From a trip down memory lane with Penny Farthings to pedal to paddle events, Bike Week was fun for all ages

BIKE Week 2018 got hundreds of people in county Sligo of all ages and fitness levels on their bikes through a host of events which took place between the 9th and 17th June. Bike Week is a celebration and promotion of all that’s great about bikes and cycling, and aims to get people to fall back in love with something they may not have tried since a child. Sligo seems to have achieved that with positive feedback from the events throughout the week, which included Adult Learn to Cycle lessons, leisure cycles, lunchtime cycles, school cycling events, bike film, sportives and more.

One of the highlight events was the Family Bike Fest, which closed off the week-long celebration of cycling. The event took place at IT Sligo Knocknarea Arena on Sunday 17th June. While the morning started off wet and cold it quickly cleared up and turned into a fantastic day of fun and laugher as children as young as 2 got to grips with the skills and drills obstacle course. Not only did the children get to have fun but so too did the many adults who tried out the range of unique bikes on offer from a Penny Farthing to a Uni Cycle.

The day closed off with a 2km bike trail around the grounds of IT Sligo with each child receiving a Bike Week medal for their accomplishment.

Events took place right across the county across the week with 15km leisure cycles in Mullaghmore and Ballymote, unfortunately Storm Hector led to the cancellation of the Easkey Cycle. Ballinafad and Doorly Park held Pedal to Paddle events, while adult cycling workshops took place in Tubbercurry and Bunninadden. The natural resources of Union Wood and Cairns Wood hosted Mountain Bike Taster sessions. Local cycling clubs hosted leisure spins around Lough Gill and across the Ox Mountains and Coolaney Development Company hosted an under 6s introduction to cycling event in the local park. One event that proved it is never too late to learn something new was the Adult Learn to Cycle Lessons that took place for one hour every day during Bike Week. Men and women, who had not been on bikes for over 30 years if at all took part and learned to cycle along the fabulous cycle trail facilities of Doorly Park and Cleveragh Regional Park in a safe environment.

Bike Week is a national event co-ordinated locally by Sligo County Council and Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership with support from many local cycling clubs and community organisations.

The success of the week highlighted the fantastic facilities Sligo has on offer for cycling from cycle trails to parks and woodlands. For more see www.bikeweek.ie

Cyclists getting ready for the start of the Ox Mountain Cycling Club annual cycle race in south Sligo recently which was a good success.

Comittee Members and Stewards of the Ox Mountain Cycling Club who organised their recent annual cycle race. Pics: Tom Callanan.

The Ballinafad Pedal to Paddle was a big hit this year.

Lots of fun for the family at the Bike Fest.

Children cycling the 2km trail at IT Sligo.

The sun shone down on Mullaghmore for the 15km leisure cycle.

Enjoying the events on Father’s Day.

Ducking low to make it under the limbo pole.

Getting to try out the Penny Farthing.