VEE CHALLENGE 2011

VEE CHALLENGE 2011

After the successful ˜Inaugural Vee challenge' in 2010 the club was delighted to see the turn out for the second running of this ever increasingly popular sportive.

A bright sunny morning greeted the 200 participants who travelled from far and near to put their name to the sign on sheet at Youghal's GAA complex. With both routes offering a stiff challenge with testing climbs and rolling roads and with little wind the sportive got under way with a neutralised section through Youghal town before the long climb up the Tallow road.The pace was high on this long climb, those with good legs forcing the pace before the long drop down into Tallow town.

Some heavy showers cooled the riders as they ascened the long Vee climb with the 90km route turning near the top and heading for the Cats bar and a hot cuppa provided by the hard working ladies from Youghal CC.The 130km riders made the fast descent to Clogheen with a few tumbles on the hairpin bend before the climb of the aptly named "Sheeps Pass" before the well earned pitstop at the Cats bar.With heavy showers outside riders relaxed and refueled before the sun came out for the scenic route home.

Youghal CC would like to thank all participants and hope you enjoyed your day out from "the coast to the mountains".

The cats bar and Youghal GAA for providing their facilities. Local businesses, Harringtons bakery,Super Valu Youghal and the Village Greengrocer Castlemartyr for sponsoring food and water, it is very much appreciated.Club members who marshalled,provided back-up and the volunteers who prepared and manned the food stops,providing top class hospitality to the hungry cyclists.Youghal gardai,Cara ambulance service and local media who covered the event.Lastly,Sportive sponsor Cognex for their assistance in running this annual sportive.

Any feedback both good and bad about your Vee challenge experience is welcome by dropping an e-mail to this address

youghalcyclingclub@gmail.com

We look forward to next years bigger and better event and look forward to welcoming you back,Safe Cycling

Youghal CC.

Click on link to view Dave O Brien's photos from the event

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SUPPORTED BY

Support a worthy cause and take on the Vee challenge.

Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind is a national charity dedicated to helping persons who are blind or vision impaired or families of children with autism to achieve improved mobility and independence.

Irish Guide Dogs receive over 85% of their income through voluntary donations and fundraising through a network of volunteers across the country. The remaining 15% is provided through statutory bodies and government agencies. It will cost just over €4 million to run the organisation this year.

ROUTES

130km VEE CHALLENGE

90km VEE ASCENT

SIGN ON FEE

CYCLING IRELAND MEMBER 20.00euro

NON CYCLING IRELAND MEMBER 25.00euro

THE VEE CHALLENGE IS A LEISURE CYCLE AND NOT A RACE

• • SIGN ON - YOUGHAL GAA CLUB-Magners hill-9.00am onwards.

  • Car parking and changing facilities available.

  • Cycle departs at 10.00am

  • Food stop en route and refreshments available post event.

  • Major junctions will be marshalled and both route's signposted.

  • Lead car and support for both routes.

• • A hard shell helmet is compulsory

  • for every participant.

THE VEE CHALLENGE

130km Route

Taking in the ascent of the Vee from Lismore and descending into Clogheen before climbing the Vee again up through the wood's,then heading for the food stop on the road to Cappoquin.Refueled the route will pass by the Blackwater taking in the beautiful Dromana drive before heading for the coast and the final sting in the tail offering fantastic views of Youghal town.

A route suitable for the regular cyclist with a good standard of fitness.A challenging route with several climbs offering some fantastic scenery along the way.

THE VEE ASCENT

90km Route

This route covers most of the the roads that the Vee Challenge incorporates with participants climbing the Vee as far as Glenaknockaun before turning back for the R669 and the welcome foodstop along this gentle descent into the town of Cappoquin.

This route is ideal for those looking for a moderate challenge with the scenic climb of the Vee, along with the beautiful Dromana drive part of the route.A reasonable level of fitness would be required to enjoy your day in the saddle and the fantastic scenery that the area offers.

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