FAQ
Here is a list of commonly asked questions about The Chain Gang Sportives
No, the Chain Gang Sportives are a set of challenge or ‘sportif’ cycles run by the Chain Gang Cycling Club to share the challenge of roads we enjoy the most with visitors that travel to Tralee to take part.
Where does the event start from?
The event starts from Kerins O’Rahillys GAA Club on Strand Street, Tralee.
See this webpage for more detailed information on how to get there.
The cost of entry goes to covering:
- Full event marshalling
- Event food & facilities
- Event signage
- Rider identification (numbers)
- Comprehensive event medical support
- Full event mechanical support
- Event/rider insurance
We would love to be able to ensure the weather will be sunny for riders ascents of the Conor Pass but as yet it’s the only thing we can’t guarantee the entry fee will bring with it.
What food and drink will I need?
Whether you’re taking on the Conor Pass Challenge or the Blasket Blast we recommend that riders consider;
- taking two bottles on their bike,
- that they use their energy product of choice (certainly something more potent than water!) and
- carry a supply of energy bars/gels.
When it comes to fuel for the legs it’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it when one finds the road rising or with kilometers to the finish line stretching out !
We will be providing all entrants with some Hi5 energy products at sign on courtesy of O’Halloran’s Bike Shop, Tralee to help keep everyone fuelled up for the challenges of the day and will have food and water stops on the routes and will have post ride food and refreshments kindly provided by Kerin O’ Rahillys GAA Club on return to Tralee.
What kind of clothes should I wear?
Always a tricky question to answer correctly – it will be mid-September in the South West which frequently sees better weather than in June to August but even so we recommend watching the weather forecast in the run up to the event and try to dress accordingly.
At a minimum riders should use proper cycling shorts with a good quality chamois (padding), a cycling jersey (much better than a t-shirt) and cycling gloves. In the event of wet/damp weather these can be augmented with a lightweight rain jacket or gilet, arm/leg warmers and overshoes.
As always – a helmet is obligatory.
What kind of bike should I use?
If you have one, we strongly recommend a road bike with good climbing gears. It doesn’t need to be an expensive one by any means but it will most suitable for covering the terrain and distances involved in the events routes. Next most suitable are the flat bar racer bicycles and after that bicycles of the tourer variety. Mountain bikes are not advised as they will be of a significant mechanical disadvantage.
Time trial/triathlon bikes and those with clip-on bar extensions are NOT allowed on safety grounds.
Entry for the 2012 Chain Gang Sportives will be €20 for Cycling Ireland licence holders using the event online registration system with an entry fee of €25 fee (which includes a day licence for insurance purposes) for entrants not holding a Cycling Ireland licence. The online registration will be open until Wednesday September 12th at 12pm.
Entry on the day will also be available at a cost of €30 for all registrants presenting on the day.
We are happy to say no!
Cycling Ireland (C.I.) registered participants will be insured under the C.I. insurance that comes with affiliation to the national governing body*
Event participants not holding C.I. membership will be insured for the day by Cycling Ireland once they have signed on for the event. Cyclists not holding a Cycling Ireland licence are encouraged to check out www.cyclingireland.ie – and consider taking out membership as and individual or with a club for just €10 for their first cycling members licence which affords a discounted entry at all Cycling Ireland leisure events.
* Cycling Ireland affiliated riders will have to display their membership card at sign on to avoid a day licence charge! Don’t leave home without it!!
This challenge requires a reasonably high level of fitness – the more time you get in the saddle and on the road the more you will enjoy the experience!
Participants should be able to maintain minimum average pace of ~24kph over their chosen route distance.
Are there any requirements for participating?
Some, but not many and what requirements are there are for safety.
To take part you MUST obey the Event Rules and Regulations:
Yes, anyone can enter to participate in either the Conor Pass Challenge or Blasket Blast routes once they are over 16 years of age (riders aged 16-18 will require parental consent to take part). Due to the challenging nature and distances of the routes riders under the age of 16 will not be able to take part.
