Cycling enthusiasts from throughout the North-East are anticipating a great days cycling at The Carrickmacross Lions Club Cycle which will take place on Sunday 3rd May in aid of Down Syndrome Ireland, Monaghan Branch.
Final preparations for the charity cycle event are taking place and the organisers are expecting a large representation of experienced cyclists from cycling clubs throughout the North East and further afield for the 90km Drumlin Route which will pass through Castleblaney, Ballybay, Swanns Cross, Rockcorry, Cootehill, Shercock and Kingscourt before returning to Carrickmacross.
The village of Tallanstown is ready to receive an influx of leisure and beginner cyclists on Sunday as it is the half way point destination for the 30km Oriel Route. The Tallanstown Tidy Towns Committee will generously provide a reception and refreshments for the cyclists when they reach the village before their return to Carrickmacross. Lions Club President Claire Cunningham expressed her thanks for the support and generosity shown by the Tallanstown Community and encouraged all local people with a bike to get involved on the day to help raise funds to provide regular therapy sessions for local children with Downs Syndrome. The shorter flat Oriel Route should only take about two hours at a steady manageable pace and will suit both new cyclists and those returning to the saddle.
Cycle Coach Valerie Campion urged all particiapating cyclists to remember that the Lions Club Cycle is not a race and that roads will remain open during the event. Cyclists should make sure that their bikes are roadworthy with fully inflated tyres and all cyclists must wear a safety helmet in order to take part.
Event registration will be open between 8am and 9.30am in The Phoenix Sports Centre, Church Lane, Carrickmacross. The 90km Drumlin Route cycle will start at 9.30am and the 30km Oriel Route will set off at 10am, both from the Main Street. Showers, massages and refreshments will be available at The Phoenix Sports Centre on the cyclists return.
All registered participating cyclists will be automatically entered into a free prize draw with over €1500 in prizes. Carrick Cycle Centre have donated a Hybrid Bike worth €450, Aura Dundalk Leisure Centre have sponsored two yearly memberships worth €385 each, Ronaghan Opticians have sponsored a pair of cycling sunglasses worth €120 and there are also two entries to the Killarney Adventure Race worth €90 each on offer.
The Carrickmacross Lions Club would like to appeal to motorists to watch out for cyclists along the two routes and exercise caution on the roads. They have also appealed to people to support and give encouragement to the cyclists as they pass through the towns along the route. Full details are available on www.facebook.com/lionsclubcycle and on www.carrickmacrosslionsclub.com.
