Following a successful start to the 2024, the Irish Track Team compete in Adelaide, Australia for the opening round of the Tissot UCI Track Nations Cup, taking place from Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th of February. Five athletes will compete across four events over the weekend. Mia Griffin, Lara Gillespie, Alice Sharpe and Kelly Murphy will ride in the Team Pursuit, with Erin Creighton as reserve. This is a key event for Ireland, as Olympic qualification in the Team Pursuit provides automatic qualification for the Madison event at the Games. Creighton will also be in Elimination Race action on the opening day as she continues to gain experience among the world’s best. Sharpe and Griffin combine for the Women’s Madison on the second day. The pair are back together in the fast and furious event after Sharpe teamed up with Gillespie in the same event at the European Championships. Gillespie once again takes on the Women’s Omnium on the final day of the weekend, following on from her exceptional fourth place finish at the 2024 UEC Track European Championships, narrowly missing out on a medal by one point. This is the first of two key events in Ireland’s bid for Olympics Qualification. Ireland currently sit in ninth place for Olympic qualification with the top ten nations qualifying. Speaking ahead of the Nations Cup, Cycling Ireland High Performance Director Iain Dyer said: “The team coped fantastically well with a tough first day in Team Pursuit at the Euro’s and bounced back really strongly to finish fourth. This keeps our Olympic qualification in TP, Madison and Omnium on track with two big Nations Cups to come. Hopefully the team can continue this momentum in Adelaide and we can explore our line up and race strategy further in both TP and bunch racing events.” Ireland Schedule (Irish Time) Friday, February 2nd Women’s Team Pursuit Qualifying – 11:30pm (-1 Day) Erin Creighton – Women’s Elimination Race Qualifying – 4:01am Women’s Team Pursuit First Round* – 4:45am Women’s Team Pursuit Finals* – 8:46am Women’s Elimination Race Final* – 9:53am Saturday, February 3rd Alice Sharpe, Mia Griffin – Women’s Madison Qualifying – 4:25am Women’s Madison Final* – 8:30am Sunday, February 4th Lara Gillespie – Women’s Omnium Qualifying – 12:17am Scratch Race – 5:30am Tempo Race – 6:10am Elimination Race – 7:36am Points Race 8:23am * Subject to Qualification The post Irish Track Team Named for Adelaide Nations Cup appeared first on IrishCyclingNews.com | Irish Cycling News | IrishCycling.

A South Dublin County councillor is seeking footage from anybody with dashcams or bicycle cameras after a woman was pushed off her bicycle near Liffey Valley Shopping Centre. Cllr Alan Hayes (independent), who represents the Palmerstown and Fonthill areas, said he witnessed the woman falling after she was pushed by a group of lads on bikes. It happened on the Fonthill Road between Quarryvale Park and the car dealerships at around 10.30am yesterday, March 11th. Cllr Hayes said: “When cycling westbound from Liffey Valley Centre towards the Fonthill Road, I saw a group of lads on bikes approaching, I saw one person fall, and the group cycled on. I almost said to one of them ‘your mate is after falling’, but as they passed me I heard one say to his friend ‘you’re bad’. When I reached the grounded cyclist, I was genuinely shocked to see it was a middle-aged woman.” “She was visibly shaken and crying; she couldn’t understand why they’d pushed her off her bike,” said Cllr Hayes. He said: “She didn’t want the Gardai called and the lads were gone, she checked herself for injuries and continued on her way.” Cllr Hayes said he made the call out for dashcam footage because Gardai in Ronanstown would likely know most of the groups on bikes in the area. He’s asking people to contact him, so, he can follow the issue up with the Gardaí. He added: “The last thing we want is people getting injured, and, if this type of thing happened on a road, with cars whizzing past, who knows the outcome? The segregated cycle lane makes it a very comfortable cycle from Palmerstown to Fonthill Road, after that, it’s a grim enough cycle to County Hall in Tallaght.” https://twitter.com/AlanHayesDublin/status/1767228104840278432?s=20 …

