Sunday 1st May Castlereagh’s Tour of the Glens.

Sunday May 1st sees Castlereagh Cycling Club hold their annual 'Tour of The Glens' cycling challenge. This approx. 120 mile event is held on the first Sunday of May, giving many who take part sore legs for their day off on the following bank holiday monday.There is the option of cutting out the hilly loop from Carnlough and taking 30 miles off the distance for those who fear they may not be up to the full monty.
The sign-on opens at 7.30am at the City Hall in Belfast, with the event starting at 8.00 am. All entrants are asked to arrive early to allow time to get registered. Licence holders will need to bring their licences with them, and those without licences will have to obtain a day-licence, for insurance purposes, costing an additional #7. The event itself costs #10, or 15, and you will receive a medal (you'll deserve it!) and refreshments en route, as well as excellent back-up provided by the Castlereagh CC members and friends.
The route takes you out of Belfast up the Antrim Road through Glengormley and into the beautifully scenic Antrim countryside. First stop is Ballygalley on the coast where you will need to get your card stamped, possibly avail of the toilet facilities, before heading along the coast and up into the hills, arriving in Carnlough where the hilly loop awaits the challengers. It is back to Carnlough for a grub stop, food will only be given out to riders with cards, cards will be stamped and a general regrouping takes place before the final charge for home via the aptly named 'Big Colin' and Ballyclare, then finally the 5 mile drop into Belfast and the finish at the City Hall, hopefully between 7 and 12 hours after starting.
We would ask all riders to obey the rules of the road at all times, and be respectful to other road users by riding no more than 2 abreast as often as possible. Helmets are compulsory, we have first aid cover but don't want to have to use it, apart from the sun stroke victims!! We would urge all participants to be responsible and more importantly safe, as we have had a good record with this event and want to keep it that way.
This has to be one of the most challenging one day cycle events in the country, great training for the Etape, the Bordertrek or the Wicklow, although it has been said that it makes the Wicklow look easy.....
We look forward to seeing you on Sunday morning and remember to pack as many gels and jelly babies as your pockets can carry!! Don't say you wasn't warned.

Gerard Heverin
Castlereagh Cycling Club