FAQs

• The 140km cycle starts at 9.30am
• The 80km cycle starts at 10.30 am
• Both cycles start from the courtyard of the Clifden Station House Hotel.
• If you are cycling in the 80km event please do not enter the start area with your bike until the 140km cyclists depart at 9.30am.
• Please leave plenty of time to get to the event sign on as there will be a lot of traffic on the access roads to Clifden.

To manage your registration, please visit Eventmaster or details will be included in booking confirmation emails. If you cannot locate your booking, please contact cycling@bearraces.ie and we will assist you.

Your bike must be in good working order to cycle either the 140km or 80km routes
– Helmet (No Helmet, no ride!)
– 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.

There will be three options for participants to sign on for the event. At sign on you will receive your event jersey (if you added one) and event ID. You must display your event id to gain access to the feed stations and avail of on route supports. You will need your event wristband to get the BBQ at the end of the event.

Sign On – The Night Before – Friday 22nd May
Galway City – Between 4.00pm and 7.00pm at Monaghan’s ŠKODA garage on the Tuam Road, Galway City
Clifden – Between 4.00pm and 9.00pm at the event office in the Theatre directly beside the Clifden Station House Hotel

Sign On – The Day of the Event. Saturday 23rd May
Event sign on starts at 7.00am on the morning of the event. The event office is located in the Hotel Theatre directly beside the Clifden Station House Hotel.

NO.  Race Sign on takes place the day before the event and on Race Day Morning.  You must go to race sign-on with your booking confirmation email, containing your QR code.  This will be scanned and your race number assigned. 

This event is open to participants 18 years and older. 

NB: The ŠKODA Tour de Conamara is not a closed road event and you must adhere to the normal rules of the road.

• Cycling on the route is maximum of two abreast.
• 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 Tour de Conamara are generally quiet roads but you will encounter some main road junctions. 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 limited mechanical support system will be in place and will sweep throughout the route. Don’t ruin your enjoyment of your day by turning up on a bike that has not been checked.
• 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

As stated as part of the original event registration process and included in the event ‘terms and conditions’ there are no refunds or deferrals to next year or other events.

If you would like to change distance, please email cycling@bearraces.ie with the heading 'Distance change request.' 

Yes, the course cut-off time is 17:30hrs. 

Yes - If the event has not sold out online, it may be possible for you to register on the day. 

The majority of technical issues / bike failures happen in the first 20-30km of the event. This is because cyclists do not check their bikes or simply pump their tyres. Avoid the hassle of a mechanical issue by getting your bike looked at or simply pumping your wheels. Don’t forget to bring spare tubes for your wheels. Bike mechanics are located at each feed station. There are a number of roving bike mechanics that will try and sort out any issue on the route but you may be brought to a feed station if additional work is required. You can expect time delays as mechanics make their way to you in the case of a mechanical.

There is no official event parking.  We ask that you are considerate and respect local resident and commercial premises.  Please DO NOT park in the Church grounds in Clifden or  commercial retail car parks (Lidl/Aldi).  As many of our participants are staying in local hotels etc. we recommend cycling to the start from your accommodations.  

No -  however the routes selected for the Tour de Conamara are generally quiet roads but you will encounter some main road junctions. Be please aware of traffic on all roads.

Yes - E-bikes are permitted. 

No - this is not permitted. The event is open to participants 18+ years. 

Jerseys are available for purchase when registering online.  You can also add to your booking via the 'Manage My Booking' link in your booknig confirmation email.  Jerseys purchased are available for collection ONLY at Event Sign-In.  We cannot post out any uncollected jerseys.  If stocks allow, they will be available for sale after  Event Sign in closes.  

Medals are presented to each cyclist displaying an official event race number as they cross the line. We do not post medals.

140km FEED STATIONS:
The feed stations for the 140km route are located at

1. Carna Community Centre (at 50km)

2. Maam Valley Community Centre (at 90km)

3. Water stop at Kylemore (at 120km)

80km FEED STATIONS:
The feed stations for the 80km route are located at

1. Cashel Community Centre (at 38km)
2. Water stop at Kylemore (at 60km)

Please note Cyclists on the 140km will not be able to access the 80km feed station which caters for the numbers registered on the 80km event. Please support our event marshals by not trying to access feed stations that are not created for your cycle.

Škoda will provide cyclists an unique opportunity to remember their day. Place your event number on the front of the bike and make sure the QR code is not blocked by bike cables. After the event you simply type in the number on the front of your bike tag to see your pictures (you must have displayed the bike tag without blocking the QR on the from of the bike with cables.) This is free and you are not asked to pay for event images. It is all part of the ŠKODA cycling experience. ŠKODA does not take any responsibility if your image is not captured. But we will do our very best to ensure it is!!

Ambulances and roving paramedics will be available all day, should anyone require medical assistance it will be administered in the fastest possible time-frame. Please call the emergency contact number provided on the day for medical emergencies.

The 140km and 80km routes are marked out with distinctive ŠKODA directional signage. 

Marshals will also be in place at key locations on the route to assist with directing participants. There will also be Bike marshals enforcing slowdowns at all junctions ahead of riders and escorting the peloton on the course.

Showers will be provided at Clifden Community School and at the Clifden Station House Hotel.
Please be aware that these facilities have a maximum capacity and you may be directed to one or other.

The event operates under a Leave Non Trace litter policy. Please respect the Connemara countryside and its residents and bring home your litter. Please do not litter the area with gel sachets, empty bottles or food wrappings etc. We are committed to improving our environmental practices each year which includes reducing levels of packaging, printed materials and use of plastic.

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.

The event is a 'Sportive', not a race, so there are no timed results.

If there are stocks available after Event Sign-On is over, it will be possible to purchase a jersey then.

After you cross the finish line you will receive your well earned 2026 ŠKODA Tour de Conamara finishers medal. There will be a presentation area for some pictures and this year you will receive a well earned BBQ at the ŠKODA BBQ pit. You will have to present your event wristband in order to claim your well earned burger. No ID band, no burger. (One burger per cyclist). Vegan and Vegetarian options will be provided.

PLEASE NOTE: All participants should be aware that event photography will be taken throughout the route and used in social media and event promotion.

We hope you have a great day on what we believe is Ireland’s most scenic cycling sportive set against the backdrop Connemara and the Wild Atlantic Way.