Chain gang Sportive 15th sept

CheGuedara

Just dropping a short line to let folk know this year's Chain Gang Sportives are open and taking entries for the 110km Conor Pass Challenge and 150km Blasket Blast on Saturday September 15th.

As with previous editions of the event, these routes take in the scenic and challenging Dingle Peninsula. Both start in Tralee and roll out the northern coast before climbing and crossing over the Conor Pass, Ireland's highest mountain pass, and dropping into Dingle for a well deserved rest and food stop.

From here the routes diverge, with the Conor Pass Challenge heading back the peninsula and running through Anascaul, Inch and Castlemaine before crossing back over the peninsula by climbing over Curraghmore.

The Blasket Blast, on the other hand, continues out the peninsula, taking in Ventry, a river crossing and the spectacular views around Slea Head before returning to Dingle via Ballyferriter. From here the route returns to Tralee as with the Conor Pass Challenge.

We hope to put on a great set of cycles this year on what we endeavour to make a brilliant day on the bike. So come to Tralee and take on what we feel are some of the best challenge cycles, in some of the most spectacular countryside both Kerry and Ireland has to offer.

For full details and online entry (which will save a few hard earned euros over on the day registration!) check out - www.thechaingangsportives.com

michael196

CheGuedara wrote: »

Just dropping a short line to let folk know this year's Chain Gang Sportives are open and taking entries for the 110km Conor Pass Challenge and 150km Blasket Blast on Saturday September 15th.

As with previous editions of the event, these routes take in the scenic and challenging Dingle Peninsula. Both start in Tralee and roll out the northern coast before climbing and crossing over the Conor Pass, Ireland's highest mountain pass, and dropping into Dingle for a well deserved rest and food stop.

From here the routes diverge, with the Conor Pass Challenge heading back the peninsula and running through Anascaul, Inch and Castlemaine before crossing back over the peninsula by climbing over Curraghmore.

The Blasket Blast, on the other hand, continues out the peninsula, taking in Ventry, a river crossing and the spectacular views around Slea Head before returning to Dingle via Ballyferriter. From here the route returns to Tralee as with the Conor Pass Challenge.

We hope to put on a great set of cycles this year on what we endeavour to make a brilliant day on the bike. So come to Tralee and take on what we feel are some of the best challenge cycles, in some of the most spectacular countryside both Kerry and Ireland has to offer.

For full details and online entry (which will save a few hard earned euros over on the day registration!) check out - www.thechaingangsportives.com

is this part of the wet season or the dry season locally ....?

dafman

Anyone doing this on saturday and what can lad expect .registered for 150 km route and hoping for good day with not too much suffering .Weather not looking too bad but early in the week I suppose .Is ther many registered at this stage does anyone know.

mccutchie

I'm doing the 150 also, nice one to finish the season off. Never did the conor pass so looking forward to that

dafman

Yea should be good one,did conor pass once this year at end of etape ras mumhan and tough enough especially as the spin ended at top after 132 kms .
Outside of that route doesnt look too bad and scenery should be good too if a lad can get his head up and look around a bit .

at1withmyself

Signed up during the week but does anyone know the start times and registration time as I can't find on the website??

CheGuedara

Sorry to hear you're having trouble finding the info - it should have been on everybody's registration confirmation and is on the event website, though perhaps it may have been more clearly indicated.

In any case - we'll have the sign on desks open from 8 to 9am (or shortly after it) followed by a short safety briefing and we hope to roll out of Kerins O'Rahillys at 9.30.

We've just wrapped up the last elements of the pre-ride prep here and will have signage out in the morning to guide participants arriving into the town to O'Rahillys no matter what direction they approach the town from.

See you in the A.M., the weather's looking to be nice and from having recce'd the route I can say it's as good as ever!

Now off for the final marshals briefing...

at1withmyself

Thanks Che, found it last night through your link. Couldn't open the link on the chaingang website for some reason on my pc.

Bit of a strange day today for me, left far to early from Galway (05:15) and so arrived very early for the start so I headed off myself at 9:00. Was on the Mountain Bike so after about 10 km pushing against the wind I quickly decided the 110 option was enough and set a goal to get to the top of the pass without being caught by the main group so pushed on. It was lonely till the pass and then I began to catch people who left earlier than me. Took it easy enough on the climb as I didn't want to burn out to early. The downhill was harder as it was cold and damp but still made it to the foodstop without been caught so happy with that considering I was on a mountain bike (I did however have 30 minutes head start!)

Good spread at the food stop with sandwiches, pasta, cake and more. Didn't stay too long and headed off again by myself to finish the 110 route. The change in direction meant more a side / tail wind which was great but didn't meet another soul on the road till the end, think I was too early as no Marshals or signs of anyone at the other water stops but I knew to bring enough when I left ahead of schedule. Sun was out going by inch strand and then the final climb with wind on my back and determined to reach an average of 25 kph meant going up the 5 km drag at 18+ kph which was hard.

First back at the finish and some nice cakes waiting Overall a quiet day in the saddle but tough and happy with my time but while still waiting on my new road wheels I really miss my road bike:mad: Well organised event and my third trip down to it so looking forward to returning next year.

CheGuedara wrote: »

Sorry to hear you're having trouble finding the info - it should have been on everybody's registration confirmation and is on the event website, though perhaps it may have been more clearly indicated.

