Chain Gang CC Sportives 2010

CheGuedara

Hi all,

Just dropping a post on behalf of my club to make people aware of the opening of registration for our sportives to be held in September.

The Chain Gang CC, Tralee is happy to announce the 2010 edition of the Conor Pass Challenge, Kerrys premier challenge/sportive cycle.

In addition to this classic 110km course the Club will also be hosting a 30km family friendly cycle – the Camp Cruise and a 150km challenge cycle running the complete Dingle Peninsula called the Blasket Blast.

To ease entrants registration and to allow for better planning, online entry for the cycles has been set up for this year’s events via the following link - https://regonline.activeeurope.com/chain_gang_sportives - with entry pricing as follows:

• Camp Cruise 30km (10-18 years) - €5
• Camp Cruise 30km (18+) - €10
• Conor Pass Challenge (16+) - €10 with Cycling Ireland Licence, €20 without
• Blasket Blast (16+) - €10 with Cycling Ireland Licence, €20 without

Registration will also be available on the morning of the event but with the addition of a €5 late registration fee.

We are also happy to announce that our event accommodation partners, the Carlton Hotel Tralee, has kindly offered an event accommodation rate for participants travelling to Tralee for our 2010 sportive challenges. Participants wishing to avail of the discount will be able to book accommodation at the Carlton Hotel Tralee, just 2 minutes from the event start point, (CBS secondary school, Tralee) for the dates surrounding the event for just €45 B&B per person sharing/night (normally €80) or €70 single supplement B&B/night on mentioning the event at time of booking by phone - (066) 7199100 - and by presenting their event registration email on check in.

Route details and postal entry forms have been attached here and while every effort has been made to include as much information as possible, if you have any queries about your route don’t hesitate to drop a line at info@thechaingang.cc and we'll do our utmost to see you right.

We hope to put on a great set of cycles this year, with all the stops being pulled out to put on what we endeavour to make a brilliant day on the bike.

Come to Tralee and take on what we feel are the best challenge cycles, in some of the most spectacular countryside both Kerry and Ireland has to offer.

Kind regards,

Darragh Crowley
Club Secretary

hynesie

Should update the date on that poster

CheGuedara

D'oh!

and done!

CheGuedara

Just a quick update - the Chain Gang CC is happy to have Piranha Bike Products working with us on our sportives this year.

Piranaha have kindly offered some great prizes for the events and all entrants will be in with a chance of winning a little something to bring home in addition to (hopefully) a smile after a good day in the saddle and more kms on the tyres.

jwshooter

just looking into booking the hotel in your partners section . is there a deal with them ,as they have put up there prices for that weekend

CheGuedara

jwshooter wrote: »

just looking into booking the hotel in your partners section . is there a deal with them ,as they have put up there prices for that weekend

Hey, I don't have a web discount code from them just yet to apply the discount online but if you phone them and inform them you'd like to book in as a participant in the Chain Gang CC cycles in September they should give you the discounted rate straight away - if you have any trouble let me know and I'll chase things up for you

CheGuedara

The Conor Pass - the kind of challenging climb that could be confused on some days for the Col de Tourmalet...

CheGuedara

Looks like the weekend of the 18th/19th just became free for Kerry based cyclists after todays game in Croke Park...

High Nellie

Fair play to ye. But some of the other Kerry promoters might have a quibble with your claim of "Kerrys premier challenge/sportive cycle".

CheGuedara

High Nellie wrote: »

Fair play to ye. But some of the other Kerry promoters might have a quibble with your claim of "Kerrys premier challenge/sportive cycle".

TBH other 'promoters' describe their events as the 'ultimate cycling sportive' (to give one example) which would be an equally bold statement. I'd be inclined to leave quibbles to the side and let the event do the talking.

Our aim is to put on the best sportive over what we consider to be the best route in Kerry.

It's a strong statement and one we intend to live up to so we invite everyone to come along and take part to make up their own mind - online registration is open until September 10th and we'll have registration on the morning also.

buzzingnoise

Great day last year.

CheGuedara

Just one month to go to the 2010 Chain Gang CC Sportives!!

Are you ready to take on the Conor Pass Challenge?
Do you think you'll breeze around the Blasket Blast?
Or do you just want to chill on the Camp Cruise?

