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April 12th 2018
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IN DONEGAL TOWN & SURROUNDING AREAS
Photo: Margaret Gallagher
Pictured at the start of the 2017 Sportive
Magee Donegal Bay Spring Sportive all set for another year
The 6th Magee Donegal Bay Spring Sportive is set to roll this Saturday 14th April. The popular cycle challenge is one of the biggest sporting events to be held annually in Donegal Town. Almost 500 cyclists took part last year and the local Donegal Bay Cycling Club are expecting a similar number this year and will be praying for another day of good weather. Widely regarded as one of the best cycle events in the country it received recognition in 2017 - being voted as the Best Leisure Cycle event in Ulster by the regional governing body, Cycling Ulster. Accepting the award earlier this year, Club Chairperson Paul McGroary said the club were honoured to receive such an award and that it was nice recognition for all the hard work put into organising the event, particularly as it was voted on by the members of Cycling Ulster. So what makes the Sportive so popular? According to Donegal Bay Club Secretary Ed Wiazewicz, “It is a combination of excellent organisation, the fantastic scenery, Donegal friendliness and hospitality, and the very
cheap entry prices which are rare nowadays.” Leisure Secretary Kevin McGlynn echoes those sentiments, “We put a lot of effort into putting on a great event and our members are very good at putting their weight behind it. I think everyone gets a buzz from the great feedback we receive and it fills everyone with a sense of pride, not just for the event, but of living in Donegal.” Once again the Club are also fortunate to have the backing of Magee of Donegal who are now in their fourth year of supporting the event. Lynn Temple is an avid cyclist and has taken part in every edition to date. He is delighted to help support an event that combines his interest in cycling with promoting the best of what Donegal has to offer. Ferm Engineering, owned by the McCabe family, are another local firm who have backed the event in recent years. As far as the Donegal Club are concerned, the Sportive is as much about promoting Donegal as it is about promoting cycling. Each year, people are travelling from further away to take part. “This year, we have people
who have signed up to take part who have never even been to Donegal before, so that is a big plus,” says Ed. Last year, the club arranged for local photographer Martin Gallagher from Kilcar to produce a video of the event and with the weather playing its part, the video turned out be to a great success. To date it has been viewed about 20,000 times and shared over 200 times on social media. The Sportive offers three routes in differing lengths - 50k; 100k; 140k. All three head west out of town along the shore at Mountcharles, up Salthill with the 50k route heading as far as Bruckless, before turning for home; the 100k continues to Carrick via the beautiful shore road, returning over Glengesh and through Ardara. The 140k distance is a similar route with added loops around Glencolmcille and the Bluestack Drive. Event HQ will be at the AVS with signon for the 50k route from 8am-9.30am with cyclists rolling out from 10am on the Diamond.