BikeFest returns this year bigger than before on the 13th & 14th of May 2023! Growing to a multi-discipline festival, there are more things to experience, test bikes, leisure cycles, sustainability talks, films, food, music and so much more!
Cycling Ireland and Kilkenny County Council have teamed up for this free action-packed, fun-fueled programme of events and activities, for the passionate and casual pedalers of all abilities with Sunday festival supplying activities that the whole family can enjoy together. The festival allure can best be described by broad smiles and good humour as everyone soaks up the atmosphere in and around Kilkenny.
A little more about the Festival
Saturday 13th kicks off with “leisure rides” exploring the Kilkenny countryside, all departing from the Parade throughout the day (age group: 18+). That night, we have “Cycling the Change” in Billy Byrne’s. Mary Reynolds, a gold medal winner at Chelsea flower show and founder of the global movement: We Are The ARK will talk about her experiences of rewilding and reestablishing biodiversity in gardens and public spaces. Ireland’s great travel writer, the late Dervla Murphy, will be celebrated with a screening of the documentary about her worldwide travels by bike (age group: 18+).
On Sunday the 14th, the sound of bicycle bells and laughter will fill up Kilkenny with “leisure rides” centring around the city and then from 12pm to 4pm you will have Bikefest – Family Day, when Kilkenny County Hall will be transformed into a cycling haven and a celebration of sustainability for all the family. For cyclists of all abilities, there are leisure rides, family cycles, balance bikes, learn to cycle, obstacle courses, mountain bikes and off-road zones. Workshops are planned for bike maintenance, the more technical build-a-bike workshops, drumming workshops, and workshops from our local food and craft producers. The day will finish with some lively tunes from our local traditional musicians!
FULL SCHEDULE
*events with an asterisk requires booking
Saturday 13th May
Leisure Cycles
Exploring Kilkenny Countryside, depart from Kilkenny Castle on Saturday except for the 50km Kilkenny Pedallers departs from Meubles, Kilkenny Retail Park. (For 18+ age group. Helmet and bike required.)
9.15am – Up to 60km W/ Marble City Cyclers*
Join Marble City Cyclers on their leisure spin. All Club spins usually take in a coffee stop along the route! Average 23+km/hr. Road bike required.
9.15am – Up to 50km W/ Kilkenny Pedallers*
Join Kilkenny Pedallers for an introductory spin. Meet 9.15am for 9.30am start at Meubles, Kilkenny Retail Park, Ring Road. Average speed 19km/hr. Road bike required.
10am – 40km Paulstown Loop W/ Charlie*
These social leisure rides offer you the chance to connect with people in your community.
4pm – 40km Bennettsbridge Loop W/Helena*
This is a lovely easy-going ride, with great availability of bike lanes for us to take our time and enjoy our spin.
Cycling the Change*
Join us from 7.30pm in Billy Byrne’s to hear from Mary Reynolds on rewilding our spaces, followed by a screening of the story of Dervla Murphy’s life and her worldwide travels by bike.
7.45pm – Rewilding Your Garden and City W/ Mary Reynolds
Mary Reynolds is an internationally acclaimed, self-proclaimed reformed landscape designer and the youngest woman in history to win a gold medal at the Chelsea flower show. She has since given all that up to be part of the solution to the crisis we are all living through – climate and biodiversity collapse. She is the best-selling author of “The Garden Awakening” and a motivational speaker and founder of the global movement: We Are The ARK.
8.45pm – A screening of the documentary “Who is Dervla Murphy?”
A celebration of Ireland’s most prolific travel writer who for five decades has travelled the world mostly alone, and mostly by bicycle. A fiercely independent woman who turned her back on societal conventions at a time when few were as brave, she observed and recorded the world with wonder and curiosity, and an astute political sensibility. Billy Byrne’s Finger Food included (age group: 18+).
*Booking required click the link.
Sunday 14th May
Leisure Cycles
Exploring Kilkenny City, depart from County Hall on Sunday.
10am – 12km Kilkenny’s Streets and Laneways with Charlie*
2pm – 12km Kilkenny’s Six Bridges with Charlie*
*Booking required click link. For 18+ age group. Helmet and bike required.
BIKEFEST FAMILY DAY
Kilkenny County Hall will be transformed into a cycling haven and a celebration of sustainability. For people of all abilities and ages. So don’t let the kids have all the fun!
Cycling
12pm – 1pm Slow Roll – Weird and wonderful bikes are welcome!
Our Slow Roll will open Bike Fest, a leisurely cycle for all departing from County Hall, through the city streets. Ring your bell, chit chat and enjoy the experience! Bring along your weird and wonderful bikes to share the joy! Return to County Hall to join in the Bike Fest celebrations.
1pm – 3pm Mountain Biking Tasters and Coaching
Enjoy the ups and downs of a Mountain bike track while developing your technical biking skills. A selection of bikes will be available for use on the day.
