Reen’s Car Sales Rathmore, main Peugeot dealers for Co. Kerry and Peugeot Ireland are supporting the newly launched Sliabh Luachra Cycling Club.

Pictured from left to right are: Padraig Keane, Tim Reen, Reen’s Rathmore, Emma Toner, Peugeot Marketing Manager, Donie Kelleher and John Reen, Dealer Principal, Reen’s Rathmore, Main Peugeot Dealers in Kerry.

The 111-member-strong cycling club is today the biggest cycling club in Co.  Kerry and possibly the biggest in Munster. The formation of the Club has seen eight competitive racers join, to include top-racer Denis Lynch. The official launch of the Cycling Club took place at Reen’s Car Sales, Rathmore on Thursday, 09 May with a strong attendance from Club members, family and friends.

The Sliabh Luachra Cycling Club was formed following an initial meeting held in Rathmore in July 2012 by locals, Donie Kelleher and Padraig Keane, who were both keen to join a cycling club.

With many local cyclists already actively taking part in the Ring of Kerry cycle, interest in establishing a new local club quickly grew throughout the area to attract a record membership. The Club has been fondly dedicated to the memory of Willie Reen and Paud O’Leary, local cycling fans, who are sadly missed in their homeland.

Presently, the Club caters for all levels of cycling, both racing and leisure from 15 years of age and upwards and twice weekly Club spins attract up to 50 members per ride. Members will compete in 10 events this year, the most popular being the Ring of Kerry when the Club expect to have 75 members participating. For the future generations of cyclists, plans are afoot to provide coaching and lessons to a juvenile club.

With a wealth of experience, Denis Lynch has been invited to become Head Coach at the Club. Denis, who has spent some years in France as a professional cyclist in an Ireland jersey, recently represented the Sliabh Luachra Club at Ras Mumhan.

On August 17th, the Club will hold its  own leisure tour with three routes planned to satisfy all levels of skill: the Paud O’Leary route is 100km, the Willie Reen route is 60km and the family run is 10km. Members from cycling clubs all over the country are invited to participate. To register an interest in this event, cyclists are requested to visit the Facebook Page, Sliabh Luachra Cycling Club or email sliabhluachracc@hotmail.com.

Donie Kelleher, Club Chairman, said, “We would like to sincerely thank our sponsors Reen’s Rathmore and Peugeot Ireland, Motion Cycles Killarney, Curran Moore & Co. Registered Accountants, O’Keefe’s Oil and Mike Cronin ReadyMix. Without the support of our sponsors, we would not have such a strong and promising start to our venture. We would also like to thank our very enthusiastic and active members for making the first year as a Club a very memorable affair to date.”