Adventure Bike Rider Forum

Great thanks 92kk

What time would you say I need to hit the road in the morning on the day we do the ring of kerry to avoid getting stuck behind the coaches going anti clockwise ?

Are you planning on returning to London Monday? If so,you'll need a quite direct route? That being the case,and still wanting to take in some of the Beacons,from Fishguard take the B4313 south to the A40. You'll just edge the Preseli mtn. Follow the A40 thru Carmarthen,Llandeilo,Llandovery. Nice ride from Carmarthen. Stop in Llandovery at the West End Cafe?. Then follow the A40 towards Brecon. If you've time,I thoroughly recommend a small detour at Llywel/Trecastle. You'll see a church on the left. Follow the rd up the hill to the top. Thats the military range.. Eppynt. Stunning views! Then at Brecon,follow the A470 all the way to Cardiff/M4? or A40/Abergavenny,A449 Newport?.

My advice is that if weather is good and it looks likely go for it early. Plenty of places to stop, the Ring itself is about 110 miles and a little diversion out to Valentia is recommended and take in Ballinskelligs while you are at it. It's off the ring near Cahirciveen/Waterville and is no longer an island, bridge built in the 60s.

Some nice places for coffee stop and wander at Kenmare, Sneem, Ballinskelligs, Glenbeigh, Killorglin and more.

If weather is good and sunny give a thought to going anti clockwise from Killarney early and when you get back around to Kenmare do a shortish divert over the inverted arch bridge out to Lauragh and over the Healy Pass down to Adrigole and Glengarriffe for a coffee. Then come back same way and over Moll's Gap/Ladyies' View to Killarney, it's a short detour but a very nice one and daylight good to almost 9pm.

If its a very sunny day clockwise probably better to avoid excess sun in eyes and sun on landscape looks better! Plan B is then carry on to Dingle Peninsula as far as Inch Beach.

Early start and miss the coaches but tourists drive on both sides of the roads!

Muckross House and Gardens at Killarney is touristy but the grounds are fabulous. House is worth a visit but time may be against you.

A slow day on the Ring itself in good bike weather is really worth it even without going off anywhere. At the moment it looks like you are getting a good one.

Paul - how did you get on?
Anyone -
I'm scheming a similar idea from Manchester to Dublin and big clockwise loop via Cork, Kerry, up the west coast picking up the major sights on the way, right up to the Casuseway, Belfast and either back via Dublin or Belfast- Stranraer.
It's around a 1300 mile loop, Mon-Friday.
Camping or B&B, pre-book or just wing it?
Probably early in August on my Stelvio....but could use the CCM if I put the K60's back on
Any easy off road tracks to throw in, forest trails or similar, nothing difficult as I'll be solo.
Appreciate any info.

Camp it and you are not tied to anything.
Secondly weather is variable and if the sun is in Antrim and the rain is in Kerry when you come off the ferry head for Antrim and see it in sunshine and good weather.
Nothing worse than heading somewhere in the rain and looking at somewhere you will be going a few days later sitting in sunshine.
You won't have a problem camping even in August.
B&B you may struggle a bit but most B&Bs will find you somewhere to stay and if you are in one they will help you find one for the next evening. We have used them and just simply turned up. They tend to book up early in the day and US visitors are up a lot this year, they go hotels and B&B a lot.
What you are planning is achievable but if you go flexible it's worth considering dropping some part if weather is not to your liking and enjoying the best of it.
Personally I prefer camping but normally go for a few days in the one place rather than moving on every day. However either works and I bring a smaller tent if I am moving every day. Camp sites are good, campers kitchens etc but wild camping can be nice too.

Thanks for the guidance, it will be made up as I go, i'm flexible on the dates so hope to pick a 'good' week.

I quite fancy riding Kerry's Ring at some point, anyone got any good photos?

You can check out my short trip here, done a few weeks ago. Found that the Ring of Beara was amazing and most of the photos in my post are of that area. Whichever way, the SW area of Ireland is amazing, you'll enjoy it! (thumbs)

IainD wrote:I quite fancy riding Kerry's Ring at some point, anyone got any good photos?

I was there in April, although the weather was OK in Kerry, it was bloody awful in Galway

IainD wrote:I quite fancy riding Kerry's Ring at some point, anyone got any good photos?

Don't bother with the Ring - ride fhe Wild Atlantic Way instead. Download the app and take a look.