The Westportif Cycling Challenge takes place on Saturday 11th May 2019, in Westport, Co. Mayo. The Westportif is a voluntary run dual venture between Westport Covey Wheelers and Western Lakes Cycling Club. Both clubs use Westportif to fund and develop the sport at grass roots level and to raise money for charity. This year their nominated charity partners are the Make-A-Wish foundation. The closing date for Early Bird entries is midnight on February 28th, 2019. Visit www.westportif.ie to enter.

The race is suited to cyclists at all levels as participants can choose from three routes, 80km, 120 km and 160km. The route itself is a feast for the eyes taking in the breathtaking scenary of Croagh Patrick, Mweelrea (Connacht's highest mountain), Doolough Lakes, Delphi, Killary Fjord, Ashleigh Falls, Leenane villlage and the shores of Lough Mask in Tourmakeady. “Westportif allows us to showcase the beautiful landscape that we are lucky enough to cycle in every week.

It’s only when you cycle with a group of friends through the Doolough or Inagh Valley or experience the sheer joy of climbing to the summit of Ail Dub, Maam Trasna and Lallys Mountain, that you really appreciate how lucky we all are to live in this stunning part of Ireland. Says Earnan Naughton Chairman of the Western Lakes Cycling Club.

This year Westportif have partnered with well known charity the Make-A-Wish foundation. The aim of the organisation is to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions, to bring hope, strength and happiness. Since 1992 the Make-A-Wish foundation has granted wishes for more than 2300 brave children across Ireland.

Speaking to Aidan Gill, the chairman of the Westport Covey Wheelers he explains why the Westportif is so important to the club, and how it has grown over the years to be a community event, “Westportif is the main event that we help organise from our Clubs perspective. It brings all the various cycling groups together such as our youth, leisure, ladies, sportive and racers. We notice that everyone wants to help with making sandwiches, buns and drinks to directing traffic and marshalling.

The event has been running for several years and has steadily grown year on year and while we know that we have some of the most scenic cycling routes in the world what better way to enjoy it than on a bike with all your friends. In a community based club it’s great to have such a main event as it serves to gel the club together as everyone understands how big of an event it is and put's their shoulder to the wheel.....albeit a bike wheel.”

A special thanks to all our sponsors who make this event so successful every year; The Towers Bar & Restaurant, JJ Burkes Car sales, Aurivo and Glen Keen Farm.



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