Event FAQ
We have made a change to the cycle route into Croagh Patrick. This is to improve the route making it a one-way system on this section, improving the competitors experience and also to make the route safer.
The new route will be along a bog road. This is an unsealed road and will have some potholes. You can still use your road bike for this section, but you may want to think about your tyre choice and pressure for this section.
To help you with this we have sought the advice of Padraig Marrey who cycles the route on a regular bases and is a well known cyclist through out Ireland.
Tyre choice:
The best type of tyres are Continental Gater Skins, with the second choice being Specialized Armadillos. A cheaper option is Rubines.
The key thing for most participants on racers is tyre pressure, it needs to be between 110-120psi, if they you are not sure whether your tyres will take this pressure check the side wall of the tyres. Competitors with Hybrids will get by without tire change but again tyre pressure is very important it needs to be around 70psi or more. Nearly all novices make the mistake of not pumping their tires hard enough.
We may have another small route change for the running section at the start of the race. We are just waiting for the Galway County Council to confirm with us, and as soon as we know we will let you know.
To download a map with the route change click below. The new route is marked with green dots!
You will be asked when entering which category you would like to be in. There are 4 categories to choice from: Elite, Runner, Jogger, Walker. We ask people to enter themselves into a category so that they will be competing alongside competitors of the same standard.
So which category to choice (this is a guide):
- Elite/Runner - If you are a competitive hill runner, triathlete, run marathons or cyclist. This would be if you are extremely active every week. You cannot enter the elite category unless you have completed GFW in under 4.5hrs (Male) or 5.5hrs (Female) OR you have competed in an another adventure race/triathlon/ marathon and have finished in the top 20%.
- Jogger - Is starting training for GFW with a good level of fitness, maybe go to soccer or rugby training once or twice a week, but have never tried a multi sport event before.
- Walker - Would be starting from a low level of fitness and this is a whole new challenge for you.
Here are the approximate finishing times for each category:
- Elite under 4.5hrs if male or under 5.5hrs if female.
- Runners 4 - 5.5 hrs
- Joggers 5.5 - 7 hrs
- Walkers 7 - 8 hrs
Once you have entered you cannot change your category!
The breakdown of discipline distances within the event is as follows:
|
20km Approx |
|
44km Approx |
|
1.6km Max |
The detailed breakdown, nature and sequence of activity is as follows:
|
12km |
|
1.6km |
|
3.5km |
|
32.5km |
|
4.5km |
|
12.5km |
The main type of terrain you will be cycling on for GF is sealed tarmac roads. There is a short section of off road (approx 2.5 km) after climbing Croagh Patrick. Most people run along with their bikes for this section.
Which bike to use is a personal choice. But here is some advice: A cyclocross bike is best with fast rolling semi slick cyclocross tires.
If you cannot get a cyclocross bike it depends upon how fast and how much risk you are prepared to take.
- Speedy risky - Road Bike (racer) with high volume tires
- Less risk and less speed - MTB bike with semi-slick tires.
- Worst of all - cheap MTB bike with knobbly tires.
When entering the race you will choose which category and bus time you would will be taking. These CANNOT be changed once you have entered. If you are entering with a group of friends please make sure you all enter the same time slot and enter early so as not to be disappointed.
We provide kayaks and all safety equipment for this as part of your entry fee. You will need your own bike. Gaelforce West will not rent bikes or have a bike rental partner for 2010. You will also need some more mandatory kit, check the list here.
No is the simple answer here. You personally will choose your wave when you enter Gaelforce West. It is not possible under any circumstances to change waves at any time. There are around 3,000 people taking part in this event, we cannot deal with each individual’s entries.
When paying for your entry to Gaelforce West it is stipulated that this is a non-refundable payment. As soon as a competitor enters we incur costs such as admin etc. It is also not possible to transfer entries to any other Gaelforce Events, next year’s event, or a different competitor.
No, we will not have a bike hire partner for 2010 event.
