Ring of Kerry cycle website updated

penexpers

If people are interested, the ROK cycle website has now been updated.

Just confirms the date as July 4th and you can now apply for sponsorship cards online. No surprises about the route

http://www.ringofkerrycycle.ie

penexpers

Hey just wondering did anyone get their sponsorship cards/bib back for this?

alfalad

penexpers wrote: »

Hey just wondering did anyone get their sponsorship cards/bib back for this?

Not yet and applied good couple of weeks back. But said on the confirmation email it could be a while before the stuff is delivered.

ROK ON

Still waiting.

TinyExplosions

If only it wasn't the same day as Le Marmotte

irishmotorist

Yep - I got my number and sponsorship card over a week ago. 660 is the number as far as I remember. I got the number on a business card sized card but there's no bib or other stuff with it - I think we get that when we register either the evening before the event or on the morning.

Raam

What is the purpose of the bib?

Chips Lovell

Hedge Hunter wrote: »

...

Post reported.

Chips Lovell

Raam wrote: »

What is the purpose of the bib?

You missed the bib discussion?

To participate each cyclist must wear the official bib. You will obtain same on registration. Registration will take place from 5.30a.m. on the morning of the cycle and also on the eve of the cycle from 7p.m. to 9p.m. on Scotts Street, Killarney.

Raam

el tonto wrote: »

You missed the bib discussion?

I remember the discussion, I just don't understand it's purpose.

Chips Lovell

Raam wrote: »

I remember the discussion, I just understand it's purpose.

You understand its purpose?

Raam

el tonto wrote: »

You understand its purpose?

*Don't*

Home:Ballyhoura

Is this cycle tougher than than the Wickow 200 which I recently signed up for? If I enjoy the Wicklow, I might consider doing this as well even though it is my first year doing these long distance cycles! How late can you sign up for it, and is there an entry fee (or do you have to get sponsorship, if so how much?). Sorry for all the questions but I know very little about it at the moment! Cheers

Chips Lovell

Heh.

I presume its a "safety measure" because otherwise we'd all be hit by buses whilst cycling in broad daylight. Bib is going in the bin if I do this.

Hedge Hunter

Why is my post being reported?

lukester

Raam wrote: »

What is the purpose of the bib?

Sponsorship? Insurance?

Everyone knows a cyclist in hi-vis is inherently safer.

unionman

Have just registered for a sponsorship card through the site. Just looking at the best way to get there, train to Tralee and then cycle? Short enough (33km).

Who else is planning to do this?

KStaford

do partipipants have to raise funds via sponsorship or can they show up on the day and pay 20 or 30 quid. The reason I ask is that I like many other cyclists do a few of these events throughout the year and I'm all burnt out as far as sponsorship is concerned. I simply cannot keep going back to my family, friends, colleagues ec looking for money.

If you look at the way the Tour of Sligo was done last weekend, they came up with an entry fee system, 20 euro to register and take part. Their first ever run attracted over 700 cyclists. The sponsorship model is a problem for me personally and I guess for others also.

Just my opinion, not being mean here. I have a strong altruistic side to me and do actively help out others in the world, particularly animal charities.

any thoughts ?

Chips Lovell

Home:Ballyhoura wrote: »

Is this cycle tougher than than the Wickow 200 which I recently signed up for? If I enjoy the Wicklow, I might consider doing this as well even though it is my first year doing these long distance cycles! How late can you sign up for it, and is there an entry fee (or do you have to get sponsorship, if so how much?). Sorry for all the questions but I know very little about it at the moment! Cheers

It's easier than the W200. The way it worked last year was that you just raised money by way of sponsorship and there was no limit on what you had to raise. You didn't have to pre-register and I think I only decided a few days beforehand to do it.

DirkVoodoo

unionman wrote: »

Have just registered for a sponsorship card through the site. Just looking at the best way to get there, train to Tralee and then cycle? Short enough (33km).

Who else is planning to do this?

Planning on the train myself. I'm still not 100% sure if I will do it or not, if there is a big crowd heading down then it might be a laugh.

Raam

lukester wrote: »

Sponsorship? Insurance?

