Get ready to ring in the holiday cheer with the 5 th annual Gort Santa Cycle, happening on Sunday, December 21

This family-friendly event promises to bring smiles, laughter, and festive spirit to all.

When: Sunday, December 21st, 2025
Where: Meet at Gort Train Station
Time: 2:00 PM
Free Sign-Up: Register here

We warmly invite everyone—young and old—to don their favourite festive outfits and join us for this joyful ride . Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or just looking for some holiday fun, this is the perfect way to celebrate the season.

The fun-filled cycling experience will take participants from Gort Train Station, along the picturesque Gort River Walk, and finish at Sullivan’s Hotel.

While donations are entirely voluntary, any contributions made will go to the Gort Resource Centre, supporting the incredible work they do for our community.

A special thanks to Sullivan’s Hotel for their amazing support. Every participant will be treated to a free hot chocolate, making the day even sweeter!

So, gather your family and friends, dress in your brightest festive colors,  bling up your bike and join us for a memorable festive ride. We can’t wait to see you there!

Santa Claus

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Bike Week is all about celebrating the simple joy of cycling — whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or someone rediscovering the bike after years away. This year, Gort Cycle Trails is proud to bring you one of our most loved community events: The Gort Mini-Greenway Cycle

Mark your calendars for Sunday, May 18th and join us for a scenic group cycle from Gort to Coole Park, looping back via the beautiful Gort River Walk. This leisurely 9 km route is perfect for those who want to get out in the fresh air, enjoy some gentle movement, and connect with others in our vibrant community.

Why join the Gort Mini-Greenway Cycle?

This event is more than just a cycle — it’s a celebration of community, connection, and the beautiful landscapes we’re lucky to call home. You’ll cycle along the peaceful Glenbrack route (affectionately known as the Gort Mini-Greenway), pass through lush greenery, and stop at Coole Park Tea Rooms for some well-earned treats — from savoury snacks to sweet desserts and warm drinks, all thanks to the support of Galway Sports Partnership and Galway County Council.

We’re proud to say the event is free to attend, but spaces are limited to just 40 cyclists — so be sure to grab your ticket here:
https://GortBikeWeek2025.eventbrite.ie

Event Details:

• Date: Sunday 18th May (Next Sunday!)

• Time: 1PM sharp (meet at Gort Railway Station – Eircode: H91 CY91)

• Distance: ~9 km return

• Pace: Leisurely

• Fitness level: Moderate

• Age: Children aged 10+ welcome with an adult

The cycle will be escorted by Gort Gardaí, ensuring a safe and friendly environment for everyone.

What to Bring:

• Hi-vis vest or jacket/ Raingear if it is a rainy day, Sunscreen if it’s sunny!

• A bike helmet

• Comfortable clothes and shoes

• Bike lights (optional but helpful!)

As always, the cycle will be led and supported by experienced, certified leaders — including myself, a CycleRight instructor and First Aid-certified Bike Activator. Safety, enjoyment, and inclusion are at the heart of what we do.

Get Involved

Would you like to support the event? We’re looking for volunteer marshals to help guide and encourage participants on the day. It’s a great way to get involved, meet others, and contribute to a healthy, connected community.

Contact Info

• Questions or dietary needs? WhatsApp me at 087 6860939

• Instagram: @gortcycletrails

• Twitter/X: @cyclegort

• Email: katleenworkinginireland@gmail.com

Whether you’re cycling solo, bringing a friend, or coming with the family, we’d love to see you there. Let’s make this Bike Week one to remember — filled with fresh air, laughter, and the shared rhythm of wheels turning through the Burren Lowlands.

Let’s roll into nature, connection, and community. See you on the mini-greenway!

#BikeWeek2025 #GortCycleTrails #GortToCoolePark #GreenwayCycle #CommunityCycling #SafeCycleTrails #GalwayEvents #ActiveTravel #BikeWeekIreland

The post Community Cycle #BikeWeek2025 – Join the Gort Mini-Greenway Cycle! 🚴‍♀️🌿 appeared first on Gort Cycle Trails.

Get ready to ring in the holiday cheer with the 4th annual Gort Santa Cycle, happening on Sunday, December 22nd.

This family-friendly event promises to bring smiles, laughter, and festive spirit to all.

When: Sunday, December 22nd, 2024
Where: Meet at Gort Train Station
Time: 2:00 PM
Free Sign-Up: Register here

The fun-filled cycling experience will take participants from Gort Train Station, along the picturesque Gort River Walk, and finish at Sullivan’s Hotel.

We warmly invite everyone—young and old—to don their favourite festive outfits and join us for this joyful ride . Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or just looking for some holiday fun, this is the perfect way to celebrate the season.

While donations are entirely voluntary, any contributions made will go to the Gort Resource Centre, supporting the incredible work they do for our community.

A special thanks to Sullivan’s Hotel for their amazing support. Every participant will be treated to a free hot chocolate, making the day even sweeter!

So, gather your family and friends, dress in your brightest festive colors, and join us for a memorable festive ride. We can’t wait to see you there!

Santa Claus

The post Join the Festive Fun at the 4th Gort Santa Cycle! appeared first on Gort Cycle Trails.