Look fast, feel fast, go fast! All this appears possible with the Bianchi Specialissima RC. The new road bike from Italy makes waves with its unique looks and abundance of high-end components. But is it as fast and graceful as it looks? Bianchi Specialissima RC I 6.6 kg in size 55 I € 12,749 I Manufacturer’s website More than almost any other brand, Bianchi embody extravagant Italian design, solid performance and of course the distinctive bright blue colour “Celeste”. A legacy that dates back to 1885, with numerous victories in the Grand Tours in the hands of some of the most iconic riders, including national heroes Fausto Coppi and Marco Pantani. Bianchi’s enduring commitment to racing, even after almost 140 years, is evident in their portfolio. Virtually every bike is designed for performance. Following the introduction of the new Oltre, a specially designed aero race bike, Bianchi are now going in a very different direction with the Specialissima. The Bianchi Specialissima RC is crafted to be the ultimate all-round racer. Weighing in at an impressive 6.6 kg, the real question is: is there more to this road bike than just being light? Truly unique and innovative, or just a rehash? The equipment and special features of the Bianchi Specialissima RC Visually, it is immediately clear that something has changed on the Bianchi Specialissima. The previous model was much less distinctive, while the new design, with its swooping top tube and low seat stays, is unusual and somewhat bulky. Its lines and angles don’t form a harmonious overall picture, but rather a distinct, bold aesthetic. As an all-rounder, the Bianchi Specialissima RC needs a bit of aero, which is achieved with its flat, almost rectangular tube shapes. In general, it’s quite obvious that the bike is pretty sporty. And surprisingly for a Bianchi, it is predominantly black, although the iconic “Celeste” colour is present on the lower parts of the frame and forks before fading seamlessly into black and reappearing on the decals. Overall, this top-of-the-range model has a fairly subdued colour palette, by Bianchi standards. No alternative colour schemes are available for this high-end version. Special in name and frame: the Bianchi Specialissima. Blue on the bottom and black on the top: This colour gradient is only available on the top model. Another new feature of the Bianchi Specialissima RC is that almost all the parts are from their in-house Reparto Corse engineering department. Apart from the gears, brakes and tires, there is hardly a part that doesn’t come from Bianchi themselves. An outstanding feature are the Reparto Corse RC carbon wheels, which are not only aesthetically pleasing but also equipped with ceramic bearings. The wheels have a rim height of 33 mm and an inner rim width of 21 mm, and are fitted with 26 mm wide ultra-sporty Pirelli P ZERO Race TT tires. Another remarkable feature of the new Bianchi Specialissima RC is of course its low weight of just 6.6 kg for a 55 cm frame height. This is largely due to the use of extremely light components and thin paint. Despite the aerodynamic optimisation, the frame itself has not increased in weight. Bianchi have moved with the times in terms of maximum tire width: you can now fit tires up to 32 mm wide. Priced at € 12,749, our Bianchi Specialissima RC is equipped with the Shimano DURA-ACE groupset, with integrated power meter. The STI levers are mounted on Reparto Corse’s one-piece carbon cockpit, which in our case has a handlebar width of 400 mm. There’s more carbon to be found in the saddle carcass and D-shaped seatpost, too. A standout detail are the bottle cage mounts, which are not only a lovely Celeste colour, but also have a subtle texture. All in all, it’s an impressive package in terms of features, craftsmanship and attention to detail. Almost all parts come from the in-house racing department Reparto Corse. The top model features a fancy RC one-piece cockpit and lightweight wheelset. Models and geometry of the Bianchi Specialissima RC The Bianchi Specialissima is available in two different carbon versions. The Bianchi Specialissima RC and Pro models have high-modulus carbon frames, while the entry-level model uses a more economical carbon fibre, sacrificing weight to keep the price down. All of the latest generation Bianchi Specialissima models are equipped with SRAM or Shimano electric drivetrains – notably, no Campagnolo. Is this a departure from their own Italian racing heritage? For racers on a budget, the Bianchi Specialissima COMP models start at € 4,999 and come with a Shimano 105 Di2 drivetrain. There are two other COMP versions with either a SRAM Rival eTap AXS or Shimano Ultegra Di2 drivetrain. In the middle of the range is the Bianchi Specialissima PRO, which uses higher quality carbon fibre. The PRO model also comes in two different versions, one with Shimano Ultegra Di2 and the other with a SRAM Force eTap AXS drivetrain. “Fake it till you race it” should be the motto for a road bike with this geometry. Even if you’re not racing, it’s no gentle cruiser. The