
Enter here for The Spring Classic Cycle on 1st of May
ENTER HERE FOR IWCC SPRING CLASSIC LEISURE CYCLE 1st of MAY 2022
Innisfree Wheelers Spring Classic Sportive takes place on Sunday the 1st of May 2022 (Bank Holiday weekend), commencing from The Mercy College Gym, Convent Hill, Sligo. This was normally the day of the famous An Post Tour of Sligo. This event is part of a Connacht Cycling Series with other events in Galway, Mayo, Roscommon and Leitrim.
Choose on the day from two routes: The 120km starting at 9am and 60kmstarting at 10am taking in the breath-taking scenery of Counties Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon and Cavan. Entry fee (online only) is €35 for Cycling Ireland members and €45 for non-members.
The 120km event will suit the more experienced leisure cyclists. The course is designed to be suitable for good steady leisure riding, as there are no categorised climbs on any part of this scenic course. In the 120 km event, cyclists will witness spectacular views of Knocknarea Mountain, Lough Gill, Lough Allen, The Ox Mountains and Arigna Mountains.
The start from the Mercy College (just off Pearse Road), will be controlled by a lead car as far as the Carraroe roundabout in both events. From there the cyclists can take a view of the iconic Knocknarea Mountain on their right side as they peddle the undulating route out into the beautiful village of Ballygawley.
On the 120km route, they continue straight through Ballygawley and then pass through the villages of Sooey, Gleann, Geevagh and Ballyfarnon before arriving in one of Ireland’s tidiest towns – Keadue. Frome here, on to Drumshanbo and around beautiful Lough Allen to Dowra.
Just 5km from Dowra the cyclists approach the scenic little village of Ballinaglera. Here the cyclists take a break for some refreshments in The Community Centre. On they go then to the village separating Connacht from Ulster – Dowra. From Dowra the cyclists have a slight climb back over about 10km to Drumkeerin.
From Drumkeerin they will go in the direction of Manorhamilton. They will pass through the peaceful village of Kilargue, nestling under the shadow of the nearby Mountains. After another few kilometres they will again turn left. This will take them into the beautiful village of Dromahair via Kilcoosey
Both groups will then encounter the first and only climb of the day up via Shriff towards the old Manorhamilton road. This drag is about five kilometres. However, when they hit the top road it is downhill all the way back to Sligo Town.
The 60km event is suitable for even the most novice of cyclists. Apart from the Shriff drag, it does not contain any serious climbs. It can be tackled and enjoyed at a very leisurely pace. The 60km riders will also follow the route out past Ballygawley and continue to the Coola junction where they turn left in the direction of Ballintogher.
They will stop in The Community Centre in Ballintogher for some refreshments, before carrying on in the direction of Killinummery and towards the Drumkeerin junction. They will turn left and be homeward bound and arrive in Dromahair. Here the 60km riders join the 120km course and tackle the long but gentle 5km climb up Shriff to take them on to the old Manorhamilton road.
When the riders return to Sligo they just ride down Connaughton Road and Bridge Street, before going half way up Pearse Road where they turn left to finish at The Mercy College Gym.
Here they will have access to toilet and changing facilities. They will also be treated to a hot meal with a choice of three dishes and a dessert thrown in. For those thinking of staying overnight, there are plenty of Hotels and B&B’s in Sligo who will provide very attractive overnight packages for cyclists and their friends or family.