Last week before Ring of Kerry 2011 cycle & whos taking part thread

The Behemoth

Hey folks, many here doing the Ring of Kerry this Saturday?
Anyway bit of advice needed as i havent done as much training for this as i have the last 2 years. The best i got in was a 3 hour cycle the Sunday before last. I have plenty of one hour spins in the last few weeks in the evenings after work etc & a few 50 km cycles earlier on this year. Whats the best plan for the rest of the week as im worried im gonna be smashed after the cycle next Saturday. Whats the best diet on the morning & the best recovery directly after? I wanna enjoy my night out in Killarney afterwards etc.
Thanks in advance & hope you enjoy the cycle if your going.:)

07Lapierre

The Behemoth wrote: »

Hey folks, many here doing the Ring of Kerry this Saturday?
Anyway bit of advice needed as i havent done as much training for this as i have the last 2 years. The best i got in was a 3 hour cycle the Sunday before last. I have plenty of one hour spins in the last few weeks in the evenings after work etc & a few 50 km cycles earlier on this year. Whats the best plan for the rest of the week as im worried im gonna be smashed after the cycle next Saturday. Whats the best diet on the morning & the best recovery directly after? I wanna enjoy my night out in Killarney afterwards etc.
Thanks in advance & hope you enjoy the cycle if your going.:)

Its not like the Leaving Cert! you can't "cram in" extra training on the night before . At this stage, with only a few days to go, your either prepared or your not. I suspect you'll be fine, but panicking now won't help. Eat normally, get plenty of rest and try and get out on the bike once or twice between now and Saturday, but don't overdo it.

CheGuedara

I agree. Especially about the not panicking.

The nature of the event means you'll inevitably make your way around with others with the same level of ability.

Worst things you can do are:

• not eat enough on the day: close to impossible with the number of food/waterstops but there's no harm taking in something like a nutrigrain once an hour.
• eating the wrong thing on the day: the day of the event is not when you want to find out a particular energy drink/gel/bar doesn't agree with you.
• not drink enough: bring two bottles on the bike. you'll nearly always be grateful for that second one.
• try to jump in with and hang onto a faster moving bunch: there's a greater risk of hitting a wall and then being very hard pressed to complete.

This week try to take it easy on the bike: going for a short spin this evening and Thursday evening would be ideal. Eat well Thursday evening and Friday to put fuel into the legs (very hard to go wrong with pasta), have a good nights sleep Friday, try to select kit to match the weather, do your ABC's*, roll out and enjoy the day.

Re recovery - Firstly don't immediately get off the bike once you cross the line, do even as little as 3mins of just slowly spinning an easy gear to help flush some of the lactate out of the legs, then if you can get some good quality protein and carbohydrate and fluids into you inside of ~1hr of getting off the bike that helps with recovery no end.

*ABC's
A - Air, is there enough in the tyres? Do you have your pump, spare tube and repair kit?
B - Brakes, are they working? Check pads, cable and lever.
C - Chain, is it in good order and shifting cleanly both front and rear?

mgmt

I havn't got much milage in either. I'm just going to keep at a comfortable pace and draft as much as possible. I'm going to stuff myself with Fig Roll bars during the cycle so I don't bonk.

gaffmaster

I haven't registered.
I have no accomodation.
I have no riding buddies going down.
Should I still go?

I wanted to do the Ring this year, it'd be the longest one day event I've ever tried. My average speed when I cycle on my own is just over 26km/hr.
I have a mate who I might be able to tag along with who averages 30km/hr and regularly does club rides. Would I be right in saying I should avoid his group (if I go down)?

How does it work down there? Do groups of loners with similar abilities form, then set off together? Or is it more like you get dropped until you find your level?

I also don't have a triple (I have a compact and I'm rubbish on hills). Anyone think this would be an issue?

I'm in two minds altogether...

mgmt

gaffmaster wrote: »

I haven't registered.
I have no accomodation.
I have no riding buddies going down.
Should I still go?

I wanted to do the Ring this year, it'd be the longest one day event I've ever tried. My average speed when I cycle on my own is just over 26km/hr.
I have a mate who I might be able to tag along with who averages 30km/hr and regularly does club rides. Would I be right in saying I should avoid his group (if I go down)?

