PARTICIPATION Record numbers cycle An Post Tour de Burren

1600 litres of water, 2000 metres of red tape, 4000 ‘hang sandwiches’, 180 ground marshals, 100 spare bicycle tubes, 1,700 cyclists, 2 tandems and one cycling legend were all part of the hugely successful An Post Tour de Burren which took place amid the spectacular scenery and glorious sunshine of North Clare on Saturday the 19th of June.

The Burren Cycling Club has already hosted six successful Tour de Burren spins and club spokesperson Patrick O’Donoghue was delighted that more cyclists than ever participated this year. According to Patrick,” We can’t believe it; we more than doubled our numbers. Last year over 800 cyclists registered but this year 1,700 took part.  We are all volunteers working on this event and we’re thrilled that the numbers are growing, year on year. It’s very rewarding to be able to share this beautiful place with so many fellow cyclists. Cycling in the Burren is absolutely fantastic and visitors are made feel really welcome.”

Cycling legend Seلn Kelly and broadcaster Ian Dempsey joined forces with over 1,700 cyclists for 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.

Seلn Kelly is ambassador for the An Post Cycle Series and he was delighted with the turn out. According to Seلn, “The fact that the An Post Tour de Burren has grown so dramatically in popularity speaks for itself. It is so well organised and the scenery is superb. The whole point of this series is to get people on their bikes. Today we saw young and old, people with disabilities, experienced cyclists and newcomers all having a great day. I really enjoyed taking part.”

Cyclists had  three routes to choose from; the 10 km Aillwee Cave Family Loop which was all about fun, enjoyment and participation, the 60 Km Corkscrew Challenge which took cyclists from Ballyvaughan up Corkscrew Hill - a grade 2 King of the Mountains climb on the F.B.D Ras – through Doolin, on to Ballinalacken, and home via Fanore and Black Head to Ballyvaughan 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 world famous Cliffs of Moher.

Supported by Clare Sports Partnership, an Initiative of the Irish Sports Council, the An Post Tour de Burren is designed to offer a variety of challenges. Cyclists with a disability are particularly welcome. European Hand Cycling Gold Medallist, Mark Rohan, took part in the 60km Corkscrew Challenge and Special Olympian Conrad McCollough also participated.

According to John Sweeney, the Coordinator of Clare Sports Partnership, “We got very positive feedback from all those who took part. Participants were very happy with the level of organisation and the An Post Tour de Burren has gained a reputation as a premium cycling event in Ireland that appeals to a wide variety of cyclists.”

John Treacy, CEO of the Irish Sports Council was keen to stress the importance of cycling as a means of exercise, “The whole purpose of the An Post series is to get people active. The Irish Sports Council supports this aim. Nationwide, over 8,000 people will participate in the entire An Post Cycle Series so they are a great way of encouraging people to train and they give everyone an opportunity to work to their own ability. Those who came out today enjoyed the beautiful Burren in June and had a great day’s exercise. What could be better?”