Thousands take on challenge
MORE than 3,000 riders took to the roads of County Wicklow recently for the 36th Wicklow 200, Ireland’s oldest and, for many, toughest single-day challenge bike ride.
It was the biggest ever assembly of riders for the event which has been on each year since 1982 and is run by the Irish Veteran Cyclists Association.
Riders of all ages from as young as 16 all the way to the remarkable 86-year-old Sean Brennan from California took in many of the most famous climbs in Irish cycling on a challenging tour through the Garden County.
There were strong winds and intermittent rain showers on a tough day in the saddle but, for all those who completed the Wicklow 100 Challenge and the longer Wicklow 200 event, there was the considerable reward of a medal at the finish line and the sense of meeting one of the toughest challenges in Irish sport.
Participants came from as far as New Zealand and India to set off from Bray Emmets GAA club at 7 a.m. The first riders home from the Wicklow 100km Challenge ride were tucking into their hard won post ride meal from 10:30 onwards.
They were followed home a few hours later by the first finishers from the Wicklow 200, who had faced the crippling ascents of Old Long Hill, Wicklow Gap, Slieve Maan and Drumgoff on a route that included over 2,700 metres of climbing in addition to the trying weather conditions.
Galwegian Donal Connolly took part in the event for the 20th year in a row.
Not even serious heart surgery has prevented Connolly from continuing his unbroken run at the event stretching back to 1998 and he arrived back at Bray Emmets to be greeted by his granddaughter Grace holding a sign marking his achievement.