The water stops will be highlighted on your map but will also need to bring water yourself. You will need to have water from the start of the race and you can also have water/drink left on your bike.
Phone on +353 (0) 95 42006 or email us on: info@gaelforcewest.ie
Most of the cycling in GFW is on sealed country roads. However, there will be a small section in the event which will have a small section of off-road/ rough track. Good tyre choice and high tyre pressures will cope with this fine. Alternatively a mountain bike could be used, but the same bike must be used throughout the event. Gaelforce West does not rent bikes, should competitors need to rent bikes they must organise to do so themselves. If you want to talk more about bikes post a comment on our forum and chat to other gaelforcers.
While navigation skills are not a requirement, do not travel faster than your route knowledge. You will be issued with an OSI overview map, read it carefully The route will be described and marked with signs/arrows, but no permanent Marshalls. This is an unsupported adventure challenge, not a Triathlon.
The kayaks, paddles and buoyancy aids will be provided by the organisers. These are double ‘sit-on-top‘ kayaks and must be paddled with a crew of 2. The event fleet will number some 100 boats of the same design. Your ‘crew member‘ can be a mate who you are racing alongside or a fellow competitor who gets to the boats at the same time as you. It’s all part of the Gaelforce camaraderie! When you arrive at the kayak transition area at Killary Adventure centre, you will receive instructions from the marshals there and be directed to the boats. Remember, you are TIMED OUT here and if you do end up waiting for a boat, it won’t matter for your race time. Whatever happens, you will not wait for long as our logistics will be designed to cope with 500 + competitors and the tiered start system will ensure you don’t all end up there together!
Your bikes must be left at Delphi before midnight on Friday 20th of August. All competitors will be wearing a race number for the 2010 event and will be issued a race number on their bike, to be displayed facing forward. This will help you and us at the transitions. Race numbers will be issued at race registration with your pack and your electronic timing “dibber.” For the 3 bike transitions within the event, the bikes will be safe and secure. You will need to pick up your bike from the final transition area at the finish line within 30mins of finishing the race.
We have not finalised on a location for registration for the 2010 event. We are trying to overcome the problems experiences during the 2009 event and will let you know all the relevant information on the new location once a decision has been made.
You will be able to turn up at any point from 10:00 – 22:00 on Friday 20th August to do so.
When you register, you will receive your race pack containing your competitor number, some goodies from our sponsors and some further written race info relating to the challenge ahead. There will be staff on hand to answer questions. You will also receive your electronic timing chip (known as a “dibber”) which you will wear on your wrist throughout the event. Finally, you will leave your bike in the transition area where we will have set up racking. It will be safe overnight as the transition area is locked and they are guarded overnight.
Remember, registration is open until 22:00 on the Friday night.
There is no rope-work or surprise activity in the GFW. The adventure is in the course!
Your progress through the course (and results) is measured with the use of SPORTIdent electronic timing equipment, part of which requires the wearing of a small device on your wrist – the “dibber”. See www.sportident.co.uk for full info on this system. Lost dibbers must be paid for and will set you back around €30 – they aren’t cheap! Look after them.
The entry fee for Gaelforce West 2010 includes the following:
- VAT
- Bus transfer from Westport to start line
- Race prizes
- Event t-shirt
- Goodie bags
- Kayaks, paddles and buoyancy aids
- Marshals
- Power boat safety cover on water
- Map with pre-marked transition areas
- Course design
- Use of electronic timing devices
- Event based facilities including car parking, toilets (at various transition areas)
- Post event Snack
- Race safety cover provided by Civil Defence and Mayo mountain rescue
- Permissions and risk assessments to allow access to some wonderful countryside
- Water at transition points
Gaelforce West is an event for individuals only. It is not possible to enter a team. Each competitor must complete the whole course and there is no relay option.
If you are a group of friends who wish to race together you can do this by ensuring you all enter the same category/wave. It is important that all members of your group know before registering which category/wave they should enter as it is not possible to change this once they have registered.