Concern Challenge

The Gaelforce Cycle West is a 24hr challenge brought to you by the organisers of the highly popular Gaelforce West Adventure Race.

If you’re a fitness fanatic and want to set records or just want to test your personal fitness, or want to ride all night with your friends, we’ve got you covered! Take part in either of the challenges set amongst some of the most beautiful scenery in west of Ireland. You’ll never get bored of the ever-changing views!!

Mountain Bike

24 hour Mountain bike challenges have been around for a number of years and are proving to be popular amongst riders of all descriptions, from the pro mountain biker to those just new to the sport. The track is achievable for riders of all levels, Don’t be put off by the name, you won’t be literally cycling for 24 hours unless you absolutely want to!!!!. If you’re not a fitness fanatic then why not think about joining as a team. Every team member must complete one lap as a minimum which is achievable for even the Sunday cyclists.

Set in the Nephin Mountains just outside Newport, Co Mayo, the course is approximately 20 km and includes some forestry track and part of the western way. Expect a couple of fairly steady uphill sections, but what goes up must come down so get ready for some fast enthralling down hill sections too.

Road Cycle Gaelforce - Man on racer bike

24 hour road racing is a fairly new concept and is one that has taken events by storm in many countries across the world. Just like the mountain bike challenge the 24 hours is optional, you dont have to cycle the entire time and you can also enter as a team as well.

Starting and finishing in Delphi Valley, Co. Mayo, the route is roughly 48 km and takes you along one of AA internationals top ten drives in the world taking in popular beauty spots such as Ashleigh falls, Croagh Patrick and Mweelrea - the highest mountain in Connacht!

Latest Report

Itinerary

FAQs

Click here to register

Friday 18^th September
17:00pm onwards	Arrival on Friday evening to Venue
18.00 - 22.00	Signing in and registration at Nephin Race HQ.
Friday Evening	Time to relax before the big day and meet up with the competition
Saturday 19th September
07.00- 09.00	Saturday arrival to venue and camp
09.00 - 11.00	Signing in and registration at Nephin Race HQ.
13.00	Rider briefing
13.30	Riders to be in place for Le Mans start*. Team helpers should be in position, with the first rider’s bike
14.00	Gaelforce Cycle west 2009 begins
21.30	Sun sets
22.30 – 07.00	Quiet time on the campsite
Sunday 20^th September
14.00	Challenge finishes. All riders out on course must complete the lap they are on
15.00	Transfers to Westport for prize giving.

Rules

1. Team captain

Teams must designate a captain team leader (this will be understood to be No 1 on entry form) to handle all official matters including pre event meeting, picking up registration packs, making sure all teammates have correct numbers and have completed any paperwork etc.

2. Team change over Area

Team's must only change riders at the designated change over area. Racers may change or repair any equipment in this area .

3. Water and Food

Water and food may be supplied to any racer, by anyone, anywhere on the course. However, racers must stay well clear of the course when taking food or water. (And please do not throw energy food wrappers on the ground. Remember: Leave No Trace).

4. Permitted Course Riders

Only officially registered racers, credentialed media and event staff may ride on the designated mountain bike race course during the event.

5. Categories

Different coloured bibs will be given out to differentiate between categories

6. Right of Way

Racers riding bicycles have the right of way over racers pushing bicycles. When practical, racers pushing or carrying their bikes should stay on the least rideable portion of the mountain bike trail when being passed. Racers pushing or carrying their bikes may overtake a racer riding his bike provided that they do not interfere with the riding racer.

7. Lapped Racers

Lapped racers should yield to leaders. Leaders should be very vocal when preparing to pass any racer. "PASSING on your LEFT!," "PASSING on your RIGHT!" should be called out. It is the responsibility of the challenging racer to overtake safely. Racers being lapped must yield on the first command.

8. Vying for Position

When two racers are vying for position, the leading racer does not necessarily have to yield position to the challenging racer. However, a racer may not bodily interfere, with intent to impede another racer's progress; this is considered to be highly unsportsmanlike behaviour.

9. Short-cutting

Shortcutting the course by any registered racer shall result in a disqualification of that racer's team.

10. Sportsmanship

Foul riding, use of profane or abusive language and other unsportsmanlike behaviour will be taken very seriously. Such behaviour by any racer shall subject that racer's team to a warning or immediate disqualification. This will be strictly applied when such behaviour is directed at course officials, volunteers or spectators. The penalty imposed is at the discretion of the race director or co-director, should the race director be unavailable.

11. Lighting

Lighting requirements for events conducted at night: During the night ride, racers must have a primary light source with a minimum rated power of 10 watts. In addition, each racer must carry a secondary or backup light source in the form of a penlight, flashlight or other lighting system. (Battery chargers may be plugged in at the neutral charging station, when provided. For your own sake, teams should label their batteries and chargers with the team's name. The neutral charging station is unsecured).

12. Lights Burning

Racers entering the course two hours before sunset on and up to one-half hour before sunrise on Sunday must have both primary and secondary light sources installed and in good working order. Racing with lights out to save batteries or racing with discharged batteries is dangerous and is done so at the riders own risk.

13. Timing

Racers must swipe their wrist band at the timing line located at the Start Finish area after every lap. The clock is ticking the entire time. It is the team's responsibility to verify that each racer is timed and registered correctly

14. Consecutive Laps

A racer may ride consecutive laps. This depends on team strategy.

15. Cancelling a Lap

Once on course, a racer must complete his or her lap. However, the team has the option of cancelling a racer's lap and restarting the lap from the start with a substitute. This is a difficult and costly decision, but if the first racer is unable to complete the lap for any reason, it may be to the team's advantage to cancel that racer's lap. The cancelled lap does not count as a completed lap.

16. Substituting a Rider

To substitute a rider, the new rider must fill out an Accident Waiver, complete with team name and original signature and deliver it before registration is complete.

17. The Finish

Most 24 hour races start and end at 2pm Racers must log-off the course from 2pm. Each team's final placing will be determined by the number of laps the team has completed. As long as a team is over the finish line before 2pm on Sunday they are allowed to complete their final lap. In the case of a tie there will be a sprint finish to decide the winner.

18. Helmet

It is mandatory that all competitors where a helmet whilst riding anyone found without will be disqualified from the event

19. At least one lap

All team members must complete at least one lap for their team to qualify

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