Sky ride

MORE than 1,800 people participated in the Sky Ride Etape Hibernia event which took place in Clare at the weekend.
The sold-out race was Ireland’s first ever closed-road mass participation cycling event and attracted competitors from all over Ireland and the UK, as well as from throughout Europe and USA. 
Participants cycled 82 miles of traffic-free roads from the Gort Road in Ennis through Corofin, Ballyvaughan, Fanore, Liscannor, Spanish Point and back to Ennis’ Market.
Thousands of spectators turned out in excellent weather conditions to cheer on the participants who included cycling legend Seán Kelly, British Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis and Sky News presenter Dermot Murnaghan.
“This represents a milestone day for mass participation events in Ireland considering this is the country’s first closed road non-professional cycle event. Along with our partners, we now look forward to establishing Sky Ride Etape Hibernia as a major fixture on the Irish sporting calendar over the next five years delivering a significant boost to the local economy. The feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive with many commenting on the spectacular, challenging and fun nature of the route,” said Jo Dytch, spokesperson for organisers IMG.