RIDER ZONE

All Those Essential Details

Nothing beats the sheer freedom of being out on the open road. But to get the most out of your ride be sure to familiarise yourself with all the need-to-know info before heading off for the day. From starting times to road rules and everything in between – you’ll find all the ‘house rules’ below. And if you’re making a booking for someone else – please share these details with them. 

SITE MAP
of Start/Finish Area

  1. Entrance Car Park and Camping Area
  2. Exit Car Park and Camping Area
  3. Finish Line of Tour de Burren
  4. Hassett’s Bar (Sign On open on Friday 19th June from 4pm-8pm and Saturday 20st June from 7am-9am)
  5. Start line of Tour de Burren

Where to Stay

Camper Vans & Tents

There is a designated area for camper vans and tents in the car park field (Eircode: V95 YX37). The car park and camping area are located directly behind Hassett’s Bar. Please follow the signage and marshals’ direction upon arrival for further guidance.

Please be aware that this area does not have access to power, water, or toilets. It is free but we ask that you respect the area and leave it as you found it.
Public toilets will only be available on the day of the event. We kindly ask all riders to leave Barefield as they found it and to take their litter home with them.

The car park field will open at 12:00 noon on Friday, June 19th, and close at 12:00 noon on Sunday, June 21st.

There is also a large selection of accommodation providers in and around Barefield and Ennis. Ennis is only 5km away. Visit www.visitclare.ie for a full list of options.

EVENT SIGN IN

Are you ready to register for the 2026 Tour de Burren?

Purchase your ticket here.
EVENT SIGN IN PRIOR TO THE EVENT IS MANDATORY.
It will take place in HASSETTS BAR, BAREFIELD on:
Friday, June 19th: 4pm – 8pm
Location: Hassett’s Bar, Barefield
Can’t make it Friday evening? No problem!
Sign in will also be open on Saturday, June 20th from 7am – 8:30am.

Paper-Free Registration: We have adopted a paper-free registration process to minimize our environmental footprint. All participants must present in person to sign-in, eliminating the need for printed materials. All you need do is provide your name and you will sign-on and be given a wrist band to wear for the duration of the event. You will be asked to show your wrist band for refreshments and food stops entry, ice cream at the finish and to receive your special Tour de Burren keepsake.

Event Wristband
Wearing your wristband is essential for several reasons:
Access Points: The wristband grants you access to refreshments, food stops, and ice cream at the finish line.
Keepsake: It entitles you to your special Tour de Burren keepsake at the finish line, which will be a participation medal.
BBQ Deal: Show your wristband to avail of the BBQ deal at the finish area.
Shower Access: Entry to the showers at Lee’s Road is permitted with the wristband.
Safety: Additionally, the wristband has an SOS number printed on it. Please call this number if you encounter any issues during your ride.
It is crucial to wear the wristband provided, as it is numbered to correspond with your personal details. This ensures quick identification and assistance in case of an accident.

Booking reference numbers, bar codes or paper tickets are not required for registration.  

AFTER PARTY

Celebrate your Tour de Burren victory with us!

Join us for an epic After Party at Hassett’s Bar and Lé Chéile Café, Barefield. Bring the whole family for a day of fun, featuring bouncy castles, face painting, and live entertainment.

When: Party starts at 12pm
Location: Hassett’s Bar, Barefield

Refuel post cycle with a delicious BBQ outside Hassett’s Bar and enjoy a few drinks while soaking up the lively atmosphere. There will be a special BBQ deal of burger, sausage and salad plate for €5.
Don’t forget to get your photo taken at the Tour de Burren photo booth!

There are two public houses in Barefield, conveniently located across from each other; Hassett’s Bar and Considine’s Bar. Also Le Cheile Bistro will be serving food all afternoon and evening.

The large town of Ennis is only minutes away from Barefield by car.

When the Event Starts

An Boireann Mór 160km9am
An Karst 120km9am
An Boireann Béag 70-80km9.15am
Dromore Family Spin 22km9.45am
Important to note: Should you choose to set off early on your ride, please be aware that there will be no marshals on the road so cyclists ride at their own risk. We recommend you do not leave before the given start times. 

We kindly ask cyclists to assemble at the start line according to their average cycling speed on a typical ride:

Cyclists with an average pace of 30 KPH or more, please gather at the front of the line. This area will be marked.
Cyclists with an average pace of 25 KPH or more, please gather at your marked area.
Cyclists with an average pace of 25 KPH or less, please gather at your marked area.

This arrangement will help avoid any accidents during the start.

