WE

HAVE

MOVED

FOR ALL INFO ON THE CHAIN GANG CYCLING CLUB SEE WWW.THECHAINGANG.CC OR EMAIL INFO@THECHAINGANG.CC

The Chain Gang advises its members of the tragic and untimely death of Jimmy Duffy, Blennerville.

Although not a member of the Chain Gang C.C., Jimmy was an inveterate and enthusiastic cyclist, regarded with awe by leisure cyclists throughout Kerry. While his equipment was unsophisticated at best, he was totally committed and determined and became a legend on the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle in particular. He used THE BIKE to travel to fleadhanna and traditional music events over huge distances, and “fell in” easily with all he met on his travels.

Jimmy marched to the beat of a different drum and his likes will not be seen again. Members of the Chain Gang are encouraged to attend his funeral arrangements, if possible and as follows:

• Removal of remains from Hogan’s Funeral Home, North Circular Road, Tralee, to St. Johns Church at 6:30p.m. tomorrow (Monday 11^th) evening.
• Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday 12^th with burial immediately afterwards in Rath Cemetery.

May his spirit always enjoy peace.

Tomás Crowley



Killorglin CC are holding a Xmas Leisure Cycle / Race on Sunday 13th Dec route running Killorglin – Killarney -
Tralee – Killorglin with the pace controlled until Tralee and then for those looking for a bit of fun, a race to the finish.

There is no obligation to race but 1st over the line will win a hamper and after the event there will be a raffle of spot prizes for all participants afterwards.

Sign on is at 9.30am in the Killorglin Rowing Clubhouse with entry €10 for Cycling Ireland Members and €20 Euro for non-members. Further details from Michael Concannon Senior on 087 6444292.  Options are available on the day for a cut out at Faranfore to return to Killorglin via Castlemaine for those who want something a little shorter.

Route Profile

Just a brief post to congratulate the Chain Gang members that took part in the 5 mile TT held by the Tralee BC/Earl of Desmond, Satuday 5th December last.

In unfavourable conditions and against stiff opposition (including competitors toting full TT bikes and kit) the Chain Gang took the podium places with Donnacha Galvin, Barry Murphy and Ken Keohane taking first to third respectively. Well done lads!!

The Club would like to thank all those that attended the 1st Chain Gang CC AGM last Friday in the Grand Hotel (and indeed the Grand for allowing the use of their facilities for the meeting).

The Club is now taking applications for membership for 2010 and details and application forms are available for mailing (electronic or snail varieties available) – Contact Darragh at chaingangcycling@gmail.com for details.

We are as always happy to bring new faces into the fold and introduce people to leisure/sportive cycling and as 2009 we will be offering newcomers in 2010 the option of 3 taster spins with the club to see what we’re like and what we do before deciding on becoming a member or not. If you’re interested in seeing what we’re about and want to come along some day contact the club at the email address above and we’ll give you the low down

Hi All,

The club committee would like to thank all those who contributed so much to the successful running of our Conor Pass Challenge on 19^th September last. Feedback to date has been universally favourable, and this is due entirely to the input of the Club members and other volunteers to the planning, sign-on, catering, signage, marshalling and execution of the event.

The Club would specifically like to express their thanks to:

• St Pats GAA club for the generous use of their facilities
• Those volunteers that gave their time (and for some their cycle) to cater, marshall and run the event
• The Gardaí and the Red Cross  for their invaluable, professional support on the day
• Barrys Bakery and Garveys Supermarket for their generous donation of foodstuffs for the participants
• The motorcycle marshalls who provided world class feedback and assistance to the event organisers on the day
• Our patrons Tony Costello and Finbar Canty in Costellos Building Contractors and The Blasket Bar and Restaurant
• Dan Devane for his camera work (all it would have taken would have been a helicopter to fly overhead for people to think we had Eurosport in on the day!)
• Currow CC and the Earl of Desmond CC for their assistance with signage etc
• Anthony O’Halloran for providing mechanical support for the event and for the generous donations to the event

And  of course we would like to thank and congratulate the participants (all 104 of you) who travelled from all over Munster to complete the Conor Pass Challenge and make the clubs first event such a success.

