The sun shone, the roads were dry, the temperature was neither too hot or cold, the breeze was quite gentle - at times. Yes this day promised everything as we embarked on our second annual An Post Cycling Challenge in Sligo on Sunday 9th of May.

420 cyclists turned up for the 160k which pedalled off at about 9:10am from Sligo IT. The cyclists in this group took to the road accompanied at least part of the way by the legendary Sean Kelly. Among the Innisfree members in this event were the following: Colette Hennigan, Katie, Paul Keogh, Alan Kelly, Paul Flynn, Con Lee, John Molloy, William O'Neill, Enda Scanlon, Brendan Murphy, Barry O'Flynn, Timmy McCarthy, Eddie Ryan, Brian Mullen and Michael Mulvaney.

The pace was quite brisk right from the start with a group of about forty cyclists clipping quite briskly along the picturesque route to Dromahair. The Innisfree members were more than familiar with this road and Alan Kelly and Paul Keogh were very prominent at the front of this bunch here.

The first major climb arrived finally at about the 40k mark (see the profile) and this caused the big bunch to splinter somewhat. Getting down the far side of this climb took the riders into Collaney - and the first feed station. Most of the front bunch opted to carry on using their own rations. There was quite a long drag then towards Cloonacool. The next turn took the riders onto Mass hill at about the 68km mark. This was a 10km climb which was quite tricky as the road was quite narrow. There were some intermittent flat stretches which can break the climbing rhythm sometimes.

From Mass hill the riders descended towards the Atlantic Ocean at Dromore West over a spectacular scenic stretch. The pace at the front had now really hotted up and there were a few bunches scatted along the road. At Dromore West the riders took to the coast road which again for the visitors to Sligo must have been quite breath-taking in terms of the scenery that opened up on both sides.

There was a water stop at Skreen. Here most of the riders took a short break before tackling the toughest climb of the day - Ladies Brae. Now there was nothing ladylike about this climb. It was an 8km climb with little or no respite and an average gradient of about 5%. Most riders throughout the field suffered on this climb - although they were aided somewhat by the northerly breeze.

The descent off the Ladies Brae mountain was quite tricky - to put it mildly. The road had been freshly tarred and chipped, with the loose chippings causing most of  the riders to have a few close calls on the sharp bends. However when the riders hit the valley below it was plain sailing into the second feed stop again in Collaney.

Replenished with plenty of pasta, the riders just had the loop to Strandhill around Knocknarea to negotiate before turning for home via a short circuit of Finisklin. The total distance measured was 155.54km - which was close enough to the 160km.

The 60km event commenced at 10am with over 760 riders participating. Innisfree Wheelers was very well represented here also with the following: Rosie McLaren, Fina Golden, Tricia McCaffrey, Hilda Reynolds, Catherine Mullaney, Pauline O'Neill, Brendan Brogan, Brendan Mullen, John Mulrooney, Enda McGoldrick and Pamela Benson among others taking part.

The 60km route took the riders around Lough Gill, into Ballintogher and then over to Strandhill via the Culleenamore-Ballisodare road. The riders arrived back in Sligo via Finisklin. Most Innisfree members found this event quite easy as their normal training spins would most days exceed the 50km mark anyway. Maybe a suggestion for next year if a short climb like the Hungry Rock would be included in the 60km event - it would be a greater challenge for all.

The 10km Family Cycle was once again a great success with over 400 cyclists taking the route to Hazelwood and back.

Finally a big Thank You to all the organisers and marshalls on the day. Many months of preparation went into the staging of this very successful event - The biggest mass participation sports event ever staged in Sligo! Well done to Deirdre Lavin and her team at Sligo Sports Partnership. Well done to Tony Mooney and his team from Eir Og cycling club and a big Well Done to our own John Greene of Innisfree Wheelers who was among other roles the very popular master of ceremonies on the great day.

Pictured above are Colette Hennigan - First Lady to finish An Post 160k and Paul Keogh who was first Innisfree Wheeler to complete the 160k event. See some pictures from the event here and here.