Four well-known local footballers are on their bikes training for Western Lakes CC promotion of the Polkadot cycle Challenge. Pat Kelly and Brian Maloney from Kilmaine, Ciaran Kelly from Sligo Rovers and Padraic Costello from Ballinrobe will challenge each other on the cycle. The hill to the top of the Partry mountains known as Maam Trasna mountain will be the battle ground and the aim is to see which of these gifted footballers/soccer players has retained enough fitness to conquer the stiff climb.
The cycle starts off on a flat pan road to Partry before looping around the Mask to Tourmakeady. At O’Toole’s bar refreshments will be on offer before the serious task of the Partry mountains loom in the distance, and the quartet go head to head. The Sligo Rovers, FAI Cup final hero looks lean and mean or will Padraic ‘the hard man’ Costello blag his way to the top? The Kilmaine duo are quiet but deadly and are sure not to be out done, but all will be revealed on Maam Trasna.
In the past few years more and more footballers and rugby players are turning to the bike either to hone their fitness or use the bike as a means of exercise when their playing days are over. Kildare player, Paul Early and Eamon O’ Muircheartaigh set up Race the Ras, a leisure cycle around Ireland, that goes ahead of the professional eight-day An Post Ras and hundreds of footballers take on the challenge.
Tomorrow’s Polkadot cycle challenge, has two well marshalled routes to choose from (65km and 85km ), backup and food stops and all for only €25 it promises to be a great day around South Mayo with spectacular views of the hills and lakes en-route. Sign on Saturday morning, from 8am at the Western Lakes cycling centre Kilmaine road Ballinrobe. The cycle starts at 9.30am sharp with the longer 85k starting first and the 65k starting at 10am. For more details see www.westernlakescc.com
