Frequently asked questions
Are you Bonded?
All our tours are fully bonded with a Travel Industry insurance bond. That means that you are fully protected against financial insolvency. Note that in order to qualify for a Bond we have to satisfy our own insurers of our financial position. In these difficult times we believe that represents a strong proposition that you would be well advised to secure for your own benefit.
I want to extend my holiday. Can you arrange a later/earlier ferry for me?
Yes, just give us a ring on 00353 89 254 1787 or send an email via our contact page.
I want to travel on a ferry from a port nearer to me. Can you organise this for me?
Of course, not a problem, just say where you would like to come from and leave the rest to us
Do you ride in convoy?
Escorted Tours Only: Every tour is different – on shorter tours people do tend to stick together and we try to restrict our speed to a pace that everyone is comfortable with, consistent with making satisfactory progress. On longer tours the group usually breaks down to fours and fives travelling together at a similar pace. We provide detailed written route plans and a full GPS route file (not just the destination) for every day of the tour that you can load into a Garmin or TomTom, so you can ride at whatever pace you like.
What type of bikes come on your tours?
Again, depends upon the nature of the tour. Short breaks can be anything although we recommend nothing less than 600cc. In reality you can tour on any bike if you are sufficiently resourceful and provided that you don’t mind making your own way using the Route Plans and GPS info that we provide for you.
Are the bikes secure?
We always look for Hotels with secure parking arrangements and encourage you to bring heavy duty locks with you just in case.
Where can I hire a bike from?
We have access to plenty of bikes for hire so when it comes to booking the tour decide if you need one we can do the rest and find a suitable bike for you. Don’t worry, we have access to bikes to suit all skill levels
Must we ride every day?
No. We try to plan a rest day every three to four days and on some trips we spend three nights in the same hotel. This is generally scheduled for cities or towns where there are special attractions for which you’ll want to spend more than one night. It’s up to you if you wish to ride on these free days.
What is the average age of your customers?
Our guests are avid motorcyclists who enjoy touring by motorcycle, and who prefer premium level accommodations and meals and attention to personalised service. They are generally in their late 40s to their late 60s with some a bit younger and a few a bit older. They are mostly either successful retired people or professional people who have the time to get away on such trips and have sufficient disposable income to be able to do so. About half of our riders are couples riding two-up and sometimes a spouse will ride in our comfortable support vehicle. The testimonials on our web site provide an excellent means to learn more about our customers. Average age is probably nearer 50 but everyone is welcome!
What standard of hotels do you use?
Nothing less than four star with in room facilities on our Escorted tours. On longer tours often quite luxurious five star Hotels. Stopovers along the route route minimally four star Hotels – see individual tour descriptions. Price of the tour is a good indicator – as with everything else, you get what you pay for!
Are other meals included?
See tour details on the website – all included items are specified. We try to leave space in the itinerary for you to eat out if we are staying in a nice place with good restaurants nearby. Makes a nice change from group meals every night and you can decide the type of eating experience you want. We recognize that not everybody wants a three course meal every night.
I am a vegetarian..
So are an increasing number of our clients that’s why we make special provision for you on the Booking Form. All that we ask is that you let us know IN ADVANCE whether you eat fish or dairy products or any other dietary requirements so that we can put in requests for you at the Hotels.
What clothes do I take?
Casual but smart dress for the evening meal especially in the four and five star hotels.
What do you do if it rains?
Get wet.
What is the weather going to be like?
Ireland is called the Emerald Isle for a reason, its generally wetter than you expect so be prepared. As a rule of thumb, the further south you go, the warmer it gets.
Is there a luggage van?
No. If you are not sure what to take with you ask for our Suggested Packing List.
How many miles do you travel each day?
It varies, depending on road conditions and attractions along our route. Many days include fewer than 200 miles of riding, and it’s unusual for any day to exceed 250 miles. If so, be assured you’ll be on good, high-speed roads. Our trips are designed to provide a good mix of sightseeing and riding. The schedule provides time for a nice breakfast, a leisurely lunch, some sightseeing and arrival at the hotel in time for some local sightseeing and relaxation before dinner. We usually arrive at our destination by about 3:30 or 4 o’clock in the afternoon. We design our longer tours as two or three centre holidays. This gives you the chance to unpack your clothes and relax. .
On the Escorted tours what is the size of your groups?
The average number of motorcycles on our tours is around 6.
What if I have to cancel before the trip, can I get my deposit back?
We strongly recommend that you obtain trip cancellation/interruption insurance from an insurance company or opt for protection available from Bike Irish. This protection provides for payment of a refund in the event you are prevented from taking or completing the trip because of a qualifying circumstance. Additional information on this option is included on our web page: Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection.