We look forward to seeing you on September 18th for whatever challenge you decide to take with us.

CheGuedara

Just a short post this morning to let people who might be considering taking part know that online entry will be closing on Friday

crashoveroid

CheGuedara wrote: »

Just a short post this morning to let people who might be considering taking part know that online entry will be closing on Friday

Looks like its going to be a good one.

ballyharpat

Wish I could do it, was looking forward to it, but I have my nephews christening that day. Would love to do Connors Pass for sure.

crashoveroid

I heard that a good few lads from Blarney CC are coming as well.

CheGuedara

Just four days to go and I've had a few questions come in to me today about suitability of bikes for the cycles on Saturday and said I'd better let people know what the story is.

Firstly, for the Chain Gang Sportives you don’t need to have an expensive bike, just that the one you do have is appropriate to the route you intend to take and that it is in a road worthy state, the basics being having:

• tyres in good order and correctly inflated,
• gears and brakes working properly and effectively and
• set up appropriately for the person using it i.e. saddle and bar height correct

Right – the next question is what type of bike should I use?

For the two longer routes a road bike is recommended. These events different than a charity cycle in that they have a minimum average speed to meet to avoid having to accept broom wagon assistance to be brought back in contact with the group – a road bike will be advantageous in keeping ahead of the broom and rolling with the rest of the peloton.

Hybrids/flat bar racers are fine for all routes – they’re not designed to go as fast or efficiently as a road bike but so long as the riders fitness is up to the challenge of the route they are OK.

Mountain bikes, even with slick tyres, are not recommended for the longer routes – they will put riders at a large aerodynamic and mechanical disadvantage that it is unlikely they will be able to overcome even if they are very fit. Mountain bikes are however quite suitable for the shorter route once the tyres are inflated to the recommended pressure.

Finally, while they are fast, they are not stable enough to use in a group of riders and so *Time Trial bikes are Not Allowed* on safety grounds.

kerryscoob

Entry on Saturday morning still ok??

CheGuedara

Yup, no problem at all - we should have the registration desk set up to take entries from 8am and from then untill ~9.20am before departing on the route @ 9.30am(ish)

ROK ON

What sort of numbers expected.
Sort of concerned that there is a broom wagon sweep. I mean is this expected to be an all out hammerfest to the base of the Pass.
I sorta like to go along at my own pace tbh.

crashoveroid

CheGuedara wrote: »

Just four days to go and I've had a few questions come in to me today about suitability of bikes for the cycles on Saturday and said I'd better let people know what the story is.

Firstly, for the Chain Gang Sportives you don’t need to have an expensive bike, just that the one you do have is appropriate to the route you intend to take and that it is in a road worthy state, the basics being having:

• tyres in good order and correctly inflated,
• gears and brakes working properly and effectively and
• set up appropriately for the person using it i.e. saddle and bar height correct

Right – the next question is what type of bike should I use?

For the two longer routes a road bike is recommended. These events different than a charity cycle in that they have a minimum average speed to meet to avoid having to accept broom wagon assistance to be brought back in contact with the group – a road bike will be advantageous in keeping ahead of the broom and rolling with the rest of the peloton.

Hybrids/flat bar racers are fine for all routes – they’re not designed to go as fast or efficiently as a road bike but so long as the riders fitness is up to the challenge of the route they are OK.

Mountain bikes, even with slick tyres, are not recommended for the longer routes – they will put riders at a large aerodynamic and mechanical disadvantage that it is unlikely they will be able to overcome even if they are very fit. Mountain bikes are however quite suitable for the shorter route once the tyres are inflated to the recommended pressure.

Finally, while they are fast, they are not stable enough to use in a group of riders and so *Time Trial bikes are Not Allowed* on safety grounds.

Does this mean i cant wear my tear drop helmet:)

Murph100

Hammerfest all the way !!!

ROK ON wrote: »

I mean is this expected to be an all out hammerfest to the base of the Pass.

crashoveroid

Murph100 wrote: »

Hammerfest all the way !!!

It will be good speed work for the Champs.

CheGuedara

ROK ON wrote: »

What sort of numbers expected.
Sort of concerned that there is a broom wagon sweep. I mean is this expected to be an all out hammerfest to the base of the Pass.
I sorta like to go along at my own pace tbh.

