PARTICIPATION On Your Bike! Pedal power comes to Meath with An Post Cycle Tour

People in Meath are being encouraged to dust down the cycling shorts and track suits, put on their helmets and get on their bikes, as part of a massive cycling event which takes place on Sunday July 5th 2009.

Meath is one of 5 counties which will participate in the An Post Cycle Series commencing with one tour each month from May to September. The other four counties taking part are Sligo, Clare, Waterford and Cork.

The Meath Heritage Cycle Tour is organised by Meath Local Sports Partnership under the auspices of the Irish Sports Council and offers participants from all walks of life an opportunity to get on their bikes and experience the heritage and scenery of the county... and what better way than from the freedom of a bike.

Three routes are planned for Meath - 40km family cycle tour, 100km & 160km cycle tours. Meath LSP hopes to attract 500 cyclists.

"The An Post Cycle Series offers whole communities around Ireland an opportunity to be part of the fun of a really inclusive day out, to experience close up the beauty of their locality and to rediscover the simple pleasure of getting back on their bikes. The Series promises to be a great way for family to spend a day of fun together, while the more serious rider can enjoy a more challenging route" said Donal Connell, Chief Executive of An Post

"We are very excited about the new An Post cycle series", John Treacy, CEO Irish Sports Council said. "Cycling as a sport has huge potential to increase participation in physical activity. The collaboration between the Local Sports Partnerships, Cycling Ireland and An Post in this project opens the sport to a new audience. The project makes the most of all the talents of the various partners and is exactly the type of innovation that we are delighted to support".

An Post already has a strong association with cycling in Ireland through sponsorship of the An Post/Seلn Kelly professional cycling team, and sponsorship of the Green Jersey on the Tour of Ireland.

"Our work with the Sports Council on the An Post Series is an extension of our relationship with cycling," said Connell. "This is just bringing it full circle, right back into the community and to people of all ages who are ready and willing to get on a bike this summer."

The An Post Series gets underway this summer with the first event, the An Post Tour of Sligo taking place on Sunday, 10th May. This will be followed by the second event in Clare on Saturday, 20th June, Waterford event will be on Sunday, 30th August and the final An Post Cycle Series event will be in Cork on Sunday, 13th September.