Polkadot Cycle Report
Weather no Challenge for Polkadot cycle
Last Saturday the 11th of May, 80 odd harden cyclists gathered together to take on the Western Lakes Polka Dot cycle Challenge. Mother Nature in all her wisdom decided that, even thou the route is one of the hardest around, she would also to play a part to ensure every cyclist questioned their own sanity while undertaking the challenge.
Western Lakes Cycling Club has a long history of staging large scale events, 21 years to be exact. Throughout the year the club runs numerous events to cater for all of their members, both racing and leisure. This year the club has also teamed up the Westport Covies and launched the largest cycling weekend to hit the West of Ireland with “Westportif”. Details can be found on www.westportif.ie
A subplot to this year’s event was the added spice of “the battle of the footballers”. Former Mayo players and all Ireland winners with St Vincents, Pat Kelly and Brian Maloney, both now back with their home clubs of Kilmaine and the current Mayo Junior team selector, Padraig Costello jr from Ballinrobe, all promised to tackle the hard climbs of Maamtransa. Even though he had a few more years on the clock, Pat Kelly was the only man to complete the route. However on the battle of the climb, Padraig Cos took all the bragging rights by “comprehensively” beating the Kilmaine man (his own words!)
After a great spin in difficult conditions all the tired cyclists got a sweeter when then finished when they were all presented with an ice cream, afterwards eveyone descended to “Inchs” bar Ballinrobe for a well-earned barbeque and liquid refreshments.
The club would like to take all participants who took part, especially members Longford CC, and Seven Springs CC and all the various different tri clubs in the area . The most enjoyable aspect of these events are quickly becoming the food stops with both O’Tooles bar in Tourmakeady and Inch’s bar really putting on a great show. Without help from the local Garda and the Order of Malta this event could not have gone ahead. Also big thanks must go out to all club members who helped out especially John Hughes who directed the event. Role on July 20th for the next big leisure cycle event in Westport called the Westportif where the Covey wheelers join up with Western Lakes CC to host probably one of the biggest weekends of cycling the county has ever seen