The Ring of Beara Cycle is one of Ireland's most popular cycling events, bringing thousands of riders to the Beara Peninsula each year. Through the Backroads Give Back Program, Ireland Field Staff volunteered at a support station, helping cyclists stay hydrated and safe during an unexpected heat wave.
If you’ve ever traveled through southwest Ireland, you know that the Beara Peninsula feels a little different. The roads are quieter, the pace is slower, and the landscapes have a way of making you stop and stare. It’s one of the reasons I love leading trips here.
Because I have family who live out on the Beara Peninsula, I used to come here to visit as a child. Back then it was a rugged, rainy, outdoor playground that you could safely run wild in. When I returned here to work with Backroads years later, I saw it through fresh eyes: the magic and warmth of the people, the pubs, the music, the vibrant shades of green and, most importantly, the strong sense of community. After being scheduled here in my first year as a Trip Leader, I’ve been desperate to come back every year since.
The area is also home to the Ring of Beara Cycle Kenmare, an annual cycling event that brings over 4,500 riders from across Ireland and beyond to experience this remarkable corner of County Kerry. One of the most popular cycling events in Ireland, it offers routes between 85km and 140km taking riders along rugged coastline, mountain passes and colorful villages.
Supporting the Ring of Beara
This year, our Ireland Field Staff had the opportunity to support the ride through the Backroads Give Back Program. Rather than a donation or conservation project, we volunteered our time to operate one of the event support stations along the route.
At first, it seemed straightforward enough: set up a rest stop, hand out snacks, cheer people on and enjoy a day spent around bikes and fellow cyclists.
Then the weather had other plans.
When the Heat Arrived
Ireland isn’t exactly known for heat waves, but on event day temperatures climbed well beyond what riders (and organizers) typically expect. As cyclists began arriving at our station, it quickly became clear that what we thought would be a simple support stop had become something much more important.
Riders rolled in tired, hot and searching for water. Many told us they hadn’t encountered enough hydration opportunities along the route and were incredibly relieved to see our team waiting with refreshments, encouragement and a place to regroup before continuing.
We refilled bottles. We handed out snacks. We chatted with riders about the route ahead. We celebrated personal milestones and encouraged people through challenging moments. Most importantly, we helped keep everyone safe and comfortable during an unexpectedly demanding day on the bike.
By the end of the event, we had welcomed hundreds of riders through our station. While the original plan may have been to simply lend a hand, the reality was that our support stop became a vital part of the day for many participants.
Community on Two Wheels
One of the things I love most about cycling is how it brings people together. Whether it’s a Backroads trip, a local charity ride or a community cycling event like the Ring of Beara, bikes have a unique way of creating connections between people who might otherwise never meet.
That’s what made this Give Back project feel so meaningful. We were supporting a tradition that celebrates the landscape, the local community and the joy of being outside on two wheels.
At Backroads, we spend our days helping guests experience places actively and authentically, ensuring they’re well fed, watered and safe. This project gave us the chance to support an event that does exactly the same thing for the broader cycling community.
And while we’ll happily remember the sunshine, the laughter and the spectacular scenery, we’ll probably also remember the endless requests for water.
