Dundalk Based Cycling Club Cuchulainn have launched abitious plans to develop a state of the art 333 metre OutdoorVelodrome, Cycling & Amenity Park in Dundalk. The club are celebrating 75 years since their formation in 1935
The development is the first of it's kind as it will provide for a variety of cycling disciplines including, Track Racing, Mountain Biking, Cyclo Cross & BMX racing, as well as multi purpose facilities for other events such as running, skate boarding and roller blading. Local Architects and club members Derek McEnteggart and Bernard Dowdall have come up with a concept design that will also include wide open green spaces that will be of use to all in the community incorporating children's play and picnic areas, and top class racing on small circuits makes for an excellent spectator sport. Martin Bellew, Chairman of Dundalk Town Council speaking at the launch said "this was a very exciting project for the Town and would help build on the proud heritage of cycling in the Dundalk area". Additionally he went on to say "members of the Council would fully support the park and would provide as much help as they could". Also present at the launch were a number of Town Engineers, Catherine Duff, a Senior Engineer with Dundalk Town Council, was very impressed with the project and has invited representatives from the club to a meeting with senior planners from Dundalk Council to see how best to proceed as she feels the project ties in with there plans for a submission to the Smarter Travel Project Fund. A cycling park of this nature will help to establish Dundalk as the Cycling Capital of Ireland with a strong cycling culture, backed up with a good road infrastructure, urban cycle lanes and the huge natural resources of the Cooley Mountains. Club chairman Pat O'Shaughnessy also speaking at the launch said "We want to develop a cycling park that will introduce the sport to this and future generations, as well as providing the people of Dundalk with a top class sporting facility, something that has never been done in Ireland in the past".
One only needs to look to the UK where a velodrome built in Manchester for the 2002 Commonwealth Games had such a knock on effect that by 2008 British Cycling picked up a record nine gold medals in Beijing and cycling in the country has seen huge increases in the numbers of people on the roads. The club believe that this developement will make Dundalk Ireland's Cycling Capital Dundalk with infrastructure and participation to rival other great cycling hot spots world wide such as San Francisco or Sydney.
The Valley Preferred Cycling Center. The most celebrated velodrome in modern American cycling history - can trace its beginnings to the dream of one inspired visionary and its legendary success to the inspired dreams of countless champions who began their trek to glory on its 333-meter track. Known for the first 20 years of its existence as the Lehigh County Velodrome - or simply “T-town,” as it is affectionately referred to by the national and international racers who make their homes here each summer. - the concrete crater in a corn field was the idea of publisher Bob Rodale. Rodale fell in love with track cycling while competing as an Olympic and Pan American games skeet shooter in the 1960s. The president of Rodale Press and later publisher of Bicycling and Mountain Bike magazines knew in his heart that the excitement and colorful action of this healthful sport could capture the interest of Americans.
For further information contact info@dundalkcycling.com or see www.dundalkcycling.com