Event: ‘Tour of Strangford’ Charity Cycle Sportive – 112km / 69m – sponsored by Jarrah Coffee Shop Ards
Promoted by: Ards Cycling Club
Date: Sunday 14 September 2014
Sign on: Mill Street Car Park, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 4JG. To see a map click on the following link: Mill St Car Park – Newtownards
Time: Sign on from 09:00hrs. Riders depart from 10:00hrs in groups according to ability.
Cost: The pre-entry fee for the event is £8 for those who hold a current Cycling Ireland licence. For everyone else the pre-entry fee is £10 which includes £2 for a compulsory Cycling Ireland One Day Licence, which provides third party and personal accident insurance cover for the day. Pre entry is available on EntryCentral at https://www.entrycentral.com/Tour-of-Strangford-2014.
Pre-entry for the event will close on Friday 12 September 2014 at 11.59 pm. On the day the entry fee will be £12 for those who hold a current Cycling Ireland licence. For everyone else the on the day entry fee will be £14 which includes £2 for the compulsory Cycling Ireland One Day Licence.
** LICENCE HOLDERS ARE REQUIRED TO BRING THEIR LICENCE TO THE SIGN ON! **
Otherwise the One Day Licence fee will apply.
Charities: Ards CC Committee has decided to designate two very worthwhile local charities for the 2014 Tour of Strangford: (1) Meningitis Research Foundation Ireland (http://www.meningitis.org/ireland); and (2) Diabetes UK – Northern Ireland (http://www.diabetes.org.uk/northernireland).
Route: http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/501138238.
** Minor change to route 10/09/14 – now joining the main A25 Strangford Rd from the Ballintogher Rd slightly earlier. Above link reflects amended route. **
The route starts in Newtownards town and will take riders on a scenic tour of Strangford Lough in an anti-clockwise direction heading for Comber (past Scrabo Tower), Whiterock, Killinchy, Shrigley, Killyleagh, Downpatrick (refreshments stop at the Quoile River), Strangford (to catch the ferry – £1 fee not included), Portaferry, Ardkeen, Rubane, Glastry, Balligan, Greyabbey and along the scenic coast road back the Newtownards. The route will be marked with road markings ‘ToS’ and signage.
** All riders should have the ability to ride 70 miles including 800m of climbing. **
Strangford Lough is the largest sea lough in the British Isles covering an area of 150 square kilometres and is one of only three marine nature reserves in the whole of the UK. Its name is derived from Norse meaning ‘strong fjord’, referring to the dramatic currents in the Narrows which are some of the fastest in the world. A staggering 350 million cubic metres of water enters the Lough through the Narrows and leaves again with each passing tide. The Lough itself is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. For more information on Strangford Lough visit: http://www.visitstrangfordlough.co.uk/.
More information: Check back here for updates, or why not follow Ards-Cycling-Club on Facebook and keep up to date with news on the event. Should you require any further information please feel free to telephone the Club Chairman Dessie McIlwrath on (028) 91 874225 or contact the Club Secretary Lindsay Gamble at lindsay.gamble@talk21.com or on 07798 746431.
Please note:
- Helmets must be worn at all times.
- Younger / less experienced riders must be accompanied by an adult / club cyclist and should have the ability to ride 70 miles including 800m of climbing.
- U18 riders must bring with them to the sign-on a fully completed ‘Parental Consent Form’, available for download here – ToS Parental Consent Form.
- Vehicle Support and Mechanic Support will be available.
- Come prepared with suitable clothing, spare tubes, a pump, snack bars and / or fruit.
- All distances are approximate.