Couch to 50km: A new Cork cycling group is encouraging women to get on their bikes
There’s nothing like a good ‘aul cycle.
It has been said that the safety and liveability of a city and its design can be measured by how many women cyclists, especially women cyclists with their children, can be counted.
And whether it’s to feel the wind in your hair, run an errand, or get in some serious exercise, cycling is by far one of the most enjoyable ways to get out and about.
But you might have noticed that when it comes to cycling, men far outnumber women, especially at competition level. Hell, even amongst the cyclists that carouse around the city, it’s common to see groups made up entirely of men and not a single woman amongst them.
Of the many theories as to why this is, some of which are attributed to systemic gender discrimination, some to the lack of facilities and funding for women’s sports in general, ultimately part of the answer lies in building confidence and experience amongst would-be cyclists to encourage more women to take part.
Running from now until Saturday, November 15th, Cork Tri Club has organised a series of ‘Women Couch to 50km’ events- a women-only cycling program, run by experienced cyclists from Cork Tri Club to do just that.
“Beginning at a distance of 20km and building to 50km+ at the end of the 12 weeks. The program will include a Saturday morning cycle every other week with the option to arrange casual meet-ups on the weeks in between,” said the group online.
“The pace will be sociable and there will be plenty of tips shared along the way,” they added.
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Once you’ve gained enough road experience, progression to the weekly Cork Tri Club rides is always a goal.
If you’re keen to get on your bike, you can join Cork Triathlon Club on Saturday, October 7th and 21st, as well as Saturday, November 11th and 21st. To sign up for free, head to their Eventbrite page here.
