This year, the Hillsborough International Oyster Festival celebrates its 21^st anniversary and following on from last year's successful charity cycles, the organisers have put together three different types of cycle; 

1) the leisure cycle routes which start and finish from the Secret Garden in Hillsborough castle, 

2) an exciting head to head hill climb in the grounds of Hillsborough Castle and, 

3) as per last year, local club Dromara CC will have members cycling from Galway with a gift of oysters from the mayor of that city to be delivered to the mayor of Lisburn.

As before, these cycling events are a means of raising money for the festival's chosen charity which is the Jill Todd Trust.  There are links to sponsorship forms for those who are willing to ask friends, family and neighbours to contribute to this worthwhile charity (see below).

LEISURE CYCLE - START AND FINISH FROM THE SECRET GARDEN

The leisure cycle will take place on Saturday 7 September 2013 and the routes are suitable for a wide range of ages with a family cycle of 15 kilometres as well as options for 50km and 70km routes.  Adults are asked to pay £10 + a minimum of £10 sponsorship.  

Route maps

Family 15 km

Medium 50 km

Long 70 km

In order to help with the administration on the day and to organise the catering we would ask riders to register their details using the "Register Now" button below.  You don't have to pay to pre-register.  Pre-registration closes at 8 pm on Friday.

 For a list of those who have pre-registered click here

Sign on opens on the day at 9am and closes at 10am. Riders start when they are ready to go.  

The Hillsborough Castle hill climb is a brand new event for the oyster festival 2013 and is kindly sponsored by the Plough bar and restaurant in Hillsborough. 

Saturday 7th September will see top cyclists in Northern Ireland go head to head on a tight and steep hill in the castle grounds in this knock out race.  Watch their adrenalin pumping and hearts racing whilst sweat will be pouring off these athletes as they power there way to victory at the top of the hill.

This is a real spectator event and the competitors will need all your support to cheer them on as they tackle this epic event, it’s a knockout competition so you can pick your favourite and hope they make it through the heats to the final where one will be crowned King or Queen of the hill and presented with £200 prize money and a trophy.

Whether you think you are fit enough to take part or want to come along and enjoy this exciting race event, all are welcome!

The climb is just 250 metres and finishing in the courtyard of the Castle.  In the same area the soap box derby will be taking place between rounds of the hill climb.  There will be a great atmosphere with lots of spectators looking on.

This is a pre-entry only event in order to sort out the starting grids.  
Entry closes at 8pm on Friday.

The entry fee is just £5 which is payable on the day but there will only be a limited number of places so get entering now.  Sign on opens at 11 am with the first round starting at 12 pm.

For a list of those who have pre-registered click here

Riders coming along for this event need to come in via the main gates of the castle.