Useful Information

Weather Conditions There may be showers throughout the day so take extra care on the road and come prepared. 
Route Markers Cycle the route for which you are registered by following the directional signage which is clearly marked in YELLOW AND BLACK. Please be alert to each sign. 
Road Closures There will be NO roads closed but you should expect delays on all approach roads to Barefield. 
Refreshment Stops To keep you fed and watered on the 160km and 120km you will be offered refreshments at Ballyvaughan GAA Field.
Please note there will be a light refreshment stop in Kilnaboy Community Hall on the 80km route.
Please remember you will need to show your wrist band to claim your free refreshments.
Bike Maintenance Please be aware it is your own responsibility to make sure your bike is in good working condition. Double check it before you leave home and bring spare tubes and other essentials with you. There is no bike mechanic or bike shop on any of the event routes. 
EXTRA CAREExtra care is required at the 35km mark descending into Ballyvaughan.
There is a tight left and right hand bends before Aillwee Cave.
At the 94km mark descending from Slieve Elva down onto the Lisdoonvarna Road take extra care on the descent and the junction at the end.
From the 102km mark cycle with extreme care due to several tight hairpin turns. Stay in to your left as per rules of the road. Corkscrew Hill must be cycled with care as it is a two way road system and we do not want accidents. This area is frequent by visiting tourist in hired cars and bus tours. Patience and common sense must be used.
Grass-Centered RoadwayThere is a section of the roadway with grass in the middle. For your safety, avoid crossing over this area.
Narrow Country RoadsSections of the route, particularly in the first 40km, are narrow country roads. Please ride single file during these sections and be aware of oncoming traffic. Farmers are busy with silage and hay harvesting, so exercise extra caution along all routes.
SOS NumberAlways carry identification with you. Inform us of any medical conditions. If you feel unwell during the event, do not continue. Stop, seek help, and call the SOS number on your wristband.
No LitterPlease do not litter while cycling. We are proud of the place we call home and want to keep the Burren beautiful for all to enjoy. Follow the LEAVE NO TRACE principles.
TrafficCounty Clare is bustling with tourists this time of year, leading to extra traffic and drivers unfamiliar with local roads. Stay alert and cautious.

RULES AT THE READY!

We’ll be working hard behind (and in front of) the scenes to make sure the cycle goes smoothly – but we need participants to play their part too. Here are some simple guiding rules to bear in mind:
  • Prepare well for the day and make sure your bike is roadworthy and in good working order.  
  • All participants MUST wear helmets.  
  • Arrive with time to spare so there’s no need to rush. 
  • Respect the rules of the road. 
  • Be kind to your fellow cyclists, marshals and event organisers. 
  • Remember – the Tour de Burren is a leisure cycle NOT a race. Enjoyment is everything! 
  • Follow the marshals’ instructions. 
  • We do not provide breakdown cover: you will be responsible should your bike break down on the day. 
  • The event closes at 5.30pm when the finish point will be dissembled. 
  • Please do not litter while cycling. We are proud of the place we call home and want to keep the Burren beautiful for all to enjoy. Follow the LEAVE NO TRACE principle. 
  • The organisers reserve the right to refuse participation in the event. 
  • And very importantly… have a great cycle and a wonderful day! 

STANDARDS AND SAFETY 

As a group of passionate cyclists, the Burren Cycling Club works hard to ensure the Tour de Burren is run to the highest standards. To ensure your safety, our marshals will support all riders until 5.30pm on the day. If you choose to stay on after the event or head for the bar, please remember you will be responsible for your own safety. 

TOP TRAINING TIPS

Are you a cycling event newbie? No sweat, here’s some advice to help you prepare for the big day: 

Position Perfect 
Find a comfortable position on your bike that’s neither too cramped nor stretched. A good bike shop or an experienced cyclist can help. 

Wear Well 
Cycling clothing can be expensive – but investing in a good pair of cycling shorts can really make a difference and keep you comfortable. 

Gear Good 
Most bikes offer a good selection of gears – but don’t be tempted to push a heavy gear ratio. Select a gear that lets you spin your legs freely – especially up hills. 

Prime Pressure 
Don’t cycle on soft tyres – pump to your required psi level. If conditions are greasy we often reduce psi in such conditions or reduce for comfort.

Eat and Hydrate  
Eat a light breakfast 1 to 2 hours before your cycle. Follow the “a little and often” rule as you ride. Drink before you set off and regularly as you go. Don’t choose fizzy drinks – stick to plain water or sports drinks that will keep your energy levels up. 

Brake Right 
Pull both brakes evenly together before each turn. The beginner’s habit of using just one brake when cornering will most likely result in a fall! 

Whip the Wind  
It’s hard cycling alone into a strong headwind – so cycle in a group, as close together as possible. You’ll find ‘sitting’ in a cyclist’s slipstream really makes a difference! 

Helmet On! 
Always wear your helmet – even on a short training spin. 

Stay Safe    
Most beginners crash by knocking into each other. Stay alert, watch out for upcoming danger and brake in time. When cycling in a group, warn each other of potholes or other hazards.