Plans are in the works for the 2010 Chain Gang CC sportives on the Dingle Peninsula and we hope to see you again for the great cycling challenges we aim to run

RTE have a poll on at the moment as part of an upcoming programme about Irish sporting greats – there’s rugby players, GAA stars, a golfer or two (even that great swim champion who never ever cheated, Michelle De Bruin is on there). There is also the Greatest Ever Irish Sports Person on the list – that is Sean Kelly.

Here’s the link to the poll – LINK – you know what to do.

If you need reminding here’s the low down on a LEGEND. Anyone else on that list have 193 professional wins to their name? I didn’t think so…

IT’S BACK!

After an absence of several years the Conor Pass Cycling Challenge will take place again on Saturday 19th September 2009.

Organised by the Chain Gang Cycling Club, Tralee this demanding sportive cycle covers almost 110 kilometres, starting and ending in Blennerville, Tralee.

Suitable only for experienced leisure cyclists, the Challenge takes in the 4.50 kilometre Conor Pass climb, gaining 360 metres in height along the way. After a food stop in Dingle the tour continues along the southern side of the Dingle peninsula, taking in Annascaul, Inch and Castlemaine before returning to Tralee over the Curraghmore climb.

• Entry fee – €10.00 on production of current Cycling Ireland licence, €20.00 in all other circumstances.
• Start time: 9:00a.m. Sharp.
• Start Location: St. Pats G.A.A. Club, Blennerville, Tralee
• How to get there: From Tralee take the N.86 west for Dingle. Blennerville is on the edge of town, just over the bridge with the Windmill prominent on the right. St. Pats G.A.A. Club is on the left at the centre of the village – just before the filling station on your right.
• Parking: Parking in Blennerville village is limited. Please park in the parking area on the left immediately after crossing the bridge. Some parking may be available at the Windmill car park immediately opposite – arrangements not yet finalised.

As this is the first sportive organised by the Chain Gang, the Club would very much appreciate if intending participants would notify their intentions by email to chaingangcycling@gmail.com, ideally before 12th September if possible to allow better planning for numbers.

Weather permitting we’ll be taking in the Conor Pass – Slea Head Circuit Saturday coming

Depart Tralee 9.15 am for 140km of fun or from Camp at 10 am for 108km or so.

Here’s the map of the route for those that want it

Chain Gang CC: Conor Pass – Slea Head Cycle
Find more Bike Rides in Tralee, Ireland

Hi Gang,

Just letting you know about a relatively local cycle I’ve been made aware of that you may have interest in taking part in. Its a charity cycle held by the Abbeywheelers of Abbeyfeale called ‘The Coast Run’, in Aid of Down Syndrome, Sat 8th, August, Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick.

Sign on is from 10am, start at 12 o’Clock, Abbeyfeale, GAA Complex.

There are several routes to chose from: 35km, 55km, 85km and for something a bit longer a 145km route.

85km Route, Start Abbeyfeale, Listowel, Ballybunion, Tarbert, (Hot Food Stop) Glin, Athea, Abbeyfeale (two climbs out of Glin and Athea) MAP

145km Route Start Abbeyfeale, Listowel, Tralee, Ballyheigue, (Food Stop) Ballybunion, Tarbert, (Hot Food Stop) Glin, Athea, Abbeyfeale. MAP

All routes are interconnecting, so there are options on the day to alter your route if needed. Finishing up in Abbeyfeale, there’s Showers, Hot Food and Entertainment too.

To encourage Online Entries, there’s a €5 discount, so for registered Cycling Ireland members its €15, on the day €20, (non registered members add €10 to the above). Online entry seems to be by return of an entry form LINK or by paypal LINK. They’re trying to plan for numbers so if interested register for the event ASAP.

Darragh