Tour of the Irish Lake District Sept 3-8 2023
Damon Blackband
Tour of the Irish Lake District (Kingfisher Trail)
Sunday, September 3, 20235:00 PM
Friday, September 8, 20239:00 AM
The Kingfisher Cycle Trail was the first long distance cycle trail in Ireland and follows minor country roads through the border counties of Fermanagh, Leitrim, Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan. The trail travels through landscape dotted with rivers and lakes and is without doubt one of the most unspoilt and stunning areas of the British Isles.
Pedal Lincolnshire / Imp Adventures will spend 4-days cycling around the beautiful Irish Lake District in Sept 2023, starting and finishing in reputedly Britains friendliest town - Enniskillen.
This unique mixture of lake-lands, canal side tracks, rolling hills, leafy lane-ways and mountain climbs make the Kingfisher Trail the ideal choice for all levels of Cyclist. The Kingfisher Cycle Trail covers approximately 430kms of public roadway winding through rural countryside, Lake-lands, Atlantic Coast and Mountain Tral
Enniskillen Castle
Quiet country lanes wind through patchwork farmland, past glistening lakes and along mighty rivers. Wondrous caves and limestone hillsides reveal thousands of years of geology while ruined castles and majestic country estates show how life would have been in bygone days – cycling the Kingfisher Cycle Trail is an adventure that combines the very best of Ireland’s nature and history.
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You will ride through Fermanagh, Leitrim, Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan counties. Each with countless loughs (lakes) both big and small, as well as canals and rivers, such as the River Shannon, the longest river in the British Isles. Keep your eyes peeled whilst you cycle and you might spot the illustrious kingfisher darting above the waters. The route is named after this beautiful bird which calls its lakes, waterways, and open countryside home.
Devenish Tower Co Fermanagh
The Northern Loop is a 176 km circular from Enniskillen around Lower Lough Erne lake. At 254 km, the Southern Loop is the longest section, exploring the Cuilcagh Mountains and the lake-lands of Lough Erne and Lough Melvin, it also explores the rural uplands between Enniskillen and Garrison whilst also visiting County Monaghan’s countryside from the town of Clones.
From the plantations of the 16th century to turbulent border disputes, this area is steeped in history. Humans have shaped the landscapes here for many thousands of years, evidence of which is still seen today in the crumbling castle walls, ruined abbeys, and mystical stone circles.
Route starts in Enniskillen and tours two x loops, both anti-clockwise in direction
Aside from the popular Bencroy Pass, the route doesn’t include any big climbs. You gently rise and fall through the picturesque countryside on minor roads and pretty lanes. You should be a confident road user as there are some sections in busier traffic. The surfaces are always paved so any bike is suitable for this journey.
Our trip includes hotel accommodation on the evening prior to the start in Enniskillen and at the finish in Enniskillen as well as three nights during the challenge. All meals and rest stop snacks are included as are the professional services of cycle guides, medics, mechanics and support drivers as required. Participants will be required to drop their bikes off in Lincoln and collect them from there following the event, so all they have to do is arrange their flight to Belfast and catch the 2hr 20 min coach for the scenic drive to Enniskillen. (several coaches run daily inc Sun direct from Belfast Europa Coach Park to Enniskillen and cost approx £15-20 each way) Places are limited and all hotels will soon be booked so please register early to avoid disappointment. (12 rider limit)
Dates: Sept 03 - 08 (arrive Sunday - depart Friday)
Price Rate: £1000 - Single supplement £tbc Deposit £200
Grading: B
No of People: 14
Itinerary
Day 0 – Arrive Belfast Int or City Airport in the morning and take public transport or taxi to Belfast Europa Coach Stn and take pre-booked coach to Enniskillen. Please aim to arrive between 4-6pm
Day 1 Enniskillen to Ballyshannon 110km tbc
Day 2 Ballyshannon to Carrick-on-Shannon 110km tbc
Day 3 Carrick-on-Shannon to Clones 110km tbc
Day 4 Clones to Enniskillen 100km tbc
Day 5 - Depart for Belfast after breakfast. (9am and 10am coaches arrive Belfast at 11:20am and 12:20pm)
Included
Hotel accommodation 5 nights
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack stops
Vehicle support
Services of leader/mechanic/ medic
Spare cycle in case of mechanical failure,
Cycled + baggage transfers From Lincoln rtn
Route information and cycle guide with group
Certificate and medal for those that complete the trip.
Not Included
Clothing or Equipment
Insurance
Flights to/from Belfast/home
transfers from Belfast to/from Enniskillen
Tips and Gratuities
Drinks other than rest stops
Other Information
Accommodation & Food:
This is a hotel based holiday and accommodation is generally graded 3* or similar. We book en-suite rooms wherever possible but this cannot be guaranteed. Single people travelling alone will be booked into a twin bedded room with another single person of the same sex – unless the single room price for the holiday has been paid and rooms are available. Breakfast will be provided at the accommodation each morning and dinner each evening. Lunch will be taken on route and will be either a cafe/pub or a prepared van-stop. (The evening meals as usual will be a 2-3 course quality offering)
Start: The trip starts at our hotel in Enniskillen, there is a regular bus service to and from Enniskillen from Belfast. Bikes and bags can be dropped off in Lincoln and collected from there after the event.
Finish: The cycling ends in Enniskillen with a celebration meal on the Thursday night Participants may ask to have their bikes and bags transported to Lincoln for later collection.
Documents: Insurance is strongly advised for this event as we visit both Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic.
Bikes: Lightweight drop-handlebar road bikes with a broad range of gears (11/34 cassettes) are suitable for this trip but 4-season tyres are strongly advised. The most important thing is that your bike functions properly and that you are comfortable riding it. However you should make sure that it has suitable gears as there are some steep hills on parts of the route! Most people will require a cycle with a double compact chainset.
Travel: Flights to Belfast from Luton with Easyjet can be had as follows:
Sun 3rd Sept 2023 08:40 rtn Fri 8th Sept 14;30 £65
Goldliner coaches depart Belfast at 1:20pm and 3::20pm and arrive at 3:40pm and 5:40pm and cost approx £15-£20 each way) Translink runs a regular airport bus service between between Belfast Int Airport and the Europa bust stn and is route No 300 from outside the terminal doors. (Taxis approx £38 and Uber are also available and may be convenient if a small group)
