Borough gears up for Bike Week

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has announced the Bike Week 2016 programme of events, funded by Travelwise NI, which will run from 11th until 19th June.

The event will offer bike events to residents across the borough.

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, councillor Michelle Knight-McQuillan explained, “Council is delighted to be able to offer a range of cycling events throughout the whole borough, including a new event in both the legacy Limavady and Moyle areas. Having looked at the programme of events, there is something to cater for every age and ability level, with emphasis firmly on fun and participation – so bring all the family along to enjoy Bike Week 2016.”

In addition to providing free cycle training to a number of schools in the Ballymoney area in the lead up to Bike to School Day, the following events are geared towards families and novice cyclists.

Ladies Ride Out for both Beginners and Improvers welcomed, every Thursday from 26th May until 16th June from 7pm until 8:30pm, meeting at Dalriada School, rear car park.

Lower Bann Leisure Cycle, a leisurely 16 miles cycle with low average speed, will run from Ballymoney to Coleraine and return on Saturday 11th June from 10am until 1pm, starting and finishing at Riverside Park (main car park off Armour Ave), Ballymoney.

Between the waters of the Roe & Foyle (Swanns Bridge to Myroe & return, Limavady) there will be a leisurely 12 miles cycle on Monday 13th June at 6:45pm, meeting at Swanns Bridge, Seacoast Road, Limavady.

Wednesday 15th June sees the annual Bike Week BBQ and cycle ride at Cloonavin, Council’s Headquarters in Coleraine, with the 6 miles cycle ride starting at 6:45pm, followed by a BBQ at Cloonavin.

There’s an opportunity to come along and see how local racing cyclists tackle a town centre route in Coleraine on Thursday 16th June, when Bann Wheelers Cycling Club, celebrating their 50th Anniversary, hosts local riders in a series of races starting at 6:30pm.

Finally, ‘Banter by Bike’, a 6 mile cycle at Ballypatrick Forest (between Ballycastle & Cushendun) will be held on Saturday 18th June 2016 at 10:30am. The meeting point is the main forest car park on Cushendun Road, on the left hand side approaching from Ballycastle direction.

Mark Strong, from Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Coast and Countryside Unit, concluded, “Cycling is a great way to enjoy the great outdoors, to get fitter, meet new friends and experience parts of our beautiful local landscape you don’t appreciate while driving in a car.

“We look forward to welcoming back regular Bike Week attendees and would love to see new faces coming along to enjoy the range of events we have on offer during the week”.

Other bodies including Ballymoney Cycling Club, Bann Wheelers Cycling Club, Transport NI, County Hall’s Causeway Sport & Leisure Club, Forest Service and PSNI have also contributed to events.