On Sunday 9 August 2009, Dromara Cycling Club will be hosting their annual Mourne Sportive and Hilly Leisure Tours.  There will be again four routes to chose from which should provide a challenge for all riders.  The 'big' event on the day will be the infamous Mourne Sportive, described by some as the toughest one day tour in Ireland.   This 169 km route will take riders into the heart of the Mourne Mountains climbing over many of its famous peaks including Coyle’s Hill, Spelga, Windy Gap and Dree Hill.  Entry is limited to 60 riders for the Sportive.

As well as the Sportive, we are also holding three shorter Hilly events, the Hilly 125, Hilly 85 and the Hilly 65.  The Hilly '125' is now in its 21st year and proves to be the most popular distance for the leisure riders.

All four routes share a common tea stop which, as per last year, will be located at Leitrim GAA club.  The Sportive riders will also have another tea stop at Meelmore Lodge in the heart of the Mourne Mountains.  All events will start and finish at Dromara Football Club (map).  

Juniors
As part of the day's events we are offering a Junior Hilly Tour using the Hilly '65' route.  This route is well suited to junior riders (those aged 12 - 16) and riders will be escorted by senior club riders to and from the tea stop at Leitrim.  The fee for the juniors is £5.

A summary of the events is given below.

Event Distance Sign on open from Start time Tea stops # Fee* Notes
Mourne Sportive 169 km / 105 m 07:15 08:00 Leitrim GAA & Meelmore Lodge £20 Pre-entry ONLY (limit 60)
Hilly '125' 125 km / 78 m 08:30 09:30 Leitrim GAA £15 Optional pre-entry (fee £12)
Hilly '85' 85 km / 53 m 08:30 09:30 Leitrim GAA £15 Optional pre-entry (fee £12)
Hilly '65' 65 km / 40 m 09:00 10:00 Leitrim GAA £15 Optional pre-entry (fee £12)
Junior Hilly Tour65 km / 40 m09:0010:00Leitrim GAA£5Optional pre-entry (fee £5)

* Insurance
The fees above are for those who hold a current Cycling Ireland or CTC licence (or equivalent).   Proof of insurance (membership card) will be required on the day.

For everyone else there is an additional £2 fee for 3rd party insurance which provides cover for the day OR riders can obtain a Cycling Ireland Leisure Licence which will provide personal accident cover for the remainder of the year.  There is an offer on for that Leisure Licence which is £10 (or €10) for those riders who have never had a Cycling Ireland licence in the past.  The insurance fee is to be paid on the day.  

# Tea stops
NOTE: The tea stops are only open for a fixed period of time.  
Leitrim GAA tea stop will be open from 10 am to 2 pm.
Meelmore Lodge will be open from 1:30 pm to 4 pm.

Some of the sponsors of the food at the Leitrim tea stop


And at the end...?
At the finish all succesful participants will receive a commerative gift and for those doing the Sportive they will also receive a certificate with their time printed on it.  There will also be hot food at the football club as well as use of the public bar.  The football club can provide ample parking, showers and changing facilities for both men and women.  

Wondering what event to enter?
See some details on what is in store on the routes below.

Pre-entry
Event
Pre-entry (Sportive)
Pre-entry for the Sportive is now closed.  
Click here to see a list of those who have signed up for this event.
 
Pre-entry (Hilly 125, 85, 65, Junior Hilly Tour)
Pre-entry for the Hilly events is now closed.
Please come along and enter on the day
 

Refunds
If you are unable to make the event after having pre-paid please let us know before 10 pm on Saturday 9 August 2009 by sending an email to Martin.  Full refunds will be paid if we are notified before this time, however we will not be giving refunds after this time.


More information
If you would like more information about the event, please feel free to email the club secretary Trevor Annett or alternatively you can give Trevor a call on 07714 382158.
You can also read the report from the 2008 event here


Map of the Sportive route

Location of Dromara Football Club
Irish Grid (Northern Ireland)
Easting: 328848
Northing: 348758		 ITM (Northern Ireland)
Easting  728771.961
Northing 848759.585
Lat.   54.37118788 N
Long. 06.01813563 W 		Lat.    54 22 16.27638442 N
Long. 06 01 05.28827440 W


Wondering what is in store on each route?

The little Hilly (65K)
 
Some regular County Down hills but no major climbs.  This event is suitable for juniors and non-club cyclists.  This is also an option if the weather is bad or for anyone who feels their fitness is not up to the standard required harder events.
 
Includes:-
 Some little County Down Hills
Lunch in Leitrim
Some more little County Down hills		The Hilly (125K)
 
The original and some say the best.  This event is for strong cyclists and visits all major climbs. After lunch there is Spelga Dam and a number of other hills to climb including Leganny Dolmen. This event remains a real challenge in every sense of the word.
 
Includes:-
The Cornmill
Dree Hill
Windy Gap
Lunch in Leitrim
Spelga Dam
Legananny Dolmen
The Hilly (85K)

Same first half to lunch in Leitrim as the Hilly 125K including:-
 
Includes:-
The Cornmill
Dree Hill
Windy Gap
Lunch in Leitrim
The easier 60K route home
 

This is a good option for those who want to do some climbs but not all of them.  Also useful as a bail-out for those that intended to do the 125 but by the half way stage have had enough and do not want to do anymore big hills!
The Mourne Sportive

For very fit competitive cyclists and is only available to those that have pre-registered on-line.  Same first half to lunch in Leitrim as the Hilly 125K

Includes:-
The Cornmill
Dree Hill
Windy Gap
Lunch in Leitrim
Some more hills...
Spelga Dam
Second lunch in Meelmore Lodge
Even more hills...
Legananny Dolmen



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