How does it work down there? Do groups of loners with similar abilities form, then set off together? Or is it more like you get dropped until you find your level?

I also don't have a triple (I have a compact and I'm rubbish on hills). Anyone think this would be an issue?

I'm in two minds altogether...

You can register now. Its not a big deal either way. Register on the day and give a donation or whatever.

I think 4,000 did it last year and they said it will be bigger this year. There is literally 100s around you at all times so you will never be your own.

kala85

what way does the route go. is it killarney kenmare or killarney killorglin first. Can anybody recommend any reasonable accommodation??

irishmotorist

Killarney to Killorglan first. Kenmare is the last food stop. I'm staying in my usual place - Old Weir Lodge B&B on the Muckross Road and I'd always recommend it as being a nice place and location. They also send me a Christmas card I booked it ages ago, but it's worth a try. The official start and finish are about 1km apart and this place is bang in the middle.

Hu Deman

Does anyone know how far apart the water stops are. and what is the best supplement to add to water.ie berocca or similar!

CheGuedara

Hu Deman wrote: »

Does anyone know how far apart the water stops are. and what is the best supplement to add to water.ie berocca or similar!

In addition to the main stops at Caherciveen and Kenmare there are usually optional water stops at Killorglin, Glenbeigh, Coomaciste (summit), and Sneem.

Berocca wouldn't be your best bet - you either want carbohydrate or electrolytes (or both) in your bottles, typical cycling energy products are Hi5, SIS and Torq (your local bike shop should be able to sell you some of these or similar if worth it's salt) but you would get away with 50:50 dilution lucozade sport and water to fuel and hydrate you on the day. If looking for cheap electrolytes to add to a bottle, dioralyte is one of the best easiest sources to put ones mitts on.

Hu Deman

thanks for that Che, i haven't done anything like this before so i'm a bit uncertain as what to take. will definitely try my local bike shop. thanks again:D

CheGuedara

Hu Deman wrote: »

thanks for that Che, i haven't done anything like this before so i'm a bit uncertain as what to take. will definitely try my local bike shop. thanks again:D

No bother, we all start off the same; my first cycling event all those years ago was the ROK so I can appreciate how it can be a bit daunting for novice cyclists.

Signal_ rabbit

I'll be there, its a grand day out!

mgmt

Hu Deman wrote: »

Does anyone know how far apart the water stops are. and what is the best supplement to add to water.ie berocca or similar!

Orange Juice for potassium
Salt to replace lost sodium in sweat
Sugar for energy

bikenut

irishmotorist wrote: »

. The official start and finish are about 1km apart

If only!!

thehamo

il be camping in the whitesbridge camp site anyone stayed here before know what its like?

Quirkey105

Can anyone who has done it before let me know what the hills are like?

ustazjoseph

coom na ciste , after Waterville is a long slow grind. The hardcore w200 mob will fly up it. the under-trained , the overweight,the slow and the hopeful like myself will make it up . just keep spinning,it looks worse than it is. The other big one is right after Kenmare ; Molls gap. Can look bad if your tired and its getting late - its do able . Last year i found a warm mini mars bar in my pocket . that got me through. then tell yourself its all downhill to the finish (its not really but your almost there ). ENJOY

The Behemoth

Yeah the Hills on the cycle arent too bad. As stated above they are long slow grinds, about 3% to 4% with an odd kick up here & there. Try & enjoy the view if you can. At the top of Coom a Ciste however you spell it there is a water stop & some people giving out loads of chocolate & bananas etc. Remind yourself of this as you head up it, it might keep your spirit up.
As long as your not unbelievably overweight then you will get over these fine. Its almost all downhill to Killarney from the top of Molls Gap but you will have around 12 - 15km of flattishness left. Just keep going at that point as you havent far left then.
Hope you have a great day.

check_six

I'll be taking part in this for the first time this weekend. Just checked the weather and it looks like the predicted sprinkling of rain will now be staying away from Kerry for the day. Wind looks okay too. I haven't done this kind of distance before, but I'm really looking forward to it now.

petethedrummer

thehamo wrote: »

il be camping in the whitesbridge camp site anyone stayed here before know what its like?

Nah, but I stayed at the Flesk one last year. It was pretty good but I woke up freezing in the middle of the night. I doubt that will happen to you, it's much warmer this year.

