Ring of Kerry 2012

Postit

Date confirmed: Saturday July 7th 2012
http://www.ringofkerrycycle.ie/

Morrisseeee

Well if next year's is half as good (weather wise aswell) as this year's, then it's NOT to be missed

Esroh

Morrisseeee wrote: »

Well if next year's is half as good (weather wise aswell) as this year's, then it's NOT to be missed

As of now our plan is Mayo to Killarney,ROK,Killarney to Mayo(day 3 may be something that we will aspire to ;-)) so I hope weather is as good.

Its big part of our potential Mizen to Malin prep

talulafunk

Hi!
Is it possible to do this cycle in 5 hrs, have started serious training and cycle alot already?!

ROK ON

talulafunk wrote: »

Hi!
Is it possible to do this cycle in 5 hrs, have started serious training and cycle alot already?!

It is more than achieveable.

I have taken 5h50mins in 2010, while a few other boardsies (Cantalach and Karlmyson IIRC) have done this in 5h20 mins.

To do sub 5hours you would need to go 34.5kmph on average. For many of the folk that race, this should be very achievable, particularly if you have a group of like minded folk to share the rotation with. There are only two real climbs, but they are drags (2-3% gradient) rather than climbs per se.

I think that to do a sub 5hr time you would need to start early otherwise you risk being held up on the road by large groups of cyclists that are less quick and are out to just enjoy the ride so to speak. This would be particularly tru on the decent from Ladies view down to Killarney where the descent is narrow and technical - thus if caught behind a slower moving group (or cars/buses) you may not be able to go at your required pace.

macnab

talulafunk wrote: »

Hi!
Is it possible to do this cycle in 5 hrs, have started serious training and cycle alot already?!

That would require an average speed of about 35 kmph, over a mountainous course with lots of moving and static obstructions. I dont think its impossible, but i doubt it has been done too often.

Lumen

talulafunk wrote: »

Is it possible to do this cycle in 5 hrs, have started serious training and cycle a lot already?!

That's an average speed of over 35kph for 5 hours. If you have to ask...

TBH attempting sustained high speeds in a non-racing event like the ROK is asking for trouble.

ROK ON

macnab wrote: »

. . . over a mountainous course with lots of moving . . .

Its hardly mountainous. The ring goes around all of the mountains in the Iveragh peninsula. A casual ride in Wicklow or for example the Beara peninsula/Shehy Mountains on the Cork/Kerry hills involve far more climbing the the Ring of Kerry.
Despite its reputation, it is actually of of the flatest sportifs in the country.

iregk

How does this stack up difficulty wise to the W200. Considering adding the ROK to this years roster.

Lumen

iregk wrote: »

How does this stack up difficulty wise to the W200. Considering adding the ROK to this years roster.

The ROK is much easier.

iregk

Excellent, think we will have to partake in it so.

okane1

Last year during the Hardman (Ironman distance tri) one Killarney lad did the cycle in 5hrs 18mins, riding solo in anti drafting rules (as a team). Also the route was slightly longer as they had a cycle an extra 4miles before Cahersiveen to get the full 112miles.

On this, experienced club riders in a group should make the 5hrs mark if they go early and its a calm day.

stevemac

what would the longest time be that people do it in. Wouldn't mind trying it but would be likely to be aiming for about 8 hours. Would there be (m)any people looking at that time frame?

Chips Lovell

The ROK is one event where you get a huge spread of abilities, from racers right down to folks on supermarket mountain bikes. I remember going out to dinner last year and seeing people sill coming in. By the looks of it some people took 10 hours or more to complete last year.

Lumen

Vladimir Kurtains wrote: »

The ROK is one event where you get a huge spread of abilities, from racers right down to folks on supermarket mountain bikes. I remember going out to dinner last year and seeing people sill coming in. By the looks of it some people took 10 hours or more to complete last year.

We did it in 8 hours in 2009. Those chocolate and massage stops really take it out of you.

