TOUR OF KERRY CYCLE
FROM THE gruelling heights of the Gap of Dunloe to the splendours of the sun-soaked Kerry coast, cyclists were in their own little heaven all weekend as the Tour of Kerry Sportive enjoyed a hugely impressive turnout.
Day One formed the third event of the SKODA Cycle Series 2014 in association with The Kerryman and Liam Lynch Motors in Farranfore; the proceeds benefitting two very worthy charities - The Saoirse Foundation and The Irish Red Cross.
Round three of the SKODA Series kicked off the three-day Tour of Kerry on just about the best footing possible, offering cyclists the option of two routes on what was the finest day of the year so far - an 85km cycle from Tralee to Killarney, Killorglin, Castlemaine and back with a longer route branching off into the majestic heights of the Gap of Dunloe and through Glencar.
Over 400 cyclists comprised the peloton, among them Kerryman MD John Feerick, Advertising Manager Siobhán Murphy and Editor Declan Malone.
“It was one of the most rewarding things I have ever done in my life, I was just on a high getting back into Tralee,” Siobhán said. “We were thrilled with the turnout and the reaction from cyclists from all over the country was unequivocal - it was one of the best cycling events they had ever taken part in. One cyclist from Dublin who has completed events of this type across the world said the SKODA Series/Tour of Kerry was the most spectacular he had ever experienced.”
That kind of response was uniform across the peloton on its return to the IT, Tralee, for a reception under the warm sunshine at IT Tralee’s north campus where a DJ kept spirits high amid plenty of post-cycle carbs in an after party courtesy of Liam Lynch.
“Saturday had already been shaping up as one of the most heavily-subscribed stages of the nationwide SKODA series, so we were thrilled that all our visitors were given the chance to experience Kerry at its finest, in magnificent weather,” Kerryman MD John Feerick said.
“It was pretty gruelling alright, which made it so attractive for so many cyclists from across the country who knew they were in for a challenging treat and they were not disappointed.”
“From The Kerryman’s point of view, it was also a fantastic way in which to celebrate our 110th birthday and one we will remember for a long time to come,” John added.
The Tour of Kerry brought the peloton on a route that was every bit as dramatic on Sunday - a loop of west Kerry that took in the magnificent Conor Pass, the foot of Mount Eagle and the dramatic views around Slea Head.
North Kerry proved an unepectedly tough challenges for the tour on Monday with a 115 mile cycle that brought the peloton along coast and by the Shannon Estuary into Glin before heading back to base in Tralee via Athea and Abbeyfeale.