Northern lights put on Mayo display for ultra cyclists
The first unsupported solo rider at the Wild Mayo Ultra was Colin Loughney of Western Lakes CC.
Now in its fourth year, the Wild Mayo Ultra continues to build its reputation as one of the toughest ultra-cycling events in Ireland.
This year saw an impressive turnout with participants from as far afield as Sydney, Zimbabwe and the UK. Riders tackled distances of 500km, 300km or 200km, all challenging routes that test the limits of both mind and body.
The event kicked off on Friday evening, May 10, with the 500km participants departing from the Clew Bay Hotel. The journey was marked by an extraordinary natural phenomenon: the aurora borealis, which illuminated the sky in a stunning display. One rider even hesitated to mention the sight to his teammates, fearing it was a hallucination.
The route's highlights included the demanding climbs of North Mayo and Achill, particularly the gruelling ascent of Minaun Heights with over 20% gradient, and the equally challenging rise and descent into Keem Bay. These segments are renowned for their difficulty towards the end of the effort but also their breathtaking beauty, making them key talking points among participants.
The dot-watching spanned 27 hours, with every participant tracked live, allowing supporters, family and organisers to follow the riders' progress remotely. A virtual leaderboard is created, making the whole event very addictive to dot-watchers. Due to the nature of ultra-cycling on open roads, safety protocols are strictly followed. Bikes are checked, lights must meet specific quality standards, high-visibility gear is mandatory, and the rules of the road and the event are heavily enforced, with rider safety being paramount.
Seeing the finishers come down James Street to meet their supporters outside the Clew Bay Hotel, the welcome and the expressions of joy and relief on the cyclists' faces as they completed the course were a testament to their efforts and resilience.
Ultra-cycling is as much about the journey as it is about the destination, and finishing such a challenging race is a monumental achievement. However, for some participants, it's also about speed and setting new records.
Congratulations to all the starters and finishers. Completing the Wild Mayo Ultra is a significant accomplishment, showcasing immense resilience and often inspiring participants to pursue even greater challenges in the future.
500km:
First unsupported Solo Rider: Ken Van Someren, Yeats CC Sligo, 21:50:02.
First relay: Bernard Smyth and Simon Hogan, Team Ultimate Conditioning Trim, 16:28:30.
First group: Owen Kennedy, Pat Beere, Des Smyth, Blanche Wheelies Dublin, 20:45:44.
300km:
First supported rider: Jerry McCarthy, Tralee Manor Co. Kerry, 9:28:29.
Unsupported: 1st, Colin Loughney, Western Lakes CC, 10:17:16; 2nd, Ken Egan, Galway, 10:20:04; 3rd: Michael Hall, DB Cycling Club Cavan, 10:29:09.
First female: Eve McDermott, Tullamore Lynx CC, 13:37:36.
1st Group: Western Lakes CC Mayo, 14:25:27.
200km:
Men’s: 1, Michael Flood, Emyvale CC Monaghan, 6:28:24; 2, Mark Prendiville, Tralee Manor Co. Kerry, 6:34:42; 3, Declan O'Carroll, All Human Velo Revolution Cork, 6:40:48.
First female: Alison Higgins, Four Masters Donegal, 7:23:01.
First 2-Person Team: 1, Sweet & Sour, Cork, 8:42:38.
First group: Westport Tri, 9:24:53.