top-of-the-range Bianchi Specialissima RC is available with Shimano’s DURA-ACE Di2 or SRAM’s Red eTap AXS groupset. It features the Reparto Corse RC carbon wheelset and Reparto Corse carbon cockpit. The intended use and target group of each model are also reflected in the gear ratios. Our Bianchi Specialissima RC with DURA-ACE Di2 has a 52/36 crankset and an 11-30 cassette. On the other hand, the Specialissima COMP with Shimano 105 Di2 drivetrain offers a more relaxed setup with a 50/34 crankset and 11-34 cassette. This gear ratio ensures that even less fit riders will find it much easier to climb a mountain pass. Simply the best! The Shimano DURA-ACE on the Bianchi Specialissima RC performs at the highest level. It goes without saying that a bike in this class should have a power meter. As you might expect, the geometry of the Bianchi Specialissima RC is very sporty, but not to the extreme. In the 55 cm frame size, the top tube is relatively long at 55 cm, but not overly so. The reach of 391 mm maintains a moderately racy feel. A short-ish wheelbase of 988 mm makes the Bianchi Specialissima RC more agile than many other road bikes, and the short head tube length of 135 mm encourages the rider to adopt a low and aerodynamic position. The stack-to-reach ratio of 1.37 is particularly sporty compared to the rest of the geometry. All in all, the geometry is racy, but nothing extreme Size 470 500 530 550 570 590 Top tube 514 mm 524 mm 535 mm 550 mm 560 mm 597 mm mm Seat tube 420 mm 450 mm 480 mm 500 mm 520 mm 540 mm mm Head tube 100 mm 105 mm 120 mm 135 mm 150 mm 170 mm mm Head angle 70.5° 71.5° 72° 72.5° 73° 73° ° Seat angle 74.5° 74.5° 74° 73.5° 73.5° 73° ° Chainstay 410 mm 410 mm 410 mm 410 mm 412 mm 412 mm mm BB Drop 58 mm 58 mm 58 mm 58 mm 58 mm 58 mm mm Wheelbase 982 mm 983 mm 984 mm 988mm 996 mm 1,005 mm mm Reach 379 mm 387 mm 386 mm 391 mm 497 mm 400 mm mm Stack 486 mm 494 mm 520 mm 536 mm 552 mm 571 mm mm Feel the speed! The Bianchi Specialissima RC on the test track It’s hard to take your eyes off the Bianchi Specialissima RC. Not necessarily because you like it so much, but simply because it looks so different. But as soon as you get on, you are in attack mode. The riding position is quite aggressive, without being uncomfortable or awkward. However, it’s a matter of personal preference and physical ability. If you can’t touch your toes with your fingertips, it’s best to stay away from such a sporty position to avoid discomfort. The lack of headset spacers on our test bike resulted in a very low riding position, especially in the drops, so it’s advisable not to have a big meal before riding. Fortunately, the Bianchi Specialissima RC normally comes with a small stack of spacers, which makes the experience much more pleasant for us amateur racers. Going fast downhill is the best feeling! The Bianchi Specialissima RC is light and fun to ride. The handling is direct and dynamic. It offers an exhilarating ride, especially on descents with tight corners, yet you always feel in control. Fast direction changes are immediately transmitted and executed. This dynamic responsiveness is particularly noticeable at high speeds, especially in combination with the Pirelli P ZERO Race TT tires, which provide ample grip. The result is a kind of dynamic smoothness that inspires plenty of confidence. With the Bianchi Specialissima RC, the tendency is to want to push the limits – slow crawling doesn’t feel natural, but sprinting and putting the pedal to the metal just feels right. There’s really nothing more to say about the Shimano DURA-ACE groupset. It is currently the best on the market. Every gear change is a pleasure thanks to its direct and precise nature. On the other hand, the 26 mm wide tires seem a bit old-fashioned – many current race bikes are fitted with 28 mm tires. However, the narrow tires only really affect the already firm compliance, which makes the Bianchi Specialissima RC a little uncomfortable on uneven surfaces. Nevertheless, it’s great for the lively and light ride feel. Speaking of lightness: Whipping uphill on such a light bike really is great fun. Every turn of the pedals makes you feel like you have wings. Of course, at some point you might run out of power and have to struggle uphill, but the lightness of the bike is palpable with every pedal stroke, aided by the excellent power transmission. With the lowest possible, but still quite sporty, gear ratio of 36 x 30, climbing hills isn’t exactly effortless. However, the Bianchi Specialissima RC isn’t a bike for long, relaxed rides. It’s far too firm, aggressive and race-oriented for such endeavours. With the hero gear range of 36 