 1 lightweight cycle rain jacket
- 1 pair of runners
- 1 pair of leggings (for warmth in the evening)
- 1 fleece jacket
- 1 ‘good outfit’ (jeans, top and converse runners)
- 1 woolly hat
3. Be flexible
A little planning will go a long way on a cycle trip. But just a little! Part of the charm of cycling is not having a strict itinerary, so you can do as much or as little as you feel on any particular day.
Camping definitely suits this if you are cycling the Ring of Kerry as there are many areas to pitch your tent. If you opt to book into a hotel or B&B you might need to consider how many kilometres you will cover each day in order to book accommodation in the right place.
We ranged from 30km to 50km per day, which wasn’t very much. We cycled most of it in the morning, stopped off for lunch and then continued on in the afternoon. This meant we had the evening to eat dinner and relax. Flexibility is key!
4. Get the proper cycle gear
This is definitely key to having an enjoyable cycle trip. Buy cycle shorts. You will absolutely need them! And don’t skimp by buying a cheap pair either. I made this mistake. I bought one cheap pair and a much better quality pair of BL Liegi cycle shorts. The cheaper cycle shorts did not give enough protection and, needless to say, sitting down became quite painful! Thankfully I had the BL Liegi shorts with me, which were so comfy I didn’t want to take them off!
For footwear, I wore my Brooks Adrenaline runners, but I do think I would have been better wearing my Killarney Bike Rental.
5. Make sure you have enough food and water
This is so important. I always drink plenty of water and I have a decent appetite, but I needed way more on the trip. Your body is burning a lot more calories, so you will probably need more food than normal. Make sure you stock up on water.
When cycling the Ring of Kerry, bananas, nuts and protein bars are great as small snacks to keep you energised.
Bringing a packed lunch is a lovely way to have lunch, especially if you arrive at a beautiful viewpoint around lunchtime and you don’t want the hassle of looking for a café or restaurant.
6. Prepare for Irish weather
In Ireland, you need to prepare for all seasons. One day I got soaked with the rain and we ended up booking into a B&B as our tent had gotten waterlogged that morning, while the following day I got sunburnt even though it seemed overcast.
Basically, put on the sun cream and have your lightweight rain jacket and fleece nearby!
And don’t worry, the rain will not ruin the cycle for you. It actually created a stunning view of the mountains with the mist descending on the peaks along with moody clouds – it was beautiful! And plenty of vehicles beeped at us and cheered out the window at us that day in support!
7. Decide first whether you are camping or booking accommodation
This decision will directly affect your entire experience and how you pack for cycling the Ring of Kerry.
If you decide to camp then you will be carrying more weight on your bike, and this will obviously have an impact on the distance you cover daily and your overall enjoyment of the cycle. Camping is one of the best ways to do the Ring of Kerry and I definitely recommend it. The cycle may be a little more difficult, but it’s worth it!
If you decide to book into B&B’s or hotels then you will have less weight to carry on your bike. This is the option for you if you like your home comforts and want a hot shower at the end of the day! You may also cover more distance each day, so consider that when booking accommodation in different towns.
Again, I repeat that being flexible is the best way to be – we planned on camping every night, but we ended up booking into a B&B due to bad weather one day. I booked a B&B last minute on Booking.com so it might be an idea to have the app downloaded on your phone as mobile data coverage isn’t great in some areas.
8. Don’t forget the camping essentials
If you decide to camp, you may have a good idea already about what you need to bring. We ditched some of the regular camping gear we use when we bring the car as it’s just too heavy when cycling. Here’s a checklist that might help:
- Small, lightweight tent
- Sleeping bag
- Air mattress
- Inflatable ” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Charging bank & cable
Our first night wild camping in a secluded spot
