Free social bike rides in Tipp
Local volunteers have signed up to lead-free, social bike rides in local communities across Tipperary. Greg Starr (Nenagh), Tomás Ó’Miadhacháin (Cashel) and Christy Reid (Borrisoleigh) have become the first AXA Community Bike Ride Leaders in their areas.
Cycling Ireland has partnered with AXA Insurance to create AXA Community Bike Rides, an exciting new programme that inspires people all over Ireland to get out on their bikes. Interested volunteers are provided with free training and support to become leaders. Each leader can then choose the day, time, route, distance of their ride to suit their availability and capacity.
The online programme provides leaders with the mechanism to create and advertise their bike rides on www.axacommunitybikerides.com. Anyone interested in taking part in any of these bike rides, can simply join as a member on the website for free and register to take part in their preferred bike ride. Rides vary from ‘easy going’ to ‘challenging’ and group sizes vary from eight to a maximum of 16 participants, but all rides include a coffee stop either during or at the end of the bike ride. They are a great opportunity to connect with people in your local community as the social aspect is a key element of the programme.
On a recent Tipp FM interview, local leaders highlighted the many benefits to taking part in AXA Community Bike Rides, as they can help "improve your physical and mental health and provide you with an opportunity to connect with people in your local community. They look forward to welcoming all new participants on their bike rides – you just need a roadworthy bike and helmet".
Leader Greg Starr encouraged all those who may be cycling on their own or perhaps bought a bike through the Bike to Work scheme and haven’t made much use of it to date, to dust it off and come out and join any of the upcoming local bike rides.
There are currently over 1,500 members across the country with over 80 members already registered in Tipperary. AXA Community Bike Rides is a free, social opportunity for anyone wishing to take part in local bike rides. For those who are passionate about cycling and interested in leading bike rides in their local community, free training is being provided with upcoming regional courses taking place in Waterford City, Athlone and Galway. To join a bike ride or become a leader, visit www.axacommunitybikerides.com
UPCOMING RIDES
Easy going Borrisoleigh Loop on Saturday, February 29th, starting from Shanahan's Centra at 10am; Toome’ Loop 3 on Sunday, March 1st, starting from Nenagh Town Park at 10am; Nenagh to Birdhill Loop 1 on Sunday, March 8th, starting rom Stereame car park at 9am.