Everyone knows a cyclist in hi-vis is inherently safer.

I suppose, it can be difficult for some folk to see.

unionman

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Planning on the train myself. I'm still not 100% sure if I will do it or not, if there is a big crowd heading down then it might be a laugh.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking.

Chips Lovell

unionman wrote: »

HJust looking at the best way to get there, train to Tralee and then cycle? Short enough (33km).

Who else is planning to do this?

If you got off the train in Killarney, you wouldn't have as far to cycle;)

I may well do it. Was great crack last year.

KStaford wrote: »

do partipipants have to raise funds via sponsorship or can they show up on the day and pay 20 or 30 quid. The reason I ask is that I like many other cyclists do a few of these events throughout the year and I'm all burnt out as far as sponsorship is concerned. I simply cannot keep going back to my family, friends, colleagues ec looking for money.

Well, technically you could sponsor yourself.

AstraMonti

unionman wrote: »

Have just registered for a sponsorship card through the site. Just looking at the best way to get there, train to Tralee and then cycle? Short enough (33km).

Who else is planning to do this?

I 've registered for it as well. But i have no clue how i can get there, never been before. I need also to find somewhere to stay for the night..

Chips Lovell

AstraMonti wrote: »

I 've registered for it as well. But i have no clue how i can get there, never been before. I need also to find somewhere to stay for the night..

Train is best if you are not driving. Believe me, there is no shortage of places to stay in Killarney. Every second house is a B&B.

lukester

Raam wrote: »

I suppose, it can be difficult for some folk to see.

Yeah, surprised most clubs don't force you to wear hi vis gear.

The pro peloton should really set the example here. Our kids look up to those guys.

lukester

el tonto wrote: »

Train is best if you are not driving. Believe me, there is no shortage of places to stay in Killarney. Every second house is a B&B.

What do y'all do for storing bikes overnight?

Chips Lovell

lukester wrote: »

What do y'all do for storing bikes overnight?

My hotel let us put ours in a storeroom.

Raam

lukester wrote: »

Yeah, surprised most clubs don't force you to wear hi vis gear.

The pro peloton should really set the example here. Our kids look up to those guys.

well, ISD, Columbia and our own Lucan are doing OK there.

Caroline_ie

planing to take the train down as well

CheGuedara

Home:Ballyhoura wrote: »

Is this cycle tougher than than the Wickow 200 which I recently signed up for? If I enjoy the Wicklow, I might consider doing this as well even though it is my first year doing these long distance cycles! How late can you sign up for it, and is there an entry fee (or do you have to get sponsorship, if so how much?). Sorry for all the questions but I know very little about it at the moment! Cheers

If you do the W200 you'll roll around this like it's not even there The route is varied but mostly rolling road with really only two climbs of note Coomachiste and Molls Gap which are actually fine to ride if you know where on them to attack them from.

It's sponsorship based so free to enter, not a race (though you can go as fast around it as you like). You used to be able to sign up on the morning though the running has changed hands this year so I'd recommend sticking my name down sooner rather than later.

lukester

el tonto wrote: »

My hotel let us put ours in a storeroom.

Handy. Wonder what B&Bs offer. Guess you could smuggle the bike into your room.

lukester

Raam wrote: »

well, ISD, Columbia and our own Lucan are doing OK there.

True. It's a start.

I'd really like to see them add reflectors, aero carbon ones of course, to wheels.

TinyExplosions

lukester wrote: »

Handy. Wonder what B&Bs offer. Guess you could smuggle the bike into your room.

My hotel let me keep the bike in the room -just play the 'do you know how much this is worth' card

lukester

TinyExplosions wrote: »

My hotel let me keep the bike in the room -just play the 'do you know how much this is worth' card

Good point. Did you have a bike bag/box?

ROK ON

Doing it. I think I was one of the first to register.
I will be living in Kerry by then.

This was my 1st big cycle thing last year, and I loved it.

I find the bib thing bizarre - I hope that it is just the number to stick on the back, rather than a hi vest.

penexpers

I think I'm entry number 7 or something like that.

