Laois

Welcome to The Bike Week Events Page for Laois

EVENTS LISTING

CYCLE CHALLENGE Cycling Challenge (Couch to 50K) – The purpose of this programme is to promote cycling in Laois and act as an introduction pathway to Laois Cycle Club. This initiative gives the participants the opportunity to build up their cycling experience and confidence of cycling out on the roads as part of a group. 8-week programme with finale 50k cycle. Finale will take place as part of Bike Week. Laois Sports Partnership. Time: 6.45pm Date: 6 Week Programme from 10^th April 2024 Location: Portlaoise – Race Right Cycles (R32K7TX) Suitability: All Ages For more information click HERE

SUNDAY 12TH MAY 2024
BACK ON YOUR BIKES 1 (SVT) 8km Cycle with safe cycling talk from local Garda and free 99 ice cream for all participants Time: 2pm – 3.30pm Date: Sunday 12^th May 2024 Location: The Old Schoolhouse, Vicarstown Suitability: Everyone

MONDAY 13TH MAY 2024
CYCLE TO SCHOOL (PORTLAOISE COLLEGE) Cycle to school week with spot prizes Time: Mornings & Afternoons, to and from School Date: Each Day 13^th May – 17^th May Location: Portlaoise Suitability: All Students
SAFE CYCLE TRAINING (RATH N.S.) Cycle Safety Training to 5^th Class – School still Awaiting Date/Time from Tutor All Pupils throughout the School will be encouraged to Cycle to School during the Months of May & June Time: Awaiting Date/Time from Tutor Date: Awaiting Date/Time from Tutor Location: Rath N.S. Suitability: 5^TH Class students
CYCLE TO SCHOOL (SCOIL BHRIDE – KNOCKMAY N.S.} Pupils will be encouraged to cycle to school during the month of May. Those who do cycle, will be recorded and entered into a draw to win a Bicycle. Time: To & from School Date: Throughout May 2024 Location: Scoil Bhride Suitability: All School
BIKE WEEK ART COMPETITION (SCOIL BHRIDE – KNOCKMAY N.S.} Art Competition at all Class Levels – Theme Cycling & Wellbeing Time: During School Hours Date: During Bike Week Location: Scoil Bhride (Knockmay N.S.} Suitability: Whole School
CYCLE TO SCHOOL (BALLYADAMS N.S.) Cycle to School Encouraged Time: Before & After the School Day Date: 13^th May 2024 – 17^th May 2024 Location: Ballyadams & Surrounds Suitability: Anyone who wishes to cycle to/from school
SAFE CYCLE TRAINING (BALLYADAMS N.S.) Classes will participate in a fun cycling route around the School Yard & in Class Education throughout Bike Week Time: All Day Date: 13^th May 2024 – 17^th May 2024 Location: School Yard & Class Rooms Suitability: All Students
BIKE SAFETY ART COMPETITION (BALLYADAMS N.S.) Prizes for Bike Safety Competition will run in conjunction with Bike week Time: All Day Date: 13^th May 2024 – 17^th May 2024 Location: In School & At Home Suitability: All Cyclists
BACK ON YOUR BIKES 2 (SVT) Children’s easy Loop Cycle – From Sacred Heart Church, Stradbally. Ice Cream at Simpsons afterwards. Adult Cycle – A Loop out on the Athy Road – Onto Barrow Way Blueway at Vicarstown, Finish at Simpsons for tea/coffee/ice cream Time: 7pm Date: Monday 13^th May 2024 Location: The Market House, Stradbally Suitability: A Children Cycle & An Adults Cycle

