Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan
TYRE pressure? Check. Helmet? Check. Energy bars? Check? Sudo Cream?
It’s all systems for this year’s Ring of Kerry charity cycle, now in its 34th year, and the biggest one-day charity fundraising event in Munster will get underway tomorrow.
Thousands of cyclists are arriving in town in their droves for pre-registration and there will be a further collection of bicycle tags in the morning between 5.30am and 8.00am.
The new Mayor of Killarney, Cllr Niall Kelleher, will preside at the official start on Mission Road at 7.00am.
The N72 Fossa-Killorglin road will be closed for three hours, from 6.00am, and the Beech Road car park will be the main focal point throughout the day as the tired, weary but extremely satisfied cyclists return to town with refreshments and entertainment on offer until 7.00pm.
Thousands of cyclists tackling the 180km Ring will munch their way through an estimated 23,000 sandwiches, 35,000 bananas and 30,000 slices of buttered brack along the route in an effort to keep their energy levels up.
Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan
They will also down over 10,000 litres of water and graze on 30,000 cereal bars along the scenic route with designated food stops in Caherciveen and Kenmare and several other stations along the route.
2,000 volunteers will ensure everything runs smoothly and back-up crews expect to replace 1,000 bicycle tubes when the cyclists encounter normal wear and tear difficulties. Hundreds of volunteers will act as stewards, operate food stops and provide medical and technical support on the day.
With more than €11.9 million raised to date, this year’s beneficiaries will be Downs Syndrome Kerry, Kerry Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre, Valentia Hospital, Kerry Parents and Friends Buy A Bus Campaign, Talbot Grove, Camp Hill Dingle, Rathmore Social Action, Inbhear Sceine Inshore Rescue, Temple Street Hospital and Recovery Haven Kerry.
KillarneyToday.com: It’s the talk of the town. To advertise call 087-2229761
