An Post Tour of Sligo 2010 Photos and Press Release
1,400 Cyclists take to the roads for An Post Tour
Sligo was in a spin on Sunday last 9th May- and it was all down to 1,400 cyclists converging on the county for the second An Post Tour.
Blessed by warm sunshine and a welcome light breeze, the event was a spectacular success as participants from Sligo and all over Ireland made it a day to remember. The tour’s ambassador, cycling legend, Sean Kelly, who took part in three separate tours on the day, was overwhelmed by the magnificent turn-out and said Sligo, had set a high standard for other An post Tours to follow later in the year.
The action got underway with the 160km Ox Mountain challenge when 420 cyclists took to the highways and byways around Sligo. Among the Participants in this gruelling stage was 71 years old, Eddie Ryan from the local Innisfree Wheelers Cycling Club, who crossed the finishing line in great style alongside club mates, Con Lee and John Molloy.
An interesting rider in the 60km event was Sean Kelly’s daughter, Stacey, who travelled from Waterford to take part and fully enjoyed the experience. This tour attracted a total of 660 cyclists. A further 320 cyclists took part in the 10K Spin for All, many of whom were participating in an event like this for the first time.
Deirdre Lavin of Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership, who co-ordinated the preparations for the event, reported a hugely positive reaction to the tour with many cyclists commenting favourably on the scenic routes, the marshalling, the feed stations and the overall organisation. “The Numbers taking part were double on last year’s figure so that in itself speaks volumes for the success of the tour”, she said. “After last Sunday’s exceptional day, there will be a huge demand for another event next year so hopefully we’ll all be back again in 2011.”
Ms Lavin paid tribute to the national sponsors An Post and the Irish Sports Council and all involved in ensuring that the event ran off smoothly and said the expertise provided by the two local cycling clubs, Inishfree Wheelers and Eire Og, was particularly important.
Article by:
Leo Gray
The Sligo Champion (Sport 19)
Wednesday 12th May 2010
Volunteerism for An Post Tour of Sligo- A Success Story
The An Post Tour of Sligo 2010 held on Sunday 19th May, with 1400 cyclists involved, was one of the biggest mass participation sporting events held in Sligo in recent years. The event was a resounding success and enjoyed by the cyclists who travelled from all over the country with many expressing the hope that the event will take place again in 2010. Reflecting on the Tour, event co-ordinator Deirdre Lavin stated “The positive experience for the cyclists was largely due to the immense voluntary effort from communities and organisations across the county through which the various routes passed. The success of the event revolved around volunteerism and community spirit with in the region of 150 volunteers involved on the day”.
The cyclists were particularly complementary of the marshals along the routes who, wearing high viz jackets and waving red flags, provided important directional and route information all along the 160 kilometre route. Cyclists commented on their friendliness and positive words of encouragement particulary when the going was tough of the various climbs including the Hungry Rock, Masshill and Ladies Brae. The event got great support for marshalling from GAA clubs along the routes including St. Johns GAA club, Ballisodare GAA club, Collooney Handball club, Owenmore Gaels GAA, St. Farnans GAA Club, Cloonacool GAA club, St. Patricks GAA Club and St. Marys GAA Club. In addition, Sligo Motor Club, Sligo Warriors Festival Committee, Mugendo Kick Boxing Club and volunteers recruited through Sligo Volunteer Centre and many individuals from the community helped out with the marshalling at key locations.
Food stops along the route were a particularly welcome site for the cyclists who were glad to avail of tea, sandwiches, energy bars and fruit while the 160K cyclists were treated to pasta to help refuel and replace lost energy. St. John’s Hospital put a huge effort into co-ordinating the various food stops. Sponsorship form SuperValu for food items ensured cyclists were able to fuel up sufficiently. Coolaney Development Company hosted the food station for the Ox Mountain Challenge while St. Michaels GAA Club Ballintogher was the food hub for the Lough Gill circuit. Both community parks looked splendid in the sunshine and the good food and a warm welcome which greeted the cyclists in both venues was appreciated by all.