Morrisseeee

Virgin here too, only thing I'm concerned about is the distance, it's fcekin loooong! Altho if the legs are good, I'm thinking of veering off Molls and heading up the Gap Of Dunloe and into Kate's for a bite to eat, Kate does a mighty stew :pac:

ROK ON

Morrisseeee wrote: »

Virgin here too, only thing I'm concerned about is the distance, it's fcekin loooong! Altho if the legs are good, I'm thinking of veering off Molls and heading up the Gap Of Dunloe and into Kate's for a bite to eat, Kate does a mighty stew :pac:

If you are concerned about distance then thats simply daft.
By Molls Gap you will have 145km done. Kate Kearneys cottage is 30km away across sh1te roads and one steep (but short climb). Roads will be covered ion horse drawn carriages and horse excrement.

At Molls Gap you will be 20km from the finish. There are oodles of places to get stew in Killarney. If you fancy a bite to eat at that stage then the Avoca cafe at Molls Gaps does a nice slice of cake.

Also, just around the corner (2km down the road to Sneem) is http://www.pancakecottage.com/

They do lovely homemade soup, great pancakes and coffee.

Last year I started and finished at Molls Gap, and belted here for pancakes once I finished.

ROK ON

I drove down Coomakiste on Sunday.

At that thime there was a lot of roadworks going on about halfway down. There was a set of traffic lights with a stop/go system in place.

It is not mentioned on the AA Roadwatch site so I am presuming that they have been cleared for the event on Saturday. If not, and you are held up, then at the traffic lights there is a right turn that will descent you down to Derrynane house and you can detour around. Lovely steep descent if ye fancy something different.

Chips Lovell

Doing my third Ring of Kerry this year. Will be doing it with my sister this time. It's her first event.

michael196

picked up a few half snickers bars on the tour de burren, and found they gave great energy. especially when i had nothing else to provide energy.

would never normally take confectionary / cholcolate bars while cycling.

The Behemoth

I am looking forward immensely to the famous Ring of Kerry buttered brack that i hope will be in its usual abundance.

check_six

What's the consensus regarding start times? I know there is some controversy over the club riders start time (6am! A time of day I have only seen before going to bed, not after getting up!).

Anywhere else good for a heavy meal after? Either myself or my buddy will be driving back that night, so we'll need a good heavy meal after.

ROK ON

@donal

In Killarney for food try the following.
Smokehouse
Laurels Pub
The bar in Malton Hotel is great.
Trevauds is supposed to be very nice but I haven't been in there yet.
My favourite is a tiny Chinese takeaway next to the Spar that does absolutely fantastic salt & chilli spare ribs.

bikenut

There's a lot of comments in last years thread about dangerous cycling - my wife is new to cycling and wouldn't be the most confident with kamikazes whizzing past at close range at 55kph plus. She'd be well able to manage the distance/hills etc but the last thing I want to do is turn her off cycling or sportives...any advice?... wait until the Tour of Meath?

redmaxi

I'll be doing my 2nd ROK. Haven't done much cycling in the last three months but sure I'll just tip away at my ease and enjoy the day out.
@ bikenut most of the cyclist were well behaved last year and gave plenty of room when passing slower cyclist. An early start might be a good idea.

maryishairy

bikenut wrote: »

There's a lot of comments in last years thread about dangerous cycling - my wife is new to cycling and wouldn't be the most confident with kamikazes whizzing past at close range at 55kph plus. She'd be well able to manage the distance/hills etc but the last thing I want to do is turn her off cycling or sportives...any advice?... wait until the Tour of Meath?

The ROK is beginning to become a victim of its own success. There used to be an official start but numbers became so big, that this was deemed unsafe and scrapped. Now, you register and head off in your own time.

With numbers of 4000-5000 expected, there will be a huge range of abilities there and despite efforts by the organisers to get the clubs/groups to start at 6am, there will inevitably be fast groups heading off later than that.

It can become dangerous when a fast group tries to pass a slower group or individuals who don't see the fast group coming but as long as she realises this heading out, she should be fine.

ah yeah

doing ROK for the first time this year. Looking for some advice re nutrition/clothing etc.

I was thinking of bringing a light backpack, with food, rainjacket, spare tubes etc. Would be this be too cumbersome to carry over the whole day?

