An addition to the cycling calendar in the west of Ireland will take place on September 22.
The inaugural Challenge Etape, aimed at both leisure and competitive cyclists, is a chip-timed event over a 85km or 125km course through the Burren where riders test themselves against the clock.
Organised by Challenge Cycling Club, the testing route starts and finishes at Paddy Bourke’s in Clarinbridge. Heading towards County Clare and the Burren, it includes the Corker, Carran and Corkscrew climbs passing through Kinvara, Ballyvaughan, Lisdoonvara and the coast road around Black Head.
One of the many participants this year will be well-known Galway cyclist Nigel Forde who has jus returned from competing in the Gran Fondo World Championships in Poland.
Challenge CC, which has become one of the largest cycling clubs in the west of Ireland, caters for all levels of rider, from leisure to competitive racer.
The club has had a strong presence in most of the sportives and races nationwide this year, in addition to hosting its annual reliability trial at the start of the year, two popular racing leagues, and two open races. To round out the racing season the club will also host the Galway County Championships in September where the Kearney Cycles Perpetual Cup will be up for grabs.
Registration for the Challenge Etape and details are available on the club facebook page, www.challengecc.net and www.eventmaster.ie
New club members are welcome and training spins take place on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings.
For more information on what the club is up to have a look at their facebook page www.facebook.com/challengecyclingclub