In addition, and given the warm day, the cyclists welcomed the opportunity to top up on fluids, sponsored by Connacht Gold, along the routes at water stops hosted at Lough Easkey by Easkey Family Resource Centre, Eamon Burkes of Skreen and at Strandhill by Sligo Rugby Club while the family spin had a stop at the Coillte grounds in Hazelwood.
Safety was priority consideration in the event management and An Garda Siochana were very supportive in offering their expertise and personnel both in the pre planning and on the event day which was greatly appreciated by the organising committee. Adding to this the event got strong support from the Sligo and Leitrim Civil Defence teams, the Red Cross, Sligo/ Leitrim Mountain Rescue and vehicle/ motorbike support services, all of which contributed to the overall safety of the cyclists.
Many cyclists commented that their enjoyment of the event was greatly enhanced by the spectacular scenery along the route and were particularly impressed by the diverse landscape including lakes, mountains, forests, coastline and rural villages. Support for the event from Failte Ireland ensured that this years event was marketed all over the country resulting in many cyclists coming to Sligo for their first visit and keen to return in the future.
Deirdre Lavin,SSRP acknowledged national support from An Post and the Irish Sports Council which made it possible to host the event. In particular Ms. Lavin paid tribute to the An Post Tour of Sligo hard working committee comprising of personnel from Innisfree Wheelers Cycling Club, Eire Og Cycling Club, Sligo County Council, Sligo VEC and SSRP staff who worked collectively in planning the event since last January. She stated that the event could not happen without the involvement of the local cycling clubs who have the technical expertise in running an event of this nature. In addition, Ms Lavin acknowledged the tremendous effort from Sligo County Council in getting the roads to a safe standard in order to host the events. Particular challenges presented on some of the mountain roads and Sligo County Council responded with the necessary roadworks which ensured the event could go ahead, she added. In addition, the Institute of Technology provided an ideal location for the event headquarters with many cyclists commenting on the excellent facilities.
St. Johns Hospital Sligo were the nominated charity for the event and any outstanding sponsorship cards may be dropped in to St. Johns Hospital of the SSRP offices.
Overall the collective effort and co-operation of many agencies and community groups ensured that the An Post Tour of Sligo was highly successful and this was reflected in the comments of many participants including:
“Excellent route, particularly around Lough Gill. Road surface was better than expected. All marshals were friendly and alert. Excellent day, highly recommended, will tell friends.
Paddy O’Sullivan, Bray Wheelers
“Like last year the best touring event of the year”
Paraic Devine, Lakeside Wheelers Mullingar
“Absolutely Super! Well done, super marshalling. One of the best organised ever”
Cathal Oake, Dolmen CC, Ennis
Thank you and all your colleagues for another truly brilliant tour yesterday. My daughter and I really loved the day -scenery to die for, great and friendly marshalling and helpers, farmers on tractors bemused at the sight of so much colourful lycra and those wonderful smiling ladies at the Coolaney food stop dishing out that delicious and life saving pasta. What a treat too to be in a group from Coolaney cycling alongside Sean Kelly-the pinnacle of my little and unknown cycling career!!(It did end when he accelerated near Strandhill at a pace I couldn`t quite match!!). Thank you all for a superbly organised day.
Lynn Temple(Donegal)
To view photos from the event please click on the following links
SSRP Photos - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=125279720818384&v=photo
An Post Cycling - http://www.facebook.com/Legginit?v=photos#!/album.php?aid=177153&id=114008573909
Legginit.com photos - http://www.facebook.com/Legginit?v=photos
Sportsfile photos - http://www.sportsfile.com/more-images/1005007
Celia Anderson Photos - http://www.whatsoninsligo.com/#/an-post-tour-of-sligo-pictures/4540954569
What Participants Had to Say
“Thank you and all your colleagues for another truly brilliant tour yesterday. My daughter and I really loved the day -scenery to die for, great and friendly marshalling and helpers, farmers on tractors bemused at the sight of so much colourful lycra and those wonderful smiling ladies at the Coolaney food stop dishing out that delicious and life saving pasta. What a treat too to be in a group from Coolaney cycling alongside Sean Kelly-the pinnacle of my little and unknown cycling career!! (It did end when he accelerated near Strandhill at a pace I couldn`t quite match!!). Thank you all for a superbly organised day.”
