An Post Tour de Burren 2012

The An Post Tour de Burren returns on June 23 2012

This is the fourth year of the An Post Tour de Burren, the event continues to grow each year with 2,200 participants taking to their bikes last year.

It was fantastic to see so many people of all ages and cycling abilities out on their bikes and enjoying all that North Clare has to offer. The Tour has gained the reputation over the past number of years as being regarded as one of the premier sportif cycling events in Ireland.

2012 Route Details:

Aillwee Cave Family Loop – 10km

This is a family spin and over half the route will take families along green roads. Refreshments will be provided at the halfway mark in Aillwee Caves and again at the finish on the seafront in Ballyvaughan.

Black Head Battle – 66km

This year leaving the Coast Road, through Fanore and up Ballinalacken, a 2.5km climb followed by a right turn down to Doolin.  Yes, just like the 166km and 108km routes this spin also goes up the Castle Hill, a 1km long climb with a 16% gradient in spots.  You can do it, just tell yourself you can! Once at the top, a left turn and all the hard work is done where you will roll to Lisdoonvarna for welcome refreshments. A left outside the gate, onto the Ballyvaughan road where just 5km out you will take a left turn and cycle down through the Caher Valley with spectacular views of Galway Bay and the Burren.  A right turn at the bottom and a gentle spin home by Black Head.

On this route, watch out for 2 climbs.  

Remember, while you may think the Castle is impossible, think again and just give it all you have - You may be surprised!
Check out this route on the link below

Black Head Battle route 

Burnin Burren – 108km

This year leaving Ballyvaughan via the Coast Road, through Fanore Village and onto a small 2.5km Climb up Ballinalacken and descending into Doolin.  Be ready now for Castle Hill! A short 1km climb but a 16% gradient in spots, OUCH! Turning left at the top and into Lisdoonvarna for a welcome food stop. On towards Kilfenora where you take a  left turn a few kilometers out at Lemenagh Castle.  Moving swiftly past the world famous Poul na Brone Dolmen and rolling to the bottom of the Corkscrew Hill, sure you just love that hill!. After the Corkscrew we head for Lisdoonvara for more optional refreshments before a rolling spin home by the beautiful Coast Road.

On this route watch out for 3 climbs.

Remember this year is 9km's longer and the corkscrew comes later so don't forget to save some energy for that.
Check out the route on the link below

The Burnin Burren route

Fr. Ted's Day Out – 162km

Leaving Ballyvaughan via the coast road and around by Black Head, the first climb comes here at the left turn before the pub in Fanore - a climb of 4.5km with varying gradients where you can actually see the top all the way up if you look at the house on the skyline.  With a very fast descent, what local cyclists call the "Fanore D'heuz", we are back on track for Doolin.  A small climb of 2.5km just before the turn down to the village, a reminder of what's to come. Castle Hill - short at 1km but a 16% gradient will test those legs for a few hundred meters, taking a right turn at the top and a small 2.5km climb to the Cliffs of Moher.  After a welcome descent into Liscannor, we take a left at the edge of the village and back up Doonagore - not very steep, but at 5km, it is long and steady. After another descent into Lisdoonvarna and we are ready for a welcome food stop. All of this with only 63km done!

So then we head for Kilfenora, a left turn towards Lemenagh Castle. 6km later at Kilnaboy we turn 90 degrees left.  After a few kilometers the view to the left will be Mullaghmore Mountain and on the right, it has to be Craggy Island!! After an optional cup of tea we pedal to the next junction where we turn left and roll into the bottom of what we call the Mini Corkscrew but known to others as Glann Hill ( we introduced this hill last year and brought it back due to popular demand).  After a fast and furious 3km descent into Carron, past the Dolmen, to the bottom of the Corkscrew Hill, sure we couldn't leave it out, and onwards to Lisdoonvarna. Here we stop for an optional break, rolling home by the Coast Road.  Phew!

Not all long climbs but with the rolling roads before and after these climbs your legs should be well tested.
Check out the route on link below 

Fr. Ted's Day Out route 

Registration

Online registration is now open at www.tourdeburren.com 

For postal entries contact: cathy@claresportspartnership.ie

Entry Fees

10% Discount on the 66km, 108km and 162km cycle to all Cycling Ireland Members

Further Information

For further information and any queries contact:

Clare Sports Partnership, Unit 1 Westgate Business Park, Ennis, Co. Clare
www.tourdeburren.com / www.claresportspartnership.ie
Email: info@claresportspartnership.ie
Telephone: +353 65 68 65434