x 30 in the lowest gear, you need to push hard uphill. Mountain goat, aero sprinter or an all-rounder? Who is the Bianchi Specialissima RC for? Bianchi describe the Bianchi Specialissima RC as an all-round road bike. The key question is what this description really means and whether the term “all-rounder” might be a little misleading. With its low weight, the bike excels at being fast on mountain stages and agile on climbs. Its aerodynamic optimisation also makes it a good choice for flat routes. In any case, it is well suited for all types of high-performance use, whether in amateur races, fast Fondos or for brisk training sessions. It is, however, less enjoyable for less intense activities such as relaxed group rides or extended four-hour zone 2 rides. The Bianchi Specialissima RC is definitely a good all-rounder, but with one special purpose. If you want to go fast, this is the bike for you, if you can handle it. Conclusion on the Bianchi Specialissima RC With the Specialissima RC, Bianchi have done justice to their racing heritage. It is a truly sporty bike, quick to get up to speed and fun to ride. The equipment and workmanship are also of the highest standard. The mix of aero accents and weight saving is a total success and results in an extremely high fun factor as well as a speed rush. However, the low compliance and narrow tires mean that the surface you ride on needs to be chosen carefully. But if the conditions are right, it’s time to hit the road, Jack. Topsdynamic and very fast ride feelprestigious and high quality componentslooks that stand out from the crowdvery low weight despite aero optimisationFlopslow complianceThe top spec is only available in one colour For more information visit bianchi.com Der Beitrag Bianchi Specialissima RC in review – Race ready erschien zuerst auf GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine.

The UK Trail Project is scoping out where we all ride, to try and bring land managers and riders together Reclaiming lost rights of way could yield thousands of kilometres of new trailsIf you value your local trails, want to improve relationships with the landowner and riders, and reduce tensions with walkers …Continue reading »

Welcome to the BIKE Magazine March 2024 issue To read online click here. To order printed delivery to UK, USA, or Europe click here. BIKE Magazine March 2024 Cover Weather is getting just a bit warmer and spring is around the corner. In this month’s issue cycling enthusiasts will find a diverse range of landscapes and experiences in Oregon State, the Delaware River region, and Cuba, each offering unique charms and challenges. Oregon State’s cycling scene is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and diverse terrain. From the rugged coastline of the Pacific Ocean to the dense forests of the Cascade Range, cyclists can explore a variety of environments. The state’s extensive network of scenic byways and bike-friendly routes caters to riders of all levels. Whether it’s the challenging climbs of the Cascade Mountains or the leisurely rides along the Willamette Valley wine country, Oregon provides an unforgettable cycling experience. On the opposite side of the country lies the Delaware River region, where cyclists can immerse themselves in a blend of historical sites and picturesque landscapes. The area’s flat terrain makes it ideal for cyclists of all abilities, with numerous bike trails weaving through charming towns, lush farmland, and alongside the tranquil waters of the Delaware River. Cyclists can pedal through the scenic Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area or explore the quaint villages of New Hope and Lambertville, making the Delaware River region a haven for leisurely rides and family-friendly cycling adventures. Meanwhile, cycling in Cuba offers a unique blend of culture, history, and tropical scenery. Despite limited infrastructure and resources, Cuban cyclists have a strong passion for the sport, and visitors can often find group rides and races taking place throughout the island. From the bustling streets of Havana to the serene countryside of Viñales, cyclists can discover the rhythm of Cuban life while pedalling past colourful colonial architecture, lush tobacco fields, and pristine beaches. While road conditions may vary, the warmth of the Cuban people and the island’s vibrant atmosphere make cycling in Cuba a truly unforgettable experience. Whether it’s the rugged landscapes of Oregon, the scenic beauty of the Delaware River, or the cultural richness of Cuba, each destination offers cyclists a unique and memorable journey filled with adventure and discovery. Happy Cycling!