Gort Cycle Trails at Velocity Leipzig

Gort Cycle Trails Activities for #BikeWeek2023

CycleRight Training at Gort Community School

starting, stopping, sudden stops, turning, manoeuvring turning left, turning right, using your gears up and down a hill, rules of the road and a few guided cycles. The weather was not on our side unfortunately and except for the last session, we got drenched. I will be organizing classes again soon, this time I have secured an indoor facility should the weather not be on our side You live and learn.

we cycled onwards to Ennis. The weather had been dry but promised wet. Shortly after we left, it started to rain, and it didn’t stop till we arrived at 7 am in Ennis. Breakfast never tasted so so nice

Gort Cycle Trails Activitie in September

Gort Cycle Trails activities in October

The post Gort Cycle Trails – Activities May to October appeared first on Gort Cycle Trails.

Last year I had the opportunity to take part in my very first Velocity Conference in Ljubljana in Slovenia, as part of the Cyclist.ie delegation. You can read my report here

I submitted an abstract around the social media campaign of #RedRoute5 and how with support from many communities we got the highest amount of submissions. All going to plan, the Galway to Athlone Greenway will open in 2025. Check out our Facebook group here.

This year the international cycle conference is taking place in Leipzig in May, and I’ll be going again, not only to attend but also to participate in a panel discussion called ” Pushing for cycling : Leadership for Action.

Below is the email I received to confirm my abstract was accepted. Yes, I am excited! Click on the image to register to attend.

The post GortCycleTrails & VeloCity Conference in Leipzig appeared first on Gort Cycle Trails.

Hi all,

The Gorgeous Gort Forum organized a superb Community Fair at the Gort Community Center, giving Community Groups, associations and clubs the opportunity to showcase their activities, how to get involved to volunteer or how to become a member. It was also the official launch of the Gorgeous Gort Forum that were/are at the driving force to transform the streetscape of Gort. Read more here

So what did I have on my stand?

Small section with books about cycling and mobility !

Movement : How to take back our streets and transform our lives by Thalia Verkade and Marco Te Brommelstroet

I read this book after attending the Velocity Conference in Ljubiljana  ( read my report here). It really challenges the (often) accepted view that roads are for cars, why electric cars aren’t the solution to traffic congestion, social & political history in the Netherlands around cycling,and many other topics around infrastructure, language , policy, parking spaces and design of Public Space

Dervla Murphy – Bike explorer extraordinaire and superb travel writer that wrote many books.

I really enjoyed reading her first book Wheels in Wheels, the making of a traveller , on her early life in Lismore and the many challenges she faced.

Currently reading Full Tilt : Ireland to India on a bicycle When Dervla was 10, she got a bike and an atlas, and it was then she decided she’d cycle from Ireland to India on her bicycle. 21 years later she did. I am currently at the stage where she is in Kabul. She has written many books, so I am hoping the library has copies too.

Orders your today from Kennys.ie – remember FREE delivery in Ireland. Just click on the links  and you’ll go straight to the Kennys website ( who are , as it happens, Galway based)

Cycle Classes: Get Back on your bike

I recently qualified as a cycle right instructor and will start to deliver cycle training in a community setting. Training is aimed at people that haven’t cycled in a while and are interested to refresh their cycling skills, with a review of basic biking skills, balance, rules of the roads and plenty of exercises to refine your cycling skills and abilities. Are you interested to refresh your cycle skills to give you the confidence to cycle and explore your local area? Follow this link to add your interest and I’ll be in touch!

Local Cycle Routes

I have been documenting local cycle routes, follow this link with loops I have documented so far. During Covid I did a lot of cycling and tried to map a cycle in each community of the Burren Lowlands. I still have many loops to write up/document. One day you’ll find them all here!

Join the Gort Bicycle User Group ( Gort Bug)

There currently isn’t a voice for cyclists in Gort and surrounding areas. I am looking for people from all walks of life and ability, striving to make Gort and the communities around it a better and safer place for people to cycle. We can arrange trips in the area, set up mechanical bike sessions, hold cycle classes,  invite speakers, and help shape public space that includes cyclists. For now, join my newsletter, I’ll be in touch soon!

Win a Cycle goodie bag!

20 people entered their name to get a goodie bag containing rechargeable bike lights front and back, a T-shirt, a High Viz Jacket, a Drinking bottle, a saddle cover, reflectors and flashing lights on your spokes.  An innocent hand picked 2 winners, check out their names below:

Big thank you to the Gorgeous Gort Forum for a very well organized  and well attended event and  wanted to congratulate the committee with the official launch of this entirely voluntary led initiative. Thank you for all the energies and focus of the last few years, you are making a real difference to Gort!

The post Gort Cycle Trails at the Gort Community Fair appeared first on Gort Cycle Trails.

On Friday the 27th of May, 101 1st year students cycled and 35 walked from Gort Community School to Coole Park via Glenbrack aka the #GortMiniGreenway.Check out the below videos taken on the day!

First Video is a collage of videos and images I took as the group cycled and walked from the school to Coole Park and activities the week before with cycle training.

Second video is drone footage as the students crossed the bridge of the Motorway.

Third video shows the students cycling on Bridge Street in Gort!

Check out the route here!

The post Gort Community School Cycle to Coole Park Via Glenbrack #GortMiniGreenway appeared first on Gort Cycle Trails.

Hi World!

Welcome to the very first blog post on the new GortCycleTrails.com website.
Earlier last week I registered as a sole trader and look forward to developing cycle training and cycle Tours!Yesterday was a beautiful day and we visited Kilmacduagh and did a loop via Poulataggle in Co. Clare, such an experience, literally cycling into the Burren. Check out the below video!

I have a lot of catching up to, as just finished 4 events I set up for  #BikeWeek2022 and have a few videos to share of those events.

So watch this space, I’ll be adding articles soon!

 

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