Simon Coveney, Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government and Cork GAA legend, Valerie Mulcahy have good news for cycling and fitness enthusiasts as they announce a new date for their diary. Sunday 13th August, will see the inaugural ‘Enable Ireland, City Cycle Cork’ take place in aid of a new children’s centre in Cork. The people of Cork will be the first in Ireland to host this exciting event. This unique challenge, will see participants take to the streets and roads of Cork city and county for a timed cycle sportive event. Cyclists will traverse the city on closed roads and be given priority at junctions on outlying roads.
Enable Ireland, Cork City Council, Cork County Council and the Garda Síochána have been working with Elite Event Management to run this fantastic event which aims to attract more than 5000 people to Cork for a weekend cycling festival, showcasing the best of cycling culture in the city.
Minister Coveney, was in Cork city to help launch the new event, he said, “I am extremely pleased to launch the ‘Enable Ireland, City Cycle Cork’. Enable Ireland have been making a great impact on many people’s lives in Cork for a long time, and this is a great opportunity to give back to them. I know the people of Cork will be really keen to ensure this event is a success both for those who live in Cork and those who will be visiting Cork for the weekend. I’ll certainly be encouraging everyone to sign-up and get behind this good cause.”
Those looking for their summer cycling challenge, and a good cause to support, will need look no further than one of the distances of the 80km Classico or the 130km Grande, which are now open for registration.
Multiple All-Ireland winning, Cork Football and Camogie Champion, Valerie Mulcahy, said, “This event will be a great addition to the Cork sports and social calendar. I know many experienced cyclists who will relish the opportunity to ride through closed city streets, as well as challenging themselves on the timed climbs in North County Cork. But this race is for everyone and those who haven’t been on a bike for a long time will also be well able for this challenge. Cork will make a great setting for this event and it promises to be a great day.”
It’s time for Corkonians and people from all over Ireland will get on their bike and support Enable Ireland Cork – winner of Cork Chamber Non-Profit of the year 2017 – who are building a new children’s centre. The €7.5million project has already received planning permission and the aim is to open in 2020.
Encouraging everyone to get involved Sinead O’Keeffe of Enable Ireland Cork said “We are very excited to partner Elite Event Management, Cork City Council, Cork County Council, the Gardai and other key stakeholders in the city and county to bring this unique cycling event to Cork. Never before will the general public have had the opportunity to race on closed roads in the city. What an exciting opportunitiy for us all! I encourage you all to register, sponsor or come out and cheer on the cyclists this August. We aim to have as many people on their bikes as possible, raising funds to make our Cork Children’s centre a reality”.
Registration is now open at www.citycyclecork.com.
Please contact kelly@eliteevents.ie or sokeeffe@enableireland.ie for additional details.