Competitors tackle the climp up Wicklow Gap on the 38th edition of the Wicklow 200 on June 9th 2019 - Photo courtesy Morgan Fullam.
More than 3000 riders from all over the world took to the roads of Wicklow today for the 38th running of the Wicklow 200.
Ireland’s longest running mass participation bike ride, organised by the IVCA, attracted another huge entry to face one of the toughest challenges in Irish sport.
Riders of all ages taking part in the full 200km Wicklow 200 event and the Wicklow 100 Challenge sister event faced numerous hills and other difficulties along the way.
Among the riders enjoying one of Ireland’s toughest sporting challenges was Olympic medallist Annalise Murphy.
Olympic Star Annalise Murphy joins over 3000 other competitors to complete the 38th edition of the Wicklow 200 in Bray, Co. Wicklow on June 9th 2019 - Photo courtesy Morgan Fullam
The sailing heroine has been a keen bike rider for many years and the Dubliner completed the 200km without difficulty and afterwards declared the day a great success.
“It was great! We actually didn’t get rained on once even though there was a lot of heavy rain around. But yeah, it was pretty tough - I think everyone is feeling pretty tired after it,” the Rio Silver medallist said when she arrived back in Bray.
“But we managed to get a great group with three other guys for the first half, and then we had a group of six or seven of us for the second half, so it made a massive difference just being able to chat to people and we were rotating around, so yeah, overall, a great day out!”
Wicklow 200 is a celebration of road cycling for all as riders of all ages and levels of ability challenge themselves on a variety of steeds.
Riders celebrating at the end of a stellar day on the bike and the event organisers IVCA were also satisfied at the conclusion of another successful edition of Ireland's favourite bike ride.
The riders were supported throughout the day by an army of more than 250 volunteers from the IVCA.
The final finishers in the Wicklow 200 arriving back at Bray Emmets GAA Club just before 8pm, fully 13 hours after their departure on what is always a challenging day on the bike regardless of fitness levels and many, if not most, were soon making plans for the 39th edition of Wicklow 200 in June 2020.
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VIDEO - The Sights and Sounds of the 2019 Wicklow 200
Stunning scenes from the 38th edition of the Wicklow 200. More than 3000 riders enjoyed the beauty of County Wicklow while challenging themselves in Ireland's longest running mass participation bike ride.
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About Wicklow 200
Beginning in 1982, the Wicklow 200 has been organised annually by the Irish Veteran Cyclists Association (I.V.C.A.) and serves as a major fundraising event for cycling in Ireland.
Approximately 200 volunteers will provide first aid, mechanical breakdown, route marshalling, car parking, changing rooms, showers, and refreshment stops.
The 38th annual event took place on June 9th, 2019.
For all event information, including entry details and advice on training, see www.wicklow200.ie
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