I think the two official food stops won't be enough and I'll be starving!

Chips Lovell

ah yeah wrote: »

doing ROK for the first time this year. Looking for some advice re nutrition/clothing etc.

I was thinking of bringing a light backpack, with food, rainjacket, spare tubes etc. Would be this be too cumbersome to carry over the whole day?

I think the two official food stops won't be enough and I'll be starving!

Don't. A backpack over that distance would be very uncomfortable. I've done it on one foodstop before. They really do lay on loads. Throw a few bars and a few bob in your pockets along with the rainjacket and tube and you'll be grand.

ah yeah

Don't. A backpack over that distance would be very uncomfortable. I've done it on one foodstop before. They really do lay on loads. Throw a few bars and a few bob in your pockets along with the rainjacket and tube and you'll be grand.

Advice taken thanks, how regular are the water stops do you know? only have one bottle cage on the bike?

youtheman

And the good news is that the weather forecast for 2nd is becoming less pessimistic as the days go by. Earlier this week is was looking cloudy with 20% probability of rain. Now it looks like it won't rain at all :

http://uk.weather.com/weather/10day-Killarney-EIXX0023

Surely I don'l need sun screen !!!!!!!!!

Chips Lovell

ah yeah wrote: »

Advice taken thanks, how regular are the water stops do you know? only have one bottle cage on the bike?

From the organisers:

Main food stops

- At 64 kilometres. Caherciveen .Colaiste na Sceilge, (the school is situated on the Waterville side of the town on the right hand side),

- Light refreshments at Sneem, 110 kilometres

- At 145 kilometres. Kenmare Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine, Secondary School which is located beside the church.

- There will be a number of water stations along the route.

Going on previous years, I spotted people giving out water at nearly every town along the way. By the sounds of the email, you might get a snack in Sneem too.

penexpers

Giving this a miss this year and kind of regretting the decision now - it really is a great day out.

Chips Lovell

Anyone got any good nightspot recommendations? I always end up in Mustang Sallys, which ticks all the boxes, but I'm wondering if I should broaden my horizons a bit?

ustazjoseph

http://www.killarneygrand.com/ hear good reports of this - haven't been - no connection but locally well regarded for a good night out.

TheTubes

I'll be there.
Have done a 110km sportive before but never tried this distance.
No idea how long its going to take.
Looking forward to it though.

ROK ON

TheTubes wrote: »

I'll be there.
Have done a 110km sportive before but never tried this distance.
No idea how long its going to take.
Looking forward to it though.

It will take as long as it will take. Dont worry and enjoy it. Tomorrow will be my fourth. Times have ranged between 9hours and 5h50m.
Anyone who has done 110km is well able for the Ring of Kerry. The longest that I cycled prior to my first one was 90km.
They are expected 5000 people on the road so it should be a bit of craic (with some mayhem thrown in).

I frove from Molls Gap to Killarney yday, and I have to say that the descent from Ladies View has been resurfaced, and while it is the usual Kerry job at road resurfacing, the road does look better than I have seen it for years.

Weather looks promising to boot.

Dubba

I was going to do this but I've a very stiff neck so have pulled out

Chips Lovell

Just arrived in Killarney. Weather is glorious. Off for a spin up the Gap of Dunloe.

CheGuedara

el tonto wrote: »

Just arrived in Killarney. Weather is glorious. Off for a spin up the Gap of Dunloe.

[Seething Envy]

I'd make an Armstrongian deal to get out on the road with the weather we have today! Perfect conditions for a spin up to the gap!

Dr.Millah

Looking forward to tomorrow! Was worried about the weather for a while but that seems to have sorted itself out now, should be a great day.

shamwari

I've very jealous because I'm won't be there this year

Best of luck to everyone on what will be a bloody great day :cool:

The Behemoth

el tonto wrote: »

Just arrived in Killarney. Weather is glorious. Off for a spin up the Gap of Dunloe.

Did you have a Funky pink jersey on you 2 years ago El Tonto??

DirkVoodoo

el tonto wrote: »

Just arrived in Killarney. Weather is glorious. Off for a spin up the Gap of Dunloe.

Nuts. Wish I was there now.

Chips Lovell

The Behemoth wrote: »

Did you have a Funky pink jersey on you 2 years ago El Tonto??

Yep. So did Raam