A large group of leisure cyclists took on the 64k lap around Lough Mask last Saturday. This was the fifth annual running of Western Lakes Cycling Club’s Lap of the Mask, which raised funds for the Cystic Fibrosis West Building Fund.
The event started at the Western Lakes Cycling Centre in Ballinrobe in the morning, and the group of 110 cycled out the Castlebar road into a strong head wind, turning off at Partry and into Tourmakeady for the first leg of the journey. There was a welcomed cup of tea and sandwich provided at the half-way point and the cyclists got a chance to re-group before taking on the second half of the journey.
After the break, the hills of Derrypark and Maamtrasna awaited, after which the cyclists were rewarded with the spectacular view across Lough Nafooey. Most riders stayed on the 64km route around the lake, with some taking in the extra few kilometres round the ‘Head of the Mask’. At this point the sun started to peek through the clouds, and spirits were high as the participants rolled back towards the finish line in Ballinrobe. Everyone who signed on achieved their goal for the day, having completed the trip around the lake at their own pace. After a quick shower, most of the group reconvened for a well earned snack and beverage.
Western Lakes CC would like to thank all the cyclists for supporting the event, the organising committee, everyone who volunteered their time in the lead up and on the day, and the local businesses who provided sponsorship in kind (Marrey Bikes, O’Heir’s pub, and Cummins SuperValu ). The club’s next event offers an even bigger challenge to those leisure cyclists who would like to take on more hills over longer distances. This year’s Polkadot Challenge on Saturday July 16 has new 100km and 160km routes to choose from. See www.westernlakescc.com for further details.
Two hectic days of cycling lined up this weekend
This weekend, Saturday May 21 and Sunday May 22, there will be a feast of cycling which is being run in conjunction with Western Lakes Cycling Club, one of the finest cycling clubs in the west of Ireland.
This year there will be the inaugural Bog Week two-day cycle race which will provide the competitors with a challenging course and two days of exciting riding. On Saturday May 21 at 4pm in Tullycross a two-lap 70km event which runs from Tullycross to Letterfrack, on to Kylemore and through Lettergesh before finishing back in Tullycross will take place. On Sunday May 22 at 9am, a 5km time trial from Letterfrack to Tullycross with kick off events, then at 1pm a 90km race from Tullycross through Letterfrack and Clifden before heading back to Tullycross will round off the weekend’s events. There will also be a 40 mile club cyclist event on Sunday starting at 2pm.