Kielder Gravel Weekend 31st Aug & 1st Sep 2024 | Kielder Day One 100km or 59km Day Two 126km or 59km short Route 53km | 1150m Book Now Weekend Overview The biggest gravel weekend of the year at the home of gravel riding in England. Ride the Kielder Forest Epic on Saturday enjoying miles and miles of super smooth fire roads in England’s largest forest. On the Sunday we head over the border on a more rugged and remote route. One of the highlights of the ride is riding into the clouds on the way to the border before dropping down into quaint Scottish Border villages. Kielder is a great place for a weekend. Stay at the official campsite for £10 per night or in the nearby lodges and B&Bs. Kielder Water is nearby and in the evening check out the stars in this dark skies zone. Highlights Enjoy miles and miles of postcard gravel in England’s largest forest.Ride in two countries with some epic gravel & views in both England & Scotland.Camp under the stars in this dark skies zone. Included in Entry Fully Signed Route Our team work tirelessly to create the best gravel routes in the UK. All courses are fully signed so you can just enjoy the ride. Checkpoints with Proper Food An epic ride deserves proper support. We have tea, coffee and cake at the first feed and sandwiches & crisps at the main feed. Checkpoints are approx every 30 - 35km Accurate GPX Files A few days before the ride, we will send GPX files for all of the route options so you can follow the course on your GPS as well as the signs. Mechanics Available At the rider village & at selected feed stops we have mechanics available to help with any bike issues. We also have spare inner tubes, CO2 & more . Rider Support Vans We are here to make sure you have a great day on the gravel. If you have any major mechanicals or need collecting, support vehicles are a phone call away. Beer at Finish Line You will be greeted at the finish line with a beer & food available from our food truck. Perfect to chat about your day with fellow riders. Event Program 29th August: GPX files and pre ride briefing video sent by email to each rider. 31st August – 8am to 6pm: Kielder Forest Gravel Epic, ride starts & finishes at Kielder Castle. 1st September  – 8am to 6pm: Kielder Borders Gravel Epic, ride starts & finishes at Kielder Castle. 1st September  – 7pm: Link to ride times & rider photos sent to each participant by email. Forest Gravel Epic One of the highlights of the UK gravel calendar. The Kielder Forest long route is 90% on smooth gravel and gets about as remote as you can in England, miles away from the nearest town or car. The ride starts out of the small town of Kielder, past the castle and straight into the woods on the appropriately named Forest Drive, a loggers gravel road Mon to Fri and cyclists’ playground at the weekend. The climbing starts early (first climb comes at 5km) and the route is punchy througout. The first feed is at 35km by which time you have done a 3km and 4.5km uphill and two long descents. From the feed we head back West towards Kielder Water and the flattest section of the ride with some lovely views. After another feed we head south beside Kielder Water &  onto more remote gravel. This second loop is more rolling with lots of small ups & downs rather than the longer climbs of the first loop until a fast finish back into Kielder. Percentage of Route Off Road: 90% Distance: 100km or 59km Elevation: 2300m or 1100m Difficulty:  4.5/5 Borders Gravel Epic Heading out from Kielder, we head off road straight away for a tough first 13km which is all up and down. The first 30km of today’s route is slightly rougher than the smooth gravel we are on for most of the weekend – expect some singletrack and bumpier gravel as we ride through stunning & remote hills away from the loggers. The first feed is in Newcastleton at 29km – by the time you are getting coffee & cake you will have done the hardest part of the ride. From here we head back into England and along the border for a while on rolling terrain with very little flat. The gravel here is smoother as we get back to feed stop 2 at 59km. The last 40km is (relatively) flat and quick on smooth gravel as we head into Kielder Forest and finish along Kielder Water before a well earned beer at the finish line. Percentage of Route Off Road: 85% Distance: 126km or 59km Elevation: 2050 or 1350m Difficulty:  4.5/5 Short Route A short, tough but very rewarding medium route. We follow the long route up to the reservoirs over a big back road climb and through lovely gravel in the forest before skipping the section round the reservoirs and a rapid descent back to Ruthin. Percentage of Route Off Road: 75% Distance: 53km Elevation: 1150m Difficulty:  3.5/5 Bike Selection & Packing List Bike Choice:The route is nearly all off road on smooth gravel (think Strade Bianche in Tuscany). Where the loggers have been working the gravel can be heavier. A gravel bike or hard tail MTB would be perfect. Road bikes are not suitable. E-bikes are allowed on all of our rides. Tyre Choice: We will send an update on conditions closer to the ride. A 40mm allrounder gravel tyre should be ideal for this route. Packing List: Bring equipment to be self sufficient on the route (inner tubes, sealant, multi-tool, pump or CO2 etc). We recommend a bell to warn walkers / runners of your presence. Clothing: Likely to be mixed weather in late Aug / early September, bring layers, arm & knee warmers and a lightweight waterproof jacket etc. Helmets are mandatory, you will not be able to ride without one. FAQs Where does the ride start / finish? The ride starts and finishes at Kielder Castle – this is a 2 min ride from the campsite. There is free parking onsite as well as toilets & refreshments. We will send the ride village address by email.  Are E Bikes Allowed? Yes, e-bikes are allowed on all Glorious Gravel ride. These must comply with UK law. What Happens if I have a mechanical / accident? We have first aiders & mechanics at the feed stops. There will be a phone number on the back of your ride number – call this if you need collecting. Can I Start with my friends? Yes, we start between 8am and 9.30am and set people off in small groups so the off road sections are not too busy. Please come to the start line with anyone you want to ride with, we will give a short ride briefing and set you off. The post Kielder Forest Gravel Weekend appeared first on Glorious Gravel.

