Cliffs of Moher Cycle Challenge attracts cast of thousand

ONE THOUSAND cyclists will be wheeling around the roads of North Clare this Saturday for a fundraising cycle.

Riverside Cycling Club, Ennistymon, is hosting the ninth edition of the Cliffs of Moher Cycle Challenge on April 9.

This Cycling Ireland approved sportif was started to raise funds for local charities and voluntary organisations in North Clare.

Past beneficiaries include Ennistymon Hospital, Home Share Clare, North Clare Youth Counselling, Ennistymon Playground and the Burren Chernobyl Project.

This event has built up a reputation as one of the premier leisure cycles in the country, offering spectacular views, warm hospitality, good food, superb marshalling and even a spot of traditional Irish music!

A firm favourite of both the leisure and experienced cyclist, the event is capped at 1,000 participants and has already booked out. The cyclists are supported by an army of 140 volunteers.

There are three routes on offer: 40KM, 80KM and 125KM catering for all levels of cyclists. Starting in Ennistymon, the 40KM Cycle takes in the scenic coastal towns of Lahinch and Liscannor, before climbing to the magnificent Cliffs of Moher, a 190M assent over 7KM.

Cyclists then progress onto Doolin, legendary for its traditional music and pubs, onwards to Ballinalacken Castle, where they meet a mini corkscrew hill before joining the main road back to Ennistymon. Watch out for the three sneaky little hills just at the end.

A warm welcome, refreshments and live traditional music await them at the end. The total climbing on this route is 480M.

The 80KM cycle shares the same route as the 40KM cycle as far as Ballinalacken Castle. This route then heads north along the coast road, with spectacular views of the Aran Islands, the Burren, and the blackhead lighthouse.

Upon reaching a well-earned rest at Ballyvaughan GAA Ground 50KM into the cycle you will enjoy some home-made food and hot beverages.

With batteries recharged, cyclists are now ready to take on the challenge of the Corkscrew Hill. Rising 228 Ms, with gradient of 12% in places over a fine rolling surface, this is an epic climb, followed by a fast decent down into the matchmaking town of Lisdoonvarna, then home to Ennistymon. It will involve a total climb of 865M.

The 125KM route branches off at Ballyvaughan, where it heads north towards Galway, with spectacular views of Galway bay.

After a gentle spin along the coast, a number of climbs await. First Ballaghdine hill, short and steep, a warm-up for the Corker hill and the long drag up to the village of Carron in the heart of the Burren.

A well-earned refreshment stop at Cassidy’s Pub awaits before cyclists enjoy a fast decent down to the ancient Poulnabrone Dolmen before they rejoin the 80KM route at the bottom of the Corkscrew hill. This route is for the experienced and endurance cyclists involving total climbing of 1,600M.