Ring of Kerry - a Q&A thread for the newbie!

Masala

Hi...

Would it be okay to start a thread on the Ring on Kerry cycle for the newbies to cyclying this route for the 1st time. We could use this as a Q&A thread to ask questions on same.

I'll start the ball rolling as I am gearing up for this years cycle.

1. to get up and ready for the 180kms involved - what should my average Km per spin should I now be doing in March (ie Cycle date minus 4 months) !! am doing 3 x Spins a week at the moment.

So... lets ask Questions and look forward to Answers from the experienced riders out there¬¬

Masala

ROK ON

If you are doing three rides/week you will be fine.
It all depends on whether you just want to enjoy the day or bomb your way around the course.

If you can do a standalone ride of 100km by June, you will be able for the 174km that is the Ring.

My only other advice would be to not stop at the main feedstops for too long, as you can cool down pretty rapidly. That plus a full belly makes the next 15/20km pretty uncomfortable IMHO.

07Lapierre

What distance are you doing at the moment? Whatever your doing now, increase it by 10% per week. Throw in a few hills on your weekly spins if you can. Make sure you like Jaffa cakes, Home made cake, Ham/cheese sandwiches because there's a lot to get thru on the day!

Seve OB

Here's one i made earlier

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?threadid=2056530423

heatheryfield

Masala!

The Ring of Kerry cycle is so great it should be on everybody's list of things to do before they die! I've come back to cycling in the past 2 or three years and have done the last 2 Ring of Kerry cycles - like you I was really worried about the distance.

There are lots of fun sportives to do in the time between now and then and I would suggest you do a couple of them to see what it's like to be cycling as part of a big group. Pick milestones in your training plan and pencil in some events to do - it will really keep you motivated and you can start with much shorter ones and then try longer ones as time goes on.

As some of the other posters have said, aim to do a 100km cycle (eg wicklow 100 -though this was horrible in the rain last year!!) or two as the summer approaches and you'll be fine.

Another thing I didn't really realise until learning the hard way: MAKE SURE you bring lots of snacks (eg bars, bananas or gels) and drinks with you if you are cycling for more than an hour. It burns lots of calories and it gets really depressing when you are feeling exhausted and your speed seems to be just dropping no matter how hard you try. Keep re-fuelling on the go and you'll be flying!

The Ring of Kerry cycle has beautiful scenery, but also the most amazing unique friendly atmousphere. There'll be little kids out clapping, grannies out cheering, people offering sandwiches and cups of water. You can start conversations with people along the way - which is all part of the fun - and they'll overtake you and you'll overtake them later.

It's sooooo worth the fun - a great day out and a wonderful thing to train towards. you'll be delighted you did it and if you are already training now you'll have no problem!

Go for it!!

boege

Tour de Burren - 'Fr. Ted's Day out 162km, its on the week before ROK.

http://tourdeburren.com/index.php?page=routes

Do this and you will be fine!

....ah, gwan, gwan, gwan!!:D:D:D

michael196

Dont rely on the food stops, we found them jammed last year, but roll onto the next village or two and hit a pub for pub lunch or something.. best thing i ever did......avoid the queues

Postit

I've seen many people (on this thread and elsewhere) mentioning that if you can do 100km, you can do the Ring of Kerry (175km), which is additional 75% distance.

Whilst I don't doubt this advice or the people who gave it, I do wonder how it is possible?

I'm sometimes quite tired after a spin of 80km. If I had to do another 60km (75% of 80km) I think I'd find it really tough.

CheGuedara

Postit wrote: »

I've seen many people (on this thread and elsewhere) mentioning that if you can do 100km, you can do the Ring of Kerry (175km), which is additional 75% distance.

Whilst I don't doubt this advice or the people who gave it, I do wonder how it is possible?

I'm sometimes quite tired after a spin of 80km. If I had to do another 60km (75% of 80km) I think I'd find it really tough.

Quite simply put it's due to the nature of the event and the way it's run. If you were talking about a proper sportif/challenge cycle event then you wouldn't be able to say the same, but because the ROK is a charity ride and so very casual in pace and social in nature and arising from the more requent food stops (there's a water or food stop every 30km or so) it means that participants effectively roll around the route, talking and eating their way around the circuit and soaking up the atmosphere and sights.

Anyone who's put in mileage in training enough to see them build up to the point of being able to cover 100km rides in (relative) comfort will be able to pull the ROK out of the bag on the day with relative ease so long as they pace themselves for the day ahead of them.

