Green-Schools’ #AndSheCycles programme recently teamed up with Cycling Ireland to put on a series of cycle training events for our #AndSheCycles ambassadors.
#AndSheCycles encourages girls to cycle in their everyday lives and to see cycling as a sustainable and active mode of transport to school. The sessions, supported by Cycling Ireland, gave the girls the chance to try something new, develop their cycling skills, and build confidence in a fun and supportive environment.
These training events took place at six venues around the country during the first two weeks of March and saw our ambassadors pushing themselves out of their comfort zones for some impressive cycling action.
The events kicked off on the 3rd of March, when #AndSheCycles ambassadors from Rathoath College and Dunshaughlin Community College joined in an exciting BMX session at their local Ratoath BMX Track, embracing a new cycling experience altogether, with expert coaching with Tom and Fiona.
Next up, our ambassadors from Gort Community School travelled to Lough Boora Discovery Park in County Offaly.
The day focused on team building, cycling and enjoying the outdoors, with the students packing a picnic and setting out on the park’s scenic trails to explore nature and discover where a bike can take them. From cycling through the unique bogland landscape to relaxing in hammocks along the route, the outing encouraged the girls to embrace adventure, confidence and connection through cycling.
Huge thanks to Johnathon from MidIrelandAdventure.ie for the bike hire and great tips about Lough Boora.
Rounding out week one, #asc ambassadors from Presentation College Carlow and Presentation Secondary School Kilkenny took the opportunity to try something completely new on two wheels, heading to Castlecomer Discovery Park to experience mountain biking for the first time. Under the guidance of Aisling from trailbikebody.ie, the girls learned essential bike handling skills and built their confidence as they tackled the off-road trails.
In week two, #AndSheCycles ambassadors from St Michael’s Holy Faith Secondary School took to their local Lucan BMX track on Tuesday, the 10th of March. The girls learned new bike handling skills from local expert John, and how to confidently ride on the track, all while supporting and encouraging each other. The day was all about empowerment, building confidence on the bike, and developing a love for cycling in a fun and exciting environment.
On Wednesday, the 11th of March, #AndSheCycles ambassadors from St Joseph’s Rush, Scoil Chaitríona, Glasnevin and Coláiste Íosagáin, Laois, took on the iconic Sundrive Velodrome racetrack in Dublin for an exciting track cycling session.
Thanks to Hugh from Sundrive Velodrome Racetrack for his fun and patient style of coaching in getting the girls clipped into the bikes and whizzing around the track.
Mungret Community College finished out our March Cycles, heading to Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails and experiencing some of the best mountain biking Ireland has to offer. Thanks again to Aisling from trailbikebody.ie for a fantastic experience for the ambassadors.
Speaking about the March events, Green-Schools Travel Programme Manager Allison Phillips said:
“We want teenage girls to feel confident, capable and excited about cycling, whether that’s riding to school each day or trying something new like BMX at their local track. With the support of Cycling Ireland, we are giving girls the skills, encouragement and opportunities they need to stay active and to see cycling as something that belongs to them. It’s about building confidence now that will last a lifetime.”
Green-Schools would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Cycling Ireland for their support of the #AndSheCycles programme. Their involvement has provided a significant boost to the initiative and to the girls’ cycling journey and ultimately made these March Cycles possible.
Paul Norton is Cycling Ireland’s Participation Manager:
“It was great to see the #AndSheCycles ambassadors, from all 4 corners of the country, throw themselves into a new challenge and try out various cycling disciplines, with some of our top coaches, clubs and facilities. With the coaching and guidance of coaches like Tom and Fiona from Ratoath BMX, John O’Reilly from Lucan BMX, Hugh Byrne from Sundrive Track Team and Aisling Cullen of Trail Bike Body, the girls made unbelievable progression from basic handling skills to riding the BMX track, mountain bike trail or velodrome with confidence. What made it even better was to see the fun they were having and how they were encouraging each other. I personally attended 2 of these sessions and was seriously impressed by the determination and fearlessness that the girls showed. I hope that this gives them the confidence to try new challenges, be that cycling to school, joining a club or cycling for fun, fitness and adventure.”