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Post date: May 13, 2019 11:8:40 AM
(By Shay O'Toole)
The Tour of the Heartlands is the annual sportive run by our near neighbours in Shannonside
Cycling Club which is based in Athlone. This is always a very well organised event and due
to the nature of the terrain, as leisure events go, it is generally a very fast spin. Starting from
Athlone town centre the route crosses the Shannon River before heading cross country to
Athleague in Co. Roscommon. From here the riders turned left along some very nice forest
roads into Ballinasloe, Co. Galway and return to Athlone along the old Galway road.
Fortunately it was a beautiful sunny day which led to very safe roads for the 110km trip. As
usual Shannonside laid on a great welcome and fantastic hospitality for the 160 riders who
signed on. Under a new Lakeside Wheelers initiative this was the first designated sportive of
2019 where the club subsidised the entry for all members. It turned out to be an extremely
successful venture with almost 40 members participating and judging by the feedback it was
very much appreciated by all. Many thanks to the organisers at Shannonside Cycling Club for
looking after everybody and hopefully there will be more events like this in the coming
months.
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