Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Launch NI Festival of Cycling

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Launch NI Festival of Cycling

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has teamed up with Tourism NI to launch a number of exciting cycling events taking place in the local area as part of the NI Festival of Cycling. 

Between 3–19 June there will be an action packed programme of cycling activities and competitions taking place throughout the district, including the highly anticipated Gran Fondo Giro d’Italia. 

The NI Festival of Cycling was created as part of the legacy following the Giro D’Italia Grand Partenza in 2014.  Eddie Rowan, Events Manager for Tourism NI explains, “The Giro Gran Fondo was brought to Northern Ireland with the support of Tourism NI under the International Tourism Events Fund. At the same time an idea for a Northern Ireland wide festival, encompassing all things cycling related, was created with the view to have this festival run during a two-week period around the Giro Gran Fondo.”

“Moving forward into 2016 and beyond, it is important that this legacy aspiration expands into the countrywide festival that it was created to be and we are delighted that the 2016 NI Festival of Cycling will include activity from six Local Authorities – an increase from the three who participated in 2015. This is in line with the key target of growing the NI Festival of Cycling on a yearly basis.”

At the festival launch for the area, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Mickey Ruane commented, “These events will provide a great kickstart to the summer season.  Council officials have been working closely alongside Tourism NI and the event organisers to plan, develop, organise and deliver a really successful and exciting programme, which we hope will be the first of many.”  

“We have the perfect terrain for all cycling sports appealing to adventure enthusiasts and road cyclists alike.  The NI Festival of Cycling provides an excellent platform for us as a district to promote and increase sport and event tourism in the area.” 

Cllr Ruane continued, “It also gives us an opportunity to highlight the importance of road safety and cycling proficiency to young people so that they will be encouraged and feel confident to use their bike for recreation and as a mode of transport in the future”. 

Events planned include bikeability courses for local primary schools in conjunction with Sustrans; the Irish Downhill Mountain Bike Series to be held at Rostrevor Trails; the Gran Fondo Giro d'Italia through the Mourne Mountains and Strangford Lough;  IN THE RED, a mountain bike sportive encompassing the 'Red Loop' trial in Kilbroney Park; PSYCLE - an eight hour mountain bike endurance event at Castlewellan Mountain Bike Trails; Giro Juniors Event at the Albert Basin, Newry and the Crooked Lake Duathalon at Camlough Lake.

For further information on all cycling events in the area, please contact Newry Visitor Information Centre on 028 3031 3170 or check out the website www.visitmournemountains.co.uk