Christmas Hamper ride is just round the corner
THERE are signs every year that we look out for that signal the arrival of the Festive season. From a cycling point of view this is the Killorglin Cycling Club Christmas Hamper Rides which take place on Sunday December 10 this year.
Some use this time of the year to start building up fitness for next season while others just want to get out for spin in the winter air. Whichever category you are in then the Hamper Rides can satisfy you.
This year the organisers have gone with the same routes as last year – a 50km route from Killorglin to Killarney, Farranfore, Firies, Castlemaine and Miltown before heading back to Killorglin. The 75km route follows the same roads as the shorter route but at Farranfore riders on the longer route head towards Tralee before turning off at Farmers Bridge and tackling the climb before joining the main Tralee Killorglin road.
Both events are controlled by a pace car for approximately two thirds of the distance before riders are released to sprint for home. U-16 riders can only ride the short route.
It is important to note that this is not a race and while the first three riders home off the 75km route have the choice of hampers there are lots of prizes that will be drawn amongst all the finishers.
The entry fee for Cycling Ireland Licence holders is e15 and e20 for non-members with sign-on at the Killorglin Sports and Leisure Centre from 8.45am to 9.45am on the day with the riders rolling out at 10am. On return to the Centre showers will be available along with hot food and refreshments.
So as we welcome the Festive Season why not enjoy one of the most enjoyable days in the cycling calendar – the Killorglin Christmas Hamper Ride on Sunday December 10.