1pm – 3pm Mini Obstacle Course
The obstacle course will be available all day, test your skill on the slalom course, bike limbo and snakes.
1pm and 2.30pm Cycling Stunts Workshop
Your opportunity to get familiar with cycling tricks, and coaches on hands to demonstrate and teach wheelies, bunny hops, & Endos.
1pm – 4pm BOLT E-Bike Display and Demo
E-bikes will transform your daily commute, try out for FREE.
1pm – 4pm Adapted Bikes
Try a selection of bikes for people with reduced mobility.
1.30pm – 3.30pm Learn to Cycle / Balance Bike Games / Scooter Fun
This is an ideal opportunity for children moving from a balance bike or stabilisers. Learn to cycle with Cycling Ireland coaches through fun and games! Balance bikes are small, pedal-free bikes that are taking over from training wheels! This track gives your child a safe place to train, have fun and further develop their coordination skills.
1.30 – 3.30pm Build a Bike Workshop*
This is an advanced workshop for those who want to learn more about building and maintaining bikes with Paul Murphy.
2pm and 3pm E-Bike Spin*
Trial an E-Bike on some nice off-road routes, cycle through the streets of Kilkenny and enjoy an E-Bike tour with Jason, our knowledgeable tour guide and owner of Kilkenny Cycle Tours.
*Booking required click the link.
3pm – 4pm Grass Track Bike Racing
Races will run for all age groups, from balance bike riders to thrill-seeking mountain bikers. Levels for all ages and abilities, come and have a go.
3pm Get back on your bike – Cycle With Confidence*
For all ages, build up your confidence on the bike in a safe environment and enjoy a spin along the canal.
Bright Future Conversations
2pm – Restoring Biodiversity and Organic Growing with Kitty Scully and Maura Brennan
Kitty Scully is a well-known organic gardener and local food advocate. Growing up on a mixed organic farm in Co Laois, she picked up a love of growing good food at a young age. She was the former Head Food Gardener at Airfield Estate and recently presented the new TV series, “Home Grown”.
Maura Brennan established The Acorn Project in Kilkenny, a natural heritage education and place-based learning programme that celebrates the heritage and living landscape of the riparian woodlands of the Nore through action-based learning initiatives. Maura is involved in many action-based events that increase eco-literacy and the ability to understand and value the natural systems that make life on Earth possible.
This talk will focus on restoring biodiversity in our community and gardens.
3.00pm – Cycle Tourism in Kilkenny Michael Whelan, Harry Everard
Kilkenny has an amazing network of quiet country roads, a towpath along the Barrow and a soon-to-be-opened Greenway. Join the conversation on how we support Cycle Tourism in Kilkenny.
3.30pm – Trad Sessions with Kilkenny Musicians
Wellbeing
1.15pm – 1.45pm, 3pm – 3.30pm Yoga
Enjoy a gentle 30-minute outdoor yoga session. Bring your mat or a towel.
1.30pm – 2.15pm, 3pm – 3.45pm Drumming with Rhythm Makers*
An easy and fun way to express your inner creativity. Explore the different elements used in active music-making using pulse, tempo, tones on prepared instruments and also home-made instruments. Learn about basic composition and arranging rhythms into finished pieces.
2pm – 3pm Activator Walking
Activator poles have been developed by Canadian therapists to promote balance and improve mobility. Activator Walking helps balance, posture and gait; enhances core and muscle strength; reduces the impact on your joints and helps to reduce falls. Activator Walking is particularly good for people with balance concerns or mobility issues.
All Day Activities
Watt Bike Challenge
How much power can you generate on a watt bike? How long can you balance your bike for the track stand? How many bottles can you pick up while staying upright? Where will you place on our leaderboard of challenges?
Bike Maintenance Workshop
Learn all about maintaining your bike including tyre pressure, puncture repair and adjusting brakes with Ian Bergin from The Kilkenny Cycle Clinic.
Nore Vision
Discover more about the biodiversity of our rivers with mini-workshops from the team at Nore Vision!
Creative Play
A creative play station for children to enjoy arts, and some nature-based crafts throughout the day.
Orienteering on the Riverbank
This photo-orienteering course, specifically designed for Bikefest, takes in routes along the river and is suitable for all ages and abilities.
More to be announced…
Lots of other activities to try on the day including Teq Volley, Hang Tough Challenge, Giant Jenga and mini-games. There will be limited parking on the day so leave the car at home and join us by bike, on foot or by public transport. Please ensure to have your bike and helmet but don’t let that stop you as there will be activities that don’t require a bicycle.
Great refreshments from Boula Bus, a Taste of Malaysia and Olivia’s Yummy Raw Treats are available all day! You are welcome to bring your own picnic and enjoy it in the Rose Garden. We will have a bottle refill on the day so please bring your reusable bottle.
13th - 14th May
