The second Carrickmacross Lions Club North East Cycle Challenge took place on Sunday 5th May and attracted cyclists from throughout the country. Like last year the participants were generous in their praise for the professional way it was organised and for the two routes selected.
The 100km Drumlin Challenge set off at 9.30am and passed through Kingscourt, Shercock, Cootehill, Newbliss, Ballybay and Lough Egish before returning to Carrickmacross. Mrs.Alice Deary of The Alzheimer’s Society performed the official starter duties before the cyclists set off towards their first climb of the day at Corgarry Hill, Kingscourt where they were encouraged up the incline by some bell ringing, flag waving, baguette brandishing, French speaking cycling supporters. All proceeds from The North East Cycle Challenge went towards the provision of a weekly bus service for Alzheimer’s patients taking them to the Drumkill Daycare Centre in Threemilehouse.
Recently retired legend of Carrickmacross Main Street, Martin McKenna, was the man who set the cyclists on the 30km Oriel Route on their way. This cycle started at 10am and took them on a flat quiet route to the picturesque village of Tallanstown. Refreshments were kindly provided to the participants by the Tallanstown Tidy Towns Committee before the cyclists embarked on the return journey to Carrickmacross.
The Carrickmacross Lions Club members and volunteers provided refreshments and showers for the returning cyclists in The Phoenix Sports Centre with many weary participants availing of a complimentary massage. Hundreds of photos from the event are available to view on www.facebook.com/NorthEastCycleChallenge.
The Carrickmacross Lions Club was overwhelmed by the level of support and generosity that the North East Cycle Challenge has generated in the community. Lions Club President Paddy Gollogly expressed thanks to Bose Ltd, Monaghan Sports Partnership, Kelkin Ltd and to Michael Clarke of Carrick Cycle Centre for their support for the event. Special thanks went to Cycle Coach Valerie Campion who acted as Head Safety Steward and whose invaluable experienced guided the event organisers throughout.
The Carrickmacross Lions Club would also like to thank all local businesses who contributed to the running of the event, to Liam Connolly for providing sound and atmosphere for the cyclist’s return, to the volunteers and therapists who helped out on the day but most of all to all the participating cycling clubs and individual cyclists who completed both the Oriel and Drumlin Routes and whose efforts helped generate funds for Alzheimer’s Support.
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