Chips Lovell

Lumen wrote: »

We did it in 8 hours in 2009. Those chocolate and massage stops really take it out of you.

Not our rolling time surely? I did it in just under 7 last year and we were by no means pushing it.

Chips Lovell

talulafunk wrote: »

Hi!
Is it possible to do this cycle in 5 hrs, have started serious training and cycle alot already?!

A decent racing cyclist should manage that if they push it. Why do you want to do it in 5 hours?

Lumen

Vladimir Kurtains wrote: »

Not our rolling time surely? I did it in just under 7 last year and we were by no means pushing it.

Only cheats count rolling time. It's weasely. Does the Tour de France allow time trial riders to stop for sweeties without incurring time penalties? No.

If you're going to needlessly suck all the fun out of a leisure charity event you must be consistent. Barge through the crowds at the water stops whilst announcing "LET ME THROUGH, MY GARMIN IS SET TO ONE SECOND RECORDING AND AUTO PAUSE IS OFF!". Harangue the supermarket BSO riders for not keeping left and not calling the holes. That sort of thing.

Murph100

Yas might wanna rethink any plans to blast around in a group, given the ROK organisers were trying to discourage exactly that last year, following complaints about fast groups during the 2010 ROK.

They did try and impose a 6am start for clubs, and also sent notices to club secs stating the ROK was not a race, and expected riders to undertake the spin at a leisurely pace :rolleyes:

Don't know if that line of thought will be more strictly enforced this year or just be forgotten about. Its probably inevitable given the ever growing number of participants that more controls may be put in place.

velo.2010

Wouldn't mind doing this. A nice trip to Kerry! Unless I win the Lotto I think I'll be sellin' on my etape entry!

Still haven't done the bloody WW200 yet. Hope to get to that this year and a few more sportives besides.

macnab

Our group did it in 8 hours last year, which is about 6 hours 30 minutes of cycle time (sorry Lumen..) and 1 hour 30 of socialising. One of our group, a complete novice, had done no training at all and did it in about 12 hours, which included 2 punctures and a fall.

If you can handle a spin accross the Sally gap then you will be more than ready for the Ring.

okane1

stevemac wrote: »

what would the longest time be that people do it in. Wouldn't mind trying it but would be likely to be aiming for about 8 hours. Would there be (m)any people looking at that time frame?

A lad from work decided to do it last year a few days before, haven’t been on a bike in years, didn’t even own a bike. Got a hybrid of someone and took 12hrs. He took it nice and handy. You will see all shapes and sizes and bikes ranging from top of the range racers to BMXs!!

shamwari

Did the RoK in 2010 but missed last year due to a family occasion. Am gearing up to do this years on a faster lighter bike. Did it in 8:15 in 2010, and it would have been much quicker had I not died going up Molls Gap. The new lighter bike and better training will take care of that !!

griffin100

talulafunk wrote: »

Hi!
Is it possible to do this cycle in 5 hrs, have started serious training and cycle alot already?!

I did the ROK as part of an IM distance tri last summer and did it in 6.48hrs with 6.35hrs rolling time at a leisurely pace. The fastest bike time on the day was 5.18hrs by a relay rider who was supposed to be a decent rider (RAS finisher IIRC). The route we took had an extra few kms added to take it up to 180km and there was a strong headwind for a lot of the day so sub 5 hrs is possible I reckon for a strong rider in the right conditions. Tough ask though methinks.

shamrock55

i hope to do it this year gonna get back on the saddle now soon to get back into the groove:D anyone know what the entrance fee is??

on a side note does anyone know when the west cork 200 is on i hope to do that this year too ment to be tougher than rok though i believe

ROK ON

There has been no entry fee in the past. It is a charity cycle where the funds are recycled into a host of charities in the Kerry region. If you cannot raise funds for charities you will be asked to make a contribution at sign on to the RoK charity.
Many people donate in the region of €20 to €50 in lieu of raising charity funds.
On the day there is more food than you could feasibly consume along with drink, water, chocolate and massages. There are lots of unofficial food stops.