No - no fear of an all out hammerfest and we're hoping for 60+ for both the Conor Pass Challenge and Blasket Blast and we'd be very pleased to get 30-40 for the 30km route too (Not exactly an An Post sportive sized mob but from small seeds big trees grow).

We aim to keep things handy and comfortable on the road on the way out the peninsula and leave everyone climb at their own pace when the road starts to rise. The pace will not be stricltly controlled from Dingle but riders will have to stay stay behind the lead marshalls car until 20km from the finish when it will pull ahead to allow those that are on for it have 'the gallop home' over Curraghmore if they want to.

The only fear of the broom would be if one is totally unable to keep with other riders as the day goes on and becomes very disconnected from the main body of riders. In this situation a rider(s) will be given the opportunity to choose to accept broom support in rejoining the main bunch or continuing but without the advantage of following support vehicles.

This as we want to try to ensure the highest level of safety and support for all participants and this is best achieved in avoiding a situation where there are riders spread over a very large distance which would make ensuring everyone can be rapidly assisted by our support vehicles that much more difficult.

@Crash/Murph - while we don't have an official KOM (as it's a leisure event) I can see the Schlecks and Contadors on the day having a good pull off the Pass for the annual bragging rights as first to summit. Last year there was some amazing shows of climbing brilliance by Paul Griffin and others right to the summit - it would inspire anyone to train harder.

Oh, and we wont stop you from wearing the pointy aero hat - but the pointy bike has to stay at home!

Murph100

I nearly sold me bike after seeing that !!!

CheGuedara wrote: »

Last year there was some amazing shows of climbing brilliance by Paul Griffin and others right to the summit - it would inspire anyone to train harder.

CheGuedara

Murph100 wrote: »

I nearly sold me bike after seeing that !!!

I heard some people almost bought EPO after seeing that!!!

Apparently the view of them from the lead car was amazing. All it needed was a hovering Eurosport chopper and a yellow Mavic neutral support bike for it to look like part of the Tour of Ireland because the competition was right there on the road!

shg101

Hoping to turn up on Saturday morning to register assuming it's not pissing.

How tough is this climb by the way? What is max/average gradient? Got no Granny gear.

After the Etape Hibernia, my first event, I had assumed all these things had masses of riders. I won't have anywhere to hide with only 60+!

Murph100

Ah 'tis grand, sat nav says 6%, hits 8% or 9% in a few places but its alright, and its early on so, you've only 40km of a nice easy roll out from Tralee in the legs.

at1withmyself

CheGuedara wrote: »

Mountain bikes, even with slick tyres, are not recommended for the longer routes – they will put riders at a large aerodynamic and mechanical disadvantage that it is unlikely they will be able to overcome even if they are very fit. Mountain bikes are however quite suitable for the shorter route once the tyres are inflated to the recommended pressure.

That sounds like a challenge I've actually done the Conor's pass route a few times on a mountain bike with knobblies and had no issue's, the blasket one might be a bit long though but I'd still be willing to try as I have been around that part of the route as well on a mountainbike.

Had a great day out last year at this but after the trip to cork last weekend I'm staying local but will pencil it in for next year. Good luck to all taking part, some amazing scenery up on top of the pass.

High Nellie

Is there a food stop or will we have to load up?

High Nellie

BTW- the cost is very rasonable compared to some of the events which provide little value in return.

CheGuedara

High Nellie wrote: »

Is there a food stop or will we have to load up?

We'll have a foodstop and (a) waterstop(s) on all the routes to allow riders to fuel up - no need to load yourself up like an overworked domestique! There'll be a food stop in Dingle for Conor Pass Challenge and Blasket Blast participants and on in Camp Village Community Centre for those taking the Camp Cruise family cycle. Waterstops will be in Dingle (for BB riders coming back from Slea head) and Keel (outside Castlemaine, and for both BB and CPC riders).

We'd always recommend that riders bring a bidon or two on the bike and bring the energy products they'd normally use due the demands of these routes/distances. It's always better to have them and not need them than the opposite.

In any case our preferred LBS, O'Halloran Cycles, and High5 are to provide us with some goodies to distribute at sign on to help with these things

And there will be food and refreshments in Tralee when everyone gets back also!

