Big promotions for Western Lakes CC this Summer

Western Lakes cycling club have 3 busy months ahead with 3 big promotions in July, August and September, catering for leisure, racing and recreational cyclists.

Club Chairman John Murphy said “ our club aims to bring cycling to all facets of the community, by promoting these events we create events that people want to take part in and bring cycling to their door steps, this could not be done with out having a great working club where all our members help out”.

Polkadot Challenge 2010

The countdown has begun for this year’s Western Lakes CC Polkadot Challenge, which will take place on Sunday 18th July, starting and finishing in Ballinrobe. With the ever growing popularity of leisure cycle challenges, this year’s Polkadot is expected to attract a large group of cyclists to take on the hills of South Mayo and North Galway.

Participants in the Polkadot Challenge can choose from one of 3 routes, depending on their level of fitness and cycling experience. The Polkadot route, at 120km, offers the Leisure Cyclist a testing challenge over 9 climbs in the Partry and Joyce Country Hills. The Polkadot Fada takes in an additional loop over the Sheefry Hills to Killary Harbour to provide a 180km route with 3000m total climbing. This route is designed to challenge the fit experienced cyclist. The Polkadot Beag, at 80km, offers all the challenges of the Partry hills via a shorter route around Lough Mask and back to Ballinrobe.

This year the club is offering all of frills that are so often missing while travelling on other modes of transport these days! There will be a full backup team on the day to marshal the route and provide support to cyclists. Refreshments will be offered at a number of points along the route and there will be a barbecue afterwards. This year each cyclist will receive a timing chip at the start of the cycle. The toughest climbs on the course will be timed so that you can compare your climbing prowess to other participants.

Western Lakes CC is teaming up with Cystic Fibrosis for the second event this year to raise money for the Mayo CF project. Sponsorship cards are available from Thomas, call 087 932 3930.

Full details are available on www.westernlakescc.com where you can pre-register ahead of the event, and registration is accepted on the day. Cycling helmets are compulsory and cyclists should come prepared, with their bicycle in good working order. All registered participants must sign on the morning of the event (7:00-8:00am for the 180km cycle and from 8:00-9:30am for the 120km and 80km events). Any queries can be directed to Michael on 087 9000 368.

Marrey Bikes.com Ballinrobe 2day open for entries 

With only 6 weeks to go for the Marreybikes.com Ballinrobe 2day (August 7th & 8th), the race now in its fifth year and has gone from strength to strength with 130 participants taking part last year. This event is Ireland’s only Handicapped stage race, allowing every participant a fair chance of success.

Colm Laverty from Navan RC who was a 3rd Cat rider won last year's event holding his nerve to beat all the top A cat riders, he is back again in 2010 to defend his title.

The race for the 2nd year in a row is sponsored by Marrey Bikes of Ballinrobe who are sponsoring the overall competition and Connemara fisheries Cornamona who sponsor the King of the Hills title (Polkadot jersey)

This 2 day event is open to all categories from Juniors (U18) up, with A4 also invited to ride as are the club racers, all they have to do is take out a one day CI licence and they get to see what stage racing is like while having the advantage of a handicap over the experienced racers.

This stage race has all the frills with jerseys, Yellow (Overall) Green (Sprints) and Polkadot (Mountains) plus 4 perpetual trophies and cups for stage and overall winners, we try to cater for every category with €2500 in prizes.

Ballinrobe Horse races are on the Monday the 9th so why not make a weekend of it and throw some of the winning on a few horses.

This year the club is proud to be associated with the Mc Mahon family as they will be donating a perpetual cup which will be presented to the rider who scores the most points in the sprints competition over the 2 days, the cup is in memory of their late son Ciaran Mc Mahon.

The race starts on Saturday the 7th of August at 3pm with an 80k hilly road stage.

Sunday there are 2 stages, stage 2a is an 8k TT, 9am start, Stage 2b starts at 1pm with 85k road stage.

Entry forms are on www.westernlakescc.com Closing date July 28th.

Cornmarket to Castle “Cycle for Fun” on 12th Sept 2010.

This cycle is part of the Mayo Sports Partnership “Cycle for Fun” series, and is being organised by the Western Lakes Cycling club. The cycle is suitable for anybody, even if you haven’t been on a bike for years! The spin, which takes place on Sunday 12th Sept, is 20km (12 miles) from the Ballinrobe to Ashford Castle and back again.

This fun cycle is an ideal opportunity for families and people of all ages who would like to get into light exercise and meet up with a group for a fun day out. Sign on for the event is at 10:00am and the cycle leaves from the Cornmarket in Ballinrobe at 10:30am. The group will cycle to Ashford Castle at a very easy pace, where you can enjoy a scenic trip through the beautiful grounds of the Ashford Castle. Then back into Cong for some light refreshments, before returning to Ballinrobe at your leisure. To ease you into it, Western Lakes are running leisure spins from the Cornmarket in Ballinrobe every Thursday evening with special introductory evenings for newcomers on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month.

Backup and spares will be provided on the day of the event. For anyone who doesn’t have a bike, the club has a limited number of spare bikes available – please contact Michael on 087 9000 368 ahead of the event if you wish to avail of this.

Visit www.westernlakescc.com for regular updates or contact Michael on 087 9000 368 for further details.