Bike sizing and
fitting will be carried out in detail. If you wish to bring your
own saddle or pedals we will fit them to our bikes for you. The
single most important element of the tour is the bike fitting
session. Consider how much time and effort is expended fitting
an engine to a vehicle. In cycling, you are the engine.
Fit is critical.
Your body will not adopt to an ill fitting bicycle. You must start
with the appropriate frame size.That's why we request your inseam
measurement on our booking form. Handlebar and saddle adjustments
optimize your anatomical geometry to deliver power to the pedals
throughout the week while, while avoiding any injury. Most people
arrive the day before the tour starts. I take full advantage of
this extra time by spending all day fitting out group members.
By fitting people with bikes for over 15 years I have learnt,
through experience, the single most important thing that you must
have is the proper size bike frame to start with. It's the foundation
to a successfully fitting. That's why we use a bike that comes
in seven different frame sizes ranging from 13 to 24 inches. Customizing
the fit with non-standard adjustable stems will get you into the
sitting position that best suits your requirements. Anyway enough
about bike fitting, we take it
seriously
and it will be done correctly.
Before we do any
cycling we will discuss the route and how to interpret the daily
route maps. On the back of each map you will find detailed instructions
for each junction you will encounter. Some people navigate better
with the map, some people prefer the instruction but the favorite
navigation aids are the yellow arrows sprayed at each junction,
pointing you in the correct direction. From the map on the right
you can see that we stay on the country lanes avoiding the larger
roads.
We have selected
deserted country lanes to get you started on the tour. They serve
the local farms and steer clear of all but one little village,
Quinn where we will have lunch. We will use a motorbike in conjunction
with one of the busses to support you today. The use of the motorbike
is invaluable as it ensures we maintain exceptional levels of
contact with you. Being your first day on the tour, we are anxious
to help you to become familiar with the maps and the directional
arrows we have painted at the relevant junctions. The motorcycle
allows us to comb the entire route several times throughout the
day. We could be accused of overkill in relation to contact with
the guides on the first day, but to be honest that's what we're
going for. We will pull back a little bit and give you more space
from
the second day on. Rest assured, with the GPS cell phones provided
we will know exactly where you are.
We encourage the
group to split up and spread out as much as much as possible.
Within 1 hour of the tour starting the group will spread out by
as much as 8 to 10 miles, with many people opting to explore the
small by-roads that cover the Irish countryside. Today’s
cycling will be based in an area dotted with small farmhouses
and cottages. The route will be a loop route starting and finishing
in Bunratty. You can choose any distance that you feel comfortable
with today. The roads for today’s route are particularly
quiet and wander through the farmland and forestry of south Clare.
We encourage everyone
to cycle at their own pace so dispersal of the group will occur
naturally. You are free to enjoy a sense of adventure as you explore
the minor roads safe in the knowledge that support is just a call
away. . We would aim to finish cycling today around 6-00PM. Dinner
will be booked for 7-00PM. After dinner there is a good selection
of pubs in the village of Bunratty .