Former Sligo GAA star Eamonn O’Hara is the latest well know face to take on the challenge of completing the An Post Yeats Tour of Sligo.
The 2016 An Post Cycle Series was officially launched last month by the 2016 ambassadors; eight time All-Ireland winning hurler and former Kilkenny sharpshooter Richie Power, former Irish International women’s rugby captain, Fiona Coghlan, Cycling Ireland Paracyclist Peter Ryan, musician Bressie and cycling legend Sean Kelly.
The five event series which is a joint initiative between An Post and Sport Ireland will take place over the summer months between May and September. The An Post ambassadors have declared themselves Series Cyclists and will be taking to their bikes this summer to ride alongside the thousands of people who join An Post Cycle Series events. Over 16,800 people in total took part last year and with more people cycling at all levels, the numbers are set to increase again.
The series caters for all ages and abilities, with routes ranging from a family 10k spin to the more challenging 50k, 60k, 100k and 160k distances.
Former All Star and Sunday Game analyst, Eamonn O’Hara is looking forward to trying his hand at cycling with Sligo as his first challenge; “I’m really looking forward to taking part in the An Post Yeats Tour of Sligo this year. I would encourage everyone to join me on Sunday, 1st May as the series caters for all ages and abilities and it will be a fantastic way to spend the May Bank Holiday weekend in scenic Sligo. It is an event that suits all, with five different routes of varying degrees of difficulty which will accommodate a wide range of cycling interests, including family cycling, leisure cycling and of course seasoned/experienced cyclists.”
At the launch Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, John Treacy, expressed his support for the cycling participation events.
“The Cycle Series is an event for everybody, all ages and all fitness levels and is all about encouraging people to get active through cycling and developing habits of regular exercise which will ultimately lead to enhanced quality of life.”
The 2016 An Post Cycle Series gets underway with the An Post Yeats Tour of Sligo on Saturday 30th April and May 1st. Saturday’s events are aimed at families and beginners and include the 10km Hazelwood Spin for All (Ages 9yrs+) and the 2km Bike Trail for 6-8 year olds on Saturday April 30th. The main events take place on Sunday May 1st and feature the 60km Lough Gill Circuit, 100km Innisfree Tour and 160km Ox Mountain Challenge. For more information: www.tourofsligo.ie or email [email protected]
The An Post Yeats Tour of Sligo will be followed by the An Post Tour De Burren in Clare on Saturday, 18th June, while the An Post Meath Heritage Cycle Tour will take place on Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th July. The Sean Kelly Tour of Waterford takes place on Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st August and finally the An Post Rebel Tour of Cork will be on Saturday, 10th September. All of the events are organised by Sport Ireland’s Local Sports Partnerships in conjunction with their city, county and cycling club partners.
Further details on the An Post Yeats Tour of Sligo, and how to become involved, are available on www.tourofsligo.ie