EBIKE THROUGH IRELAND
Co Leitrim, located in the North West of Ireland has a landscape dotted with hills and valleys and is surrounded by mountains and lakes. There are myriad quiet country roads and lanes in this sparsely populated County that is ideal for either the cycling enthusiast or those who want to escape the maddening crowd and rejuvenate the body and soul.
Seamus and Eileen from Electric Bike Trails realised this fact and started a bike hire business
in their native Leitrim Village in 2012. Leitrim Village is located in the heart of the Shannon Blueway with canal pathways going north and east from the village, as well as being on the banks of the magnificent River Shannon.
The network of canals built in the 1900s for boat navigation are now being recognised and developed as a hive of outdoor adventure activity from stand up paddling, canoeing, kayaking to walking and cycling along the banks.
What’s on offer
Electric Bike Trails, as the name suggests, have seen the real potential for cycling for everybody with the provision of electric bike hire. We use the German brand Kalkhoff Electric Bikes which have proven to take people over the toughest mountain ranges without any real effort. You do have to pedal all the time but these fantastic bikes kick-in with the motor sensor and give you a boost of power when you feel you need it. With these bikes cycling is no longer an activity for the super fit.
Electric Bike Trails also stock a large range of regular hybrid bikes, children’s bikes, child carts and child seats and even a few tandems for a real laugh as you try to synchronise your pedalling with that of your partner. The service we provide includes all the cycling equipment such as helmets, hi-vis vests, pannier bags, bike locks, as well as specially selected trail maps to allow you to self-guide with ease.
The trails
The cycle trails vary from easy cycles along the canal banks, ideal for families with small children, to longer distances from 15 km to 65 km. One of our most popular trails is across Kilronan Mountain and Arigna Mountain to the highly-acclaimed Arigna Mining Experience where you get to marvel at the panoramic views over Lough Allen and Sliabh an Iarainn (The
Iron Mountain), as well as taking an underground tour of the old Arigna Mines with an ex-miner as a guide. There is a mining museum and a coffee shop to fritter away another hour or two before you hop on board your bike for the mostly downhill cycle back to base. This 36km ride can be enjoyed at your ease over the course of a day with a detour to see the River Shannon as it flows from Lough Allen at the hydrometric dam at Bellantra Bridge, with a picturesque return along the Shannon Blueway to Leitrim Village.
Other day tours include a short cycle around the Fairy Hill (Sheemore) which is renowned for its stories of fairies having a massive battle between the hills of Sheemoreand Sheebeg, hills made famous in a tune by Turlough O’ Carolan, the blind harper that wandered the lands of Leitrim in the 18th Century. If you are feeling really energetic you can cycle in the path of legends as you cross over Sliabh an Iarainn, the home of Tuatha De Danann. They were reputedly a race of small dark people who fled into the more inaccessible regions of the country. It is supposedly from these battle-shy little people that the myth of fairies and leprechauns emanated. This tour is best taken as a guided tour with a freshly-prepared picnic lunch at a hidden waterfall location.
Traditional hospitality
Here at Electric Bike Trails we like to provide you with a great cycling experience that will have you raving
about the beauty and hospitality of the area. Whether it’s good food, traditional Irish heritage or the best of local culture you are interested in, Electric Bike Trails have it all here in abundance. We will give you loads of tips to make your trip a memorable experience. Back up transport is available if required, so no need to worry about a thing. We also offer bike delivery to local accommodation.
Apart from day hire there are two to eight day tours available. There is a Castle-to-castle tour where you stay at the four star Kilronan Castle Estate and Spa Hotel and Lough Rynn Castle and Gardens Hotel, cycle through the heart of Co Leitrim and Electric Bike Trails will take care of your luggage. There’s a three day Shannon Highlands Tour including glamping accommodation in a Yurt at Pink Apple Orchard overlooking Lough Allen.
For the more experienced cyclist there is an eight day Lakelands to
Wild Atlantic Way Tour with B&B accommodation and luggage transfer. Electric Bike Trails also have a bike hire base at Lough Key Forest and Activity Park, Boyle Co Roscommon. There is an 8km traffic-free cycle path through natural woodland to enjoy which is very popular for a family fun cycle. Bikes can be hired by the hour during the spring/ summer season from Easter to the end of September.
For more information:
W: electricbiketrails.com E: info@electricbiketrails.com Tel: 00353 (0)87 7386439