PeadarCo

Postit wrote: »

I've seen many people (on this thread and elsewhere) mentioning that if you can do 100km, you can do the Ring of Kerry (175km), which is additional 75% distance.

Whilst I don't doubt this advice or the people who gave it, I do wonder how it is possible?

I'm sometimes quite tired after a spin of 80km. If I had to do another 60km (75% of 80km) I think I'd find it really tough.

You have to remember theres a couple of thousand doing the ROK. This makes a massive difference. Physically you use less energy while slipstreaming. More importantly the amount of people and general atmosphere of the ROK means a massive mental boost. You pay less attention to the pain. Also remember most people stop at some point along the route and generally for far longer than at other sportifs so view the ROK as a number of smaller cycles all on the one day.

A bit of advice would be to get used to cycling in groups. One because of the amount of people you will at some point end up cycling in a fairly large group. Two you save energy by slipstreaming. And three you'll enjoy it far more if your able to cycle alongside people and have a bit of craic. This is important if your tired, talking having a joke etc makes it easier to forget about your legs.

ozzy jr

Are the roads closed off to traffic for the RoK?

Masala

Some great advice so far........

(MODS....I see that there is a Thread as mentioned earlier - so feel free to amalgamate them!)

What about the DOOMSDAY Scenario.....legs give up in Kenmare or so??. Is there a way of getting back to Killarney with bike in the back of a van or something? Or ...will I have to get the wife to drive (counter-clockwise !) to collect me?

To be honest......I could never hold my head up high if I 'allowed' this to happen! I'll crawl back to Killarney if I have to ! But I need the comfort of knowing...

seamus

Masala wrote: »

What about the DOOMSDAY Scenario.....legs give up in Kenmare or so??.

They won't. You can always walk up the hills and freewheel down the far side. The only excuse for getting a lift home is a broken bike or a broken bone.

Masala

I tell you - I am really looking forward to this trip. I hope we get the weather for it on the day!!

A couple of other questions:

1. Is there a 'minimum' amount that needs to be collected for your chosen charity?
2. What extra should we bring??? Money?? Phone ??
3. Can I leave my lock behind.... less weight etc.
4. Any tips on recovery at home that evening??? I presume a pint in the grounds of the Lake Hotel goes down well on the way home?

07Lapierre

seamus wrote: »

They won't. You can always walk up the hills and freewheel down the far side. The only excuse for getting a lift home is a broken bike or a broken bone.

+1 Even then it depends on the bone! you can still cycle with cracked ribs!

PeadarCo

ozzy jr wrote: »

Are the roads closed off to traffic for the RoK?

No the roads are open. However the amount of cyclists practically closes off the left hand lane for much of the route.

seamus

Masala wrote: »

What extra should we bring??? Money?? Phone ??

Yep, bring your phone in case you actually need to call for help. Money is good in case you fancy stopping in for a pint somewhere or if your bike needs to be fixed, you can pay for it there and then. No harm to bring a credit card and some ID too in case the worst happens. Stick it all (including your phone) in a ziplock bag and it's protected from the elements.

Can I leave my lock behind.... less weight etc.

Only carry anything you need on the ride. You won't need a lock because you won't be leaving your bike alone for any significant length of time.

Bring some food for yourself. Yes, there are food stops, but you may find yourself hungry on the road, so having something small then is good. At the food stops, take some stuff to eat now, and some to eat later.

Make sure you have two full bottles of water - most people recommend having an energy drink in one. This does help, but you need to try them out before going on the trip.

Any tips on recovery at home that evening??? I presume a pint in the grounds of the Lake Hotel goes down well on the way home?

Eat, than go to bed
Pints are theoretically not great (they slow muscle recovery), but no-one would begrudge you a hard-earned brew.

Masala

Thanks Seamus.....points (not Pints) taken on board.

vektarman

Masala wrote: »

I tell you - I am really looking forward to this trip. I hope we get the weather for it on the day!!

A couple of other questions:

Is there a 'minimum' amount that needs to be collected for your chosen charity?


Any tips on recovery at home that evening??? I presume a pint in the grounds of the Lake Hotel goes down well on the way home?

No minimum amount needs to be collected for your chosen charity, I usually give a donation at registration.

