Lap The lough

Event

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If you're new around here then have a good read. All event information is listed below. If you're a regular then take note of our new start/finish location and the changes to the route.

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  1. What is it?

  You ride a bike around Lough Neagh, that big water feature in the top half of Ireland. We'll do our best to make sure you make it round.

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  2. When is it?

  As ever, we hold the event on the bank holiday weekend, Sunday August 26th - some will have a full day to recover on Monday!

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  3. Where is it?

  This year we're moving the whole event over to Maghery Country Park, it's only about 15 minutes from the previous location.

• about

  

  Lap The Lough is not exclusively for the elite or club cyclist but for anyone up for a challenge. The event aims to encourage as many cyclists to do 1 lap of Lough Neagh on Sunday 26th August (Bank Holiday in the North on the following Monday). We've tried to give as much help as possible to anyone who hasn't attempted this distance before with a training plan and other links. So if you've been waiting for the opportunity to get back in the saddle... here it is!

• Dates & Times

  

  The event leaves again from Maghery Country Park, located a few miles off Exit 12 on the M1 (exit for Portadown). It's about 30 minutes from Belfast and about 1h45min from Dublin. From Exit 12 on the M1 there are brown signs directing you to "Maghery Country Park". The Sign-on is between 7.30am and 9.00 am sharp. First groups leave at 9.15am and go anticlockwise around Lough Neagh.

• Route

  

  
  This year we're going anticlockwise, turning left for the best part of the day, speeding up the Lap and making it safer, getting through Portadown and Antrim a bit earlier in the day. We leave Maghery go through Portadown, cross the Bann river and then toward Kinnego, Gawleys Gate, Glenavy. We stop at Shane's Castle (outside Antrim) for lunch then Randalstown, Toome, Ballyronan and back to Maghery. Marshalls will patrol the main junctions to help riders to cross safely.

• Distance

  

  The route is mapped at 130km or 81 miles. However the route is subject to last minute changes so this might rise by a few miles depending on road conditions closer to the date. On average there is a stop every 20 miles. At the first stop there will be water and a snack. The lunch stop is at Clotworthy Gardens in Antrim town, roughly half way and the third stop at roughly 60 miles in Ballyronan. Back at the finish there'll be tea/coffee and a bite to eat.

• Safety Info

  

  We're asking everyone to wear a helmet. We will have both motorbike marshalls, safety cars and police manning junctions. 3 Ambulances will be on hand as will First Aiders. Everyone is issued with a unique wristband with their personal ID. Emergengy numbers are listed on this. If you have a medical condition please write this on the space on the wrist band. Add an I.C.E (In Case of Enmergency) number on your mobile phone and carry this with you.

• LTL Stuff

  

  Cricketers have them, footballers get them, it's time the cycle cap was raised to the same stature. We're producing some classic retro LTL cycling caps again - free to you on finish line. There's no t-shirt this year and instead we're producing the first official LTL cycle top. We're doing a "special price" Entry + Cycle Top this year for Feb & March guaranteeing delivery before 26th August.

• Help Out

  

  We need volunteers! If you can help out at registration, marshaling or at any of the stops, then get in touch using the links at the bottom of the page.

• stay

  

  If you're travelling over from the UK or up from the South there are loads of options available. We've got a 20% off at The Ramada Encore in Belfast (details to follow) and there will also be free camping at Maghery Country Park, so you could pitch up the night before, have your car parked and registered while you still have your slippers on. Drop us an email to reserve your pitch.

• 2000 Limit

  

  We've raised the cap to 2000 bikes, hopefully no once will be disappointed this year. Registration closes once we hit than number. If we don't reach the quota then registration will close on the 31st July. There will be no provision to pay on the morning, you must sign up in advance.