“THE PROGRAMME ‘07”
PRESS RELEASE:

NCBI have announced to-day exclusively on their www.irishcycling.com website their long awaited programme of key events for 2007.  It is an interesting mix of charity cycles that cater for all standards of cyclists including beginners’ right up to elite and cycle sportif enthusiasts.

The official launch of the entire programme takes place with a reception and party on Friday, February 23^rd at the “Sugar Club” on Leeson Street , where all the different events will be showcased.  Over 300 supporters and friends of NCBI Blazing Saddles are expected to attend this annual launch party.

As agreed “Tour du Tour” will change name and destination to “Giro di Giro” and go to Italy in late August for our elite one-week cycle challenge – not for the faint-hearted.  Led by Sean Kelly.

The October Bank Holiday week-end sees “NCBI Thailand MBT Ride” head back to Thailand with a new cycling destination added in the shape of Hua Hin along the Gulf of Thailand coast in the south west of this amazing country.

NCBI Blazing Saddles are delighted to announce they are the beneficiaries of a new North South cycling initiative in the “Tour of Ireland Cycle Challenge” in May.  This is an elite cycle sportif event taking in Belfast , Cavan, Galway , Kilkenny and Dublin over four tough and demanding stages.  There is a dedicated website on tourofireland.eu for further information and bookings.  Already this event is looking a sell out with cyclists from all over the U.K. and Europe signing up to the charity event, which was launched by Lisburn City Council in December.

Another change to the growing NCBI Blazing Saddles programme sees the “Kerry Cycling Jamboree” replaced by “Billy’s Trip to Tipp Weekend” in Thurles in July.  Organised by Blazing Saddles legend Billy Shanahan, this will be a great cycling and fun week-end based out of the Anner Hotel in Thurles.

John Behan and his gang of intrepid Blazing Saddles will take on a new one-day challenge called “Arklow to Achill Dawn to Dusk” on Saturday, June 30^th.  This is a cycle of 376km from dawn to dusk.  The “AA” challenge is for elite cyclists who simply don’t know when to give up – all great people!

We also wish every success to our great friend and Blazing Saddle Sr. Brid Smith of the Loreto nuns in Dublin who is cycling around Ireland on her tandem in early July for 2-weeks to raise funds for NCBI and Carrick Cancer Society.  The “Coastal Tour of Ireland” is a unique event and if you would like to accompany the amazing Sr. Brid on a single bike for a stage along the way - well here’s your chance!

Finally, two other training camps will be announced at the launch on Friday, 23^rd.  We can confirm the opening training camp of the year takes place Sunday, April 1^st from Howth, Co. Dublin .    “So all in all it looks like a very hectic year for NCBI Blazing Saddles with plenty of choice for all our gang in ’07.  We particularly hope to encourage as many new people and those who have not been with us for sometime to take a “Saddle” in this year’s varied programme.  Please give Eleanor or myself a call for a chat or drop in for a coffee anytime, you are very welcome” says Eamon Duffy of NCBI Blazing Saddles.