TUESDAY 14^TH MAY 2024
ST FRANCIS LEARN TO CYCLE WITH DISABILITY BIKES Balance Bikes for Schools, Learn to Cycle, Disability Groups. Laois Sports Partnership. Time: 9.45am – 1pm Date: Tuesday 14^th May 2024 Location: St. Francis school Portlaoise Suitability: Autism Units, Intellectual Disabilities, Etc.
A RETURN BLUEWAY CYCLE FROM RATH N.S. TO MONASTEREVIN (RATH N.S.) 56 Pupils from 5^th & 6^th Class to cycle from Rath N.S. to Monasterevin along the Blueway. All Pupils throughout the School will be encouraged to Cycle to School during the Months of May & June Time: 11.30am – 2.30pm Date: Tuesday 14^th May 2024 Location: Rath N.S. – Ballybrittas Suitability: 5^th & 6^th Class
BIKE REPAIR WORKSHOP (RATHDOWNEY – ERRILL ACTIVITY HUB)* The Hub aims to liaise with Ossory Cycles to deliver a Couch to 20k for the community. We plan to revisit the Bike Hospital which was so successful last year. We will also liaise with Ossory cycles and Scoil Brid parents council to deliver the community cycle, which was also very successful last year. Time: 11am Date: Tuesday 14^th May Location: Scoil Bride (If Any) Suitability: New Residents from Ukraine & Brazil as well as the Wider Community
PROGRAMME OF CYCLE EVENTS (WOLFHILL N.S.) Parents bring the Children to Clogh Playground where they can cycle safely. A picnic is then provided afterwards. Time: All Day – Weather Permitting Date: Tuesday 14^th May 2024 Location: Clogh Playground Suitability: The Whole School
BIKE WEEK REPAIR WORKSHOPS (PORTLAOISE COLLEGE) Bike repair workshop by An Taisce Time: 11.15am Date: Tuesday 14^th May 2024 Location: In School Suitability: School Community
GROUP CYCLE CHALLENGE (MYFRC) 10KM Turbo Trainer Time: 2.45pm – 4.15pm Date: Tuesday 14^th May 2024 Location: Mountmellick Youth and Family Resource Centre Suitability: Confident Cyclists
BIKE REPAIR WORKSHOP (MYFRC) Time: 4.15pm – 5.15pm Date: Tuesday 14^th May 2024 Location: Mountmellick Youth and Family Resource Centre Suitability: Everyone
SAFE CYCLE TRAINING (MYFRC) Time: 4.15pm – 5.15pm Date: Tuesday 14^th May 2024 Location: Mountmellick Youth and Family Resource Centre Suitability: Everyone
BIKE NITE (SVT) Night Time Cycle Time: 9pm – 11pm Date: Tuesday 14^th May 2024 Location: The Old School House, Vicarstown Suitability: Adults Only

WEDNESDAY 15^TH MAY 2024
FAMILY FUN CYCLE (BALLYADAMS N.S.) A Return Trip Cycle from Ballyadams N.S. to Fallaghmore Cross Time: 11:30am Date: Wednesday 15^th May 2024 Location: Ballyadams N.S. to Fallaghmore Cross Suitability: All Cyclists
SAFE CYCLE TRAINING (PORTLAOISE COLLEGE) Time: 11.15am Date: Wednesday 15^th May 2024 Location: School grounds Suitability: School Community
CYCLE CHALLENGE 10KM (CAMROSS N.S.) 3^rd & 6^th Class Pupils will Cycle a Return Trip from Camross N.S. to Coolrain Park. They will have lunch & play in the Park before they return. During May & June Students will be encouraged to Cycle to School. They will check the week’s weather on the previous Friday or Monday and pick the best day of the week & will advertise the event in the local newsletter and on our website and the Parents Council facebook account. Time: 10am – 3pm Date: 15th, 16th or 17th May 2024 – Weather permitting Location: Return Trip from Camross N.S. to Coolrain Park Suitability: All Students & Staff
CYCLE FOR YOUR LUNCH (CAMROSS N.S.) Infants – 2^nd Class will Cycle a Route around the School Track & Car Park with an Ice Cream Van for Refreshments. During May & June Students will be encouraged to Cycle to School. They will check the week’s weather on the previous Friday or Monday and pick the best day of the week & will advertise the event in the local newsletter and on our website and the Parents Council facebook account. Time: 10.30am- 2pm Date: 15th, 16th or 17th May 2024 – Weather permitting Location: School Track & Car Park Suitability: All Students & Staff
COUCH TO 30K CYCLE CHALLENGE (RATHDOWNEY-ERRILL ACTIVITY HUB) The Hub aims to liaise with Ossory Cycles to deliver a Couch to 30k for the community. And we also plan to revisit the Bike Hospital which was so successful last year. We will also liaise with Ossory cycles and Scoil Brid parents council to deliver the community cycle, which was also very successful last year. Time: Wednesday Evenings Date: Every Wednesday evening during May 2024 Location: Rathdowney Errill Activity Hub Suitability: New Residents from Ukraine in The Commercial Inn Accommodation Centre
CYCLE AS GAEILGE (SVT) Improve your Irish as you Cycle Time: 6.45pm Date: Wednesday 15^th May 2024 Location: The Old Schoolhouse, Vicarstown Suitability: Everyone

