COMERAGH TOUR
The 3rd annual Comeragh Tour sportive will take place on Sunday 26th May 2013. It will start and finish in the picturesque village of Ballymacarbry, Co. Waterford, the All Ireland Pride of Place winners 2011. 
Last year at 10am Sunday May 27th the fantastic number of 250 cyclists got underway after a few words of safety from Champion Cyclist Robert Power. The Comeragh Tour’s route travelled 100km around the very scenic Comeragh Mountains. The large peleton, lead out by Robert Power who represented Ireland at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992, moved out following the lead jeep driven by Martin Power, a brother to cycling legend Sean Kelly. Unfortunately Sean Kelly could not make our cycle on the day due to prior commitments. Sean helped launch the cycle last February.
With fantastic weather, sun shining and temperature nearing 20c, the peleton sped to Dungarvan led by the large contingent from the Dungarvan Cycling Club among others. All the colours of the rainbow were represented from club kits to professional team outfits. At the first climb turnoff, a numbers of cyclists turned to climb Mahon Falls while the 100km riders continued on to Carrick on Suir and the event water stop. The climbers had to face the small task of Seskin hill before their water stop.
After a refreshing drink and snack it was onwards to Clonmel and all returned to Ballymacarbry safe and sound and thanks in no small amount to all the people on the ground giving up their precious time to help out. Special mention has to be given to the Civil Defence from Dungarvan who provided medical cover, Jim Hogan who provided Motor Bike paramedic cover and all who helped out with marshalling including the Garda with special mention for Donal Foley, bike marshals, road marshals, Martin Power and Martin Moore for the Lead vehicles.
A huge thanks goes to the all Caterers and to Derick Walsh and St Mollerans GAA for manning the Carrick water stop and use of their GAA facilities and of course a big thank you to the Ballymacarbry Community Centre committee for the use of their first class facilities and Noel Flynn for the use of his field for car parking. We would also like to thank the Comeragh Tour organising committee including Paudie Halpin, Martin Moore, Michael Desmond, Ronan Moore and Eric Power whose trojan work made this event possible along with Siobhan Nolan of Special Olympics Munster and any person that helped out in anyway including the photographers Michael Troy, Jennifer O’Sullivan and Dan McGrath for the abundance of photographs of the day. Web links to the photographs can be found on our facebook page “Ballymac Cycle”.
Feedback for the event from the cyclists was very positive. Everything went like clockwork on the day. The fundraising target of €5,000 was well surpassed. The 250 cyclists raised €6,250 in total for Special Olympics Ireland – Munster Region. Chapeau and fair play to all involved!
Who’s ur man in yellow – King Kelly (who else?).
Next year’s event is planned to be bigger & better. It will take place on Sunday 26th May 2013. So dust off the bikes in the garage and get training 🙂
ballymaccycle 