At the risk of sounding old-fashioned , I enjoy a soak in a radox bath after the cycle..great for tired muscles..

petethedrummer

Mrs Courtney's Tea Rooms for recovery tea and cakes.

codie

One bit of advice that should always apply but especially on a day like ROK is check your tyres and be sure you have correct pressure in them .You would be surprised the amount of people that get puntures even just a couple of miles in.

jrar

Am aiming for the ROK too this year with a couple of 100K sportifs in the months beforehand so that I will feel suitably prepared.

Do you have to register in advance, on the day, or either ? Also, is there only one start location or are there staggered starting spots around the route given the large numbers involved ?

Is there an official start time or is it more a case of turn up from 06:00 onwards, register, and away you go ??

Like Masala, it's a trip I'm really looking forward to and training for - all I need then come the day is a bit of decent weather and not too much of a south-westerly wind. Not too much to ask for, is it

mel.b

boege wrote: »

Tour de Burren - 'Fr. Ted's Day out 162km, its on the week before ROK.

http://tourdeburren.com/index.php?page=routes

Do this and you will be fine!

....ah, gwan, gwan, gwan!!:D:D:D

The tour de Burren is my local sportive and I was hoping to do it for the first time this year. While not planning on doing the 162km event, would the 90/100km event be too much the week before the ROK?

funnights74

Masala wrote: »

I tell you - I am really looking forward to this trip. I hope we get the weather for it on the day!!

A couple of other questions:

1. Is there a 'minimum' amount that needs to be collected for your chosen charity?
2. What extra should we bring??? Money?? Phone ??
3. Can I leave my lock behind.... less weight etc.
4. Any tips on recovery at home that evening??? I presume a pint in the grounds of the Lake Hotel goes down well on the way home?

No minimum amount, few of us raised about the e150 mark each last year.
Ya bobs and phone just in case, spare tubes in case of puncture, but there's plenty of support and assistance on the route.
No need for a lock, travel light with just the essentials.
Recovery,massage if available but a nice meal and a few jars and put the feet up , there's a great buzz if your still in killarney but just enjoy the glow of finishing the ROK no matter where you are.

Esroh

Unless you happen to lie on the ROK itself the other thing you will notice is the Road Surface. Its not like many other Sportive/Charity Cycle routes around the country. 90% of it will feel like a smooth carpet. Also it is relatively flat compared to many of the Challenge rides which go looking for every hill

Every other route has the heavy chip or pot-holed roads.

We are cycling down from Mayo on the Friday. We have never thought of cycling down to the SK or even up to the Tour of Sligo

funnights74

jrar wrote: »

Am aiming for the ROK too this year with a couple of 100K sportifs in the months beforehand so that I will feel suitably prepared.

Do you have to register in advance, on the day, or either ? Also, is there only one start location or are there staggered starting spots around the route given the large numbers involved ?

Is there an official start time or is it more a case of turn up from 06:00 onwards, register, and away you go ??

Like Masala, it's a trip I'm really looking forward to and training for - all I need then come the day is a bit of decent weather and not too much of a south-westerly wind. Not too much to ask for, is it

Good thinking, get in a few 100Km's, you will feel the benefits.
Yes you do have to register in advance, i hear registration starts in mid march so keep an eye on the website, they also have a facebook page and you're bound to hear something in here. http://www.ringofkerrycycle.ie/index.php
No official start time, from daylight you will see people heading off, and no cut off point, last year people finishing past 6/7 pm.
Aah the weather, well more of last year, nice cool day and no wind, the sun shone from mid afternoon, but same again please.

funnights74

Please be advised that online registration will be opened on Friday 16th March 2012. Watch www.ringofkerrycycle.ie for further details.:D

funnights74

Registration now open folks !!

http://www.ringofkerrycycle.ie/

BailMeOut

I see some good advise on what to bring with you. Newbie question here is how do you carry everything? I assume a back pack is a terrible idea so where do you put your phone, money, food, rain jacket, etc... Also do you need to bring a puncture repair kit and pump?

Thanks!

seamus

BailMeOut wrote: »

I see some good advise on what to bring with you. Newbie question here is how do you carry everything? I assume a back pack is a terrible idea so where do you put your phone, money, food, rain jacket, etc... Also do you need to bring a puncture repair kit and pump?

Thanks!

Aside from making you hot & sweaty, a backpack will eventually cause your back and shoulders to ache more than they need to.

Get yourself a proper cycling jersey. They typically have 3 large pockets on the back where you can slot in lots of stuff.
If you don't fancy doing that, a pair of mountain bike shorts usually have lots of storage, and you could bring a frame bag (sits on top of the crossbar) to carry anything else.

