BLOG - Donegal Bay Spring Sportive 2016
21 Apr 2016
Notification appeared on social media shortly after the New Year. The sponsors heralded it as being bigger and better than before, this was to be number three. Donegal is such a nice place, somebody had to go.
Craig and Marcelle Gibson, Shane Kelly, Ryan Mc Erlean, Fiona and I were willing volunteers to sport the "green and black”.
The rain was coming down and the wind was blowing hard when we got into town on Friday evening, but the forecast was to improve over the weekend.
The sun came up just before 6am, the sky was a brilliant blue, but it was cold, very cold. I’m glad I brought those extra layers.
40K, 100K and 140K were the options.
Registration went smoothly and after a cup of tea and a bun we rolled out from the diamond. Shane, Marcelle and Fiona chose the 100K and Craig, Ryan and I opted for the 140K.
All routes went west out along the coast following the N56 with the occasional sharp left turn off the main road to freewheel down to the sea, knowing what was coming next....... a long hard drag back up again....... just to warm the legs up you know.
The sky was big and blue affording a wonderful view across Donegal Bay to Sligo and Yeats country. Benbulbin standing majestic in all its 5oomillion year old glory.
The chat was good along the road with lots of different groups intent on their own mission for the day.
Out past Mountcharles on to Inver and Dunkineely into Killybegs with its colourful boats in serried ranks along the harbour.
On along the coast to Kilcar and Carrick, where the routes split.
The ‘140K’ went on out to Malin More and Glencolmcille. (Water, banana and jellie babies stop).
The goin’ was gettin’ tough.
Both groups met up at the half way food stop at Meenaneary. Great selection of homemade sandwiches, scones, cakes, tea and coffee.
Back in the saddle in a flash and the weather was holding well. The odd short skiff and a few hailstones didn’t delay progress. On to Glengesh and Ardara. All the routes (each a designated colour) were very well signposted at all important junctions and changes of direction. Marshalling throughout the event was first class.
The scenery throughout the ride was stunning (mind you, so was the wind), especially towards the end in the Blue Stack Mountains.
It was good to have 20K downhill (mostly) to the finish line where everyone’s achievement was acknowledged over the PA system.
Hot food was in plentiful supply and very welcome.
Thank you to all the helpers who made this such a successful event.
Well done to Craig, Marcelle, Shane, Ryan and Fiona.
I couldn’t have done it without you.
A.G.
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