CheGuedara

Just in case anyone has any difficulty finding the start point at CBS, The Green just open this LINK and put in your start point and it will give you directions right to the front gate

crashoveroid

CheGuedara wrote: »

Just in case anyone has any difficulty finding the start point at CBS, The Green just open this LINK and put in your start point and it will give you directions right to the front gate

Great work well done so far CheGuedara.

Murph100

Just back from the Chaingang Blasket Blast, absolutely fantastic, well done to the lads for putting on such a great event. Great food, facilities & people. Couldn't have asked for anything more. This is up there with the Sean Kelly, definitely, but with smaller numbers and an amazing route ( EPIC in fact ) and all for €20 !!! ( €10 for CI members ), High 5 goodie bag and all, and no poxy doll sized T Shirt either.

Put it in your calender for next year, not to be missed !!

ROK ON

Great day out. Did the 110km as I had to get home (story of my life).

About 200 signed on. Met Murph, Lescol, CheGuedara an unnamed boardsie lurker wering full kit (say hello, we dont bite). Crashoveroid there also I was told.

Pulled out of Tralee and hammerdrop really took me by surprise. Split into about 5 groups staright away and I was at the back. Next 5-8km was spent working up at furious pace. Finally made it onto to group two with a neighbour of mine and a few Tour de Munster guys. Group one was doing crazy pace into a gale. We averaged 30km/h for the 40km into this savage wind. Needless to say, I hid at the back out of the wind.

Hit Conor Pass too quickly. Spent next two km trying to get breathing and HR right. Was met on the climb by a neoghbour of mine who is an ironman triathlete. Took next two km of climb handy as we chatted away. 500m from top got out of saddle and sprinted for line.

Descent great fun. First 3km didnt turn once just rode the centre thru every corner. Savage fun. But wind was too high to beat my records.

The Chain Gang laid on a savage spread at the foodstop.
Pasta, sandwiches, brack, buns, chocolate, fudge cake.

A lot of guys took off to head over Slea Head (one of my favourite rides). I had to do the 110km option. 60 km from Dingle to Tralee. Met up with a guy from Macroom who shared a few pulls.
Rode the road in 1h45mins over the 60km. Was thrilled (may have had a tailwind).
Last climb (drag really) took in big ring (well 50-24 actually).

Great descent into Tralee. First back. 3h45m over 108km.

Phenomenal spread. Gorgeous cakes and buns of all descriptions, sandwiches and paste.

Had a very very cold shower, which was the only downside.

Great event and all for a tenner. Awesome. Great marshalling. Full ambulance support etc. Broomwagon, water stops. Great food.

Seriously guys get hot showers, then it would be the best event ever.

On the final descent into Tralee, a hot chick with pink hair in a car stuck herself out the windown and blew me a kiss as she passed. Funny thing was her sunglasses fell off. That felt good.

This is a very very well run event and a credit to the club. I have done several club event attracting between 100-200 cyclists. Have to say, I far far prefer them to the big events such as Wicklow 200, Ring of Kerry etc.

A lot of folks travelled down from Clare, Limerick and Cork. I guess thats great for the club to see.

Great day out, cant wait to come back.

shg101

Just back in Clare from the 110k. Actually more like two spins, a 50k which took in the Conor pass, a half an hour or more at the food stop (incredible spread ... shame on you Etape Hibernia). Conor pass was ok, took it slow at about 15 km/hr all the way wishing I had a compact. Descent was fine.

For the return leg the 110ers started 5-10min after the guys doing the full route. I said what the hell and positioned myself right behind the lead car. Got into the lead group with about 5 others (two wearing Chain Gang outfits, one wearing Cycling Pursuits, one wearing all blue with yellow overshoes, and another guy from Tralee). Pace was incredible, I was barely in touch at the back, kept getting dropped on descents where my lack of bike skills hurt me. Could only hang on and planned to apologise at the next stop for not contributing. One of the chain gang guys dropped back as we hit a reasonable drag still going like the clappers. I was just about to join him when the pace setter in the yellow overshoes suddenly slowed and it was just myself and my new partner from Tralee following the lead car. We bombed along into Tralee thinking we had to be the first two in, only to find at least one in ahead of us ... Must have been you ROK ON?

