FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
As we countdown to the 2025 ŠKODA Ring of Clare Cycle, the following provides you with the information you need to help prepare for the event. We will continue to update this section regularly over the coming months.
EVENT START TIMES
• The 160km and 120km cycles start at 9.00 am
• Both cycles start from Clarecastle GAA Club.
EVENT SIGN ON
There will be two options for participants to sign on for the event.
The Night Before – Friday 18th July
Ennis – Between 4.00pm and 7.30pm at Al Hayes SKODA garage on the Gort Road, Ennis.
The Day of the Event. Saturday 19th July
Event sign on starts at 7.30am on the morning of the event. The event office is located beside the clubhouse of Clarecastle GAA.
EVENT VENUE CLARECASTLE GAA CLUB – EIRCODE V95 T275
This ŠKODA Ring of Clare cycle will be hosted at the grounds of Clarecastle GAA club. The grounds are located on the Limerick side of Ennis [turn left at the Maxol roundabout as you enter Ennis from the M18. The event venue will have onsite car parking accessible before the event, changing and shower facilities.
REFUNDS / TRANSFERS
As stated as part of the event registration process and in the event terms and conditions there are no refunds or no deferrals. We facilitate the transfer of places between cyclists until June 20th 2025.
Please do not attempt to cycle under someone else’s name without transferring through Eventmaster. If a cyclist takes a transfer place and does not go through the proper transfer process they will not be entitled to take part in the event or registered to receive event supports. This will be strictly enforced this year. If you do not go through the transfer process you are not covered by the event and will not able to access event services. Cyclists must have gone through the transfer process before July 1st so the event has the correct details in the case of an emergency.
CAN I CHANGE MY ROUTE BEFORE THE EVENT
You can log on to your eventmaster accoount and change your route option until the Tuesday before the event.
WHERE IS MY TICKET
All cyclists will be emailed a copy of their ticket to the email address they registered with in the days before the event. If you didn’t receive it please check your spam files. You can access your registration by logging onto your eventmaster account using your event entry number.
Please log on to your eventmaster account using the email you used to register and you will be able to access all your registration details.
CAR PARKING
There is a dedicated event Car Park on the grounds of Clarecastle GAA. Please arrive early to avoid getting delayed in traffic accessing the venue.
ENTRY TO THE CAR PARK SITE IS CLOSED AT 8.40AM SO ARRIVE EARLY TO AVOID DELAYS
Please do not park on Church grounds in Clarecastle or residential and commercial areas in Ennis. Please respect the residents of Clarecastle, Ennis and commercial premises in the town.
2024 EVENT GILLET
Cyclists who registered by June 3rd had a cycling gillet included with their registration. The size you ordered is the size you will receive as that was the size we ordered for you. We do not post out gillets for no shows. If you are not attending the event it is your responsibility to have it collected on your behalf.
Cyclists are reminded that they must arrange their own collection on the 19th or 20th July if they are not attending.
POST EVENT
When you return to Clarecastle GAA you will be presented with your event medal. Masseuses will be on hand in the ŠKODA dome. Cyclists will be provided with a free BBQ after the event in Clarecastle GAA while the event podium is waiting for cyclists to mark the completion of their 160km or 120km journey. Clarecastle GAA will operate a bar for cyclists after the event.
EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY
We will be uploading number of event pictures on the event Facebook page.
Every cyclist is provided with a event number and tag to place on the front of their bike. Following the event, each cyclists will receive a pdf and email with information on how to access their personalised event pictures. You will need to enter your event number from the bike tag into the system to gain access to your pictures. This number is on the envelope you received and the bike tag – remember it to access pictures
Check your spam folders for the email in case it is blocked. The email you used to register will be the email used to send on the link to the pictures.
WHY ARE THERE NO PICTURES OF ME IN THE EVENT.
Each cyclist is advised to place the tag on the front of their bike without obstructing the QR code. If the QR is obstructed or if you placed the bike tag in a location on the bike that cannot be seen by the camera, there will be no pictures of you.
