Keeper Cycling Club to host annual Cycle
Sunday 29th April sees the third annual Keeper Cycling Club sportif taking place.
The event, which has become a popular fixture in the local cycling calendar over the past few years, offers cyclists an option of routes of approximately 55km or 105km.
The spin commences at 10am on the day, with registration open from 8.30-9.30am at Newport College. Cyclists can also ‘beat the queue’ by pre-registering in advance via Eventbrite.ie.
The committee and members of Keeper Cycling Club (KCC) have been working hard over the past few months preparing for the event, which brings cyclists from all over the county and further afield.
“Last year, we had cyclists from three provinces attend our sportif, with over 120 out, and all home safely” said Ciarán Ryan, KCC Chairperson.
“That was our biggest year yet, and we were very thankful for the support from our neighbouring cycling clubs in particular, as well as those who travelled from further afield”.
The event will be perfect training for those taking part in larger events this summer, such as the Ring of Beara or the Ring of Kerry, or even those preparing for the North Tipp Wheelers annual Tour de Lough Derg spin on May 13th.
“We’ve a nice route laid on for those taking part. The first half of the spin takes in the N7 before a trip back towards Newport via Shallee. We had a very competitive King and Queen of Shallee last year, and this competition will be returning this year, by popular demand,” said Ciarán Ryan.
Last year’s winners of the King & Queen of the Mountain prizes were Con Kennedy (Nenagh CC) and Katrina Bradley (Killaloe/Ballina Leisure Cyclists)
After refreshments at Newport College, those wishing to take part in the second half of the cycle will travel up to the Clare Glens, and then into East Limerick, where a challenging drag from Doon will bring them onto the Thurles-Newport road. The event will finish back at Newport College where there will be hot food and refreshments for all participants.
Since its establishment in 2014, Keeper Cycling Club has grown, and now has over 60 members attached to the club, from Newport and surrounding areas, such as Ballinahinch, Rearcross, Castleconnell, etc.
“We’ve a very friendly club here, and we look forward to welcoming club cyclists and anybody interested in taking part in the sportif to Newport,” commented Adrian O’Brien, KCC Vice-Chairperson.
“It’s always a great spin, with plenty of food and craic after. We are very grateful for all of those in the local community who help us run this event,” he added.
Entry fee for the Keeper CC annual cycle this Sunday is €20 (or €25 without Cycling Ireland License).
For more information on KCC, visit their website at kcc.ie or contact them via Facebook/Twitter.