Wheelers cycle to help Ukrainian refugees
North Tipperary Wheelers are delighted to announce the return of their much celebrated Tour De Lough Derg after a two-year break. This year’s event will take place on Sunday, May 15, from Larkin’s in Garrykennedy and the chosen charity partner is for the Ukrainian refugees and particularly the local services being run for them from Loreto House in Nenagh.
There will be two groups departing from Garrykennedy with Group 1 departing at 9am to travel clockwise around the lake and Group 2 will follow at 9.15am. This year’s route departs the picturesque lakeside village heading for the hills of Portroe before descending into Ballina, crossing the river Shannon at Ballina and rolling along the lakeshore past Twomilegate, up Ogonnelloe, Tuamgraney and along by Scarriff and Mountshannon. Riders will have a short comfort stop in Whitegate before heading on to Gorteeny and through Portumna, from where they will head for Carrigahorig before turning right and cycling through the lakeside villages of Terryglass, Ballinderry and Puckane.
Then it’s on to Nenagh before heading out on the final ascent to Newtown and Portroe where they will turn right back down to the lakeside village of Garrykennedy for a warm welcome and some refreshments. In all the riders will have completed a little over 120km and 700 metres of climbing.
The club extend their invite to all cycling enthusiasts to take part and registration is available on www.norhttipperarywheelers.ie, and costs only €30 for Cycling Ireland Members and €40 for non-members.
The event is open to all cyclists including e-bikes. Group 1 will be limited to an average speed of just over 30kmph for the first quarter and again from the food stop in Whitegate until Terryglass when the pace may pick up a bit! Group 2 will be limited to an average speed of 26-28kmph for the entire circuit of the lake depending on conditions. Liam Callaghan of NTW said the event is not just for cyclists and the wheelers welcome the support and encouragement of the local communities to come out and cheer on the cyclists as they pass.
Anyone wishing to take part, assist on the day or requiring further information is encouraged to contact the club through its website or any club member.