Clare-Getsidetracked is proud to announce the launch of a number of interactive hill cycling signs for County Clare. 
The signs have been installed on the most popular cycling climbs in North Clare including the iconic Corkscrew Hill, Castle Hill in Doolin – regularly used in the Rás and the Meggagh Valley hill – reputed to be the toughest hill in the area. The hills give cyclist information including the length of the climb, the average gradient, the maximum gradient and the total height gain.
The signs have an integrated NFC (Near Field Communication) chip that allows users with an NFC enabled smartphone to touch the sign with their phone and it will open a webpage showing a league table* of the fastest climb times recorded by cyclists attempting the hill. (* The webpage is from the website “Strava” which allows users to upload there cycling times on hills all over the world, it is used by amateur and professional cyclists. More information on www.strava.com)
The signs also include a shortened webpage address for non NFC enabled phones.
Eoin Hogan, the Rural Recreation Officer for County Clare and the manager of this project said “the NFC enabled hill cycling signs will be a great addition to the county for the cyclists of Clare and visitors to the area. Cyclists will be able to get detailed information in advance of tackling a hill and also challenge themselves to see how their times compare to the fastest attempts on the Hill. I would like to thank Clare Local Development Company, Clare County Council, Burren Cycling Club and the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht affairs for their support in this project.”
Clare-getsidetracked is the outdoor recreation brand for County Clare. www.clare-get-sidetracked.ie is a hub for information on all the best walking, cycling, outdoor activity providers and guides in the county.