Ring of Kerry cycle, Saturday July 3rd 2010

kayaksurfbum

Anyone know the date for this?

[mod note: added date to thread title]

Chips Lovell

It's usually the first Saturday in July I think.

CheGuedara

That right - if they change it they'll be bucking more that 25yrs of tradition

kayaksurfbum

Was hoping ye wouldn't say that! People getting married can be so inconsiderate. Was great spin last year will be a shame to miss it.:mad:

SunshineCyclist

You should pick another day and do it with a group of friends

cdaly_

What? The wedding?...

CheGuedara

We had a few that couldn't do it on the day and like that did it the following weekend (and nice and casual for themselves with food/beer stops along the way!)

vektarman

kayaksurfbum wrote: »

Was hoping ye wouldn't say that! People getting married can be so inconsiderate. Was great spin last year will be a shame to miss it.:mad:

Funny you should that because I'm sure I saw a bride in her dress taking part in this years ROK, but then again it was near the end and I was dehydrating/hallucinating a bit:)

vektarman

kayaksurfbum wrote: »

Anyone know the date for this?

The date has been set as Saturday July 3rd for this.

http://www.ringofkerrycycle.ie/

DirkVoodoo

vektarman wrote: »

The date has been set as Saturday July 3rd for this.

http://www.ringofkerrycycle.ie/

I think I'll do this again, I hate doing a sportive and leaving with bad memories (not the off-the-bike stuff, that was good!).

Captain Havoc

I won't be doing it this year, which is a pity because I really loved it.

Chips Lovell

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

I think I'll do this again, I hate doing a sportive and leaving with bad memories (not the off-the-bike stuff, that was good!).

What happened to you? All I remember from that weekend is

Pub
Nightclub
?????
Miss Kerry
?????
Pub
Nightclub

Raam

One of those ???? involved you and me riding in pink.

trek climber

el tonto wrote: »

What happened to you? All I remember from that weekend is

Pub
Nightclub
?????
Miss Kerry
?????
Pub
Nightclub

You would not be only one in that position

vektarman

Online registrations are now open for this.

www.ringofkerrycycle.ie

murf85

Hey all!

Really looking forward to doing the ring of kerry this year.

Was just wondering though from people who took part last year, what time would you be expecting to complete this in...just so i have a distance/time to be aiming for during summer training?

Cheers

ROK ON

murf85 wrote: »

Hey all!

Really looking forward to doing the ring of kerry this year.

Was just wondering though from people who took part last year, what time would you be expecting to complete this in...just so i have a distance/time to be aiming for during summer training?

Cheers

Depends.
Did it twice.
Year 1. 8hrs
Year 2. 6h15M
Difference. Fitter and rode in a bunch.
Aim sub 6 no stops.

pab_lowe

hi there, Is this event still on? Have been trying to access their site but without success. Have not done this before but would am looking forward to it.

apologies, patience is a virtue. Got on the site, I guess it was down to volume of traffic with the registration opening today

penexpers

Got my sponsorship card and number today.

They've moved the start (again) to the race course. Staggered start from 6am.

Heisenberg.

This post has been deleted.

lescol

You'll be fine as 2-3 in your group. It could well be safer than the insanity of the riders and drivers on the ROK cycle! Maybe why they're introducing a staggered start.

penexpers

lescol wrote: »

You'll be fine as 2-3 in your group. It could well be safer than the insanity of the riders and drivers on the ROK cycle! Maybe why they're introducing a staggered start.

There was a staggered start last year too. And even before last year (2008 was the first year I did it), I saw some cyclists setting off at 6am.

Also, I wouldn't be surprised if they started charging an entry fee from next year.

lescol

I've done the ROK every year since 2000. The "official" start was always around 8.00 following a little talk by politician/bishop, however, there were always a lot of cyclists on the road before then, if you talked to them they would say they'd set off early because they were slow and didn't want to be back too late.

ROK ON

penexpers wrote: »

There was a staggered start last year too. And even before last year (2008 was the first year I did it), I saw some cyclists setting off at 6am.

Also, I wouldn't be surprised if they started charging an entry fee from next year.

That would be a retrograde step. The simple chaotic beauty of the ROK is that it genuinely is a community event where lots of folk make sandwiches etc to come out a cheer you on.

Most events attract bike nuts and so does the ROK however it also attracts folk who want to raise funds for a charity and use the event as their vehicle. While having all sorts of people on the road can and does cause mayhem the greater good should be balanced against this. In 2008 the ROK got me back on the bike and has been one of the best things I have done. I discovered how much I loved cycling. I was fat and unfit. I raised 12k for Kerry Down Syndrome and had a great day.
It is a great event and to charge for it when so many folks put in such a huge effort on and off the bike would be a shame and would detract from what it is actually about.

However it should be better marshalled with less experienced cyclist being helped to enjoy their tough day safely.

penexpers

ROK ON wrote: »

That would be a retrograde step.

I agree with this but the problem is there's too many freeloaders. A lot of people either don't bother registering or register and pay no sponsorship money or even worse get sponsored for it for a completely different charity to the one that It's always been run with the organisers trusting people not to abuse their system, but I think as it has gotten bigger more and more people have abused the system.

penexpers

Anyone here planning to do this? I'm 90% sure that I will be doing it again.

