Ring Of Kerry Cycle 112miles.

63587614

Hi guys,

I am thinking of doing the above cycle. Can you recommend a good bike to get to complete it. I was thinking a racer would be the job.

Where can I find an affordable bike.

Chips Lovell

63587614 wrote: »

I was thinking a racer would be the job.

You are thinking right.

Raam

63587614 wrote: »

Where can I find an affordable bike.

What is your budget?

63587614

Ya I got out there last week on a hybrid I think, a cross between a racer and mountain bike. Did 35miles, broke up after it. One of my mates had this real heavy mountain bike, some laugh afterwards.

Definitely need the cycle shorts, where's best to get the lot.

Would 250eur be all right as budget. I'm only a novice and would not cycle full-time as sport.

kenmc

You'd easily get 2 pairs of decent shorts for 250.

63587614

63587614 wrote: »

Ya I got out there last week on a hybrid I think, a cross between a racer and mountain bike. Did 35miles, broke up after it. One of my mates had this real heavy mountain bike, some laugh afterwards.

Definitely need the cycle shorts, where's best to get the lot.

Would 250eur be all right as budget. I'm only a novice and would not cycle full-time as sport.

For shorts and clothes you should check out Lidl - ok it's been several weeks since they had their cycling offer on but some shops might still have one or two bits or pieces available. Aldi might do a cycling special in the coming weeks since we're heading into summer (YAY!).

Alternatively maybe look at chainreactioncycles.com, wiggle.co.uk, probikekit.com etc. All have free delivery to Ireland.

63587614

Hi guys, so any ideas where I could pick up a handy racing bike for under 250eur.

kenmc

Asia maybe?
read this

ROK ON

It would be very difficult to pick up a racer for less than 250notes.
You probably need to look at 2nd hand adverts and such.

Judging from your post, it sounds like you intend doing the Ring and thats it.

If thats the case, do it on your existing bike, just get road (slick) tyres not MTB knobbly tyres. A road bike would be more comfy, but maynot justify spending the cash for a one off.

A lot of folks do the Ring on hybrids and MTB,s. Thus it is do able (just maybe not comfy or efficient).

For what its worth, I did it last year on a cross bike (racing style but built for some off roading) - thus the tyres were knobbly. It took 7hrs 20mins, and while I was tired I did'nt feel to bad at all. But in saying that, my bike is an exceedingly comfy bike. There is only one real climb, and that is Coomakista between Waterville and Derrynane. It is tough, but short (rises barely 250m. It will be a pain in the backside doing it on a heavy bike with thick tyres, but it is very doable.

CheGuedara

I agree with ROK ON, my club has the Ring as the target for completion for all new joiners who are new to cycling.

If you start training now you should be fine for it and keep working at around 30 - 40 miles as minimum training distances, pushing the distance out as you get closer to the cycle.

If youre able to cover a 60-70 mile cycle in training, you'll be able to cover the distance on the day as it's full of stops for recupiration (just don't stay too long or you'll get cold).

On the kit & bike front though:

DO get a helmet, gloves, shorts and a jersey for cycling

DONT get a new bike if you're not sure you'll continue to use it.

Do the R.O.K. first and if you've found you really enjoy the cycling then consider it again - but do a bit of saving and get something like a Giant Defy. In the mean time - put as narrow a pair of mtb slicks as you can get on the wheels and pump them to the max rec. pressure. It'll make a huge difference right away.

(if you don't have one already, get a saddle bag, puncture repair kit, pump and tyre levers - there's a lot of punctures on the day of Ring so best be prepared)

63587614

Cheers boys for the advice. Thing is though I have to get a bike. My old mountain bike got robbed in Dublin last year. Ya pretty intent on getting out soon and building up the mileage. Did 35mies, Fires to Inch last Sat and it wasn't that hard or difficult but very tiring afterwards, so must build up endurance.

So really need to find that bike. Going check around for 2nd hand in buy n sell etc.

Chips Lovell

You won't get any sort of decent new bike for that money. Realistically €600 or so is the entry level. Second hand is your only bet if you can't up your budget, but even then, there aren't that many road bikes coming on the market at that price.

CheGuedara

el tonto's right - buying something in the e250 range will get you going but will be heavy, badly made, have components that will wear and break as you look at them and generally break your heart. They'd do for a run to school or the shops but over 108 miles, I personally wouldn't go there.

If looking second hand try for a Giant OCR/SCR, Specialized Allez, Trek 1.2 or similar, they'd have aluminium frames, (usually) a carbon fork, and wheels and gears that should be fine to do the Ring on.

In fact THIS , THIS, THIS, or THIS would do the job nicely. (I know the sizes are a bit all over the place but you get my drift)

blorg

I'm selling a bike that might suit, drop bars but can take large tyres for comfort...

TinyExplosions

blorg wrote: »

I'm selling a bike that might suit, drop bars but can take large tyres for comfort...

OP, I'd suggest looking at this, if Blorg is anywhere close to your budget on price... have seen the bike in the flesh, and it's in great condition, and would get you round the ROK and further no problem at all!

kenmc

Fanboy

TinyExplosions

kenmc wrote: »

Fanboy

Moi? I just want to be Blorg when I'm all growed up!

63587614

Hi guys, appreciate all the suggestions. At least now I begining to understand what to look for. I suppose I should've mention i'm small in stature, 5 '8 to be exact. What size bike should I be looking for 54 cm, 56 cm.

blorg

It depends on the bike but I would imagine around 54cm. I reckon 56 would be too big in almost any case.

