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Cyclists in a spin over Tour de Kilkenny
WHILE most of the cycling world is engrossed in the Tour de France, the local equivalent is back for its second spin this weekend.
Following a successful maiden voyage, the Tour de Kilkenny returns to local roads this Saturday. Cyclists from all over the country have been invited to ride in the event, which has a charitable aim at its core - to raise as much money as possible for sick children.
Organisers of the Tour are the Marble City Cyclers (MCC). The Kilkenny club have linked up with their main charity, the Barretstown children's camp, and will donate all funds raised from the tour to the centre, which is located in the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains.
In preparation for the Tour, a number of cyclists from the Marble City Cyclers club cycled to Barretstown in Kildare, partly to get some miles in their legs and also to see the specially-designed facility that helps children with serious illnesses, primarily cancer and serious blood diseases.
The camp provides a programme of adventure, activities and fun which helps children with serious illness regain their confidence and self-esteem and has become internationally recognised as having a positive impact on their lives.
Barretstown has grown from serving 124 children in a marquee in 1994 to over 12,000 children and their families from 23 European countries. The site has grown to offer a first-class facility for seriously ill children with an excellent medical centre and a unique therapeutic programme backed by the medical community.
All of the children and families have come to Barretstown free of charge. Everything - from accommodation and food to medical assistance and round-trip airfares - are provided. Barretstown has to raise over €4.5 million each year to fund its programmes; 96% of this money comes from companies and individual donations from Ireland and abroad.
Scenery, terrain
"The Tour de Kilkenny is primarily a fun event where cyclists from all over the country come to experience the fabulous scenery and terrain of Kilkenny," explained Patrick Tobin, chairman of the Marble City Cyclers. "However the event is also a very important fund-raising opportunity and all of the money raised goes to Barretstown.
"We wanted to be able to see Barretstown for ourselves and get an insight into how the facility helps children with serious illness," he added. "Last year's Tour raised over €5,000 for Barretstown - this year we are hoping to beat that figure."
Participants in the Tour de Kilkenny are offered a choice of three routes on the day - course distances are 40km and 100km, as well as a 160km route. Each of the courses has been designed to offer different levels of challenge. All routes will give participants a chance to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Co Kilkenny while having a good healthy workout.
The 40km circuit goes out to Kells before turning east for Callan, then returning back through Sevenhouses and Danesfort. The route is relatively flat but has a few gentle hills and short climbs to offer a challenge to beginner or leisure cyclists. All routes start and finish at Kilkenny Rugby Club.
Fitness, stamina
The 100km route will test medium distance riders and is ideal for those with good bike fitness and stamina. There are a number of challenging climbs on this route, the most notable being Coppenagh and Woodstock. There are also plenty of tough drags thrown in so it deserves it reputation as one of Ireland's toughest 100km tracks.
The 160km course will rebuke the theory that Kilkenny is a flat county. None of the climbs are excessive, but there are plenty - Woodstock, Kilmoganny and Kilmanagh are the most memorable. A high standard of bike fitness and stamina is required for this course, while a good climbing ability will help.
The starting point for the Tour de Kilkenny's 100km and 160km events will be Foulkstown, the home of Kilkenny Rugby Club on the Waterford Road. The cycle starts at 9am on Saturday, with registration open until 8.30am. The 40km participants have a start time of 11am, with registration open until 10.30am.
Further information on the tour, as well as registration details, is available from www.marblecitycyclers.com
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Weather for Kilkenny
Tuesday 22 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South
