It is time to get that bike out and start training because cycling legend and former world number 1 cyclist Sean Kelly has launched the annual Cork to Galway Charity Cycle, which will take place over two action packed days in June.
The hugely popular Cork to Galway cycle has been running for the past 12 years and will this year support the ground-breaking work of Breakthrough Cancer Research, who fund the efficient and effective development of new treatments for poor prognosis cancers.
The event is suitable for all levels of cyclists, who are looking to challenge themselves over a distance of 100km per day. Participants will depart with Sean Kelly from Cork City hall at 10am on Friday 19th June (Sean will take part in Day 1 only) and travel through Mallow and Charleville to an overnight stop in Limerick, where cyclists will have the pleasure of a social Questions and Answers session with one of Irelands cycling greats!
Day two of this epic journey will travel through Ennis and Gort before arriving into Galway City where an après cycle party has been organised. The event is geared towards leisure cyclists and while challenging in distance the route is designed to be manageable for most cyclists with a little training done. More experienced cyclists also enjoy this event using it as a two-day training weekend with full support and facilities. The front bunch can get quite competitive between stages with the lead car given instructions to let the peleton go as fast as it likes on the open road.
Speaking at the launch Sean Kelly said “I’m delighted to lend my support to this year’s Cork to Galway cycle. There is a fantastic route planned, very manageable for the leisure cyclist while still presenting a good challenge, and a great way to meet other cyclists from around the country. Best of all people are challenging cancer while challenging themselves. I hope a great number of people sign up and I’m looking forward to taking part and leading them out of Cork on Day One on the 19th of June”.
Event organiser Niall Kennedy explains why this event is always so popular “We cater for all levels of cyclists, there will be three rest stops on each day where the cyclists will regroup before setting off on the next stage making the event a highly sociable and enjoyable experience as well as a physical challenge. The evening dinner in Limerick and the après cycle party in Galway are also most enjoyable social events. For many people getting to meet their cycling hero is also a great bonus of the tour. As the cycle is limited to 300 cyclists for safety and logistical reasons, I would encourage people to register as soon as possible so as not to miss out on this fantastic experience, people can register from today on the event website www.corktogalway.com.
If you plan on doing just one cycling event this year then this the one. I promise you will not be disappointed”.