SSRP provides support for the hosting of cycling events, club development and club information.
Cycling Club Development
SSRP is committed to supporting the development of new cycling clubs in County Sligo. Support and grant aid assistance may be available for the establishment of cycling clubs which are affiliated to the National Governing Body (Cycling Ireland). Club development support is provided in areas including club planning, developing club structures, recruitment and training of volunteers and coaches, administration and development of new opportunities for increased participation in cycling.
Ladies Tour of Lough Gill
The Ladies Tour of Lough Gill is a women’s only cycling event which is organised annually each September by Innisfree Wheelers Cycling Club with support from Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership. At national level the event receives support from Sport Ireland under the Women in Sport programme and the Health Service Executive Get Ireland Active initiative.
The event is particularly targeted at inactive women who wish to get fit through the sport of cycling. Each year Innisfree Wheelers Cycling Club organise training spins for beginner cyclists during August/ September in the lead up to the event.
Bike Week
Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership in association with Sligo County Council support the annual Department of Transport Bike Week initiative which is held annually each year in June. Bike Week is a cross-community effort to highlight cycling as a fun, cost effective and healthy way to travel. A number of initiatives take place annually during bike week which are open to all including youth cycling skills and drills, adult learn to cycle lessons, adult spins, cycle to work day, mountain biking etc.
Bike For Life
Sligo Sport and Recreation roll out the Cycling Ireland Bike for Life programme. This is a beginner’s cycling programme, in which a cyclist is brought through the various skills and techniques involved in cycling over an 4 to 10 week period (length is tailored for each group). The focus of the programme is on learning cycling skills and meeting new people, with the group cycle a prominent feature in the programme.
Balance Bikes
SSRP in partnership with the County Childcare Committee supported thought the CYPSC Healthy Ireland fund are delivering a specially designed balance bike programme for pre-schools. The Balance Bike programme is for children aged 2 to 5 years and is the fundamental starting point for children’s cycling and an excellent opportunity to promote active lifestyles at the earliest possible age.
The Balance Bike Training is delivered on-site to pre-school teachers, under the direction of a qualified Cycling Instructor. The training aims to give pre-school teachers the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to effectively deliver, fun and practical sessions with children age 2 to 5 years. All pre-school teachers will receive lesson plans on the day that they can utilize with their class. Following training preschools will have the opportunity to avail of the use of 10 Balance Bikes and helmets that will remain on-site at the pre-school for a 3 week period and receive three follow on support hours from the Cycling Instructor to help with delivering the practical elements to the children. At the end of the 3 weeks each pre-school will get to keep 2 balance bike for ongoing use.
Cycling Club Information:
Cycling Clubs in County Sligo include:
