It Began
The Lavelle Family opened Teach Cruachán B&B in their century old extended cottage in Dooagh in 1987. They set up Achill Bikes in 2011 to coincide with the opening of the Great Western Greenway from Westport to Achill Sound. For the first couple of years they provided a service along the Greenway, but many new operators set up shop in Westport, Newport, Mulranny and Achill Sound. Dooagh is 20km from the Greenway at Achill Sound, which is a long cycle from Dooagh, and Michael, Roisin and Michael Jnr decided to look closer to home for inspiration.
They didn’t have to look far, as the Achill Cycle Hub had recently been developed and signage erected along three Cycle Loops that cover most of the island. The hub for these routes is Keel village, just 3 km from Achill Bikes HQ in Dooagh.
Lots of visitors to Achill have already cycled on the Greenway, and now they’re looking for an authentic local experience. With Achill Bikes they can discovery the quiet roads that wind through beautiful Achill Island while using the most sustainable method of transportation – a bicycle. Achill Island is the perfect location for cycling, with majestic sea cliffs, sandy beaches, blanket bogs and rugged hills. Traffic is light and people drive on Achill with a road-sharing attitude.
We are happy to advise our clients on the most suitable bicycles for them, and their children, and we offer guidance on routes that are particularly suitable for various abilities.
Bicycles
Speaking of rugged hills, electric bicycles are fast becoming the favoured mode of transport around Achill Island. They take the pressure off adult cyclists, allowing them to relax and appreciate the beauty that surrounds them. Depending on the bicycle’s specification, the terrain, and the level of assistance selected enroute, an eBike will help you cycle up to 100km around hilly Achill. Our eBikes are manufactured in Europe to a high specification, and with one you’ll be able to cycle from Dooagh, around the longest and most challenging Cycle Loop 1, take a couple of spurs off the loop, and arrive back in Dooagh with power to spare.
Of course, if you prefer a workout, we have a good supply of hybrid and premium hybrid bicycles to choose from. We supply helmets and hi-visibility vests free of charge to every cyclist. We’ve often supplied them for our clients’ friends who have their own bikes too, as safety while cycling is important.
We inspect and service all our bicycles regularly, and our qualified bicycle mechanic follows a strict maintenance schedule for each bike throughout the season. We are Raleigh partners, and they supply the spare parts we use to keep our bikes in tip-top condition.
