Ring of "North" Kerry cycle

Ron_Noco

http://www.ring-of-north-kerry-cycle.com/

Hi all, this isn't as well known or as prestigious as the ROK cycle... Did it last year and found it challenging enough, especially Kerry head hills

I think the first year they had only less than 100 , last year there was 400 so it seems to be growing in popularity

Details =
"The 3rd Annual Ring of North Kerry Cycle takes place on saturday August 10th. There are two routes of 120 and 70km. There will be a mass start at 930 from Finuge GAA pitch. Entry fees €15 for under 18s, €20 for adult Cycling Ireland members and €25 for non members. Regst on the morn from 730 www.ring-of-northkerry-cycle.com or check out Finuge Freewheelers on facebook. See u there."


Anybody interested?

Cheers

Vivienne23

Hi Ron is this event run like the ROK ? I.e mope around until you have it finished or is it a more "serious" event , I did the ring of Kerry but it took me 12 hours , I like to take a lot of breaks and take my time , not sure it would be suitable for me my avg speed would only be 20k per hour which isn't very fast but it would be nice to have something to keep me going on the bike , thanks for any info ,

Viv

Amprodude

I signed up to do it. Heard the hills are tough enough.

Amprodude

Vivienne23 wrote: »

Hi Ron is this event run like the ROK ? I.e mope around until you have it finished or is it a more "serious" event , I did the ring of Kerry but it took me 12 hours , I like to take a lot of breaks and take my time , not sure it would be suitable for me my avg speed would only be 20k per hour which isn't very fast but it would be nice to have something to keep me going on the bike , thanks for any info ,

Viv

It's not a racing event Viv as far as I know.

Ron_Noco

Hi Viv

It more of a leisure cycle than a sportive
I did it with a friend last year and we had very little training done, Ballyheigue hills are tough enough though, but worth it for the views

You can always do the shorter route if you don't feel great on the day, wind on the coastal section can be draining

Cheers

kerry4sam

The Ring of North Kerry Cycle 2012 is where I kicked off my cycling with a 70km spin last year (see my cycling log) - Delira with Everything!

I've a request in for the date off again this year but I have so many other events I need dates off for for August that I'm not sure yet if I can.

Heard their was in and around the 400marker last year and seriously hope so many more this year! I received my text reminding me of it's impending date for my diary but we shall see. Thanks for the text though!

Hope Everything Works out Great for Everyone though - I won't forget where my cycling sportives kicked off

Thanks,
kerry4sam

ustazjoseph

Ron_Noco wrote: »

http://www.ring-of-north-kerry-cycle.com/

Hi all, this isn't as well known or as prestigious as the ROK cycle... Did it last year and found it challenging enough, especially Kerry head hills

I think the first year they had only less than 100 , last year there was 400 so it seems to be growing in popularity

Details =
"The 3rd Annual Ring of North Kerry Cycle takes place on saturday August 10th. There are two routes of 120 and 70km. There will be a mass start at 930 from Finuge GAA pitch. Entry fees €15 for under 18s, €20 for adult Cycling Ireland members and €25 for non members. Regst on the morn from 730 www.ring-of-northkerry-cycle.com or check out Finuge Freewheelers on facebook. See u there."


Anybody interested?

Cheers

But it's the first day of Puck Fair !

siblers

Might do it myself, finding it hard to get much done due to the other sports. Wanted to do it last year but couldn't, so may do it this year.

Darkstrike

Been thinking about attempting this, would be my first event of any kind, but a bit worried, 120km is well over my usual distances, tbh probably 10 times longer than my longest trip. I definitely don't want to end up a quitter.

Would it be possible for a hybrid? Looked at some pics and everyone seemed to be using racers.

Also, I'd assume it'd be best to have my bike checked out, oiled and such beforehand by my local shop?

Ron_Noco

Darkstrike wrote: »

Been thinking about attempting this, would be my first event of any kind, but a bit worried, 120km is well over my usual distances, tbh probably 10 times longer than my longest trip. I definitely don't want to end up a quitter.

Would it be possible for a hybrid? Looked at some pics and everyone seemed to be using racers.

Also, I'd assume it'd be best to have my bike checked out, oiled and such beforehand by my local shop?

Maybe just try the shorter route ( 70k) this year as it takes in Beal hill and next year try the full route (120k)

I saw a good few on hybrids last year, and the were loads during the ROK on hybrids

shamwari

What route does the 70km follow? The map on the organisers site seems to be the 120km....

Ron_Noco

shamwari wrote: »

What route does the 70km follow? The map on the organisers site seems to be the 120km....

It's the same route, you start like everyone else just outside listowel and head towards tarbert etc

But Just before ballyduff village you will cross the cashen river and the 70k people take the next left turn, down a local road (basically it's a shortcut that will cut out the ballyheigue section), now you will be back on the route again with only a few km to go

Facebook link

https://www.facebook.com/finuge.freewheelers

Ron_Noco

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/fullscreen/247952933/

Short route map

Darkstrike

Ron_Noco wrote: »

Maybe just try the shorter route ( 70k) this year as it takes in Beal hill and next year try the full route (120k)

I saw a good few on hybrids last year, and the were loads during the ROK on hybrids

Cheers for the reply, didn't even think about the 70k, sadly though, doen't look like I'll be able to go at all.

Kingdom Man

Thinking of doing this what is it like are the hills tough. I done the ring of kerry this year and found it ok should this be alright for me?

Ron_Noco

Received this message from the official organisers

Hi All,

We are now 21 days out from the Ring of North Kerry. Our advice is to keep training. Many local cyclists will have knocked back training or even stopped completely since the Ring of Kerry. Although our event is shorter at 120kms / 70kms it is generally considered much tougher. So get back on those bikes !

There are usually crosswinds and sea breezes along half of the journey. The route itself is typically North Kerry "rolling roads" and the two climbs of the day while not exactly monsters;deserve respect. Beal Hill is short but is a tasty little climb with the steepest section at the end. We later approach Kerry Head from the less steep side but this makes for a longer climb.

Cyclists then looking forward to the descent into Ballyheigue must be aware of tourist traffic and cycle accordingly. There is a fast drop with tight bends, nothing to fear just take care.

The final section through Causeway and Lixnaw to Finuge again features those rolling roads so make sure you have the training done to cruise home in style.

Keep pedalling

greipel

Done this spin the last two years and really enjoyed it. Great mix of club and leisure cyclists. Seems to be really big interest in it around Kerry.

Best bits-
The genuinely warm welcome at registration / food stops and all around the route.
Tough enough route but with two options accessible to all, did the 120kms both times.
Great scenery

Not so good-
North Kerry roads not as good as Ring of Kerry ones

Looking forward to it.