Lynn Temple(Donegal)
“I completed the Ox Mountain Challenge yesterday and am writing to congratulate all of the people involved in the event. From a riders perspective it was very well marshalled and quite safe. It was my second time to ride in the Sligo Tour. The fine weather made for a great day on the bike with plenty of quality biking and some fantastic scenery. The only blip on the day was the loose chippings on one of the decents, but thankfully it didn’t last all that long. Hope to be back next year”
Kind Regards Kevin Mc Namee
“Great Event, very well organised, Hats off to everyone involved”
Maura Latimer
Co. Cavan
Completed Route: 60km
“Fantastic Event it is a credit to everyone involved, will see you next year”
Jennie O’ Callaghan
Co. Louth
Completed Route: 60km
“Absolutely Super! Well done, super marshalling. One of the best organised ever”
Cathal Oakes
Dolmen CC, Ennis
Completed Route: 160km
“This was an excellently run event and highly enjoyable we were looked after really well (fed like kings) and everybody we meet were super friendly. There are only two suggestions have more water during first 20km and more signs telling how far we have left to cycle. Thanks a million a cyclist with a sore bum!!”
Rachel Campbell
Co. Louth
Completed Route: 60km
“Tough route very challenging. The loose stones on the newly done road (Decent) were very dangerous and some of the bends were lethal, Warnings maybe? Overall great day out and beautiful part of the country.”
Mark McGuckin
Shannon side CC
Completed Route: 160km
“Organisation was amazing, marshalling with markers was especially good, Thanks.”
Larry O’Sea
Dublin
Completed Route: 160km
“Brilliant! Great day out and very professionally run”
Peter Bannon
Sligo
Route Completed: 160km
“Excellent route, particularly around Lough Gill. Road surface was better than expected. All marshals were friendly and alert. Excellent day, highly recommended, will tell friends.”
Paddy O’Sullivan
Bray Wheelers
Completed Route: 160km
“Great day, tough roads, plenty of food and water, although the first feeds were a little early. Well done”
David Deegan
Setanta Tri Club
Completed Route: 160km
“Like last year the best touring event of the year”
Paraic Devine
Lakeside Wheelers Mullingar
Completed Route: 160km
“Excellent event, really well organised all volunteers and marshals were very friendly. No quibbles whatsoever apart from my own fitness or lack of! Thanks”
Paddy Seery
Orwell Wheelers Dublin
Completed Route: 160km
“First time to do this and even the sun was great. Go raibh maith agat Sligo.”
Bill Jordan
Co. Wexford
Route Completed: 160km
“Brilliant day, we will revisit, see you in 2011!”
Philip Nugent
Wexford Wheelers
Completed Route: 160km
“Well done. Everyone involved should be complemented on an excellent, well run, well organised event.”
Niamh Mullaney
Inishfree Wheelers
Completed Route: 60km
“Beautiful scenery, I really enjoyed the cycle and seeing the lovely Sligo countryside. Food and Drink supplies were very good. The only thing that was lacking was signage to tell us how much distance we had covered or had to go along the way. Very well organised and much appreciated. Thanks for a great day.”
Anne Sawey
Completed Route: 60km
“Excellent day, very enjoyable. Hard to keep up with younger member’s of the family!”
David Smith
Completed Route: 60km
“First time on an event like this, it was excellent, well done to all and thank you.”
Ronan Murtagh
Dublin
Completed Route: 60km
“Fantastic day out, and really well organised. I’m already looking forward to next year.”
Catharine Dowling
Dublin
Completed Route: 60km
“Absolutely Brilliant, will be back next year.”
Adele O’Callaghan
Louth
Completed Route: 60km
“Extremely well organised, very impressive. Looking forward to next year already.”
Arleen O’Neill
Dublin
Completed Route: 60km
“Very well organised and enjoyable. I will be back next year. Thanks.”
Ellen O’Flaherty
Dublin
Completed Route: 60km