It is a great day out, particularly if the weather was as good as it was in 2011.

shamrock55

ROK ON wrote: »

There has been no entry fee in the past. It is a charity cycle where the funds are recycled into a host of charities in the Kerry region. If you cannot raise funds for charities you will be asked to make a contribution at sign on to the RoK charity.
Many people donate in the region of €20 to €50 in lieu of raising charity funds.
On the day there is more food than you could feasibly consume along with drink, water, chocolate and massages. There are lots of unofficial food stops.


It is a great day out, particularly if the weather was as good as it was in 2011.

sound do they send you out a sponsorship card once you enter

Morrisseeee

By all means try and do the ROK in 5hrs, but..............not on the actual day of the event !! ie. the roads are just too busy, eg. I tagged onto an experienced group from Killarney to Caherciveen last year and we did it in 32km/h, but we spent ALOT of time passing out, and this gets dangerous at times with other cyclists weaving and oncoming traffic. I think the ROK is more of a social outing, especially as the road is choc-a-bloc with cyclists all day long.

on_the_nickel

Morrisseeee wrote: »

By all means try and do the ROK in 5hrs, but..............not on the actual day of the event !! ie. the roads are just too busy, eg. I tagged onto an experienced group from Killarney to Caherciveen last year and we did it in 32km/h, but we spent ALOT of time passing out, and this gets dangerous at times with other cyclists weaving and oncoming traffic. I think the ROK is more of a social outing, especially as the road is choc-a-bloc with cyclists all day long.

+1 - racing the ROK on the day of the charity cycle is madness in my opinion.

Regarding the West Cork 200, it was 19 June last year. I did it and really enjoyed it, was knackered at the end of it but there is some stunning scenery in that part of the country.

It's tougher than the ROK, but it's doable, if you can manage the distance. The only 2 climbs I remember were the Goat's Path, which was steep, but short, and the Mealagh Valley, which seemed to go on forever.

langerballs

shamrock55 wrote: »

sound do they send you out a sponsorship card once you enter

The day before last year's ROK at registration event people were given the choice of making a donation and/or sponsorship card. I was given the impression that €50 was the expected donation if someone wasn't raising sponsorship.

Lucifer-0

When were talking about achieving targets like this surely bike spec starts to come into it? Is it goals like this that the more expensive bike starts to pay off?

Icyseanfitz

hoping to do this for the first time this year, should be good craic

shamrock55

on_the_nickel wrote: »

+1 - racing the ROK on the day of the charity cycle is madness in my opinion.

Regarding the West Cork 200, it was 19 June last year. I did it and really enjoyed it, was knackered at the end of it but there is some stunning scenery in that part of the country.

It's tougher than the ROK, but it's doable, if you can manage the distance. The only 2 climbs I remember were the Goat's Path, which was steep, but short, and the Mealagh Valley, which seemed to go on forever.

i went out for a cycle last year and met you guys coming the other way id say yee had just come from goats path and were heading for bantry i didnt even know the event was on that day goats path is tough enough but short as you said but the mealagh valley can be a long old slog alright how long did it take ya?

on_the_nickel

shamrock55 wrote: »

i went out for a cycle last year and met you guys coming the other way id say yee had just come from goats path and were heading for bantry i didnt even know the event was on that day goats path is tough enough but short as you said but the mealagh valley can be a long old slog alright how long did it take ya?

I don't know, I didnt have a Garmin then and there's a big gap in my homemade cycling log around that time, typical.

I think it was around 7:30 rolling time as we headed off not long after 7am and I seem to remember trying (and just failing) to get in before 3pm.

