The western counties of Ireland, in particular the Wild Atlantic Way, are quite busy during the summer months. The usual bucket list destinations attract crowds that fleet for a moment, capturing instagram friendly snaps, and off again leaving a trail of hash-tags and filters.
I’m not sure what it is that attracts me to hills. It could be a number of things. It could be the reward of freewheeling manically downhill. Maybe it’s the chance to empty your brain, focusing on the one task of carrying you and your bike upwards. Or perhaps it’s the self congratulatory pat on the back for your efforts . It’s probably a bit of all three!
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Poster Design by Laura McMorrow
It’s almost time for Leitrim Cycling Festival, 2018.
June 22nd -24th.
We’ll have cycling adventure talks, art workshops, cycle picnic, music, a scary-go round, bike olympics, circus fancy dress, cycle theatre, and of course some cycling through lovely Leitrim!! Read More
We are at the early and giddy stages of planning a festival of cycling and hiking the wilds of Leitrim in the North West of Ireland.
Dates have been confirmed and venues booked. We’re planning some amazing routes and campout locations. A request for fine weather is pending…
The whole idea behind hiking, cycle touring or bikepacking is moving through the country side at a slow pace, taking time to absorb your surroundings and acknowledging the beauty of it all.
To help you acknowledge this beauty it’s a well known ‘fact’ you become more observant of your surroundings after a cup of good coffee! Read More
Whether you’re location scouting for moody electro-synth music videos or in the need of a healthy dose of fresh air there’s no better place than North Leitrim, Ireland!
In Ireland there is an old folk tale that warns against picking wild berries after Halloween. The Púka (a mischievous shape shifting Irish fairy) will pee and spit all over the wild berries once October has passed rendering them inedible. So although rose hip berries are visible throughout the winter it’s best to leave them to the Púca!
Leitrim, in the North West of Ireland, can be divided into two parts, the lowlands of the south and the highlands of the north, with Lough Allen in the middle. I’ll explore the south of the county on another day but for now the North Leitrim hills awash with it’s autumn colour have me enthralled. With rippling hills, unmanicured hedgerows, glacial lakes and a vast network of meandering little roads to explore it’s a cyclists seventh heaven!
After a wet and blustery start to August it’s tempting to conjure up some druidic magic to try to save the remainder of the ‘summer’ before it’s swept away by our unforgiving weather. Thankfully you won’t need to sacrifice any virginal bride in a public ceremony, instead making and bottling some meadowsweet cordial should be enough to at least remind you of the summery good times!
