Ring Of Kerry Charity Cycle

jimmyc06

Just seen the website there for the 2009 cycle. I'm thinking of doing this for charity, nothing competitive just a nice leisurly cycle. Could I do this on a mountain bike as the only bike I've got is a Trojan Mountain bike. Also what training would you recommend for this cycle , I've never done any really long length of cycling before, but if I put in the training between now and July I should be alright I think. :rolleyes:

penexpers

You could do it on a mountain bike - there were lots of them last year. Just make sure your tires are the slick kind and not the knobbly kind. Try and get some bar ends too, to give you more choice of hand positions.

As for training, I would say just start off at 20km, do that a few times a week then work up to 30 and 40 and so on. I don't think you really need to have done the full distance before doing the cycle itself, but it might help.

kenmc

Many people did it on MTBs last year.
Get slick tyres rather than chunky knobblies, and lockout your suspension if you have any. You'll get passed out by everyone on road bikes, but if you don't mind that, you'll have a ball. Seeya there.

Gavin

What's the deal with the sponsorship, does one have to raise a certain amount ?

blorg

Doing it on a mountain bike would be punishing, largely due to the tyres and suspension.

Change the tyres for narrow slicks at least.

Suspension not a lot you can do about- I am presuming you have front suspension?

penexpers

Gavin wrote: »

What's the deal with the sponsorship, does one have to raise a certain amount ?

Don't have to raise a cent. You can self-sponsor too (I think a lot of people do this).

jimmyc06

have the knobbly tyres at the moment,I'l change these so, not too sure about the suspension to be honest!!! Must start getting the practice in now, it's just so cold!! As I said it's for charity I'l do it nothing competitive,

ROK ON

jimmyc06 wrote: »

have the knobbly tyres at the moment,I'l change these so, not too sure about the suspension to be honest!!! Must start getting the practice in now, it's just so cold!! As I said it's for charity I'l do it nothing competitive,

Hi. The Ring of Kerry was my 1st intro to proper cycling having just commuted for years. I did it for charity (and if not mistaken, raised more than any other participant).:D

Anyway, it is a great day out and I'd imagine that you will really enjoy it.

My training began in early April and I moved from 30km spins up to 100km spins by June. The 160km on the Ring of Kerry was my 1st (and only) time doing 160km. The longest spin that I did before the Ring of Kerry was 120km. Cycling with a group is way easier than training on your own. The general crowd will just pull you along. On this sort of thing, people do actually look out for one another.

I was a little sore after it, but nothing major. I actually went for a small cycle the day after just to loosen the muscles.

Very doable - I did it in 7hr20mins on knobbly tyres (but on a cross bike).
It would however be a lot easier with slicks.

One word of advice, at the feed stations by all means stop and rehydrate/take on food. But dont stay too long.

I bombed it out the road from Killarney to Caherciveen last year, knowing that I would stay 45mis at the feedsatation. Big mistake - my legs completely siezed up with cramp. Get off the bike for about 5mins only.

Anyway, enjoy it and best of luck with the fundraising.

henboy

jimmyc06 wrote: »

Just seen the website there for the 2009 cycle. I'm thinking of doing this for charity, nothing competitive just a nice leisurly cycle. Could I do this on a mountain bike as the only bike I've got is a Trojan Mountain bike. Also what training would you recommend for this cycle , I've never done any really long length of cycling before, but if I put in the training between now and July I should be alright I think. :rolleyes:

I just done my first 100km the wknd. It was with the Barrow Wheelers down in New Ross. I did it on my Hybrid and had no problems, the wind was really strong all day, but I lasted and enjoyed It. I still can't beleive I cycled this distance. Once you stick to your own pace u'll be fine. Go on give It ago

tomc

Am guessing your not talking about this ?

http://www.cooperationireland.org/?q=supportus/cycling/2009/tourthekingdom

Anyone doing this, this year?

TomC

CheGuedara

penexpers wrote: »

Don't have to raise a cent. You can self-sponsor too (I think a lot of people do this).

True, don't need to raise a cent but turning up with an empty sponsorship card and availing of the food stops provided is kinda low.

jimmyc06 wrote: »

Just seen the website there for the 2009 cycle. I'm thinking of doing this for charity, nothing competitive just a nice leisurly cycle. Could I do this on a mountain bike as the only bike I've got is a Trojan Mountain bike. Also what training would you recommend for this cycle , I've never done any really long length of cycling before, but if I put in the training between now and July I should be alright I think.