In any case - we'll have the sign on desks open from 8 to 9am (or shortly after it) followed by a short safety briefing and we hope to roll out of Kerins O'Rahillys at 9.30.

We've just wrapped up the last elements of the pre-ride prep here and will have signage out in the morning to guide participants arriving into the town to O'Rahillys no matter what direction they approach the town from.

See you in the A.M., the weather's looking to be nice and from having recce'd the route I can say it's as good as ever!

Now off for the final marshals briefing...

Arequipa

Hi! I did the 150 km Blasket Blast yesterday. I really enjoyed it.
I think there was possibly only 100-200 cyclists involved.
The organisation was really good, the foodstops were perfect and the atmosphere was friendly and fun.
A group of local cyclists flew ahead and finished about 20mins/30 mins ahead of everyone else.
The scenery was wonderful; particularly around Slea Head: we really have such a beautiful country!
The mist and drizzle hung over the Conor Pass: I actually really enjoyed the drag up and over the top.
The course wasnt too tough, but the pace was high(for me!) we averaged 27kmph over 151kms...I cycled for 5hours 20 mins and burned just under 5000cals!
After the race I went for a swim in the sea at Fenit and drove home to Dublin, tired but happy after a great day!
Thanks to all the Chain Gang Cycling Club for a great event!

Arequipa.

CheGuedara

Congratulations to everyone who took to the roads with us on Saturday and put 110km or 150km of challenging, scenic road under the wheels! Chapeau on bagging a serious day in the saddle!

We are very grateful to everyone who took part – participants travelled from all over Ireland, some even coming from the UK, to take part. The very strong support from comrades in cycling clubs from Tralee, Kerry, Munster and further afield was massively appreciated by all in the Chain Gang.

The weather stayed fine for our day in September, the challenge assisted by headwinds on the way out and tailwinds on the way home. The Conor Pass was variously described from “awesome” to “unreal” to “tough going” and even “expletive deleted” and was most certainly ‘atmospheric’. Our participants were of course the highlight of the day – the enjoyment of the route, the camaraderie between riders and grit shown on each hill was evident from the front to the back of the field.

We hope everyone enjoyed their day with us; the feedback received so far by email and Facebook has been enormously positive and we thank everyone for their kind words. As cyclists we try hard to put on the calibre and standard of event that we would be happy with ourselves and without our participants to share it with the long hours of planning and preparation would be for nought. (That said, constructive criticism is helpful for directing improvement and so is always welcome).

We managed to bag some photos of riders as they came to the summit of the Conor Pass, at the food stop in Dingle and as they barrelled down the Bothar Fada – we hope to have these uploaded shortly so keep an eye out!
_________________________________

Lastly but certainly not least a wealth of thanks is due to:

• The people of the Dingle Peninsula who allowed us an unfettered and incident free roll around the peninsula.
• The platoon of volunteer marshals who gave their time and energy to place signage, man junctions and roundabouts, prepare and run the food and water stops, drive support and broom vehicles and more.
• The Garda Siochana and the Garda motorcyle outriders for for their invaluable support.
• The civilian motorcycle outriders who did an amazing job in guiding and supporting the peloton.
• The Red Cross for providing medical backup for the day.
• Kerins O’Rahillys GAA Club and Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne for supporting the event and generously allowing us to take over their grounds and buildings for the day.
• O'Halloran Cycles, Garveys Supervalue Tralee, Kerry Spring Water, and Poff Motors for supporting the event by way of helping to make sure participants had plenty energy, were well fed and hydrated.
• The Chain Gang Cycling Club patrons – The Blasket Bar and Costello Contractors – whose support helps to ensure the successful running of the event each year.

Beasty

Threads merged

Beasty

Arequipa

Yea, well done on a great event...
I'll be back next year!

Arequipa.

dafman

yea great event and first time doing it,well done to all involved and thanks for great spin ,very well organised ,plenty of marshals ,loads of food and good will ,scenery spectacular when lad got his head up ,will be back for sure next year and will try and bring few with me.

mccutchie

Arequipa wrote: »

Yea, well done on a great event...
I'll be back next year!

Arequipa.

I echo those comments, it was a mighty cycle, i'd go so far as to say the best this year, and a sound bunch of lads doing it.

Well done to all concerned.

ford2600

Awful shame the Cork An Post cycle was on the same day, wouldn't have mattered other years but the Caha Peninsula route couldn't be missed.

I'll climb thw Conor Pass before the year is out

mccutchie wrote: »

I echo those comments, it was a mighty cycle, i'd go so far as to say the best this year, and a sound bunch of lads doing it.

Well done to all concerned.

shaka

ford2600 wrote: »

Awful shame the Cork An Post cycle was on the same day, wouldn't have mattered other years but the Caha Peninsula route couldn't be missed.

I'll climb thw Conor Pass before the year is out

Wanted to do both but caha and Healy pass in one day couldn't be turned down , hopefully they don't clash next year

CheGuedara

shaka wrote: »

hopefully they don't clash next year

So say we all!

FWIW that nobody ever contacted, communicated or discussed with the Chain Gang that a clash with our already established date was to be/had been approved was disappointing. The first the Chain Gang knew about it was when the C.I. handbooks appeared. Proper observance of the C.I./C.M. calendaring process should enable this type of clash to be avoided in future.

In any case roll on 2013 - we're looking forward to it and maybe introducing some new ideas we're kicking around!