Raam

great fun last year, but probably out.

irishmotorist

Yep - I will be doing it. Got my pack already and everything and booked accomodation. Can't wait already

lescol

I'll be there, always look forward to the ROK.

ROK ON

I hope to be doing it, I cycle these roads ob my own a lot. It is great to do it with such a huge gang of people on the roads.
My worry is road conditions.
Sneem to Blackwater bridge road is in ribbobs. While the hairpins from Galweys bridge (after Ladies View) to the tunnel at the bottom is as dangerous an N-Road as I have ever seen. The descent could be an interesting experience.

madrabui

ROK ON wrote: »

I hope to be doing it, I cycle these roads ob my own a lot. It is great to do it with such a huge gang of people on the roads.
My worry is road conditions.
Sneem to Blackwater bridge road is in ribbobs. While the hairpins from Galweys bridge (after Ladies View) to the tunnel at the bottom is as dangerous an N-Road as I have ever seen. The descent could be an interesting experience.

Same as myself. I have front shocks and last weekend I was grateful I hadn't swapped it for a (no suspension) road bike.

damoz

I will be doing it - starting from Kenmare at 6:30 or so.

ROK ON

damoz wrote: »

I will be doing it - starting from Kenmare at 6:30 or so.

Can I be nosy and ask your reason for Kenmare start. I start ther but makes sense as I live there. Usually a gang of 300 or so start from the town. So you will have plenty of company even at that time.

Chips Lovell

Missing it this year for the first time in a few years as I'll be abroad. I always enjoy this one. Nice roads, beauty queens at food stops and shots of sambuca in Mustang Sallys. What's not to like?

crashoveroid

I'm torn between the ROK and a crit that is on Blarney that evening and road Race on Sunday the dilemma of it all.

rash

ROK ON wrote: »

I hope to be doing it, I cycle these roads ob my own a lot. It is great to do it with such a huge gang of people on the roads.
My worry is road conditions.
Sneem to Blackwater bridge road is in ribbobs. While the hairpins from Galweys bridge (after Ladies View) to the tunnel at the bottom is as dangerous an N-Road as I have ever seen. The descent could be an interesting experience.

Think I heard on Radio Kerry today that the Sneem to Kenmare road is closed for resurfacing between Sneem and Blackwater Bridge.... so that should be one less thing to worry about

ROK ON

crashoveroid wrote: »

I'm torn between the ROK and a crit that is on Blarney that evening and road Race on Sunday the dilemma of it all.

If you do them all you will have your very own Criterium International.

damoz

ROK ON wrote: »

Can I be nosy and ask your reason for Kenmare start. I start ther but makes sense as I live there. Usually a gang of 300 or so start from the town. So you will have plenty of company even at that time.

Staying in Kenmare for the week - a staycation. Will definitely be 3 of us strarting from there... so if theres 300 more even better.

crashoveroid

ROK ON wrote: »

If you do them all you will have your very own Criterium International.

now your talking interesting could be a sugar filled day

vektarman

I'm number 007 for this, mmm... sounds vaguely familiar..

penexpers

Haven't booked accomodation yet. Some of the prices of the hotels are shocking - still stuck in 2007.

ROK ON

penexpers wrote: »

Haven't booked accomodation yet. Some of the prices of the hotels are shocking - still stuck in 2007.

Would you try a b&b, given that so much commentary suggests that b&bs are struggling vis a vis hotels.
Staying a little bit outside Killarney may help.

CheGuedara

Have heard Killarney is still in denial about the whole recession thing alright...

DirkVoodoo

el tonto wrote: »

Missing it this year for the first time in a few years as I'll be abroad. I always enjoy this one. Nice roads, beauty queens at food stops and shots of sambuca in Mustang Sallys. What's not to like?

Nooooooooo!

And yes, Killarney was shockingly pricey last year, but what fun!

Aquos76

I have a deal done with a 4 star hotel in Killarney, €139pps 2 night bed & breakfast and 1 evening meal, I think there are a couple of rooms left for me, we've taken about 10 room so far. I'll comfirm tomorrow, feel free to pm me if you would like to take a room.

penexpers

Aquos76 wrote: »

I have a deal done with a 4 star hotel in Killarney, €139pps 2 night bed & breakfast and 1 evening meal, I think there are a couple of rooms left for me, we've taken about 10 room so far. I'll comfirm tomorrow, feel free to pm me if you would like to take a room.

Thanks for that. Only looking to stay one night (Friday). Have to get back home for work on Sunday.

AstraMonti

I am looking only for Friday as well!

I found a couple of B&Bs which do 30-35 for a single room, not bad.

AstraMonti

For anyone interested I found these to be the cheapest for single room:

http://www.hiltonheightsbnb.com/
http://www.sikalodge.com/
http://www.nashvillekillarney.com/

Jumpy

vektarman wrote: »

I'm number 007 for this, mmm... sounds vaguely familiar..

No Mr Bond ... I expect you to ride ...

AstraMonti

You 're riding with that?

Aquos76

Has anyone got a link to the exact route for this, Ive found one on mapmyride, however it seems to be a little shorter that the 112 mile stated on the website