Done it ten times myself on mountain bikes in the first 2/3years and then racers ever since. The cycle is a fixed event on our club calendar and so far we've never failed to get even the greenest newbie around it in comfort with proper training.

As said before, get slicks for the bike, 1.25in or better if you can find them and pump them to the max recommended.

Regarding training, start small, try getting 2 or 3 twenty mile cycles in per week, for 2-3 weeks, then 25 miles, then 30, then 40 etc etc working up to 50-60 miles per spin. In 15 weeks you could have more than 1000 miles of training done for it and it'll be a cake walk for you.

Do almost nothing the week before the cycle, maybe only a short 15-20 miles on the wed/thursday to keep the legs free only and feed up on Friday (read as loads of pasta).

On the day itself, light breakfast (no frys!!!), try and kit out for the weather (difficult in Ireland at the best of times) and just pace yourself. Dont try to go with the racer lads unless you're at their level.

Make your breaks short (esp in Kenmare, the Molls Gap climb is ten times harder if you allow yourself to get cold) and when available always put a banana into your back pocket in case you get low on fuel on the road.

The Ring is a great day out, you'll come across all sorts and see a lot of scenic Kerry. See you there.

trek climber

tomc wrote: »

Am guessing your not talking about this ?

http://www.cooperationireland.org/?q=supportus/cycling/2009/tourthekingdom

Anyone doing this, this year?

TomC

TomC,

It is a totally different event - might be interested in taking this on but will depend - sponsorship is an issue, cant keep asking the same people everytime for money..
Also, the Into the West cycle will be on around the same time of year and that is one we do every year.

cpaul

CheGuedara wrote: »

Regarding training, start small, try getting 2 or 3 twenty mile cycles in per week, for 2-3 weeks, then 25 miles, then 30, then 40 etc etc working up to 50-60 miles per spin. In 15 weeks you could have more than 1000 miles of training done for it and it'll be a cake walk for you.

Do almost nothing the week before the cycle, maybe only a short 15-20 miles on the wed/thursday to keep the legs free only and feed up on Friday (read as loads of pasta).

.

Sorry for resurrecting an old thread (and probably going a bit OT) but cycling is something I'm looking to get into as a means of exercise and who knows maybe even relaxation! I like the idea of competing in these charity cycles - gives you a goal and something to build towards (as long as they're not too competitive!).

Starting from scratch I'd imagine it's too late to prepare for the 'Ring of Kerry' now but would anyone have advice on training/prepping for similar events. Am gonna follow CheGuedara's advice and start doing 25 miles a couple of times a week for now!

Anyone have suggestions for websites or other resources that provide advice on how best to build up your fitness through cycling.

In my current state I'm definitely overweight but I play squash about once a week and that gives some level of fitness I suppose.

Any advice much appreciated!

blorg

With something like cycling 180km it is all about slow steady effort. Squash would be a lot more "peaky" I imagine. Best to get out on the bike and just start upping the miles. The good news is the ROK is pretty flat so weight does not matter as much as on the likes of the Wicklow 200, Sean Kelly 160, etc.

cpaul

Thanks for the advice blorg....not sure what kind of shape my bike is in but time to get on the saddle and see where it takes me.

Do you think I'd be too late for ROK now?

blorg

Best get out on the bike, steadily increasing the mileage and see how you go. You have slightly over 2 months, it really depends on your current fitness level. You saw all sorts finishing it last year.

CheGuedara

Hey,

Yup, start smallish and build up. Seeing as you're new to the bike speed should'nt be as big a focus as comfortably covering the distance. You've 11 or so weeks to train up which is plenty if you use them well.

Outside of what i suggested earlier the most useful thing you can do is get stuck in with a club or a group of friends etc that are doing the cycle; it gives you a routine to work within, makes training safer and more productive and sometimes easier. And don't avoid training just because it's raining out (unless it's plainly lunacy to go out in it) - it's an easy way to lose valuable training. There are also a few articles on bikeradar.com about sportive training (the term given to these challenge type cycles) that may be informative also

Bikewise - a racer is recommended, a hybrid/tourer is ok and a mountain bike will do (but it'll work against you, even if you use it with slicks).

And if you don't have some already, do get proper cycling kit as ordinary shorts and t-shirts will leave you crippled and drenched in sweat

cpaul

Lads, thanks so much for your advice on this - is really encouraging!

Bikeradar.com looks like a useful website too.