Yes, you should bring a puncture repair kit and a pump. I would also bring at least one spare tube - it's easier to just replace the tube than repair the puncture at the roadside, but you'll have the repair kit there as backup in case. You should also bring a few other small tools. Most people carry keep these in a saddle bag.

michael196

yep a cycling jersey with three pockets will take a fair bit of stuff


pumps can be attached to the frame,

for anything that you might be taking out frequently ( ipod or wallet) put into its own pocket as it may drag something else out and loose it on you !! ) .

avoid the food stops as they can be over crowded and head for the next village or service station instead. ( Sneem is a great place to stop !! instead of the school in caherciveen) head into a pub there for quick lunch.

njoy the day

Masala

Some nice videos on You Tube from past participants... just type in Ring of Kerry Cycle and take your pick.

My latest 'tips' since starting this thread are:

1. Attach another Water Bottle and Cage... surprised that I am clearing a 500ml bottle on a 25-35km spin!
2. put a plastic/latex glove in Saddle Bag in case of chain trouble. Nothing worse that needing to wipe chain oil off your skin!
3. A zip Lock bag for storing your phone in case it starts raining!

That's it for now.

(PS....must give full Credit to SEAMUS in previous page for these worthwhile tips and I have now learned the hard way the value of same! .....)

Postit

michael196 wrote: »

avoid the food stops as they can be over crowded and head for the next village or service station instead. ( Sneem is a great place to stop !! instead of the school in caherciveen) head into a pub there for quick lunch.

I was wondering about this. I don't fancy queuing up at all really. Seems like a waste of time and I reckon I'll start to seize-up a bit, making the next few km's more difficult than they have to be!

I was thinking about starting at 6am to avoid this. Would I miss the crowds on the roads and the food stops if I started at that time, averaging about 26km/h?

Failing that, are there other recommendations for food stops with little or no queues?

WakeyTyke

Postit wrote: »

I was wondering about this. I don't fancy queuing up at all really. Seems like a waste of time and I reckon I'll start to seize-up a bit, making the next few km's more difficult than they have to be!

I was thinking about starting at 6am to avoid this. Would I miss the crowds on the roads and the food stops if I started at that time, averaging about 26km/h?

Failing that, are there other recommendations for food stops with little or no queues?

Even starting at 6am you will still find a lot of cyclists heading out of Killarney though at that pace you would certainly reach the food stop in Caherciveen before the queues begin.

wendell borton

Got the sponser card and bike number yesterday.

Masala

Got the sposer card and bike number yesterday.

Same here. QUESTION: is the 'Card' total collected divided among the 7 or so Charities equally??? Just that I have been approached by a friend heavily involved in one of the charities and have been asked to cycle for his charity. I am happy to do so as it is a cause close to my heart,,, but the Card does not give you the option to say 'put all my sponsorship monies to X charity'.

Any one else in this dilemma?

ROK ON

Masala wrote: »

Same here. QUESTION: is the 'Card' total collected divided among the 7 or so Charities equally??? Just that I have been approached by a friend heavily involved in one of the charities and have been asked to cycle for his charity. I am happy to do so as it is a cause close to my heart,,, but the Card does not give you the option to say 'put all my sponsorship monies to X charity'.

Any one else in this dilemma?

All of the charities involved usually campaign for you to choose their particular cause. In the past I have given all of my monies to one charity. When the funds were rec'd by me a got a cheque drawn up and posted it to the charity in question and got receipt for the same.

mel.b

So if using mycharity.ie and wanting to raise money for one speific charity should you do it under the ring of kerry 'banner' or the charity you want. Reason i ask is i set up my mycharity page last night amd when i tried to do it for the speific charity and then put in the date of the event, the ring of kerry didn't come up (although it did give you the option of adding an event i think). So i ended up making the general page for the ring of kerry.

AskyourmA

Delighted to have found this thread... I too am a newbie to the ROK and I am signed up and have received the sponsor card etc... Working full time and having only Sat & Sun to squeeze family, golf and a training spin in, I'm finding using my turbo trainer for 45 min sessions 3 times a week a big help with a good spin at the weekend... Just completed my longest distance on Sunday gone (85km solo spin).
I'm finding the training and spins are taking their toll on me (very tired), a friend has recommended whey protein, anyone any tips and advice on extra supplements to take for training and on snacks to use take on long spins???
I'm from the Drogheda area and would love to hear from others in the same boat as myself and doing the ROK, maybe get in a few training spins...
Anyone have a calender of events happening before the ROK, wouldn't mind doing a couple of 100km spins to get used to the large groups...
My tip would be, have you booked your accommodation yet, if not book it...