THURSDAY 16^TH MAY 2024
CYCLE FOR YOUR LUNCH (COSBY N.S.) Children will bring Bikes to School for a day of activities based on Bikes & Cycling with Refreshments Afterwards. Time: 9am – 11am Date: Thursday 16^th May 2024 Location: School Grounds Suitability: All Students & Staff
PROGRAMME OF CYCLE EVENTS/CYCLE CHALLENGE (KNOCK N.S.) Children will bring their Bikes to School and enjoy the challenge of an obstacle course which will be set up in the School Yard. An Ice Cream Van will visit the School to provide a special treat to mark Bike Week and reward their efforts. Time: 11.10am Date: Thursday 16^th May 224 Location: School Yard Suitability: All Cyclists
LEISURE CYCLE INVOLVING COMMUNITY GROUPS I.E. SCOUTS (RATHDOWNEY – ERRILL ACTIVITY HUB) The Hub aims to liaise with Ossory Cycles to deliver a Couch to 20k for the community. And we also plan to revisit the Bike Hospital which was so successful last year. We will also liaise with Ossory cycles and Scoil Brid parents council to deliver the community cycle, which was also very successful last year. Time: 7pm Date: Thursday 16^th May 2024 Location: Return Trip from Scoil Bride around by Bealady Suitability: New Residents from Ukraine & Brazil as well as the Wider Community
FAMILY FUN CYCLE (THE SWAN N.S.) The Children will cycle to school. We will invite all members of the community to our cycle & picnic. We will have an ice-cream van to finish off the event. Time: 2pm Date: Thursday 16^th May 2024 Location: The Swan Community Walking Track. Suitability: All in the School Community
SENIORS AT SUNSET (SVT) Moderate/easy cycle along the Blue Way, followed by tea/coffee and cake. Disability Bikes available to support people with reduced mobility, visual or intellectual impairment. Time: 6.45pm Date: Thursday 16^th May 2024 Location: The Old Schoolhouse, Vicarstown Suitability: Seniors
LEISURE CYCLE INVOLVING COMMUNITY GROUPS (MYFRC) Time: 2.45pm – 4.15pm Date: Thursday 16^th May 2024 Location: Mountmellick Youth and Family Resource Centre Suitability: Everyone

FRIDAY 17^TH MAY 2024
PORTLAOISE TOWN CYCLE (PORTLAOISE COLLEGE) Portlaoise Town Loop cycle with refreshments and raffle for bicycle after. Time: 10.30am Date: Friday 17^th May 2024 Location: Portlaoise Town Loop Cycle Suitability: School Community
BUZZARDS, BLUEBELLS AND TALL TALES (SVT) Discover flora and fauna, birds & wildlife along the Grand Canal with our own local expert as our guide. Hear folklore and yarns directly from the horse’s mouth!! Time: 7pm Date: Friday 17^th May 2024 Location: The Old Schoolhouse, Vicarstown Suitability: Adults

SATURDAY 18^TH MAY 2024
CROSS COUNTY TO CO-OPERATION (SVT) Taking in the two Counties of Laois & Kildare Refreshments at the Fishermans Thatched Inn. All are welcome…..wear your county colours Time: 12.30pm Date: Saturday 18^th May 2024 Location: The Old Schoolhouse, Vicarstown Suitability: Everyone
FAMILY FUN CYCLE Family Inclusive cycling event along the Blueway in Vicarstown. Time: 12PM Date: Saturday 18^th May 2024 Location: Vicarstown Suitability: Families

SUNDAY 19^TH MAY 2024
PARK CYCLE (SVT) An invite to Park Run participants to swap their runners for bicycles and bring a picnic! Drinks, Fruit and Sweet Treats will be provided. A moderate 12/15km Cycle Time: 3pm Date: Sunday 19^th May 2024 Location: The Old Schoolhouse, Vicarstown Suitability: Everyone
BIKE REPAIR WORKSHOP (LAOIS SPORTS PARTNERSHIP) Hiring a bike mechanic to run workshops on bike maintenance for event days. Time: TBC (will be held in conjunction with Couch to 50km Finale) Date: Sunday 19^th May 2024 Location: Race Right Cycles (R32K7TX) Suitability: All Ages

For more information:

Contact Anne Marie Maher / Audrey Brennan

E: sports@laoiscoco.ie

W: Laois Bike Week

Greenway & Cycle Routes in Laois

Cycle Route / Greenway Name	Length in Km	Terrain	Skill Level (All, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)	For more information click the links below
Barrow Blue Way	46KM	Off-road, flat, accessible trail (14.5km in Co Laois)	All	For more information click here
Slieve Bloom Mountain Bike Trail	35KM	These trails, which are waymarked in one direction and designed specially for mountain bike use, vary in difficulty. They. Over 100KM of trails on completion between Co Laois & Co Offaly	Trails range from the grade trails: ‘blue’ (moderate, with some single-track sections) to ‘red’ (difficult/severe, with challenging climbs and tricky descent)	For more information click here
Slieve Bloom Road Cycling Route		Public Road	Varying Levels of Difficulty	For more information click here
South Laois Bike Trail	6 routes ranging from 8.6km to 48.4km	Public Road	Easy to Moderate with some difficulty	For more information click here
Triogue Way (Phase 1)	300m	Tarmac path	Easy – for all ages	n/a