“We are so confident in performance and longevity of this new innovation that we offer a full LIFETIME warranty that also covers corrosion.“ That quote above is from the Enduro website page for their Maxhit Bottom Bracket, Bearings with a wear warranty, too good to be true surely? Actually its also pretty unheard of in the bike industry, No one offers a guarantee for wear, defects and faliures yes but premature wear and corrosion…for life?? When I was asked to review these bearings and heard the claims I thought to myself, if these bearings are as good as they claim then there are two things I’m concerned about. 1) if they “last forever” then its going to be a pretty boring review, every tester secretly likes a failure! and 2) “forever” means one heck of a long test period, its going to take a while to get a good idea how the bearings are performing. Luckily I was sent the bearings in November 2023, and its now nearing the end of February 2024 so a decent length of time to use them and also the time of year with the wettest, muddiest, grittiest, most icy and generally miserable time of year. So pretty much perfect for me to attempt to destroy a set of bearings then! my bike as an MTB style screw in bottom bracket, i run a Shimano standard hollowtech 2 to fit my shimano cranks. A shimano botton bracket (the cheapest) can just about last a winter around here before becoming a bit grounchy, completely seize on one side or fail completely. check out this video to see some of the conditions I’m trying to convey “its all gone a bit waterworld” and that was just one days ride in actually not as bad as normal mud! The Enduro bearings bottom bracket differs from the standard shimano version as they fit the bearings straight into the shell, there’s no aluminium bearing carrier. This allows bigger ball bearings which give double the load carrying capacity of normal size bearings, I’m no engineer but even I know a larger surface area can help disperse any load and reduce friction. Shimano on the left, Enduro on the right Not that my bike goes any where near the sea but its reassuring to know Enduro fit the bottom bracket with marine grease, anything that can stave off salt water is plenty good enough for the local farm slurry and horse shit I seem to find myself riding through on local bridleways. The bottom bracket also comes with a set of seals so you can replace them if needed or just regrease as necessary. So enough of the science, are they as good as they claim? well after four months of the worst weather we get all year, and its been especially wet this winter too I can report that……they feel as smooth and as good as they were when I fitted them!…..told you it might be boring! how they looked in February when I removed them to see if there was any wear The only slight spanner in the works is the price, longevity and performance come at a price, in this case £179.99, with a bog standard original manufactuer bottom bracket costing around £20 you can see that you’d get quite a few of those for the price of one Enduro BB. But, who wants to fiddle about changing bottom brackets? and thats even if you feel confident to do it yourself and have the correct tools. I have the knowledge and the tools but I’d rather be riding my bike more than tinkering in the shed or wondering if the bearings will make it through another few hours of slop. when you think about it piece of mind and performance sort of makes up for the price. you can find out more details on the Enduro maxhit BB here To actually hear the bearings and see how they perform before and after a winter of abuse watch my video on youtube. If you like the review and video (actually even if you don’t, I could do with more subscribers!) please take the time to click the subscribe button, it makes a huge difference if you do that.