macadam

AskyourmA wrote: »

Delighted to have found this thread... I too am a newbie to the ROK and I am signed up and have received the sponsor card etc... Working full time and having only Sat & Sun to squeeze family, golf and a training spin in, I'm finding using my turbo trainer for 45 min sessions 3 times a week a big help with a good spin at the weekend... Just completed my longest distance on Sunday gone (85km solo spin).
I'm finding the training and spins are taking their toll on me (very tired), a friend has recommended whey protein, anyone any tips and advice on extra supplements to take for training and on snacks to use take on long spins???
I'm from the Drogheda area and would love to hear from others in the same boat as myself and doing the ROK, maybe get in a few training spins...
Anyone have a calender of events happening before the ROK, wouldn't mind doing a couple of 100km spins to get used to the large groups...
My tip would be, have you booked your accommodation yet, if not book it...

Why dont you join Drogheda wheelers check out there thread on here or their facebook page.
I am also from the Drogheda area, if you want to get in touch re a few spins midweek or weekends just Pm me.
A few of the guys are doing a couple of sportives ie Orwell randonee, Mount leinster, and the Tour of Louth you can find all the details on the cycling forum.

Andalucia

can any one recommend some decent reasonable accomodation? Will be looking to stay Fri and Sat night. thanks

Seve OB

Andalucia wrote: »

can any one recommend some decent reasonable accomodation? Will be looking to stay Fri and Sat night. thanks

booked into the Killarney Plaza - seems quite nice - they better let me keep my bike iun the room cause I aint locking it to a railings to find it vamoosed the next morning!

it worked out about 360 for the 2 nights with dinner on one night, so not to bad between two of ya. there aint much cheaper out there that I could find

Masala

There should be plenty of good B&B's and Guest houses around Killarney (even up to 4-5 miles out!)

Sure - most visitors will be coming by car... so just load up in morning, park in one of the many car parks in the town (Parking is charged to 6pm- at approx €1 per hr) and start your cycle!!

I would expect the prices and quality of the accommodation in BB's and Guesthouses are top-drawer and rates would be slightly cheaper out of town.

Did you try:

1. www.gulliverireland.com (Booking engine in which most Killarney accom is registered on)
2. http://www.killarney.ie/tourism.
3.http://www.discoverireland.ie/Places-To-Go/Killarney-Ring-of-Kerry

Would recommend Gulliver above as it has an excellent reputation in Kerry (being part of the Fexco group in Killorglin)

sled driver

Andalucia wrote: »

can any one recommend some decent reasonable accomodation? Will be looking to stay Fri and Sat night. thanks

Just booked a double room in The Towers hotel, Killarney for the Friday, Saturday and Sunday (6, 7 and 8 July) for €215 (€36 per person per night) - breakfast not included though. Still for peak tourist season in Killarney, that'll do me.

ccull123

cann someone tell me do you have to pick from one of these charities. I want to donate my funds to Temple Street Children hospital due to personal reasons but dont know if this is allowed??

bal1000

stevieob wrote: »

Andalucia wrote: »

can any one recommend some decent reasonable accomodation? Will be looking to stay Fri and Sat night. thanks

booked into the Killarney Plaza - seems quite nice - they better let me keep my bike iun the room cause I aint locking it to a railings to find it vamoosed the next morning!

it worked out about 360 for the 2 nights with dinner on one night, so not to bad between two of ya. there aint much cheaper out there that I could find

We stay in the plaza every year we do the ROK and find it very good.We park in the underground carpark and i leave my bike in the car.Room for another one if your stuck.

LovelySpuds

Can't wait for it!

wendell borton

http://www.ringofkerrycycle.ie/insurance.php
Is insurance a requirement for entry.

seamus

wendell borton wrote: »

http://www.ringofkerrycycle.ie/insurance.php
Is insurance a requirement for entry.

Typically yes, but the ROK site isn't very clear. If you're not a cycling ireland member already, you usually pay a small surcharge of €5 or €10 to cover you for the day.
This cost both covers your injuries in the event of an accident but also covers any third party damages you might cause by crashing.

Seve OB

Anyone got one of the Jerseys yet?

what are tyhey like?

dmire

stevieob wrote: »

Anyone got one of the Jerseys yet?

what are tyhey like?

I was also just wondering about the jerseys, anybody bought one? How are they for size?