2 exciting events coming up in the west

Western Lakes CC are promoting 2 exciting events in the next 5 weeks, the first is called the Polkadot Challenge July 20th which has 3500m of climbing and covers nearly all of the climbs of the 3rd stage of the Tour of Ireland one for people who want a real climbing challenge but still doable for a beginner its only 75mile….

The 2nd event is the Ballinrobe 2 day its Ireland’s first ever Handicap stage race… It started 4 years ago and has gone from Strength to strength with 120riders last year competing, compete against the best and still have a chance of winning…

Hope to see ye at one or both if you like.

See attached relevant entry forms.

Biking and walking challenges to attract large numbers to Mayo and Galway

An outdoor challenge with a difference awaits bikers and hill-walkers in the south Mayo/west Galway region on Saturday and Sunday, July 19th and 20th.

On Saturday, July 19th, the Joyce Country Challenge features be a 30km hill-walk, starting and finishing in the village of Finney , just five miles from the Co. Galway town of Clonbur . There are also two shorter walk options on the day.

On the following day, Sunday, July 20th, many of the walkers will then turn their attentions to the bike for the Polka Dot Challenge. The main challenge here is a 120km ride over nine hills in the Partry/Joyce County mountains on roads circling Loughs Carra, Mask and NaFooey. There are short-course options too that will allow cyclists to complete 80km (over three or five, depending on level of ability.)

The chief organiser for the event is Fergal O’Neill, an active member of Western Lakes Cycling Club and the Lake District Hill-Walking Club.

All money raised will go towards the Make-a-Wish Foundation, with kind support by Tesco (Irl) Galway .

The programme is as follows:

Saturday, July 19th – Joyce Country Challenge:  

Walks start and finish in Finney Village , at Finney Community Centre. Sign-on is from 6.45-8am, and experienced walkers can depart on the walk at anytime during that time-frame.

Discover one of Ireland ’s hidden gems. Follow the ridges of the Joyce/Partry Mountains that circle Lough NaFooey. The walk takes in the Maumtrasna Plateua, the Devil’s Mother, and the southern shore ridge of Bunacuuneen and Ben Beg.

There will also be the Joyce Country Half-Challenge, and the Joyce Country Ramble on the day, which will prove less demanding walks. The Joyce Country Half-Challenge sign-on is also from 6.45-8am, and walkers can either venture off on their own or join a group leader at 8am. The Joyce Country Ramble sign-on is from 8-9am, and will leave Finney at 9am, under the guidance of a leader.

Entry fee/donation is €50.

Sunday, July 20th – Polka Dot Challenge:

Cycle starts and finishes at the Western Lakes Cycling Centre, Kilmaine Road , Ballinrobe, at 10am.

The course sees riders leave Ballinrobe, travel to Carnacon, Ballintubber, Killawalla, Tourmakeady, Maam, Cornamona, Cloughbrack, Clonbur and back to Ballinrobe.

The Polka Dot Challenge takes riders over nine hills – Bohaun North, Lallys, Churchfield, Cappnacreeha, Maumtrasna, Ail Dubh, Maumean, Treena, and Toonlegee. The combined climb will be 3000m.

There will be refreshment stops at Lallys, Maumtrasna, and Cornamona. Short-course options involving three and five hills, both over 80kms, are also available on the day.

For Cycling Ireland members, the entry fee/donation is €50, while non-members must also pay a €10 one-day licence fee.

For details on both events, contact Fergal on 0871211047

Email westernlakespolkadot@eircom.net. More details on both events can be found on www.lakedistricthwc.com, and www.westernlakescc.com.

For further details, contact Fergal O’Neill on 087 1211047, or email westernlakespolkadot@eircom.net. It is not necessary to take part in both events, though many participants are planning to do so.

Ballinrobe 2-day to Stay with proven format for 2008

“August 9th and 10th Ballinrobe 2 day cycle race will stick to proven format”, says race director Eamon Marrey .Every year since the event was introduced in 2003 the event has gone from strength to strength so why change what works..

The 2007 event brought a wave of cyclist to the West of Ireland with 120 starters the biggest race held in Connacht for years and this year should be no different.

The West, with its quiet roads and tough terrain, is the ideal place to host road racing, hence the huge influx of racing here in the past few years.

The Ballinrobe 2-day is the only stage race in Ireland that offers a handicap system so that all categories have a chance of winning the overall.

The race combines all cats from Ladies through to Elite riders, the only categories who are not catered for are Youth riders.

There is a handicap system in place on stage 1 and 2 B so that the elite riders have to work their butts off to get on terms with their handicap before they can start racing, last year over 120 riders took to the start line and this years event promises to be even bigger.

Last year’s winner Miceal Concannon from Killorglin CC County Kerry had it all to do last year to get on terms with the front runners on both stages.

The Prize list
With a polka dot jersey on offer to the best climber and the Eileen Marrey memorial trophy to be presented to the overall winner, this added to the Kieran McMahon sprints jersey plus all the various category prizes that are on offer, which combines to a total of €2500 in prize money, which is one of the biggest prize list of a cycle race in the country.

Closing date for entry is Wednesday, July 23rd

For more details contact Race Director Eamon Marrey 087 7646416, or Race Secretary Padraig Marrey 087-7992857.or see www.westernlakescc.com