XC NPS Round 1 – Cunga CC – Q&A

by Offroad Commission · Published February 5, 2013 · Updated February 5, 2013

I am delighted to present you a short interview with David O’Loughlin and Gary Collins,
the main men behind the Cunga Cycling Club which will host the first round of this year’s Cross Country NPS on the 14th of April.
Enjoy!

Max Power
XC Co-ordinator

Cunga CC is a relatively new club on the Irish cycling scene. Tell us something about your
club, how did it start? What is your main focus (XC, Road, Track etc.) and plans for the
future?

Cunga Cycling Club was founded in early 2011 by current chairman David O’Loughlin who is a former
Irish National Road Champion and 2008 Beijing Olympian on the track. The club currently has just over
100 members across a diverse age profile varying from 6 year old kids to 80 year old leisure cyclists.
Our goal is to maximize participation in cycling related activities in our locality. We are lucky to have a
huge choice of quiet country roads with amazing scenery and thousands of acres forests to mountain
bike. The club has a strong road presence locally and nationally with the talented brothers Charles and
Jason Prendergast. Future plans for the club would be to continue to build on the solid foundations we
have laid by increasing membership, developing youth talent across all cycling disciplines and running a
diverse range of events that show case our club and Cong.

Where do Cunga CC members ride, what are your favourite places for a cross
country spin?

There’s a trail that was built by the Guinness family when they owned Ashford Castle, now a world
famous hotel, which runs from Cong to neighboring village Clonbur and on to Mount Gable hill. It runs
through the Cong/Clonbur woods and contains a serious of stone cut bridges and viaducts that cross all
public thoroughfares along the way. This was so that the Guinness’s and their guests could avoid the
general public when been taken by horse and carriage to Mt. Gable for picnics. The route transverses
one of the most spectacular woodlands in the country, with its rare trees, plant life and limestone
pavement. When you exit the woods it’s a muscle burning climb to the hill top for some amazing views
of Lough Corrib and Mask, and the Connemara Mountains to the west. On the way back home we
generally finish off our ride with a blast around our race trails before ending up back in Cong village for a
well earned coffee.

I know you have a special kids program in Cunga CC, can you tell me more about
it? What are your views on the Youth Development in Ireland (off-road cycling in
particular) ?

We run a youth MTB programme that introduces and educates kids on the basics of mountain biking.
The important aspect is that they have fun, get muddy and burn off plenty of energy whilst being
challenged in a safe environment. From a young age it is amazing to see the kids progress, picking up
skills and awareness of balance, control etc. Very rewarding as a coach and they keep you on your toes!

Re: Off road development at national level. I guess ultimately off road does not seem to have the priority
that other disciplines from the IIS or Cycling Ireland HP directors at least in the past when I was involved.
I guess the level of funding or lack of from the ISC / CI makes it difficult to do much but we have to be
innovative and create opportunities like what I created with Connacht Cycling Project 2018 Programme.
It relies heavily on volunteers and has a small operating budget but yet gets the guys and girls good
coaching opportunities on a regular basis with competition opportunities for talented athletes.

What is your motivation behind hosting a National Point Series XC race?

We feel that Cong and its surrounds have so much to offer all Mountain Bike enthusiasts and adventure
hungry visitors. Due to the trails close proximity to Cong village, where most of us grew up, we have all
been riding bike through the woods since we were knee high to a grasshopper. Therefore, we want to
showcase and share all that our unique village has to offer.

You have a local track on which you run your club races and that is where the NPS
will be held on the 14th of April, can you tell us something about it, what should
the riders expect?

Our track is located on in deciduous woodland that was once part of the Ashford Castle Estate and has
many unique features. The trail is mostly made of naturally created single track which meanders through
the trees. There are some short sharp climbs and tight technical sections over some of the areas
naturally occurring limestone rocks features. There is also a very fast flowing descent from Pigeon Hole
Cave, through a narrow viaduct and on to a flat section which runs along the Cong River. It demands full
concentration and leave you with a smile on your face at finish.

If the racers wanted to bring their families for a weekend away in Cong, what
is there to do?

Cong is an adventure playground situated on the shores of Lough Corrib, an ideal location for a family
weekend away at the gateway to Connemara. We have a great selection of hotels, B&B’s and self-
catering accommodation. As far as activities go we have excellent Walking, Fishing, Falconry, Horse
Riding, Archery, Clay Shooting, Kayaking, Lake cruising, Waterskiing and great roads/forests for
exploring. We are steeped in history with Cong abbey dating back to the 7th century, castles, caves, ring
forts and cairns to explore.