Cork Sports Partnership

Cork is gearing up for the fifth and final event of the successful 2010 An Post cycle series which this year promises to be action packed. An Post, The Irish Sports Council and The Cork Sports Partnership have this year teamed up with Ballyhoura Trails and The Cork Environmental Forum to bring cycling enthusiasts a new cycling experience. The event will take place over the course of two days, Saturday September 11th and Sunday September 12th and will incorporate both road events and mountain biking events that caters for cycling enthusiasts of all levels.

Saturday, 11th of September - an post cycle series

Saturday September 11th opens this “festival style weekend” with a choice of three road events to choose from. The exhilarating 160km Rebel Challenge (route) which will take participants on a scenic tour of West Cork, beginning from the Grand Parade in Cork City and out through the Wilton and Bandon road roundabouts before veering off toward West Cork, bypassing the town of Bandon and continuing out as far as Dunmanway before turning left for Clonakility and along the coast of Garretstown and the Old Head of Kinsale before heading back to the city.

The aptly named 80km Rebel Rider (route) is the second of our offerings which will similarly see the route begin from the Grand Parade heading toward the Wilton and Bandon Road Roundabouts and out along the N71 toward Inishannon where the route will turn left toward Ballinadee and onto Ballinaspittle. The route will then loop around the Old Head of Kinsale before returning back toward Cork City.

The final event see’s the Cork Sports Partnership link up with the Cork Environmental Forum to offer families a fun and leisurely cycle known as “The Rebel Pedal”. This 10km cycle (route) will allow cyclists of all ages to complete a circuit of Cork City starting from the Grand Parade. All routes will finish in the Cork Showground’s where cyclists can cool down, use shower and toilet facilities and experience the party atmosphere. Food and refreshments will be available to purchase while kids can enjoy entertainment such as clowns, music and face painters. Demonstrations on the day will include Mountain biking tips and techniques, a chance to experience hand cycling and electric bikes as well as the opportunity to undergo safer cycling training. Parking on the Saturday will be available for all participants at the Cork Showground’s.

Sunday, 12th of September - mountain bikers challenge

On Sunday the 12th of September the Rebel Tour will roll in to the Ballyhoura Region where the second of our event days takes place. The Ballyhoura forest will be alive with Mountain bikers, food stalls and music. The Rebel Rush presents cyclists and mountain bikers with a choice of three trails: The Greenwood Loop (6km- Easy), The Mountrussel Loop (17km- Moderate) and the Garrane Loop (35km- Difficult).The Ballyhoura trails presents riders with a combination of narrow single-track and boardwalk sections and also has sections of forest road climbs over short and long distances. The loops are way marked in one direction- so just pick the colour of the loop you want to ride and follow the arrows.

Sample of Ballyhoura Trails and the biking experience (click on the image)

Directions to Ballyhoura

The car park and trailhead for these trails is located 2 kms south of Ardpatrick village in Co. Limerick off the R512 road. From Limerick, take the N20 south through Charleville and continue 2kms further on to Ballyhea. Turn left just after Ballyhea church and drive for 10kms to reach Ardpatrick village. Turn right and continue for 2.5 kms. Take a turn to the right signposted Castle Oliver view and the car park is 1km up this road.

From Cork, take the N20 north to Ballyhea, turn right at the church and follow above instructions. From Dublin, take M7 south to Limerick and join N20. From Shannon, take N18 south to Limerick and join N20.

The Rebel Rush starts from 12 midday and facilities will include map boards, car parking, toilets, showers and bike wash facilities. On the day their will be tips for mountain bikers, skills demonstrations, advice and guidance for tackling the mountain bike trails.

The Cork Sports Partnership in association with it’s (event) partners are offering participants the opportunity to enter both days for a reduced price of €50, so why not get on your bike and enjoy an exciting weekend of cycling and Mountain biking in Cork City and County.

Eithne Lydon event co-ordinator says of the upcoming weekend “The Rebel Tour promises to be a very exciting weekend in Cork with fun and entertainment in abundance, all the family are guaranteed to enjoy the festivities. Sign up early for your chosen event, dust off your bike and start pedalling”

Registration will be open from Wednesday 28th of July online at www.corkrebeltour.ie where participants can opt to either register online or download the registration form and post it back to the Cork Sports Partnership Ltd, Yeats House, Barrack Square, Ballincollig, Cork.

• The registration form is available to download here

• For event flyer click here

• Veteran Draw:

  Did you complete all five tours within the 2010 An Post Cycle Series?
  Be in with a chance to win €500 On4All Giftcard or other cycling goodies
  Contact us before Thursday, 30^th September with your name, address & telephone details.
  Email: pressoffice@anpost.ie Post: An Post Cycle Series, Communications, An Post, GPO, Dublin 1.

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact The Cork Sports Partnership on 021- 4665081.