The May Bank Holiday Weekend is fast approaching and that means one thing. It is time to pull out all things pink and get your house, your street, your business, your town, and yourself ready for the annual Mayo Pink Ribbon Charity Cycle which this year will take place on Saturday April 30.
The hope for that weekend is that the community will 'Turn Mayo Pink' once again in recognition of all those cycling for breast cancer research and also in solidarity with all those who have been affected by breast cancer. Last year Mayo outdid itself in the pink effort and everyone was talking about the welcome it created. The pink bikes adorning the streets of our towns coupled with the pink windows and ribbons created a very special atmosphere in the county.
Over the past few weeks the event organisers have visited many of the schools in the county talking to the TY students about the work of breast cancer research and involving the young people in making ribbons to be used to adorn the cycle routes. The organisers of the event want to say a huge thank you goes to the students and teachers from all over the county who between them have made hundreds of pink rosettes.
One of Ireland's best known cycling superstars, Sean Kelly, together with An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, will lead the Mayo Pink Ribbon Charity Cycle this year. Kelly said: “To be able to enjoy riding your bike while also raising much needed funds for breast cancer research is a win win for everybody. I look forward to meeting as many of you there as possible and hope that your training is going well as we now approach the final few weeks before the event.” The event is a leisure cycle, not a race, so there is no pressure on participants, just the pleasure of taking part and the sheer exhilaration of finishing. There are three routes which begin and end at An Sportlann, in Castlebar, and each route brings cyclists through some of our most beautiful scenery showcasing the best that Mayo has to offer. The routes are 51km, 108km, and 147km.
There will be a Q&A with Sean Kelly which will be hosted by Angelina Nugent of Midwest Radio and well know Castlebar cyclist David Brennan on Friday evening at 7pm in An Sportlann. This will provide a rare opportunity to gain insight into the world of top level professional cycling. This will no doubt be of interest to anyone who cycles but also to those interested in any area of sport or motivation. For further information or to register for the Mayo Pink Ribbon Charity Cycle drop into Dental Care Ireland, formerly McHugh Dental Practice Station Road, Castlebar, to register for the cycle or log on to www.mayopinkribbon.ie, email [email protected], or call (086 ) 8562423.
