West Wicklow 2008

106 riders turned out for what was a delayed start to the West Wicklow 100Kms on
Sunday 14th September.
The National Basketball Arena was booked for 8.00am for a 9.00am start but the caretaker must have forgot to wind the clock and turned up a few minutes after 9.00 to a very crowded entrance gate. To reduce the delay as much as possible entry forms were circulated outside the gate and the good humour of all concerned saved the day. With the bad weather that has tried to spoil many sporting events this year we were blessed with a fine dry morning for the start. Not what could be said for the three successive nights spent trying to paint arrows onto wet roads.
The route was the traditional run through Saggart, Rathcoole and Punchestown to the tea stop in Dunlavin, returning through Ballymore Estace and Blessington. Apart from a light drizzle the day remained dry throughout.
The proceeds from West Wicklow went to the Missing in Ireland Support Services (MISS) a registered charity, and it was good to meet and offer comfort to the family members of some of the missing persons who turned up on the day. On behalf of "MISS" Tosh Lavery would like to thank the IVCA and all the members and volunteers who supported the event and who contributed so generously to the fund.

After allocating the 3 points for this event we are still left with a tie at the top of the Leisure League table with 5 riders on maximum points. As explained in a previous report if there is still a tie after the Joe Hoare on Sunday 12th October which is the last round of the league the winner of the Leisure League Trophy will be the nearest to their estimated time in the Joe Hoare event. To be fair to all we expect all riders to obey the rules and not use any cyclo - computers or timing aids on the day, any rider caught with a device will be eliminated from the event.
Looking forward to seeing you all at the Joe Hoare Tour,
and remember it is a Leisure event, not a race.
Regards Gay Farnan.