There are a number of leisure events taking place in the province this weekend. Please see more details below.
Gina Carrigan Forget Me Not Cycle
Cyclists of all ages and abilities are urged to get on their bikes for the annual Gina Carrigan Forget Me Not 25, 50 and 80 Mile Cycle on Sunday 5th May 2019 – and raise money for Cancer Focus Northern Ireland who celebrate their 50th anniversary and Marie Curie Cancer Care.
The one day cycling event starts at Parish Hall, Killyclogher, Co Tyrone, with registration from 8am, and winds its way through three counties before returning to the starting point. The circuit will be fully marshalled and recovery vehicles will accompany the cyclists as back-up in case of emergencies.
The entry fee is £10 for the cycle, which includes food stops along the way, entertainment and special food rates in The Village Inn later that night.
The Gina Carrigan Forget Me Not Fund was set up with Cancer Focus in 2007 by her husband, Jimmy, as a way of keeping his late wife’s memory alive. This is the 7th year of the cycle and to date, with the help of family and friends, Jimmy has raised over £90,000 for the fund, which will help local people who have been affected by cancer.
Ring of Cuilcagh
The annual Ring Of Cuilcagh sportive is starting from the Slieve Russell hotel. The Smugglers CC event hast its three usual distances of 55km, 90km and 120km through Cavan, Leitrim and Fermanagh with some breath taking views from the top of the Burren and Belavalley climbs. Registration at the Slieve Russell from 08:00 to 09:00 with first groups off at 09:30. €20for all Cycling Ireland members and €25 for non members. Food and water stops along all routes and refreshments and hot food afterwards in the Slieve Russell.
No Hills No Thrills Sportive
The No Hills No Thrills Sportive is based in the market town of Castlewellan Co Down at the foot of the mourne mountains,we have decided to host our first sportive in aid of THE MOURNE MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM ,these are dedicated team of volunteers who always attend those in need .Should it be mountaineers,hill walkers or even mountain bikers. No matter what the weather conditions throw at these brave people they always attend every callout and thats why this is a great charity to run an event for.
Kilmegan vc has two routes to choose from:
50k ROUTE
This is a really enjoyable route taking you through some beautiful local scenery ,from Castlewellan through Leitrim and up over the Light House rd ,down into Moneyslane before heading into Rathfriland over towards Hilltown where there shall be a water stop for refreshments.Once on the road again its off down the Bryansford road before turning left up the Fofanny road,here you will see some of the most picturesque scenery that Co Down has to offer looking out over Kilcoo and Lough Island Reavie and right down through the valley into Newcastle ,Dundrum and Ballykinlar from here you can even see the Isle of man on a good clear day.From here its down hill at a blistering speed into the village of Bryansford before turning left onto the Newcastle road from here its slightly up hill back to Castlewellan where you shall receive a warm welcome and some well earned refreshments back at Castlewellan Gac club house.
80K ROUTE
The 80k route is a more challenging course incorporating the 50k route its refreshment stop is in the village of Bryansford from here its down through the village of Maghera before turning left onto the Wateresk road ,onto the Holy bush road .From here its onto the Drumcaw road up towards the village of Drumaroad its lturn left onto Cawleys Pipe before turning right up the Ballywillwill road.
At this point the climbing begins up to the Slieveanesky Road where you will get a short recovery and take in the beautiful scenery again .Turn right onto Slieve Croob its all the way up until you reach the Kilhill road. From this point on its all down hill through the Ardglass road down through the valley of Beckaderry where you will be totally amazed by the views over the Co Down country side .Once through the cross roads and down the Drumbuck road passed Ross cycles its turn left onto Mill hill and with a short climb to the market house its left onto the circular road and back to Castlewellan Gac Club house for refreshments and a bit of crack.
