Mayo to turn pink for Pink Ribbon Cycle

Bring out your pinks for the Mayo Pink Ribbon Cycle


THE Mayo Pink Ribbon Cycle takes place this Saturday, May 3, and the organisers are hoping that people around Mayo will help to transform the county into a portrait in pink. The annual event has grown bigger each year, with towns and villages along the routes festooned in pink to encourage the cyclists.  
“The ‘pinking of Mayo’ is getting better and better every year with families, communities and individuals all doing their bit to put their piece of Mayo in the pink,” says event organiser Marita Staunton.
“It’s hugely inspirational for the cyclists – especially those with tired legs. It’s a great shout out for everyone involved in breast-cancer research too. People made a huge effort to decorate in pink along the routes last year, and we’d love if those people would do the same again, and if even more would join them!”
Ribbons, flags, paint - anything will do, as long as it’s pink.
The event’s three routes spiral out from Castlebar, but as the organisers point out, it’s not just the routes themselves that merit decorating. Hundreds of people come to Mayo from all over the country for this event. “Wouldn’t it be fantastic if every road into Mayo was ‘pinked up’ when these visitors arrived?” event organiser Yvonne Horkan enthused. “It would give a real Mayo welcome to everyone and it would be a real boost for everyone involved in the Pink Ribbon Cycle. Everyone knows someone who has been affected by breast cancer, so make this a special acknowledgement of what they have been through.”
The Mayo Pink Ribbon Cycle is a leisure cycle, not a race, which makes it very appealing for cyclists of all standards. There are three distances, 51km, 111km or 166km. All routes start and finish at the Royal Theatre in Castlebar and are very well marked and marshalled.
All entrants are asked to raise a minimum of €100 for breast-cancer research. Throughout the day, cyclists are well supported with water/fruit stops and lunch, and the day finishes with a celebration banquet.

MORE Call Lourda McHugh on 086 8562423 or visit www.mayopinkribbon.ie.