Bike Week Covers All Of Ireland

The first events of National Bike week 2010 have pedalled off with the Raleigh Around Ireland event on Sunday.

Ciarán Cuffe Minister of State with responsibility for sustainable transport wished Cycling Ireland's riders well, as they commence the trek: "This is a very fitting first event for this year's Bike Week and encompasses all 32 counties of the island; it links directly with both committed and prospective cyclists; and it brings the linked messages of fun and cycling right into communities."

Three riders set off from the Spire in O'Connell Street, Dublin on Sunday with one travelling north, another west and third south.

Between them, over the course of Bike Week, they will visit every county on the island, linking up with local cycling clubs (who will accompany them for some of the way), schools and communities on their routes.

Their journeys will come to a close in Mullingar on Sunday 20 June at 4pm where the streets will be closed for several hours and the festival atmosphere will be boosted by live music and the Mullingar Farmer's Market Taste of Mullingar Experience.

The participating riders are Dave McLaughlin (DTC Orwell Wheelers) - Southern Route, Paul O Donoghue (Sorrento Audax) - Western Route and Hazel Hall (Navan) - Northern Route.

All events for the whole week can be viewed at www.bikeweek.ie

(BMcC/GK)