Nicolas Roche Summer Classic in Meath

Irish cycling star Nicolas Roche, currently riding in the Tour de France, has announced details of a Meath Summer Classic cycle that he is planning for Dunshaughlin next month.
Following the success of his cycle event from Ashbourne for the past couple of Octobers, Nicolas has decided to put on a summer event to cater for families during the holiday period.
The leisure spins take off from Dunshaughlin, where his uncle Laurence, now living in Summerhill, resided for many years, on Saturday 16th August, with three different routes - the family cycle of 12 km, and 60km and 100km routes.
The family spin is a simple route out and back the same road. Leaving Dunshaughlin, it heads out to Dunsany cross where there will be refreshments. It turns around and come back in the same route.
The 60km route is designed to help beginners get started with leisure cycling. It is not completely flat, there are a few hills put in there to help you get out of your saddle. The route travels from Dunshaughlin towards Navan on the Navan road, turning towards Royal Tara Golf Club. The route goes over the Hill of Tara, Dunsany, Kiltale, Scurlogstown, Laracor, Summerhill, where there’s a break for refreshments, then out the Dunboyne Road, turning at Mullagh Cross to go back to Dunshaughlin.
The 100km route is designed for a more active cyclist as it is not completely flat, there are a few hills put in there to help you get out of your saddle. Similar to the 60k route as far as Summerhill, it then heads for Rathmolyon and Longwood, taking in a spin towards Enfield, before returning to Summerhill and continuing to Dunshaughlin.
The Marie Keating Charity, set up in memory of another former Dunshauglin resident, will benefit from the Meath Summer Classic. To register, see www.meath-summer-classic.com