Over 2,500 cyclists set for Ring of Clare event

In what is a hectic period for cycling within the county, a huge event which will see over two thousand cyclists take part will return this Saturday.

The return of ŠKODA Ring of Clare Cycle will see 2,500 cyclists visit Ennis this weekend. The event is one of the largest mass participation events in Ireland bringing visitors from all over Ireland with international participants from 10 countries also signed up.

With the Junior Tour of Ireland underway after stages in Barefield on Tuesday and Ennis on Wednesday, the ŠKODA Ring of Clare Cycle will continue to showcase the best of what Clare has to offer.

This sportive returns for the first time since 2019 as a result of Covid-19 restrictions and is estimated to be worth €1 million to the Clare tourism economy.

The ŠKODA Ring of Clare Cycle is part of the international ŠKODA Celtic Cycling Series, starting and finishing in Ennis.

Cyclists have the option of 160km and 120km routes that brings the event along the Wild Atlantic Way, Loop Head Peninsula and back to Ennis by the newly developed Shannon Estuary Way.

The event begins at 9am this Saturday from Clarecastle GAA Grounds with cyclists urged to arrive early to ensure that the sportive can begin on time.

There is a huge interest among clubs within Clare for this event. One cyclist to keep an eye on is PJ Talty, who took up competitive cycling at aged 61 and has had a strong season to date, competing in the Tour De Conamara in May.

During the event, the cyclists will carry the HPV vaccine awareness logo on their jerseys.

Damian Hayes of ŠKODA Al Hayes Ennis stated: “This year we are also delighted to carry the HPV Vaccine Awareness logo on the event jersey. It is important that we continue to support the efforts of the late Laura Brennan and the Brennan family in encouraging clubs and events to use their influence in keeping awareness of the HPV vaccine to the fore. Between all the ŠKODA cycling events, thousands of cyclists will carry the logo and message around the country and further afield.”

With the Clare Food & Drink Fleadh taking place this weekend, the tourism sector is set to receive a huge boost.

For the 160km cycle, the cyclists will travel to Quilty before heading to Doonbeg with the first feed station located at the Community Centre. After this the competitors will continue to head south as they pass trough Kilkee before reaching Doonaha.

In Kilrush there will be another refuel station at the GAA club with the cyclists having completed over 100km at this stage. They will continue to Kilmurry McMahon before reaching a refuel point in Kildysart.

From there cyclists will travel to Ballynacally before completing the 160km distance by reaching Clarecastle GAA Grounds.

The 120km route will see cyclists travel to Quilty before heading down towards Kilrush. There is a feed station in Kilrush which will mark the halfway point of the cycle. Competitors will pass through Killimer before travelling through Kilmurry McMahon.

They will then travel to Kildysart, which will host the final refuel point before heading to Ballynacally before finishing at Clarecastle GAA Grounds.

Hayes explained how the event started in 2016 with 800 cyclists and has trebled in a short space of time to attract 2,500 participants annually.

“The feedback from participants have highlighted the spectacular route around Clare from the coast, Loop Head Peninsula to the estuary journey back to the finish. The reputation of Ennis as a great host town provides another reason for so many visitors to take part.”

Event director Ian Falconer highlighted how the timing of the event was great for Clare to coincide with the county’s hosting of the Junior Tour of Ireland cycle race and the Clare Food and Drink Fleadh.

“Clare’s hosting of these events will encourage people to stay in the area a bit longer and really showcases the range of things to do and see in the area. Cyclists will be able to watch the stars of the future take part in Junior Tour stages on Friday and Sunday.

“Throughout the weekend the Clare Food and Drink Fleadh will give event attendees plenty of options for the evening time and the post cycle celebrations.”

He added that in 2019, the last year the ŠKODA Ring of Clare Cycle was hosted, this event was one of the highest rated Cycling Ireland sportives as voted for by the participants.

“This year we have added a range of new elements to develop the overall cycling experience for participants plus the route is selected to showcase the best of what Clare has to offer.

“The event goes through a varied series of backdrops from taking in the Estuary and parts of Loop Head and parts of the Wild Atlantic Way they may not be familiar with. The event is designed to have a major sport tourism impact on the area and we plan for it to become one of the bigger events in the national cycling sportive calendar.”

The 2022 event is now completely sold out. The weekend in Clare starts with event sign on at Al Hayes ŠKODA dealership on Friday evening from 4pm to 8pm.