D.

Thanks
Bill

Thanks

Donnacha

This is Padraig’s 19th edition. I know some people that have a few more done. How many have you notched up?

I’ve recently bought my new and first racer (Giant, defy 3) and am enjoying 2-3 cycles a week at the moment. Aside from the usual cycling as a kid most of us did, I’ve never really done proper cycling, so the ring is a real goal for the year.

Looking forward to your tips in the coming months.

Many Thanks

Ballyvaughan, Co Clare –1600 litres of water, 2000 metres of red tape, 4000 ‘hang sandwiches’, 180 ground marshals, 100 spare bicycle tubes, 1,700 cyclists, 2 tandems and one cycling legend were all part of the hugely successful An Post Tour de Burren which took place amid the spectacular scenery and glorious sunshine of North Clare on Saturday the 19th of June.

The Burren Cycling Club has already hosted six successful Tour de Burren spins and club spokesperson Patrick O’Donoghue was delighted that more cyclists than ever participated this year. According to Patrick,” We can’t believe it; we more than doubled our numbers. Last year over 800 cyclists registered but this year 1,700 took part. We are all volunteers working on this event and we’re thrilled that the numbers are growing, year on year. It’s very rewarding to be able to share this beautiful place with so many fellow cyclists. Cycling in the Burren is absolutely fantastic and visitors are made feel really welcome.”

Cycling legend Seán Kelly and broadcaster Ian Dempsey joined forces with over 1,700 cyclists for the Tour de Burren which is part of the An Post Cycle Series, promoted by An Post and the Irish Sports Council to encourage communities around the country to get on their bikes.

Seán Kelly is ambassador for the An Post Cycle Series and he was delighted with the turn out. According to Seán, “The fact that the An Post Tour de Burren has grown so dramatically in popularity speaks for itself. It is so well organised and the scenery is superb. The whole point of this series is to get people on their bikes. Today we saw young and old, people with disabilities, experienced cyclists and newcomers all having a great day. I really enjoyed taking part.”

Cyclists had three routes to choose from; the 10 km Aillwee Cave Family Loop which was all about fun, enjoyment and participation, the 60 Km Corkscrew Challenge which took cyclists from Ballyvaughan up Corkscrew Hill – a grade 2 King of the Mountains climb on the F.B.D Ras – through Doolin, on to Ballinalacken, and home via Fanore and Black Head to Ballyvaughan and the Burnin Burren spin which offered cyclists a 160km journey through North Clare on a route that took in a number of Grade 2 King of the Mountains climbs, one of which brought riders past the world famous Cliffs of Moher.

Supported by Clare Sports Partnership, the An Post Tour de Burren is designed to offer a variety of challenges. Cyclists with a disability are particularly welcome. European Hand Cycling Gold Medallist, Mark Rohan, took part in the 60km Corkscrew Challenge and Special Olympian Conrad McCollough also participated.

According to John Sweeney, the Coordinator of Clare Sports Partnership, “We got very positive feedback from all those who took part. Participants were very happy with the level of organisation and the An Post Tour de Burren has gained a reputation as a premium cycling event in Ireland that appeals to a wide variety of cyclists.”

Participants were able to avail of timing facilities, refreshments during and after the event, changing facilities, and the use of various support services along the routes. Thousands of litres of water were provided, 3,000 cups of tea were brewed and thousands of tired legs were massaged in a huge logistical operation where the needs of over 1,700 cyclists were met.

Broadcaster Ian Dempsey was the starter for all routes which added to the festival like atmosphere in Ballyvaughan and at the famous Monks Bar and Restaurant BBQ.

For Maureen Cleary of the Clare Tourism Forum, “The An Post Tour de Burren is more than a sporting occasion; it brings people from all over Ireland together and allows the local tourism sector to showcase all that it has to offer. The efforts of a whole community have made this a hugely successful event and I applaud the organisers for their dedication and hard work.”

John Treacy, CEO of the Irish Sports Council was keen to stress the importance of cycling as a means of exercise, “The whole purpose of the An Post series is to get people active. The Irish Sports Council supports this aim. Nationwide, over 8,000 people will participate in the entire An Post Cycle Series so they are a great way of encouraging people to train and they give everyone an opportunity to work to their own ability. Those who came out today enjoyed the beautiful Burren in June and had a great day’s exercise. What could be better?”

I cycled rok last year on a mountain bike – my first time. I had a great day, we left killarney at7.30am & arrived in to gleneagle at 7.10pm – had loads of stops, but didnt eat too well so suffered in kenmare but made it up molls gap and it felt like we were floating once we got to torc cos we were home and we did the whole route and we didnt suffer the following day – which totally amazed me because I did expect some pain & soreness. I am hoping to get a lighter bike this year but I have just been out saturday and it felt great to be back on the saddle again. I have gone from “I have not cycled in years” person to a kind of “semi addict” kind a person which is strange! but good I guess. Good luck this year, I am looking forward to your views because, as a novice, we were overtaken so many times but pros that it will be interesting to see how you fare.

keep in touch!
NM