The 2016 An Post Tour de Burren will take place on Saturday 18th June. There are 4 routes –10km 62km, 104km and 152km. There will be over 2,000 Cyclists on the road over the day taking part in the non-competitive event. Between them, the 2,000 cyclists will burn approximately 8.2million calories thus loosing, between them, 2,514 lbs or 179.6 stone!!!!
The event this year is on course to sell out again with the recent good weather offering perfect training weather.
John Sweeney, Clare Sports Partnership said that:
‘Once again there has been great interest in the An post Tour de Burren, despite the proliferation of events through the country at the moment. This is testament to the value the Burren Cylcing Club and the community of North Clare have on the event. In the past, we have estimated that the weekend of the event and its build up, is worth over €500k to the local economy. We never close roads as we understand the frustration and negative impact that it has on local people and business. In fact, we have lowered our numbers over the years to ensure that minimal disruption can be maintained.’
The event not only contributes to the local economy, but also to local organisations and sports clubs. Patrick O’Donogue, Burren Cycling Club stated:
‘We have a team of over 200 volunteers all day looking after the cyclists on the road. Although they are volunteers, we source them from local sports clubs and other community organisations. As payback to these groups, we give financial donations to them. This could be up to €1,000 depending on the time and human commitment needed on the day.’
The event has be lauded each year for its organisation and friendliness. This year the riders will experience the ‘Dutch Corner’. For those that are into their cycling this will be a unique experience. The Dutch Corner is famous on the Tour de France where the Dutch People take over part of famous climbs to welcome the cyclists up the hill with fun and regalia.
At the end of the cycle, there will also be an Apres Cycle with music and craic outside of the Burren Hylands Hotel.
Also, following an intense period of racing the Irish Para-cyclists are in a key training phase ahead of their ultimate goal, the Rio Paralympics. The squad will also ride An Post Tour de Burren on June 18th as part of their preparations for the Paralympic Games.
If you are in the North Clare for the weekend, please pop by to Ballyvaughan for the fun. If you are driving in the area, please note that there will be some disruptions over the day along the route. The roads will not be closed so please drive with the expectation of meeting a group of cyclists. The major critical times for road safety concerns will be at the start of the different distances, when the cyclists will be travelling in a ‘peloton’ or large group of cyclists. At these times, traffic will be asked to stop by the Gardai / marshal for a few minutes to allow the peloton to pass. Please cooperate, as there may be up to 1,000 cyclists in the group, and the roads are narrow!
The routes will pass close to the following popular tourist destinations around the Burren. Ballyvaughan, Aillwee Cave, Poll na Brone Dolmen, Michael Cusack Centre, Lemanagh Castle, New Quay, Cill Mac Duagh, Kilfenora, Lisdoonvarna, Kilshanny, Liscannor, Doolin, Cliffs of Moher, Fanore, Black Head.
We would like to thank, once again, our event supporters, without whom we could not get the vent off the ground to this scale.
An Post, Sport Ireland, Clare COCO, An Gardai, Failte Ireland, Evolution Cycles, Cycling Ireland, Burren Cycling Club, Clare Sports Partnership.Cycling Ireland, Burren Cycling Club, Clare Sports Partnership.
For more information / registration , please see www.tourdeburren.com or social media sites. Online registration closes Midnight Wednesday 18th June.
Paracycling Photo courtesy of Matt O'Connor Photography