Cyclists to hit the road for May bank holiday

DAN GRIFFIN

The May bank holiday is a good time to get back on the bike with several charity cycles taking place around the country this weekend. Routes of varying length and difficulty will cater for the the fair-weather cyclist as well as the lycra-clad enthusiast.

The Cycle 4 Life will take place today in Dunboyne Co Meath. Last year almost 1,000 cyclists took part in the Temple Street Children's Hospital Fundraiser, raising some €150,000. This year the organisers hope to break €200,000 to purchase equipment and help with refurbishments at the hospital. There are three routes: a 5km family route, a 66km medium course, and an advanced route of 143km.

Also on today is the Mayo Pink Ribbon cycle. Mayo Pink Ribbon holds a number of events each year to raise funds for breast cancer research. Taoiseach Enda Kenny is a fan, having participated previously in the cycle. Like the Cycle 4 Life there are three routes, the 51km course starts in Castlebar, and goes through Glenisland, Beltra, Glenhest and Newport and promises plenty of downhill freewheeling.

The second route is 111km and takes in the scenic coastal areas of Mulranny and Achill Sound while the third route is 172km and will take more experience cyclists around the scenic lakes of north Mayo.

In Dublin today, former Ireland and Leinster rugby captain Leo Cullen will lead a peleton of 300 cyclists on a two day journey from the GPO to Galway city. The “One4all Cycle4Haiti” group hopes to raise €300,000 for the Soul of Haiti Foundation, to provide medical and other supplies to local children.

Willow Wheelers Cycling Club, meanwhile, is expecting record numbers to take part in its 24th annual 100-mile charity cycle tomorrow. The event will raise funds for water, health and education projects around the world. The cycle starts at Blackrock College, Dublin, at 8.45am from where the participants will make their way through the city centre and on to Kinnegad, Co Westmeath, before returning to the school.

Tomorrow will also see the conclusion of Cycle Against Suicide, when 2,000 cyclists arrive back into Dublin after two weeks convering 1,400 km around Ireland.