Just a warning for people taking the train - the 1830 train to Tralee is one of the new railcars. They can only take 6 bikes maximum and it's first come, first served.

Funkyzeit

Also doing it but all my anxiety is currently directed towards the Wicklow 200 :eek:

ROK ON

To echo Penexpers, all trains other than 630pm go to Cork, and require you to change at mallow.

When I got to mallow last year about 40 cyclists tried to get 40bikes on the tiny Kerry train. The Irish Rail staff were pretty annoyed, and didn't want to let any bikes on (but with that number of cyclist they didnt have a choice).

Just a heads up in that they can try to make your lives difficult.

Chips Lovell

penexpers wrote: »

I think I'm entry number 7 or something like that.

Just a warning for people taking the train - the 1830 train to Tralee is one of the new railcars. They can only take 6 bikes maximum and it's first come, first served.

Ah sloblocks, there was a guard's van last year. There was a rake of bikes in it going down and coming back up.

ROK ON

Funkyzeit wrote: »

Also doing it but all my anxiety is currently directed towards the Wicklow 200 :eek:

How is the wardrobe coming along.:D

ROK ON

el tonto wrote: »

Ah sloblocks, there was a guard's van last year. There was a rake of bikes in it going down and coming back up.

On this issue, it really maybe worth either th ROK organisers or maybe Boards to alert Irish Rail that there is a big CHARITY cycle on, and that very many cyclists will be getting the train to Kerry.

Gavin

If there was a gang going, we could go mad and rent a bus for the lot of us

or a van or something to transport the bikes

Chips Lovell

Time to highlight this bit of the recent National Cycling Policy:

8.4 Bicycles and Intercity Rail
We will ensure that intercity trains have proper provision for the
carriage of cycles over and above the currently proposed “maximum
of 2 bikes per train”. This may require the retrofitting of rolling stock
with flip-up seats. We will ensure that the specification of all rolling
stock not yet ordered provides for the carriage of bikes.

No chance they'd have it implemented by July?

Chips Lovell

Gavin wrote: »

If there was a gang going, we could go mad and rent a bus for the lot of us or a van or something to transport the bikes

Team bus? I like it.

ROK ON

Anyone know if this is this open to bikes with non-drop bars like the WW200? Will be a common question I think until my workplace gets the biketowork scheme implemented in August or September!

ROK ON wrote: »

On this issue, it really maybe worth either th ROK organisers or maybe Boards to alert Irish Rail that there is a big CHARITY cycle on, and that very many cyclists will be getting the train to Kerry.

Maybe, only if they could get confirmation that loads of people would definitely be on the one train though I suppose.

Chips Lovell

Dónal wrote: »

Anyone know if this is this open to bikes with non-drop bars like the WW200? Will be a common question I think until my workplace gets the biketowork scheme implemented in August or September!

Yes, you'll see more mountain bikes and hybrids on this than you will on the W200.

ROK ON

Dónal wrote: »

Anyone know if this is this open to bikes with non-drop bars like the WW200? Will be a common question I think until my workplace gets the biketowork scheme implemented in August or September!



Maybe, only if they could get confirmation that loads of people would definitely be on the one train though I suppose.

You can do it on any type of bike.
Last year loads of folks did it on hybrids.

On the train issue - there will definitely be a big crowd travelling down. Last year 2000 people cycled it, this year they are trying to get a bigger attendance.

ROK ON

Gavin wrote: »

If there was a gang going, we could go mad and rent a bus for the lot of us

or a van or something to transport the bikes

That is a great idea. Bare in mind that the train will cost 50/60 yoyos return. I would think that if ye could get a bus that would come in there or there abouts then it is well worth it. Especially avoiding the hassle that is Irish Rail.

I wonder what ever happened to the US Postal Bus!!

Chips Lovell

2,000 eh? Maybe there's money to be made in selling Fred Vests.

kenmc

ROK ON wrote: »

I find the bib thing bizarre - I hope that it is just the number to stick on the back, rather than a hi vest.

Once again though it's open public road; you can ride it any time you wnat. Perhaps if enough people went to register, refused the hi-vis vest and donated their sponsorship funds to some entirely different charity the organizers would come to their senses?