Innisfree Wheelers Spring Classic 2024

Innisfree Wheelers Sligo Spring Clasic Cycling Sportive takes place on Sunday 5th May 2024 commencing & finishing at The Mercy College Gym, Sligo F91CF80.

Innisfree Wheelers are providing cyclists from the region & afar an attractive sportive which will suit all levels of leisure cyclists. This event is part of the Connacht Cycling Series & will encompass many of the scenic and challenging roads that have attracted the UCI Gran Fondo series to sligo in June 2024.

Choose from 2 routes

130 km starting at 9.00

75 km starting at 9.30

Entry is on line only. Cost €35 CI members, €55 for non CI members. 

Note; in the interests of safey, Tri bars are not allowed

Route description

130 km, elevation 1336m (note, to complete the full event, cyclists must be in Skreen by 1pm)

Heading south from Sligo, we pass mystical Knocknarea Cairn and the world famous Salmon Falls in Balliosdare. We encounter the first challenge of the day with a left turn and an instant climb of the aptly called Hungry Rock, which is a category 4 climb (approximately 1.6 km with an average gradient of 6%). Then, there follows a lovely descent off the Ox Mountains into the village of Coolaney, and onwards through the quiet country roads & rolling hills. A right hand turn takes us to the next challenging climb of the day, Mass Rock Hill (8.4km in length). Endure gradients of up to 17% while admiring the amazing scenery of Lough Easkey nestled in a blanket of upland bog. 

One of the most inspiring vistas of the day awaits, as the wild Atlantic Ocean opens up as we descend into Dromore West for our food stop. The next leg of the journey follows along the Wild Atlantic Way towards our next climb of the spectacular Ladies Brae (9.4km length Category 4) climb where many will stop to admire the views & catch your breathe. Enjoy the descend back onto lovely flat terrain to Ballisodare where you will turn for beautiful Lough Gill and pass Dooney Rock, famed for Yeat's poem, The "Fiddler of Dooney". After we join the main road, we return to Mercy College for a delicious hot lunch

75km route (675m)

The 75 km follows the same scenic route out from Sligo as the 130km, but having passed through Coolaney village these cyclists will take a left turn and travel uphill into Lavagh village for a guaranteed friendly welcome with refreshments. Returning past Knocknashee (Hill of Fairies) and on into Ballisodare this group will also detour via Slish Wood along the shores of beautiful Lough Gill and back to the starting point for great food and chats.

Frequently asked questions & answers