An Post delivers pedal power

OVER 2,500 cyclists rode in the An Post Tour de Burren, which took place amid the breathtaking scenery of North Clare last Saturday.
Apart from the success of the event, local businesses enjoyed a welcome cash injection and a number of groups will benefit from financial support down the line.
The Burren Cycling Club/An Post Tour de Burren, in association with the Irish Sports Council and supported by Clare Sports Partnership, Clare Tourism Forum, Aillwee Cave and the community of North Clare, is designed to offer a variety of challenges. Cyclists had four routes to choose from, including the 10km Aillwee Cave Family Loop, which was all about fun, enjoyment and participation; the 60km Corkscrew Challenge, which took cyclists from Ballyvaughan up Corkscrew Hill, a grade 2 King of the Mountains climb on the An Post Rás; the 100km Burren 100 with two challenging climbs 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 Cliffs of Moher.
The Burren Cycling Club has already hosted seven successful Tour de Burren spins and club spokesperson, Patrick O’Donoghue was delighted that more cyclists than ever participated this year.
“This year we had record numbers taking part. Over 2,500 cyclists enjoyed four great routes that took them through the beautiful Burren and we were delighted to welcome so many cyclists to North Clare,” he said.
Mr O’Donoghue, who is chairman of the Ballyvaughan Development Association, also acknowledged the enormous contribution made by Clare County Council staff in the Ennistymon Area Office for works carried out on road surfaces in preparation for the event and for services provided to the tour organisers. He said, “Without their help, we could not have brought the event to the level it is now. We are also very grateful for the ongoing support and commitment of the Clare Sports Partnership, The Clare Tourism Forum and Aillwee Cave.”
This year, once again, the tour will financially benefit sport in County Clare. In 2010, almost €8,000 was given to clubs and other community organisations that took part and organisers expect the figure to be exceeded this year. Proceeds from the tour have supported the full-time employment of a dedicated sports disability officer in Clare Sports Partnership. Monies raised have also enabled the Burren Cycling Club to establish a junior section to the club. This year 11 of these junior members cycled the 60km route. All are in primary school.
Cycling legend, Seán Kelly joined forces with the riders on 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. Mr Kelly is ambassador for the series and he was delighted with the event.
“I’m very pleased to be associated with the An Post Tour de Burren. It is very well organised and the setting is superb. The whole point of this series is to get people on their bikes and today they came out in their thousands,” he said.
John Sweeney, coordinator of Clare Sports Partnership, remarked, “The An Post Tour de Burren is now seen as a premium cycling event in Ireland that appeals to a wide variety of cyclists. It is really heartening to see so many cyclists out on the Clare roads, all working to the best of their own ability.
“One of our aims this year was to increase the number of female cyclists and we are really glad to see that we achieved that aim.”
Participants were able to avail of refreshments during and after the event, changing facilities were available and the use of various support services along the routes were provided by 180 ground marshals, five doctors and four physiotherapists, while members of An Garda Síochána and the Irish Red Cross were on duty throughout the day.
“The An Post Tour de Burren brings people from all over Ireland and beyond together in a very beautiful and special part of the country,” observed Maureen Cleary of the Clare Tourism Forum.
“It benefits the local tourism sector and many of the visitors will return for next year’s tour. We also believe it should help to promote our campaign to have the Cliffs of Moher recognised as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. It really shows what one community in partnership with statutory and local bodies can do to promote their passion for cycling and their local area.”
John Treacy, CEO of the Irish Sports Council, was also keen to stress the importance of the local effort to promote exercise.
“The whole purpose of the An Post series is to get people active. Last year over 10,000 riders took part in the series throughout the country and this year we should exceed that number. The Irish Sports Council is very grateful for the voluntary effort by groups, such as the Burren Cycling Club, in helping us to achieve our aim of getting more people involved in sport and exercise,” he concluded.