The spectacular hills of Golan and High Glen was the setting for the 2012 Castle Cycles Bogman mountain biking race that took place on Sunday past (15th July). The sun shone brightly all day as almost sixty competitors tackled the tough climbs and the challenging descents.
The race started with an initial climb that would test the best of athletes amounting to almost 1,100ft of climbing and 17% gradients at times.
However, at the top of the first climb, everyone was treated to some of the finest views in the country prior to a flowing singletrack descent to the Lough Nacreaght reservoir.
An undulating mix of double and singletrack then presented competitors with an opportunity to stretch the legs prior to commencing the long and technical ascent to almost 1,100ft once more. Encouraged by the fantastic marshalls, all competitors made it up the final climb and were presented with some of the most enjoyable singletrack to the finishing line.
Paul McCarter crossed the finishing line in first position to win the Senior Mens Category in a spectacular time of 48 minutes and 49 seconds. Clive Caldwell followed closely in second with Darragh McCarter in third only a minute or two behind.
The Senior Womens category was won by Siobhan McLaughlin and Danielle Toal came in second position.
Ciaran Coyle was first across the line in the ‘Bitta Craic’ category, finishing a very impressive tenth overall, despite having succumbed to a fall off the bike caused by the legendary Bogman. Alan Lyttle finished in second position with Paul Nash finishing closely behind in third.
It was clear that all competitors, whether experienced athletes or novices really enjoyed the sense of achievement that came with participating and completing the event, with smiles and tales of their fortune (or misfortune) that occurred along the route.
The Donegal Mountain Biking Club would like to extend our sincere thanks to all competitors, marshalls, support staff, landowners and nearby residents for their support. The Club would like to pay a special thanks to Castle Cycles of Raphoe for their ongoing support and to Sports Foods Ireland for providing competitors with pre and post cycle nutrition. The next round of the Castle Cycles MTB XC Series takes place in Malin in September.