PREPARATION IS KEY
The majority of technical issues / bike failures happen in the first 20-30km of most events. This is because cyclists do not check their bikes or pump their tyres. Avoid the hassle of a mechanical issue by getting your bike looked at or simply pumping your tyres. Don’t forget to bring spare tubes on the day.
EVENT IDENTIFICATION
When you sign on for the ŠKODA Ring of Clare Cycle you will receive your event identification
1. Bike Event ID – to be attached to the front of your handlebars – without this bike ID you will not be able to enter the start area or avail or on route services / supports and food stops. You will also receive a wristband for access to feed stations.
CAMPERVAN PARKING
Safe and secure campervan parking is provided on the grounds of Clarecastle GAA club. Campers are asked to make a contribution of €20 to the club that covers you for the weekend of the event i.e. you can stay one or two nights. Campers will have access to toilets and showers and campervan parking is directly beside where the event starts and finishes.
EVENT SAFETY
NB: The ŠKODA Ring of Clare Cycle not a closed road event and you must adhere to the normal rules of the road.
• Cycling on the route is maximum of two a breast.
• The event is a sportive and not a race and you are responsible for your own safety and the safety of others on the road.
• Your will receive an event map and key safety details at event sign on.
• The routes selected for the ŠKODA Ring of Clare are generally quiet roads but you will encounter some main road junctions where you must be extra cautious particularly entering and exiting towns such as Kilkee and Kilrush. Please be aware of traffic on all roads.
• ŠKODA marked directional signs will be placed throughout the route and marshals will be evident throughout the route. Please remember marshals are only there to assist. You must check for oncoming traffic at all junctions.
• All participants will be provided with an emergency contact number in the case of an emergency on the route. Please note this is not a number for bike repairs.
• You are responsible for taking part in the event on a safe and suitable bike. Participants are responsible for their own bike maintenance. There is very limited mechanical support system will be in place and will sweep throughout the route.
• Please ensure you have spare tubes in the event of a puncture and do not rely on the emergency number for help with changing punctures etc.
• No earphones permitted
• No tri bars permitted
FEED STATIONS
160km FEED STATIONS
The feed stations for the 160km route are located at;
Doonbeg Community Centre (50Km)
Kilrush Shamrocks GAA Club (110km)
Water Refuel station at Kildysert (140km)
120km FEED STATIONS
The feed stations for the 120km route are located at the Kilrush Shamrocks GAA Club (60km) plus a Water Refuel station at Kildysert.
Please note that if you do not avail of the main stop at Kilrush Community Centre, the Refuel station in Kildysert will only provide water.
We recommend you also bring also your own supply of cycling gels, bars and drinks.
FIRST AID
Ambulances and roving paramedics will be available all day, should anyone require medical assistance it will be administered in the fastest possible timeframe. Please call the emergency contact number provided on the day for medical emergencies.
SIGNAGE
The 160km and 120km routes are marked out with distinctive ŠKODA cycling directional signage.
WHAT TO BRING:
Your bike must be in good working order to cycle either the 160km or 120km routes
– Helmet
– Water bottle (s)
– Spare tubes and a Puncture repair kit
– Mobile phone with credit
– Emergency money & ID
– Energy snacks
– Wind / Rainproof top – Participants must be aware that weather conditions in this area can change and you should bring appropriate clothing to keep warm in any adverse weather.
– Sunblock – we hope you will need plenty of this.
SHOWERS: Showers will be provided at Clarecastle GAA Clubhouse.
REMEMBER: NO HELMET NO CYCLE – this will be strictly enforced
LEAVE NO TRACE: The event operates under a Leave Non Trace litter policy. Please respect the Clare countryside and its residents and bring home your litter. Please do not litter the area with gel sachets, empty bottles or food wrappings etc.
PUNCTURES: Please ensure you can change a puncture and bring spare tubes. It may be some time before support can arrive to a spot where a cyclist may have picked up a puncture so please ensure you can change your own wheel or cycle with someone that will assist you to avoid long delays that will impact on your enjoyment of the day.
MECHANICS: There are mechanics at each of the feed stations plus a number of roving mechanics.
FINALLY: We hope you have a great day out in Clare set against the backdrop of the Wild Atlantic Way, Loop Head Peninsula and the Shannon Estuary.
