07/04/2009 -
Sligo Host An Post Cycle Race
Mayor Councillor Veronica Cawley and fellow councillors gave their support to the ‘An Post Cycle Series’ by recently launching the Sligo phase of the cycle outside County Hall. County Sligo has been selected to host one of 5 events as part of the An Post Cycle Series.
- Left to Right - Councillor Seamus Kilgannon, Mayor Councillor Veronica Cawley, Councillor Tony McLoughlin and Councillor Joe Leonard launch the Sligo phase of the An Post Cycle Series.
The cycling series is based on the highly successful Sean Kelly Tour of Waterford which has been successfully run for the past two years. The Sligo Cycle is the first event of the series in 2009 and will take place on Sunday 10th May. It has three different stages to accommodate people of all levels of fitness, from the committed athletes and club cyclists, to novices and family groups.
For the novices the 10K Hazelwood Family Spin is all about fun, enjoyment and participation. It starts out from IT Sligo and the cyclists will head for Hazelwood with a stop off at the scenic Half Moon Bay before completing their return journey.
The 60K Lough Gill Circuit is for cyclists with more experience and will travel out towards Dromahaire and on through Ballintogher, Slish Wood, Carraroe, Coolera and Strandhill, before they head homeward bound to Sligo Town.
The 160 km Ox Mountain Challenge shares the same route as the Lough Gill Circuit , but for this brave and fit group of cyclists, some additional mileage and challenge is involved. This route will take the cyclists through Ballisodare and will involve a significant climb over the scenic Hungry Rock, before arriving in Coolaney, where a food stop awaits. The race moves to the village of Cloonacool towards Masshill and Lough Easkey before eventually descending in the direction of Dromore West and the coast road. Further challenge awaits as the cyclists head over Ladies Brae into Coolaney and onward to Collooney and Strandhill before finally reaching the final leg of the journey back to Sligo Town.
The An Post Tour of Sligo presents a wonderful opportunity to showcase the spectacular scenery in Sligo and to promote our county as a cycling destination. Significantly, part of the route passes along the North West Trail and by working with Failte Ireland presents a great opportunity to showcase and market the trail.
Cllr. Joe Leonard acknowledged the positive support from Eire Og Cycling Club and Innisfree Wheelers Cycling Club for the event. There has also been strong support from agencies including Sligo County Council, County Sligo VEC and Sligo Borough Council.
Further details on the An Post Tour of Sligo, and how to enter or become involved as a volunteer, is available on www.sligosportandrecreation,ie or by contacting the SSRP office at 071 9161511
