On your bikes for Travelwise NI Bike Week

Ballymoney Borough Council, working in conjunction with partners Ballymoney Cycling Club (Leisure and Racing), Coleraine Borough Council and Sustrans Connect2 is delighted to announce an exciting programme of cycling events FREE FOR ALL THE FAMILY! Everyone is welcome to come along, enjoy the fun and celebrate Bike Week.

The first event is the popular Lower Bann Leisure Cycle which takes place on Saturday 18 June at 10am. This challenging yet leisurely 18-mile bike ride starts and finishes in Ballymoney’s Riverside Park (main car park off Armour Avenue) and follows NCN Route 96 into Coleraine, returning to Ballymoney via the Lower Bann Cycleway. Following mostly minor country roads, the route affords beautiful views across the Antrim Hills and River Bann and light refreshments are available at the half way point. This event is aimed at families and individuals with previous cycling experience and a reasonable level of fitness as there are several small hill climbs. Not suitable for primary school age children. Post primary children must be accompanied by an adult.

The second event is the Kid’s ‘Fun on Bikes’ Bonanza on Tuesday 21 June at 3.30pm. Aimed at children aged 8 years and under, this event will be safely held within the grounds of Ballymoney Model Controlled Integrated Primary School. Fun on bikes is the key theme, including early stage skills and cycle games and parents are encouraged to join in the activities!

On Thursday 23 June at 6.30pm is the Riverside Park “ Family Fun Cycle.” Especially for children aged 9-11 years, this is a great opportunity for a safe and enjoyable family bike ride. The event kicks off at the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre with a short 30 minutes of fun and skills training, followed by an off-road leisure ride along the town’s Connect2 shared use path network and Riverside Park.

Finally an exciting event for 12-16 year olds. The Youth ’Leisure Bike Ride’ with Professional Cyclists takes place on Friday 24 June at 6.30pm at Townhead Street Car Park. This is a very special opportunity to ride with Ballymoney CC Racing Team and meet the very best local, national and international cyclists. They will ride at your own pace, and you can come along on any type of bicycle or tricycle. Ballymoney CC Leisure and Racing members will have tandems, special needs cycles and a “Come and try it” range of town and country cycles for everyone to get involved. Participants will cycle around the town with the top senior and youth cyclists, male and female and you will have a chance to see the equipment they use and the bikes they ride. There will also be a display of top of the range performance lightweight bikes and equipment.

For all the events, participants aged 16 years and under must be accompanied by an adult and wear a cycle helmet. Events on 21-24 June welcome children with all abilities and disabilities whether on a bicycle, tricycle or balance bike (with or without stabilisers). FREE healthy snacks and drinks will be supplied and there is a certificate for every child.

BIKE TO WORK DAY FRIDAY 17 JUNE

BIKE TO SCHOOL DAY WEDNESDAY 22 JUNE

During Bike Week Ballymoney Borough Council encourages everyone to cycle to school, college or work as an alternative to using motorised transportation!

This Programme of cycling events has been made possible through the financial support of Travelwise NI.

For further information on any of the above events please contact Ballymoney Borough Council on 028 2766 0227 or visit www.ballymoney.gov.uk