Thanks to, I think, Dave from Tralee for keeping me going on what was probably the final 40-45k.

Great day, great value, credit to the club.

buzzingnoise

Unfortunately I missed this one. Nevertheless my phone has been hopping all day with brilliant reports. I'm green with envy, the blasket blast is my favourite route. Well done chain gang cc and special mention for the main man Che, you've put in Trojan work all year.

kerryscoob

But a very big thank you for putting on a great event.

Pace out to Conor Pass unreal,thought I'd be heading home early. But thankfullly I stayed for the Slea Head, as the saying goes there is only 2 Kingdoms the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Kerry,she was looking her majestic best for us today.

Food/water stops, marshalling,road sign, volunteers all excellent.

Did hear the apologies from the ChainGang for the showers, and I think we should accept that, luckily the Ma is close by:D.

For anyone who maybe thinking of pencilling this in for next year. Book early!!!!!!!

lescol

I agree with all of the other posters, great sportive, extremely well run, credit to the Chaingang Cycling Club. A must do for the calender.

Met ROK ON, Murph and Orca. The initial pace was fast, I hung back until I felt able to pick up the speed, three of us took off but I think the guys at the front had put too much distance on us. The climb of Conor Pass felt brutal, fighting into a head wind. Great spread in Dingle. Decided to continue on the 150, managed to stay with the front group for all of a couple of miles, met a guy from Cork who just about convinced me to support them tomorrow! We eventually got into a group of about 10 which made the ride back to Dingle easier. The legs died on the way to Castlemaine, too long off the bike, so suffered but managed to get back to Tralee at 4.00. Passed the broomwagon still climbing out of Castlemaine on the drive home which made me feel a bit better.

So, stunning scenery, a great, challenging route, good company, great food and marshalling, this has to be one of the years highlights.

JOHN_70

Great event, the 150k route was fantastic, marshalling and food brillliant as well. Definitely up there with the Sean Kelly tour and great value for the price.

Lashed

Very well done to all at the chain gang. Very well organised event.
I will definately be pencilling in a few of their spins for next year.

Rok On, I assume it was you who I was trying but failing to keep up with from Dingle to Tralee. Great Pace.

crashoveroid

Well i seem to be mentioned here quite a bit mainly know as the guy with the yellow oversocks.

The day started well but i have to say the fast start is my fault. Its was so well marshalled made it a pleasure to go out and enjoy it. While my own legs did not feel good at all. The Food stop was fantastic well fed only did the 110 but decided i would not go home easy so kept a good steady speed of 38k and hour. Met some geat lads on the way back and sorry if i did push it hard on the hills.

Great day out thanks to all of the Chain Gang you are up there with the Sean Kelly Tour. Great to see a Tour in my home town again and so well run.

diocane

CheGuedara wrote: »

Hi all, abc def gh

Just dropping a post on behalf of my club to make people aware of the opening of registration for our sportives to be held in September.

The Chain Gang CC, Tralee is happy to announce the 2010 edition of the Conor Pass Challenge, Kerrys premier challenge/sportive cycle.

In addition to this classic 110km course the Club will also be hosting a 30km family friendly cycle – the Camp Cruise and a 150km challenge cycle running the complete Dingle Peninsula called the Blasket Blast.

To ease entrants registration and to allow for better planning, online entry for the cycles has been set up for this year’s events via the following link - https://regonline.activeeurope.com/chain_gang_sportives - with entry pricing as follows:

• Camp Cruise 30km (10-18 years) - €5
• Camp Cruise 30km (18+) - €10
• Conor Pass Challenge (16+) - €10 with Cycling Ireland Licence, €20 without
• Blasket Blast (16+) - €10 with Cycling Ireland Licence, €20 without

Registration will also be available on the morning of the event but with the addition of a €5 late registration fee.

We are also happy to announce that our event accommodation partners, the Carlton Hotel Tralee, has kindly offered an event accommodation rate for participants travelling to Tralee for our 2010 sportive challenges. Participants wishing to avail of the discount will be able to book accommodation at the Carlton Hotel Tralee, just 2 minutes from the event start point, (CBS secondary school, Tralee) for the dates surrounding the event for just €45 B&B per person sharing/night (normally €80) or €70 single supplement B&B/night on mentioning the event at time of booking by phone - (066) 7199100 - and by presenting their event registration email on check in.

