Time to register for Dromara Sportive and Leisure tours

YES, it’s that time of year again.

On Sunday August 5 Dromara Cycling Club will once again hold their annual Mourne Sportive and Hilly Leisure tours starting from Dromara Football Club.

These leisure tours have proven to be extremely popular over the years with the Hilly 125km route being the most popular.

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The big one, the Mourne Sportive, has been described by some as the toughest one day leisure tour in Ireland, mostly due to the hills on the route as it has over 11,000 feet of climbing in and around some of the most breathtaking scenery the Mourne Mountains has to offer.

The route takes on climbs such as the Cornmill, Dree Hill, the Windy Gap, Spelga Dam and many more leg-busting climbs, and to complete this route is a massive achievement to add to your cycling palmares.

The route will have two lunch stops along the way to stock up on food and water, one at the Leitrim Fontenoys GAA club in the big tent and one at Meelmore Lodge.

Entry to this 169km route is only available by pre-registering on the club’s website, www.dromaracc.co.uk and riders should note that entry on the day for the Mourne Sportive will not be accepted. Entry is only limited to 60 riders for this event.

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As for the other four routes, riders can choose from tackling the 125km route, the 85km route and the 60km/Junior Hilly route. The 125km and 85km routes follow the same route to the lunch stops in Leitrim and then they go their separate ways en route to home.

After the lunch stop the 125km route heads over to Spelga Dam and then heads for home via the Legananny Dolmen, whereas the 85km follows the same route home as the 60km route which tackles some more challenging County Down hills.

The 60km/Junior Hilly tour is suitable for juniors and non-club cyclists. It is also an option if the weather is bad or for anyone who feels their fitness is not up to the standard for the harder events. This route takes on some little hills in County Down before having lunch in Leitrim before heading home whilst tackling some more little County Down hills.

All routes start at 9:30am apart from the Sportive which starts at 8am. Sign on for the Sportive opens at 7:30am and the sign on for the rest of the routes opens at 8:30am.

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The club hopes to see a massive crowd in attendance as we are sure you will have a great day’s craic, and don’t forget to wear your helmet as they are compulsory. For more information and to pre-enter for all the events visit www.dromaracc.co.uk for all you need to know on the upcoming events.

CLUB LEAGUE ROUND 18 - Unfortunately due to a new road surface on part of the course the decision was made to cancel the event as part of the riders’ safety.

Instead all in attendance gathered and went on a club run for two hours as part of their training. Next round of the club league is this Thursday night and it is a 10 mile time trial on the Crossgar road in Ballynahinch, with sign on at St Colmans’ High School and it opens at 6:30pm.

MARTIN COMPLETES LISBURN SPRINT TRIATHLON - The club would like to send out their congratulations to club secretary Martin Grimley who participated in the Lisburn Sprint Triathlon at the weekend. Martin was strong all day and managed to finish in an excellent 47th out of 180 starters in what was his first ever triathlon. Well done Martin, onwards and upwards!