Spotlight on cycling clubs in Offaly for Bike Week

Many thanks to the various cycling clubs across the county who are supporting Bike Week in Offaly.

If you’re looking to dip your toe into cycling, get back into cycling or get out on your bike more regularly, feel free to link in with any of the local cycling clubs below:

Team 905, Edenderry

Team905 (so named because the Sunday spins leave Edenderry at 9:05am!) was set up in 2009 and draws its membership from North Offaly and North West Kildare. With about 50 members, the regular Sunday morning spins feature routes through Offaly, Kildare, Meath, Westmeath and Laois. Members have also occasionally gone farther afield and cycled the Tour of Flanders; and some of the classic stages of the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España.

We are always on the lookout for new members and will be announcing spins for beginners on our Facebook page - https://www.facebook .com/TeamR905/ - in the near future.

Grand Canal Wheelers, Daingean

Based in Daingean, the club was formed in 2014. In 2015, the club house, which was the town's former fire station, was opened. We are an adult only club participating in road cycles, but with the development of the Grand Canal Greenway, a large number of our members make use of this amenity on a regular basis. We run an annual “Peatlands Cycle”, which takes place on the 1st Saturday in May; and funding from this event supports a number of local charities such as the Ken Smollen Food Appeal and the Daingean Lourdes fund. We offer “couch to 50km” programmes; and spend the summer months building up our distances so that we can travel to and from our annual club trip by bike. People can contact us through our Facebook page, https://www.facebook. com/DaingeanGrand CanalWheelers or by email to daingeangrand canalwheelers @gmail.com

Tullamore Cycling & Touring Club

Founded in 1990, though people have been coming to cycle together since the 1970’s in Tullamore, the club meets at the ball alley car park every Saturday at 10am for the coffee spin; and on Sundays at 8:30am for the group spins. During the summer, group spins are also organised on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

Groups vary in ability from racing to leisure and everything in between. We cater for racing and cyclocross with the majority of our members cycling socially with the odd sportive thrown in for good measure. We also have an active social side to the club including barbecues, Christmas party, etc. Annually, we host the Pat Colgan Cycle, typically in August, which attracts over 400 cyclists. Last year, we raised €12,000 for local charities as part of this event. People can contact us through our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/TullamoreCycling. All welcome; and bikes can be provided for people getting started.

Lynx Cycling Club, Ferbane

Lynx Cycling Club (a play on the word “links”) in Ferbane was established in 2011, after people from various local areas linked together to raise money for charity. The club offer opportunities to participate in mountain biking, road racing and recreational cycling; and continues its tradition of taking part in charity cycles and other local cycling events. During the summer, meet and spins from Ferbane Business Park take place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays; with the club also taking part in a local cycling league on Thursday evenings. A “couch to 50km” programme will also be starting in July People can contact us through our Facebook page, https://www.facebook .com/LynxCyclingClub/ or by email to lynxcyclingclub@ gmail.com

Wolftrap Cycling Club, Birr

Based in Birr, Wolftrap Cycling Club was established in 2005. Participating in road cycling and mountain biking, the club meets at Horans Shop, Newbridge Street for their spins. People can contact us through our Facebook page, https://www.facebook. com/WolftrapCC

Family cycling in Offaly and its surrounds

If you’re looking for something to do this Bike Week with family or friends, take a look at Offaly Sports Partnership’s guide to family friendly cycling venues in Offaly and its environs; so why not strap on the bikes, strap in the kids, pack the helmets, and ride your bicycle this Bike Week and throughout the summer in any one of five delightful venues:

Lough Boora Parklands

For those that have not visited Lough Boora Discovery Park, it’s well worth the trip. Offering miles of safe cycling on marked trails in a unique environment, there are a number of routes available: - i. 5km Sculpture walking & cycling trail ii. 9.3km Mesolithic walking & cycling trail iii. 15.8km Turraun walking & cycling trail Each trail explores a different habitat within the park and provides plenty of opportunities to catch a glimpse of the grey partridge, corncrake or any other number of birds, animals, flora and fauna of the park. Families can bring their own bikes, or rent them from Lough Boora Bike Rental which can be found beside the cafe in the park. Route maps and more information can be found by visiting www.loughboora.com

The "Old Rail Trail"

The Old Rail Trail is a purpose built off-road shared pedestrian and cycleway trail, along a disused railway track from Garrycastle to Mullingar. Generally flat with a smooth surface and some gentle slopes, this trail is ideal for family groups of all ages, and all types of bikes. Approximately 40km in length, there are a number of access points on to the Old Rail Trail. Route maps and more information can be found by visiting http://www.athlone.ie /visit/the-greenway -cycleway/

Grand Canal Greenway

The Grand Canal Greenway is a 70km purpose built off-road shared pedestrian and cycleway trail, along the Grand Canal from Edenderry to Shannonharbour; while a further 13km is complete from Ballycommon to Kilbeggan. Generally flat with a smooth surface and some gentle slopes, this trail is ideal for family groups of all ages, and all types of bikes. Check out https://www. visitoffaly.ie/ Things-to-do/ Outdoor Adventures/ Cycling/ for more information on cycling routes in Offaly

Mount Lucas Wind Farm

It’s not just wind energy that’s being produced at Mount Lucas Wind Farm; Bord na Móna Powergen has completed the development of a 7km walk / cycleway around the farm. This colour coded route is proving a big hit with fitness and biodiversity enthusiasts because as well as providing pathways for walkers, runners, joggers and cyclists, the site also allows people to view first hand a cutaway bog and its re vegetation. With approximately 500 people using the facility a week; and car parks at the northern and eastern ends of the site, the park is going strength to strength. For more information on Mount Lucas Wind Farm as a cycling destination, check out http://www.bord namona.ie/ corporate- responsibility/ amenities/ mount lucas/

Bike the Blooms: mountain biking in Offaly

For those looking for something a bit more adventurous, check out the Slieve Bloom Mountain Bike Trails. There are three trails to choose from: - i. Blue – 14.5km (moderate grade) ii. Red 1 (river trail) – 22km (difficult grade) iii. Red 2 (mountain top) – 30km (severe grade) Details one each trail can be found at https://www. visit offaly.ie/ Things-to -do/Outdoor -Adventures/ Slieve Bloom- Mountain-Bike- Trails/ Bike hire available onsite while Mid Ireland Adventure and Birr Outdoor Education Centre offer guided tours on the trails. Contact Mid Ireland Adventure on 085 1735204 or Birr Outdoor Education Centre on 057 91 20029 to book your guided mountain bike tour