Lap The lough

Safety

In partnership with

Lap the Lough is not a race.
It is not timed and there are no time limits.
Please read this page before entering the event.

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  1. Rules of the Road

  If you ride a bike you should already be aware of the "Highway Code" pertaining to bicycles.

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  2. Rules of the Event

  Lap the Lough is not a race. It's a cycle challenge on open roads. Please read the rules of the event.

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  3. More Information

  If you're new to all this then we advise maybe joining a club or taking part in a few events prior to LTL.

• Rules of the Road

  Lap the Lough is not a race, it is a 'leisure event'. The event is on open roads and all entrants are obliged to obey the "Highway Code". Click here to read: Highway Code. It applies at all times during Lap the Lough. If you're not familiar with it we recommend you read it before entering the event.
  If you would like to race please contact a local cycle club, there are loads of great clubs in the area and a full race calendar for all abilities.

• Rules of the Event

  Riders must be sixteen years of age on the day of the event.
  Under 16s must have written permission from their parent/legal guardian and must be accompanied by a nominated adult at all times during the event.
  Riders' numbers must be correctly displayed at all times for official identification during the event.
  Wristbands must be worn at all times. Relevant medical conditions (allergies, diabetes etc etc) must be indicated on wristbands and numbers used in an emergency only.
  No accompanying vehicles are allowed to follow riders.
  The participant understands and accepts that this event is not a race or a time-trial, but a personal challenge and no list will be published stating finishing times.
  Every participant is urged to wear a cycle helmet for their own safety.
  The participant understands and agrees that they participate in this event entirely at their own risk, that they must rely on their own ability in dealing with all hazards, and that they must ride in a manner which is safe to themselves and others.
  The participant agrees that no liability whatsoever shall attach to The Company, the promoter, promoting club/organisation, event sponsor any event official or member of the promoting club/organisation in respect of any injury, loss or damage suffered by them in or by reason of the event.
  The participant must obey the Highway Code and any rider found to be contravening these Code or Event Official’s instructions will be disqualified and removed from the event.
  2 abreast at all times unless instructed. Single file on narrow roads. Obey all signs. Stop at all junctions. Please be courteous to all other road users and cyclists.
  
Marshals, helpers and support staff have no power or authority to stop traffic, and are there for your safety, pay attention at all times and please obey their instructions.
  The Event organizers reserve the right to terminate an individual’s ride on health and safety grounds, re-route, cancel or stop the event due to safety reasons.
  Riders must ensure that their bicycles are in good mechanical order and that handlebars are of the conventional design (no tri-bars, aero-bars, clip-ons, etc). Any parts and/or tools supplied by The Company and/or its representatives in order to assist an entrant in completing the event are used and operated totally at the entrant’s risk.
  Start times must be adhered to.
  All entrants must carry a spare tube and know how to change it. Mechanics are there only to assist you and not to supply cycle equipment.
  Applications are strictly personal, firm and binding and fees shall not be refunded for any reason.
  Applications can, under no circumstances, be transferred to another person.

• More Information

  First off we'd advise getting touch with your local cycle club. Don't be put off by equipment or ability as all clubs are a broad church and cater for everyone. It's a great opportunity to get used to cycling in larger groups, gain confidence and get acquainted with the skills needed to complete these challenges.
  There are now an abundance of clubs and can be found over on the Cycling Ulster and Cycling Ireland websites.
  
  If you haven't taken part in a large cycle challenge before then we'd advise having a go at a few before taking on Lough Neagh. There are "Sportives" or cycle challenges every weekend from Feb-October all around the country. A lot of the events have various distances and various terrain so you can work yourself up to bigger distances very quickly.
  Here are just a few:
  
  Slieve Gullion Wheelers - Tour of Carlingford and South Armagh
  Roe Valley CC - Roe Valley 100
  Harps Cycle Club - Sperrins Sportive
  North Down CC - Bangor Coastal Challenge
  Foyle CC - Innisowen 100
  Dromara CC - Dromara Coastal Challenge or Hilly
  Bann Wheelers - Causeway Cycle Challenge
  Kings Moss CC - Kings Moss Sportive
  Co-operation Ireland - Mara Cycle