13 March 2018

The 2018 Fort 2 Fort Charity Cycle Sportive takes place on Sunday, April 15th, and will raise funds for the Mercy University Hospital Foundation, four Cork City and County Lions Clubs, and Camden Fort Meagher Restoration.

 

As well as a number of new and exciting routes around Cork Harbour, this year’s Fort 2 Fort Cycle Sportive includes a “King and Queen of the Mountain" challenge. Cyclists can test their climbing skills as they tackle an intermediate timed-section uphill route of just over 500m on Siddon’s Court Hill, or as the locals call it, Heartbreak Hill, in Aghada, with prizes for the best times for the Top 3 Men and Top 3 Ladies.

 

With three routes to choose from, refreshments along the way, and incredible views of Cork Harbour, the 2018 Fort 2 Fort Charity Cycle is an event not to be missed! The cycle will start and finish in Fort Camden Meagher, Crosshaven, and cyclists can choose to tackle the 60km, 85km or 120km route.

 

Registration is now available online at www.mercyfundraising.ie. For anyone interested in participating, registration is €45 for those who sign up online before 12 noon on April 13th, or at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Little Island on Saturday, April 14th from 5pm to 8pm. For those who register on the day itself, from 8am to 9.30am in Crosshaven GAA Club, it is €50.

 

Fort 2 Fort, now in its 7th year, has firmly established itself in the calendar of Cork’s cycling enthusiasts of all abilities, offering a choice of distances. In 2017 the Fort 2 Fort cycle raised €22,575; and since its inception, over 3,000 cyclists have participated, raising almost €124,000 for the local beneficiaries.

 

Jim O’Connor, Chairman of this year’s Fort 2 Fort Cycle said "The cyclists are at the heart of Fort 2 Fort’s success and we would like to thank them all for their outstanding support to date. We are looking forward to welcoming them and many new participants this year, where we have a choice of great new routes to offer riders of all levels, abilities, and ambitions a challenging and enjoyable day."

 

Thanks to the generous support of main sponsor Ulster Bank, as well as Cork County Council and AirCam, all funds raised go directly to the Mercy Cancer CARE Centre, four Cork City and County Lions Clubs, and Camden Fort Meagher Restoration Fund.

 

Pat Horgan, Head of SME Banking South, Midlands and West, Ulster Bank, who have sponsored the cycle since its inception said “Ulster Bank sees Fort 2 Fort as an exciting and energetic way to raise funds for key Cork charities; and we are thrilled to see many of our staff members also supporting it by taking part in the cycle year after year, highlighting its popularity.”

 

Keep an eye the Mercy Hospital Foundation Facebook and Twitter pages for the latest Fort 2 Fort updates. For further information or to register, visit www.mercyfundraising.ie or call (021) 4274076.