​Ballinasloe Cycling Club Summer Review

After a long lockdown, Ballinasloe Cycling Club was permitted to get things moving in June with Criterium Racing. Taking place every Tuesday night at the Pallas Track throughout the month with some of the top competitors in the country in attendance. These were the cycling clubs that first organised open races, and with everyone who raced there enjoying it, more will follow in 2022.
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On the leisure side of the club, they organised their first outing recently only for rain to arrive to spoil the show, however, that did not stop the group from meeting up for tea, coffee, and some snacks.

Recently member Gerry O’Sullivan completed a five-day 1000km monster cycle, from Ballinasloe to Mizen Head to Malin Head, in aid of Diabetes Ireland, so a large group of members gathered to cycle with him as far as Gort at the start of his endeavour. Through his efforts, Gerry managed to raise €8,800 , on JustGiving, for the organisation.

In past weeks, Ballinasloe Cycling had their second club spin away of the summer and had two routes on offer for club members. The route for their novice cyclists was from Maam Cross to Leenaun and back to Maam Cross through Inagh Valley.
The second route, for the more seasoned members, totalled over 70 kilometres going to Cong via Loch Na Fooey, and back through Cornamona to Maam Cross for well deserved dinner at Peacocks.

In the last few weeks, they were able to get out for their third club outing to Kinnity where there were three routes on offer, one flat route and two routes taking place in the Slieve Bloom mountains, one with three climbs and one with four.
Several members took on the tough climbs of the Wolf trap and the Cut for the first time with a food stop in Clonaslee, and the all-important coffee stop afterwards in Kinnitty. With the onset of Autumn, one more outing is in the planning and an order for pleasant weather has been placed.

An order has been put in for Club Hoodies and are available for sale by placing an order at Barry’s Cycles. Adult hoodies are €40 and Children's Hoodies are €35 euros. Anyone is free to order these hoodies and you can also order by dialling John on (087) 226 8375.

The Winter Schedule varies for different age groups and grades but at different times on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday – you’ll see the Lycra clad crew gathering outside Barry’s Bicycles in Sarsfield Road!

If you are interested in cycling, you can contact their Facebook page (link below) or email ballinasloecyclingclub@gmail.com about joining for the year ahead.