Route details and postal entry forms have been attached here and while every effort has been made to include as much information as possible, if you have any queries about your route don’t hesitate to drop a line at info@thechaingang.cc and we'll do our utmost to see you right.

We hope to put on a great set of cycles this year, with all the stops being pulled out to put on what we endeavour to make a brilliant day on the bike.

Come to Tralee and take on what we feel are the best challenge cycles, in some of the most spectacular countryside both Kerry and Ireland has to offer.

Kind regards,

Darragh Crowley
Club Secretary

ana are mere

diocane

shg101 wrote: »

Just back in Clare from the 110k. Actually more like two spins, a 50k which took in the Conor pass, a half an hour or more at the food stop (incredible spread ... shame on you Etape Hibernia). Conor pass was ok, took it slow at about 15 km/hr all the way wishing I had a compact. Descent was fine.

For the return leg the 110ers started 5-10min after the guys doing the full route. I said what the hell and positioned myself right behind the lead car. Got into the lead group with about 5 others (two wearing Chain Gang outfits, one wearing Cycling Pursuits, one wearing all blue with yellow overshoes, and another guy from Tralee). Pace was incredible, I was barely in touch at the back, kept getting dropped on descents where my lack of bike skills hurt me. Could only hang on and planned to apologise at the next stop for not contributing. One of the chain gang guys dropped back as we hit a reasonable drag still going like the clappers. I was just about to join him when the pace setter in the yellow overshoes suddenly slowed and it was just myself and my new partner from Tralee following the lead car. We bombed along into Tralee thinking we had to be the first two in, only to find at least one in ahead of us ... Must have been you ROK ON?

Thanks to, I think, Dave from Tralee for keeping me going on what was probably the final 40-45k.

Great day, great value, credit to the club.

That's it

diocane

CheGuedara wrote: »

We'll have a foodstop and (a) waterstop(s) on all the routes to allow riders to fuel up - no need to load yourself up like an overworked domestique! There'll be a food stop in Dingle for Conor Pass Challenge and Blasket Blast participants and on in Camp Village Community Centre for those taking the Camp Cruise family cycle. Waterstops will be in Dingle (for BB riders coming back from Slea head) and Keel (outside Castlemaine, and for both BB and CPC riders).

We'd always recommend that riders bring a bidon or two on the bike and bring the energy products they'd normally use due the demands of these routes/distances. It's always better to have them and not need them than the opposite.

In any case our preferred LBS, O'Halloran Cycles, and High5 are to provide us with some goodies to distribute at sign on to help with these things

And there will be food and refreshments in Tralee when everyone gets back also!

good to know

Murph100

WTF ...

shg101

crashoveroid wrote: »

Well i seem to be mentioned here quite a bit mainly know as the guy with the yellow oversocks.

The day started well but i have to say the fast start is my fault. Its was so well marshalled made it a pleasure to go out and enjoy it. While my own legs did not feel good at all. The Food stop was fantastic well fed only did the 110 but decided i would not go home easy so kept a good steady speed of 38k and hour. Met some geat lads on the way back and sorry if i did push it hard on the hills.

Great day out thanks to all of the Chain Gang you are up there with the Sean Kelly Tour. Great to see a Tour in my home town again and so well run.

I gotta know why you suddenly pulled back? I had just given up hope of staying in touch.

crashoveroid

shg101 wrote: »

I gotta know why you suddenly pulled back? I had just given up hope of staying in touch.

Well i was pacing myself more then any thing i rode for 30 mins around threshold and then backed off for 10 mins then to ride another 30 mins at threshold. Doing alot of prep for the kerry champs.

Murph100

Dont listen to Crash, threshold me eye !

Yellow Socks went BOOM at the bottom of the Conor Pass, following a good 10 mins of sandbagging of course !!! :D:D

shg101 wrote: »

I gotta know why you suddenly pulled back? I had just given up hope of staying in touch.

crashoveroid

Murph100 wrote: »

Dont listen to Crash, threshold me eye !

Yellow Socks went BOOM at the bottom of the Conor Pass, following a good 10 mins of sandbagging of course !!! :D:D

Murph we are talking about the way back not the pass.