Ballymoney gears up for Bike Week

* Lower Bann Leisure Cycle (Ballymoney to Coleraine and return) - Saturday 16 June at 10am-1pm, Riverside Park, Ballymoney. A challenging yet leisurely 18-mile bike ride. Starts and finishes in Ballymoney’s Riverside Park (main car park off Armour Avenue) and follows NCN Route 96 into Coleraine, returning to Ballymoney via the Lower Bann Cycleway. Following mostly minor country roads, the route affords beautiful views across the Antrim Hills and River Bann. Welcome refreshments will be served at the half-way point. This event is aimed at families and individuals with previous cycling experience and a reasonable level of fitness, as there are several small hill climbs.

Not suitable for primary school age children. Post primary children must be accompanied by an adult. For further information about this event Tel. 028 2766 0227 or 028 7024 7234.

* Bring a Bike Night - Monday 18 June at 6.30-8.30pm, Townhead Street Car Park, Ballymoney - This is a great opportunity for families and individuals to dust off their bikes and join in a leisurely “roon the town” cycle, both on and off road, and experience the wealth of cycling provision available for all to use.

The route will include Riverside Park and an opportunity to view the progress of the new cycle friendly Railway Bridge opening this summer. Ride at your own pace with Ballymoney CC Racing Team and meet the very best local, national and international cyclists.

You can come along on any type of bicycle or tricycle and Ballymoney Cycling Club will have tandems, special needs bikes and a range of town and country cycles for everyone to get involved. Healthy refreshments will be provided. All abilities and disabilities welcomed.

* “Bike Ballymoney” Games - Tuesday 19 June at 6.30-8.30pm, Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre - This is an event for the whole family with fun on bikes as the key theme, including early stage skills and cycle games - a great way to build confidence enjoyably!

After the fun activities there will be an opportunity for a short off-road leisure ride along the town’s shared use path network and Riverside Park. Healthy refreshments will be provided. Children of all abilities and disabilities welcomed on bicycles, tricycles or balance bikes (with or without stabilisers). Every participating child will receive a medal of achievement. Parents are encouraged to join in the activities.

* Jubilee Cycle - Friday 22 June at 10.30am-12.30pm, Riverside Park, BallymoneY - Everyone is welcome on this community celebration off-road bike ride along Ballymoney’s shared use path network to not only celebrate the Diamond Jubilee but also the new Ballymoney Railway Bridge.

So come along, enjoy the ride and view the progress of the new shared use railway bridge. Translink have arranged for a site engineer from McLaughlin & Harvey to meet the participants and chat about the new bridge. Schools and younger children are particularly welcomed along to this event. Healthy refreshments will be provided. Meet at the main car park off Armour Avenue.

FREE healthy snacks and drinks will be supplied at every event and there is a CERTIFICATE for EVERY child taking part.

Everyone is WELCOME to come along and enjoy the FUN!

For further information on any of the above events please contact Ballymoney Borough Council on 02827660227 or visit www.ballymoney.gov.uk

Bike To School Day - Wednesday June 20; Bike To Work Day - Friday June 22. During Bike Week Ballymoney Borough Council encourages everyone to cycle to school, college or work as an alternative to using motorised transportation!