No, the Chain Gang Sportives are a set of challenge or ‘sportif’ cycles run by the Chain Gang Cycling Club to share the challenge of roads we enjoy the most with visitors that travel to Tralee to take part.
Where does the event start from?
The event starts from Kerins O’Rahillys GAA Club on Strand Street, Tralee.
See this webpage for more detailed information on how to get there.
The cost of entry goes to covering:
- Full event marshalling
- Event food & facilities
- Event signage
- Rider identification (numbers)
- Comprehensive event medical support
- Full event mechanical support
- Event/rider insurance
We would love to be able to ensure the weather will be sunny for riders ascents of the Conor Pass but as yet it’s the only thing we can’t guarantee the entry fee will bring with it.
Entry for the 2012 Chain Gang Sportives will be €20 for Cycling Ireland licence holders using the event online registration system with an entry fee of €25 fee (which includes a day licence for insurance purposes) for entrants not holding a Cycling Ireland licence. The online registration will be open until Wednesday September 12th at 12pm.
Entry on the day will also be available at a cost of €30 for all registrants presenting on the day.
We are happy to say no!
Cycling Ireland (C.I.) registered participants will be insured under the C.I. insurance that comes with affiliation to the national governing body*
Event participants not holding C.I. membership will be insured for the day by Cycling Ireland once they have signed on for the event. Cyclists not holding a Cycling Ireland licence are encouraged to check out www.cyclingireland.ie – and consider taking out membership as and individual or with a club for just €10 for their first cycling members licence which affords a discounted entry at all Cycling Ireland leisure events.
* Cycling Ireland affiliated riders will have to display their membership card at sign on to avoid a day licence charge! Don’t leave home without it!!
Are there any requirements for participating?
Some, but not many and what requirements are there are for safety.
To take part you MUST obey the Event Rules and Regulations:
Yes, anyone can enter to participate in either the Conor Pass Challenge or Blasket Blast routes once they are over 16 years of age (riders aged 16-18 will require parental consent to take part). Due to the challenging nature and distances of the routes riders under the age of 16 will not be able to take part.
What food and drink will I need?
Whether you’re taking on the Conor Pass Challenge or the Blasket Blast we recommend that riders consider;
- taking two bottles on their bike,
- that they use their energy product of choice (certainly something more potent than water!) and
- carry a supply of energy bars/gels.
When it comes to fuel for the legs it’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it when one finds the road rising or with kilometers to the finish line stretching out !
We will be providing all entrants with some Hi5 energy products at sign on courtesy of O’Halloran’s Bike Shop, Tralee to help keep everyone fuelled up for the challenges of the day and will have food and water stops on the routes and will have post ride food and refreshments kindly provided by Kerin O’ Rahillys GAA Club on return to Tralee.
What kind of clothes should I wear?
Always a tricky question to answer correctly – it will be mid-September in the South West which frequently sees better weather than in June to August but even so we recommend watching the weather forecast in the run up to the event and try to dress accordingly.
At a minimum riders should use proper cycling shorts with a good quality chamois (padding), a cycling jersey (much better than a t-shirt) and cycling gloves. In the event of wet/damp weather these can be augmented with a lightweight rain jacket or gilet, arm/leg warmers and overshoes.
As always – a helmet is obligatory.
What kind of bike should I use?
If you have one, we strongly recommend a road bike with good climbing gears. It doesn’t need to be an expensive one by any means but it will most suitable for covering the terrain and distances involved in the events routes. Next most suitable are the flat bar racer bicycles and after that bicycles of the tourer variety. Mountain bikes are not advised as they will be of a significant mechanical disadvantage.
Time trial/triathlon bikes and those with clip-on bar extensions are NOT allowed on safety grounds.
This challenge requires a reasonably high level of fitness – the more time you get in the saddle and on the road the more you will enjoy the experience!
Participants should be able to maintain minimum average pace of ~24kph over their chosen route distance.
