With just weeks to go, entries for the Mayo Pink Ribbon Cycle on Bank Holiday Saturday, May 4, are well up on last year already. Entries are via the website (www.mayopinkribbon.ie ) and the organisers are encouraging everyone to register in advance to avoid delays on the day.
“We’re absolutely delighted with the number of entries so far,” says event organiser Lourda McHugh. “Many of them are new names, people who are doing the Mayo Pink Ribbon Cycle for the first time and we are so grateful to them for making this commitment. We won’t turn people away on the day itself but it makes things much easier if everyone enters in advance.” Entry forms are available on the website. There is no entry fee but as the cycle is a fundraising event for breast cancer research all entrants are asked to raise a minimum of €100 for this very worthy cause.
Mayo Pink Ribbon Cycle is a leisure cycle rather than a race so it is a very inclusive event which suits all standards. Cyclists can choose the distance that suits them - 50k, 110k, or 175k. Remember 50k is only slightly longer than the Greenway cycle, so there is no excuse. All routes start and finish at the Royal Theatre in Castlebar and are very well marked and marshalled. Throughout the day cyclists are well supported with water/fruit stops and lunch, and the day finishes with a celebration banquet.
The organisers point out that for insurance reasons people cannot join in for sections of the cycle. They must register and begin the cycle along with everyone else in Castlebar.
The cycle routes
50km: Castlebar, Glenisland, Beltra, Glenhest, Newport, Castlebar.
110km: Castlebar, Newport, Mulranny, Achill Sound, Corraun, Mulranny, Newport, Castlebar.
175km: Castlebar, Newport, Mulranny, Ballycroy, Bangor Erris, Barnatra, Glenamoy (approx half way mark ), Belderg, Ballycastle, Moygownagh, Crossmolina, Lahardaune, Pontoon, Castlebar.
Cycling novices will find a wealth of information on the website www.mayopinkribbon.ie, including training plans as well as useful hints and tips. It is a great starting point for anyone who would like to do a charity cycle but is not quite sure where or how to start.
Money raised through Mayo Pink Ribbon goes to the National Breast Cancer Research Institute (NBCRI ) in Galway University. The institute has made significant advances in identifying biological markers involved in the detection, development, and spread of breast cancer. It is headed by Prof Michael Kerin who also heads up the breast cancer centre of excellence team at the University Hospital Galway.
Mayo Pink Ribbon Cycle would like to thank all the willing volunteers and helpers who make this event so successful every year.
See www.mayopinkribbon.ie or telephone Lourda McHugh on 086 856 2423 for further details.
