2,500 cyclists are in the county this weekend for the return of the ŠKODA Ring of Clare Cycle..
International participants from ten countries are signed up for what is one of the largest mass participation events in Ireland. The event returns for the first time since 2019 as a result of Covid-19 restrictions and is estimated to be worth €1 million to the Clare tourism economy.
The ŠKODA Ring of Clare Cycle is part of the international ŠKODA Celtic Cycling Series, starting and finishing in Ennis. Cyclists have the option of 160km and 120km routes that brings the event along the Wild Atlantic Way, Loop Head Peninsula and back to Ennis by the newly developed Shannon Estuary Way.
Damian Hayes of ŠKODA Al Hayes Ennis explained how the Clare cycle continues to be among the most popular events on the leisure cycling sportive calendar. “This is the fourth year of the event and it has sold out for the past three years. The event started in 2016 with 800 cyclists and has trebled in a short space of time to attract 2,500 participants annually. The feedback from participants have highlighted the spectacular route around Clare from the coast, Loop Head Peninsula to the estuary journey back to the finish. The reputation of Ennis as a great host town provides another reason for so many visitors to take part”.
Hayes added, “the impact of the event spreads beyond Ennis with hundreds of cyclists staying across the county delivering a real economic boast for Clare. This year we are also delighted to carry the HPV Vaccine Awareness logo on the event jersey. It is important that we continue to support the efforts of the late Laura Brennan and the Brennan family in encouraging clubs and events to use their influence in keeping awareness of the HPV vaccine to the fore. Between all the ŠKODA cycling events, thousands of cyclists will carry the logo and message around the country and further afield”.
More cyclists are building a weekend break around the Cycle which focuses on the southern half of the county featuring the Wild Atlantic Way, Loop Head Peninsula and back along the Shannon Estuary Way.
Event director Ian Falconer highlighted how the timing of the event was great for Clare to coincide with the county’s hosting of the Junior Tour of Ireland cycle race and the Clare Food and Drink Fleadh. He outlined, “Clare’s hosting of these events will encourage people to stay in the area a bit longer and really showcases the range of things to do and see in the area. Cyclists will be able to watch the stars of the future take part in Junior Tour stages on Friday and Sunday. Throughout the weekend the Clare Food and Drink Fleadh will give event attendees plenty of options for the evening time and the post cycle celebrations”.
He continued, “the last year the event was hosted in 2019 it was one of the highest rated Cycling Ireland sportives voted by the participants. This year we have added a range of new elements to develop the overall cycling experience for participants plus the route is selected to showcase the best of what Clare has to offer. The event goes through a varied series of backdrops from taking in the Estuary and parts of Loop Head and parts of the Wild Atlantic Way they may not be familiar with. The event is designed to have a major sport tourism impact on the area and we plan for it to become one of the bigger events in the national cycling sportive calendar”.
The 2022 event is now completely sold out. The weekend in Clare starts with event sign on at Al Hayes ŠKODA dealership on the evening before the cycle from 4.00pm to 8.00pm. The cycle starts at 9.00am on Saturday morning from Clarecastle GAA club with cyclists heading along the Miltown Malbay road from Ennis returning home via the Kildysart road.
