Polka Dot 2009 Report

Western Lakes Cycling Club welcomed riders from as far away as Donegal, Dublin and Kerry to Ballinrobe for Sundays 3rd running of the Western lakes Polka Dot Cycling Challenge .

With 3 routes, offering riders a chance to climb the Hills of Southwest Mayo and Joyce Country the warm sunshine and blue sky had everyone looking forward to a great day.

A Hardy bunch of riders set off at 8.30 on the Polka Dot Fada 180km route which stretched from Lough Cara to Killary Harbour with hills climbed in the Partry, Sheefry and Joyce Country Mountains while passing through villages like Carnacon, Killawalla, Aughagower, Drummin, Tourmakeady, Maam Cornamona and Clonbur.

An Hour later over 70 riders set off on the shorter routes of 120km and the Beag 80km.

With all 3 routes coming together just before the climb of Tourmakeady Mountain and the welcome descent to the Feed stop in the Village at half way.

Here the Spread set out by Cong's Ray and Marion McHugh was greatly appreciated by hungry riders. Relaxing in warm sunshine, energy levels were replenished before the 2nd half with its assault on the remaining climbs which circle Loughs Mask , Nafooey and Coolin through Maam and Cornamona to Clonbur. Then it was back to the flat run home to Ballinrobe.

Linus Fahy having set out early on the Beag route to have finished his cycle in time was hard at work on the post ride BBQ.

The club would like to thank Ray, Marion and Linus for their work in feeding the riders

 Edel and Clare O'Neill, Tom Kelly, Aoife Geraghty, John Biggins, Michael Moran,

Brendan Scullion and Covey Wheelers Cycling Club for their help out on the road

And local businesses Corrib Oil(Ballinrobe)Tesco(Ballinrobe)Costello and Mc Dermott, Bridge Signs, The Fruit Market and the Queen of the Mask Festival Committee for their support of the event.

Below are just some of the comments by visiting riders

Fantastic route

(though the Partry climb almost killed me :)

Very little Traffic

BBQ at the end was lovely meant people hung around a little bit instead of flying off

Good Value

Andrew

Thanks for the opportunity to give you some feedback.

I thought it was a great event, I can see why its called the Polkadot Challenge. I did the 80k cause I am not long at it and thought that would be enough for me but I found the climbs very tough, The route was extremely well marked out on the road very clear and marked at the right places, although the decent from Lallys could have done with a few more cautions ha ha.

Though I found it tough I really enjoyed it and am glad I did it and hope to do it again next year.

So over all well done to one and all.

P.S. The Burger afterwards was lovely 10/10

Paul

For more PolkaDot pics click here.....