On yer bike: Kilkenny people urged to get out and explore our wheely great county

Kilkenny residents are being urged to join the growing trend of ‘bicycle boomers’ and get out and explore some of our county’s spectacular cycling routes.

Although Covid-19 has impacted cycling in several ways, Outdoors Kilkenny is encouraging people to take up the opportunities to cycle during the lockdown, as long as cyclists stay within 5kms from their home.

Outdoor Kilkenny points out that the county offers a variety of routes that suit all levels of cyclist, each of which can be explored within the 5km restrictions.

The cycling trails cover the North, East and South of the county. They include the East Kilkenny Cycle Route which meanders through the towns and villages of eastern part of the county, taking in beautiful roads and laneways and providing stunning views of Brandon Hill and the river Barrow and Nore.

The North Kilkenny Cycle Loop runs from Kilkenny city to the city’s hinterlands within a leisurely spin. While the North Kilkenny Cycle Route winds its way through rural North Kilkenny bringing the cyclist through beautiful villages like Freshford and Castlecomer.

The South Kilkenny Cycle Loop is another route for city dwellers, which begins at The Parade and uses quiet country roads linking the city to towns in the south county.

Gareth Alcorn of Outdoor Kilkenny said: “As we adapt to a new kind of living, our roads are quieter, the air is cleaner and the clear physical and mental health benefits of cycling are very apparent.

“Kilkenny is the ideal place to take some leisure time with a 5km cycle on one of our many cycling trails. We would urge people to adhere to Government guidelines and social distance when cycling and stay within the 5km distance from their homes,” Mr Alcorn concluded.

For more on Kilkenny’s cycle trails, visit: http://www.trailkilkenny.ie/activity-trail/cycling-trails/