On your bike for the hospice!

A cycling sportive aimed at attracting visitors to the Nenagh area, the inaugural ‘Sink or Spin’ (SOS) around Lough Derg, will be staged later this month.

Hosted in partnership by Nenagh Triathlon Club and Éire Óg GAA club, the August 21 event is inspired by local cyclists who have taken part in similar cycles around the country over the years. They are of the view that Nenagh and it lake hinterland is perfectably suited to holding a cycling event similar to those organised in Connemara or the Boyne Valley.

Part fundraiser for North Tipperary Hospice, the novel SOS event they have come up with will offer cyclists two route options of 145km and 115km. It will be based out of Éire Óg’s MacDonagh Park complex, from where cyclists will depart on their circumnavigation of the lake.

The long route will take them out to Portroe and over the Lookout, on to Ballina and out to Birdhill before switching over to Daly’s Cross, crossing the Shannon at Montpelier and O’Brien’s Bridge, and exploring east Clare via Bridgetown, Broadford, Bodyke and Tuamgraney before arriving at Whitegate for a food stop.

The cyclists will then continue north to Portumna, crossing the Shannon again and heading back down through Carrigahorig to hug the lake again by Terryglass and Puckane before returning to Nenagh. The shorter route crosses into Clare at Ballina/Killaloe and does not include the Broadford section.

SOS is billed as a sportive, meaning it is a non-competitive event that is open to cyclists of all abilities. There will be a ‘Broomwagon’ following the riders on both routes and offering support should anyone get into difficulty.

Around 75 cyclists from all over the country have already signed up for SOS, and it is hoped that local people will get behind the event to help double this number.

Shane Connolly, a member of both Éire Óg and the triathlon club, is part of the organising team. He said they are hoping to make SOS an annual event that will increase its entry level by 20% next year and again in 2023, tapping into the potential of the spectacular Lough Derg route as a key attraction.

“We’re going to try to put Nenagh on the map in terms of cycling events like this,” said Shane. “It will be good for the town in that people will come to stay locally and eat locally. We’re hoping to make a good start this year and build on it next year.”

Shane took the opportunity to warmly thank main event sponsor Ivers and Cullinan, motor dealers and local auctioneers Sherry FitzGerald Talbot, who have also come onboard to sponsor the inaugural event.

HOW TO ENTER

Entry costs €55 and this includes a specially designed SOS cycling top. A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to North Tipperary Hospice.

Entry can be made through the Cycling Ireland website. See also the SOS Facebook page for updates and further info.omation.