Seve OB

Gonna have a go myself this year with a friend of mine. I do feck all cycling, in and out of work (10k each way) a couple of times a week. I aim for an averagespeed of 25 k but i expect to stop a little for food and toilet etc... See ya all there

flying11

hello everyone,
i cannot say enough good things about the ring of kerry. 2011 was my first time doing the event and i really enjoyed it. i had only done 2 months training before the event due to work commitments but i still managed to get around in under 7 hours. my personal highlight was going up molls gap with a group of about 8 others who i befriended during the event. the sight of cyclists as far the eye could see was amazing. there was even a few spectators cheering us on as we reached the summit, i felt like i was in the tour de france!
believe it or not the only day i got sunburnt last year was the day i cycled the "ring", the weather was amazing. im looking forward to this years event already.
bring on july 7th!

reilig

Booked my accommodation in Killarney tonight for the ROK. So I guess I'm doing it. Can't wait!!

mel.b

Yep, got mine booked too. Was expensive enough I thought.

reilig

mel.b wrote: »

Yep, got mine booked too. Was expensive enough I thought.

We booked 4 nights in a 4 star apartment for 4 people for Eur380. Not too bad!

arch staunton

The Travel Inn formerly known as Killarney Valley Hotel & Suites, Killarney


75 pp for 2 night BB (supervalu break);)

snottybridge

did it last year for the first time,never forget struggling up molls gap,im talking sweat out of the eyeballs,this bloke cycled up next to me,started chatting to me,nice day,beautiful scenery,great day out,im thinking,im dying a death here i cant even see in front of me,he kept talking away,before i knew it i could see a crowd gathered at the top of molls gap,my new found buddy says to me,tis youre first ring of kerry? tis says i,twas his 16th yet he still took the trouble to hold back and drag me up molls gap,those are the people you will meet on this cycle.great day out.

aquanaut

Just booked the 2 nights in the Gleneagle - can't wait!

vektarman

Here's what the ROK jerseys look like:

youtheman

On-line registration is now open. Just registered myself, so all I'm hoping is that the weather is the same this year.

Seve OB

vektarman wrote: »

Here's what the ROK jerseys look like:

do you get one of these when you register to do the ROK?

vektarman

stevieob wrote: »

do you get one of these when you register to do the ROK?

According to their site these can be bought online or in some selected shops in the next few weeks so I take it these are separate to registrations.

Seve OB

is it just me or is there a problem with registering?

i fill in all the details onthe website andclick on submit and nothing happens

ive tried it a few times and am now getting a pain in the arse having to fill in all my info again and again

vektarman

I registered okay, could be that quite a few are registering at the same time?

BailMeOut

just registered for my first ROK. Someone mentioned to me that there is an alternative race start/end in Kenmare but do not see anything on the website about this. Kenmare would be a much better base for me so anyone know if this is the case?

Thanks!

snottybridge

A lot of people start in kenmare to get the climb up to molls gap outa the way early on rather than having to do it towards the end of the day when youre fairly tired.Its up to yourself if you want to start in kenmare as far as i know,but theres a great buzz crossing the finish line in killarney with all those people cheering you on,enjoy it whichever way you decide to go.

ROK ON

BailMeOut wrote: »

just registered for my first ROK. Someone mentioned to me that there is an alternative race start/end in Kenmare but do not see anything on the website about this. Kenmare would be a much better base for me so anyone know if this is the case?

Thanks!

I have started every year in either Kenmare or Molls Gap. From about 6am in the morning there is a continual line of cyclists heading up Molls Gap.

The advantage is that
(1) Molls out of the way early,
(2) The descent down past Ladies View (which is technical) is done on quiet roads with very little car traffic in the opposite direction.
(3) The Kenmare food stop and welcome massage sets you up for a great night out in town.

I have also started and finished in Molls Gap (2 years ago). There is usually a bit of a carnival atmosphere on the top of Molls Gap on the day of the Ring.

The reality with the Ring of Kerry is that you can start it finish it where you like. I know people that have started from Sneem and Caherciveen. Its up to you.