Murph100

You're welcome to try out my old steel road bike if you like. Its an old MBK in pretty good nick, and really comfy but it has the suicidal downtube shifters. I have a feeling though its gonna be too big for you.

I live near the Shanty in Ballyfinane ( Guinness from the Gods ! ), only a few miles from you by the sounds of it. You can have it for nothing if it fits you, my wife will probably pay you to take it and free up the garage !!!


Murph

rash

Cycling Ireland are offering a special Introductory membership for €10, this gives you limited personal injury insurance, and also 3rd party insurance while your are cycling, useful if you hit a car or pedestrian.

Would be useful for the ROK in case you take another rider out and they decide to sue you!

cyclingireland.ie

63587614

Never thought of Insurance. Will give it a look. Damn gettin sick of this bike hunting lark. Going check out a bike shop tomorrow in Dundrum. Forget the name. But was in the Cycle Surgeries places in shopping centre, way too scared of all the prices and yuppie staff.

blorg

63587614 wrote: »

Never thought of Insurance. Will give it a look. Damn gettin sick of this bike hunting lark. Going check out a bike shop tomorrow in Dundrum. Forget the name. But was in the Cycle Surgeries places in shopping centre, way too scared of all the prices and yuppie staff.

Joe Daly? If so, that is a very good shop and will provide good advice. Tell them what you are planning on using the bike for and that the internet sent you.

63587614

Ya that's right. I was in there before a couple of time to fix my pedal taht came off my robbed mountain bike. An old guy, was dead on actually.

FrankGrimes

rash wrote: »

Cycling Ireland are offering a special Introductory membership for €10, this gives you limited personal injury insurance, and also 3rd party insurance while your are cycling, useful if you hit a car or pedestrian.

Would be useful for the ROK in case you take another rider out and they decide to sue you!

cyclingireland.ie

Does anyone know how to go about signing up for a Leisure cyclist (i.e. €10 for first year) membership at ?

Only form I can find for Leisure riders is this - but that seems to only send them your info instead of setting up an account. If I can fill out a form and pay online, I'll do so but if it's more hassle than that don't know if I'll bother as I only want it for a few sportives.

Their website is like a well-crafted puzzle of some sort and I haven't found the key to get me to a new member's form online that doesn't ask for your club details.

scottreynolds

FrankGrimes wrote: »

Does anyone know how to go about signing up for a Leisure cyclist (i.e. €10 for first year) membership at ?

Only form I can find for Leisure riders is this - but that seems to only send them your info instead of setting up an account. If I can fill out a form and pay online, I'll do so but if it's more hassle than that don't know if I'll bother as I only want it for a few sportives.

Their website is like a well-crafted puzzle of some sort and I haven't found the key to get me to a new member's form online that doesn't ask for your club details.

Took me ages as welll................ Here's the link. I called them and they said 10 yoyos was fine.

http://www.cyclingireland.ie/download/2009%20Membership%20Application%20Form.doc?id=MzE2

FrankGrimes

scottreynolds wrote: »

Took me ages as welll................ Here's the link. I called them and they said 10 yoyos was fine.

http://www.cyclingireland.ie/download/2009%20Membership%20Application%20Form.doc?id=MzE2

Thanks for that. Just a couple of final pieces of this puzzle to solve...for riding Sportives only should I go for a Standard, Cycling, Other member category?

I take it I print the form and stick a cheque in with it into the post to the address on North Circular Road?

I actually checked the FAQs on their site and couldn't find any of this explained.....and the award for most over-complicated website goes to....

newman10

hi 6358714

Are you doing the Ring of Kerry cycle.

If so it is on July 3rd and it is a great day out.

blorg

FrankGrimes wrote: »

Thanks for that. Just a couple of final pieces of this puzzle to solve...for riding Sportives only should I go for a Standard, Cycling, Other member category?

I take it I print the form and stick a cheque in with it into the post to the address on North Circular Road?

I actually checked the FAQs on their site and couldn't find any of this explained.....and the award for most over-complicated website goes to....

I _think_ you want the "Cycling Member" membership.

CheGuedara

FrankGrimes wrote: »

Thanks for that. Just a couple of final pieces of this puzzle to solve...for riding Sportives only should I go for a Standard, Cycling, Other member category?

I take it I print the form and stick a cheque in with it into the post to the address on North Circular Road?

I actually checked the FAQs on their site and couldn't find any of this explained.....and the award for most over-complicated website goes to....

What you need is a cycling membership, standard membership would be for a non cycling member of a club etc, like maybe a mechanic, medic, photographer etc

Basically what you need to do is fill in the form, staple on a photocopy of a drivers licence or other form of photo ID and the cheque for a tenner. Then hop the lot into an envelop and sent it off to

Mr Rory Wall
Chief Sports Administrator
Cycling Ireland
Kelly Roche House 619 North Circular Road
Dublin 1


and you're done!

FrankGrimes

CheGuedara wrote: »

What you need is a cycling membership, standard membership would be for a non cycling member of a club etc, like maybe a mechanic, medic, photographer etc

Basically what you need to do is fill in the form, staple on a photocopy of a drivers licence or other form of photo ID and the cheque for a tenner. Then hop the lot into an envelop and sent it off to

Mr Rory Wall
Chief Sports Administrator
Cycling Ireland
Kelly Roche House 619 North Circular Road
Dublin 1


and you're done!

Good man Che. Have that all done now and just need to get a stamp and post it off....ah the good old days of snail mail.

Would seem like the obvious thing would be for them to put your instructions in a prominent place on their website, but I guess there's more intrigue to it this way....feels like solving a rubik's cube or something!