20th Anniversary of the Roundstone Tour de Bog 2010

Sponsord by www.2wheels.ie

What started twenty years ago, with Ruairi Quinn TD, Barry Smith and Robin Simpson with their family cycling just for fun on their bikes from Roundstone to Ballyconneely and then along the Bog Road back to Roundstone, hence the name Tour de Bog, as it grew over the years it become too much of a responsibility for the welfare of the other riders who joined them. We were then approached through the Roundstone Development Community Council to take it over because of the Insurance, this we duly did and twenty years later we are still going strong as a family cycle ride outing. This year we had an accurate account of riders of 392. The hardest part has been to find sponsors for the T- Shirts, however as luck would have it in 2009 2wheels.ie approached me to sponsor the T-Shirts for the 2009 Bike ride, with the idea to promote their new bike shop in Sandy mount, Dublin, this was a successful event, we ran out of shirts with 330 riders and raised €2’300

This year Brian & Kevin on behalf of www.2wheels.ie sponsored the ride for the year 2010. As, it was the 20th Anniversary of the Roundstone Tour de Bog they increased the amount of T- shirts with our own logo and theirs, this year the colour was green. During the ride the boys were dishing out bananas to all the riders, who certainly did not go hungry. Brian and gang now have two bike shops in Dublin, one located in Sandymount Green and in Monkstown Cresent.

Brian & Kevin have confirmed that they would be the sponsors again for the year 2011.

For Roundstone this event has become a very important one as a fund raiser to be put back into the community, €4’000 was raised through the sales of the T-Shirt this year, which will go to the refurbishment of the top part of the Community Hall. We are truly thankful to them. We must also thank the visitors who took care of the water stops, Ted Sherwood as MC, Oliver Coyne and to all those that helped out on the day. All photos can be seen on the www.2wheels.ie site as well as www.roundstone.ie .

Photos from the Prize Giving 2010

Map and instructions for the Tour De Bog

COMMENT: Cycling is another good way to see Roundstone and Connemara, and thi is the classic cycle loop around .here, one I have often done myself. Bike rental i available locally -just ask at Reception. The distance might not sound much, but if yo haven't been on a bike since your schooldays you'll notice it. We'll get the few main hilJ out of the way early on, so this is a clockwise route.

Bicycles can be rented in the village -just ask for details at Reception.

START AND FINISH: Roundstone village.

CYCLE: It is in fact a simple route: cycle on the R34l through Ballyconneely, turn rigl at Ballinaboy onto a quieter road across the bog, and then turn right onto the R34l agai at Toombeola, back to Roundstone.

So, from Roundstone (A) head West on the R34l, passing Gurteen Bay an flogs Bay (B) on the left. There are fine views of Errisbeg up to the right, and down le onto the extraordinary white strand at Dogs Bay. Now, as the route swings Northwar( the hills begin to bite, and don't worry if they are a bit too much -just get off and wal for say ten minutes here and there if you like.

The good news is that the corresponding downhills offer a nice freewheel, an then the road is fairly level as you move on towards Ballyconneely, enjoying coasu views and passing by some placid lakes.

At Ballyconneely (C) there is a pub and a shop, and a church if things are thi bad. Be warned -this is the last shop before the return to Roundstone. Then the onwar route passes beside an attractive shore line session, and brings you through a crossroad (D) with signposts about the Alcock and Brown exploits (see Walk No.6). At Ballinabo Bridge (E), where there is a significant bend in the road, you now leave the R34l,i.e d not turn left for Clifden, but turn right, presently unsigned for anything except a B&B.

After a short uphill h.ere, the route levels out into what I think is the real featur of this cycle, going along a (usually) quiet road with great views of the Twelve Pins t the left. You pass many attractive lakes, and while there a few minor hills here and thert it is an easy enough part of the route.

As you near Toombeola (from the Irish for the tomb of Beola, who was in ear! times quite a local lad -the Irish for the Twelve Pins is na Beanna Beola, also name after him), you reach the R34l again (F), and turn down right for the fina16km back int Roundstone.

Remember that these roads can be busy, so cycle carefully in single file, wear a helmel and bright clothes. and stay well in to the left-hand side.