Spring is the perfect time of year for families to explore the beauty of Ireland on two wheels. The Easter mid-term break, with its promise of adventure and quality family time, is a great opportunity to embark on cycling journeys that are sure to excite the whole family. From the enchanting Easter Trail at Belvedere House in Co. Westmeath to the vibrant Spring Festival at the Slieve Aughty Centre in Co. Galway, prepare to add these top destinations to your Easter to-do list. Belvedere House, Co. Westmeath: The Easter Trail and Pet Farm Nestled in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, Belvedere House and its sprawling gardens offer an idyllic setting for an Easter cycling adventure. The estate’s dedicated Easter Trail is a delight for families, guiding cyclists through lush parklands and along serene lake shores. As parents enjoy the scenic beauty of the Georgian estate, children are treated to the thrill of an Easter egg hunt, with clues hidden along the trail leading to chocolate treasures. The estate is also home to a pet farm, where kids can interact with friendly farm animals, making for an unforgettable springtime outing! Route Tip: Start your journey at the visitor centre and follow the marked Easter Trail through the estate’s gardens and woodlands. The route is relatively flat, making it suitable for cyclists of all ages and abilities. Slieve Aughty Centre, Co. Galway: A Spring Festival Wonderland The Slieve Aughty Centre, set against the backdrop of Co. Galway’s scenery transforms into a wonderland for its annual Spring Festival. This eco-friendly retreat offers a network of gentle cycling trails that are perfect for families looking to immerse themselves in nature. The festival boasts plenty of Easter-themed activities, from face painting and pony rides to organic gardening workshops. The highlight for many is the Easter Egg Hunt, which takes adventurers on a quest through fairy-filled woods and blooming meadows in search of hidden eggs! Route Tip: Opt for the family cycle trail that meanders around the centre, offering safe and easy riding for even the little ones! The Great Western Greenway, Co. Mayo: Breathtaking Scenery and Historical Sites For families seeking a longer cycling adventure, the Great Western Greenway in Co. Mayo is unmatched. Stretching 42km from Westport to Achill, this off-road cycling trail offers spectacular views of the Atlantic coast, Clew Bay, and the Nephin Beg mountain range. Easter is a fantastic time to explore the Greenway, with various local businesses along the route offering Easter themed activities. The trail is predominantly flat and well-maintained, making it accessible for all cycling abilities. Route Tip: Choose a segment of the Greenway that matches your family’s fitness level. The section from Newport to Mulranny features stunning coastal scenery and is dotted with picnic spots for a perfect Easter lunch break. Lough Key Forest and Activity Park, Co. Roscommon: Adventure Awaits Lough Key Forest and Activity Park in Co. Roscommon presents a unique blend of natural beauty and Easter excitement. The park’s cycling trails navigate through woodlands, past historical ruins, and along the picturesque shores of Lough Key. Easter is a particularly special time of year, with its treasure hunt that challenges families to solve riddles and find eggs hidden throughout the forest. The park also hosts an array of other activities, including boat tours and a treetop walkway, making it a great destination for a midterm day out. Route Tip: Follow the Lakeside Cycle Path for a leisurely ride with stunning views of the lake and islands. This path is wide and smooth, ideal for families of all ages.   Luggwoods, Co. Dublin: Easter Enchantment and Countryside Rides Luggswoods, set amidst the serene beauty of Co. Dublin, transforms into an Easter haven that captures the imagination of both young and old during this time of year. Renowned for its seasonal themed celebrations, Luggswood offers families with young children an enchanting experience with its themed egg hunts, where children can wander through woodlands in search of hidden Easter surprises. At the end, the little ones will meet the Easter Bunny who will have a chocolatey treat just for them! Route tip: For a nearby family-friendly cycling experience, start your journey from the quaint village of Saggart, taking the quiet country road towards Saggart Hill. This route offers gentle inclines suitable for younger riders and less experienced cyclists.    For more family cycling inspiration, our guide to family cycles has all the tips and tricks you’ll need to get your little ones cycling crazy…

After his dominant stage win on Tuesday, Tadej Pogacar has made another attempt to fully secure the general classification of the Volta a Catalunya on stage 3.With the peloton leading onto the final climb of the day, UAE Team Emirates and Soudal - Quick-Step were setting a fierce pace to deter any a...

Darren Rafferty (EF Education-EasyPost) has put in a very solid shift on the opening stage of Volta Ciclista a Catalunya (2.UWT) today; some 173.9km into Sant Feliu de Guíxols. The 20-year-old neo pro was at the front of the peloton for a prolonged period in the finale, pulling into position his team’s key general classification […] The post Darren Rafferty (20) makes presence felt at Volta a Catalunya | Video appeared first on Sticky Bottle.