Write a commentBuilding on three years of charity cycling success, Armagh Down Cycling Club is proud to announce this year's Gullion Tour 2019!
Setting off from Newry Shamrocks GAA on Sunday, April 28th, The Gullion Tour offers cyclists from all over the island of Ireland the chance to take on one of two fantastic routes riding through The Ring of Gullion, and The Cooley Peninsula - areas of outstanding natural beauty. Cyclists can choose a 55- or 95-kilometre route, with food stops and refreshments provided.
If the winding routes and beautiful scenery are not enough to tempt you to take part; this year, The Gullion Tour will be raising money for ‘Friends of The Cancer Centre’.
Friends of the Cancer Centre has a long and proud history of helping local cancer patients. Based at the heart of the Cancer Centre at Belfast City Hospital, the charity funds life-saving and life-changing projects that make a real and lasting difference to the lives of thousands of local people affected by cancer and in the last year alone, Friends of the Cancer Centre has put £1.2 million back into local cancer services.
Commenting on The Gullion Tour, Armagh Down CC Chairman, Benny Smyth said: “Once again, we are expecting a strong turnout and we welcome cyclists from across Ireland to join us and enjoy what the Ring of Gullion has to offer. This year's event is already shaping up to be bigger and better. Those cyclists who have joined us in past years know all about the fine cycle that awaits them. If you haven't experienced the Ring of Gullion, we urge you to join us on Sunday, April 28th!
"Crucially, are raising much-needed funds for our chosen charity, Friends of The Cancer Centre. We are also delighted to announce that our main sponsor, Surefreight Ltd., has very kindly committed to matching every pound or euro raised on the day. We would like to thank Surefreight Directors, Brian McManus and Vincent Waddell for this very generous contribution”.
A fully marshalled event, the Gullion Tour promises to be a fantastic day for riders of all abilities and there will be much-needed food and refreshments at the finish in Newry Shamrocks GAA. For the 95km route there will be an additional food stop at Jonesborough Pastoral Centre.
Registration is open from 8.30am at Newry Shamrocks GAA with riders departing at 9.30am. Minimum donation is £15/€15. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/armaghdowncc
The Route
55km and 95km routes, taking in the Ring of Gullion and Cooley Peninsula.
We get the biggest climb out of the way early (by 16km), at The Long Womans Grave. Not only will you be awarded with amazing views over Carlingford Lough and beyond, but there is an almost continuous 16km downhill section after this point, down to The Bush, and onto the Ravensdale turn at Fitzpatricks Restaurant.
Both routes follow the same road until 44km into the sportive (at Junction 20/Carrickdale), where riders can decide do another 50km+ and tackle Jonesborough Hill, or take the shorter route back to Newry via Meigh - where hot food and refreshment awaits.
Riders opting for the longer route need not worry, as the half way food and drink stop is at the top of Jonesborough Hill, in The Pastoral Centre.
After this stop, heading through Jonesborough, Dromintee, and Forkhill - the road opens up on The Longfield Rd., and round to Fords Cross in Silverbridge where the route heads south along The New Road to Kilcurry (always a fast section). The 95km riders then head back towards Forkhill, and up to Dromintee and Meigh - and onwards to Newry,for a well earned feed.
