Countdown on to Westportif challenge

Countdown on to Westporif challenge


Mike Finnerty

IT may not be time just yet to ‘get on your bike’ for the Westportif cycling challenge this summer, but it’s worth noting that are only three months to go now until the event gets under way on Saturday, July 19.
The novel Westportif event in Mayo is one of seven in the newly-launched Skoda Cycle Series, and The Mayo News is throwing its weight behind the initiative as one of the regional media partners for the challenge.
Backed by Skoda, Fit Magazine and INM Regionals newspaper group, the Cycling Series takes in Wicklow, Kerry, Wexford, Westport and Cork, as well as Mayo.
The Skoda Series is the brainchild of former General Manager of The Mayo News, John Feerick, a keen cycling enthusiast himself.
The Ballinrobe native, who is now MD of INM Regionals, came up with the idea after chatting with a couple of enterprising ladies, and fellow cycling fans, in IRD Duhallow in Cork.
The Westportif event offers a choice of two routes, 80 or 160 kilometres (taking in Westport, Louisburgh, Delphi, Leenane, Maam, Tourmakeady, and back to Westport again). A shorter sportive of 40 to 50 kilometres is also planned.
The first Westportif was held last July on one of the hottest days of the year, and proved a great success. The organising group, which comprises Westport Town Council, Destination Westport and two local cycling clubs, Westport Covey Wheelers and Western Lakes CC, plans to build on this success in 2014.
Ireland is enjoying a boom in cycling participation, fuelled by the search for healthy exercise, and the government’s bike to work scheme. Over the past five years, Cycling Ireland has seen membership grow from 6,000 to 19,000 members. Sportives cater for the many new cyclists, as they provide a challenge without the pressure of competition.
The event organisers have even put together a list of good reasons to enter, like: Are you looking to get fit and health in 2014? Are you a keen cyclist? Would you like to meet some fun and outgoing people? Want to challenge yourself? Support your local club/charity, plus each event has a specially designed souvenir jersey (optional).
Closing date for entries is Friday, July 18 at 5pm at the Westport Leisure Park. The Westportif challenge gets underway at 9.30am the following morning.
We’ll be continuing the countdown to the event in the coming weeks.