The wheel deal if you want to improve your level of fitness

GET YOUR KIT ON/CYCLING: EMMET MALONEcontinues his fortnightly series aimed at helping people take up a new sport or activity

ALL INDICATIONS suggest the big guy upstairs is firmly rooting for cycling as a way for ordinary folk to get themselves fit. Like other sports, cycling requires investment on the part of the participant in terms of time and money. Ideally, what you get in return is a healthier, happier you.

Cycling appears to be on the up at the moment. The challenge for new cyclists is to take it to the next level. Heather Boyle of Cycling Ireland jokes about the organisation looking to “bully” people from one form of engagement to the next.

“You can see the growth in numbers of people cycling to work and the like, but we’re at people then wanting to know, ‘When are you going to race?’”

The transition, she insists, is not as great as some would imagine and by helping people get back out on the roads, the Bike to Work scheme (a Government initiative that gives employees tax relief to purchase a bike) is credited with contributing to a growth in club memberships and more competitive cycling.

“We’ve certainly seen a percentage of people who have bought bikes in order to commute who then remembered how much they loved doing it before. It has also helped to bring a better awareness of cycling and the sport has benefited from the growth of mass participation-type events,” says Boyle.

Among the most successful is the An Post Cycle Series, an initiative organised with the support of the Irish Sports Council by a number of local sports partnerships. The Sligo event took place over the weekend and next up is the Tour de Burren (June 19th) followed by Trim, Co Meath, in July, Waterford in August and Cork in September.

WHAT THEY SAY

‘We already have as many members enrolled for this year as we did for the whole of last year,” says Heather Boyle, “and pretty much every area is experiencing growth.

“Something like track cycling is amazingly popular with kids and young people generally. When you tell them it’s about going as fast as they can on a bike without gears or brakes they can’t wait and because they’re so fearless, they tend to be great.

“Road cycling is the most visible end of the sport, though. And if people want to get beyond simply cycling in and out of work, a club can offer the opportunity to race maybe once a week midweek and go for a longer spin at the weekend.

“The level of commitment is small starting out, but it’s extremely social and, if you want to, there are plenty of opportunities to get more involved.”

WHAT IT DOES

DCU’s Dr Giles Warrington, a physiologist and specialist in exercise, is a fan. He sees cycling as something that provides opportunities for those who are short of time, lacking in fitness or even injured in some way.

“This is a great way for the general population to stay active and get fit,” he says. “Cycling ticks a lot of boxes and is relatively easy to work into a schedule.

“It provides a lot of the benefits of other high-intensity exercises, particularly in something like the cardiovascular area, but it is very low impact, making it ideal for people of all age groups, from young kids to the elderly.

“In terms of weight loss, it’s not going to be quite as effective as running, but you are going to burn off something like 600 calories an hour. It tones the legs and bum but also, if you’re covering even slightly undulating ground, then there is a bit of an upper body workout, too.

“It’s a great way for somebody who is engaged in another sport to cross train or for somebody who is injured to maintain their fitness, but it’s really good too for people just starting out, those who aren’t fit or are maybe a little overweight.

“As little as 10 minutes a couple of times a week can work as a starting point, building to at least a couple of longer cycles, with perhaps a more leisurely one at the weekend.

“Oh yeah, and it’s good for the environment too.”

WHAT IT TAKES

A decent second-hand bike can be bought for a couple of hundred euro, while a top-end racing bike can cost up to €6,000.

Gary Donohue of Cycleways in Parnell Street in Dublin says: “Probably 80 per cent of the bikes we sold last year involved the Bike to Work scheme and most of those would probably be looking to spend something around the €1,000 upper limit allowed.

“The scheme has got a lot of people back into cycling, but it’s not the only thing. Even something like the Dublin Bikes scheme has had an effect because people use one, realise they can get across town in five minutes and they like the idea but would like something better.

“If it is for commuting then you’re probably starting out at something like a Specialised road bike for around €600. You can get bikes for less, but they’d be heavier with cheaper parts. Basically, you get what you pay for.”

On top of the bike itself, you’ll most likely need a helmet, lights, a lock and some form of reflective clothing – all catered for under the Government scheme – which combined should run to another €150 or so. Spending more again on lycra cycling gear and accessories is easy in the event that you decide to get a little more serious about it all.

WHERE IT’S AT

The first port of call could be the Cycling Ireland website (cyclingireland.ie). Membership costs €10 for a year and brings various benefits including many pointers on how best to get involved.

National Bike Week (June 13th to 20th) includes a lot of events aimed at encouraging people to get started and all are listed at bikeweek.ie.

Details of the An Post race series are available there, too, while entry forms for the Burren event can be accessed at burrencyclingclub.com.

“Last year’s event was a terrific success, but we’re hoping for a lot more people, about 1,200-1,500 this time,” says John Sweeney of Clare Sports Partnership.

“As well as a lot of locals, we had people from Dublin, Donegal, France, Holland and Britain the last time, and reaction was hugely positive.

“The 10km family event is very important to us too, though. It’s marshalled by the gardaí where it’s on public roads and so it’s very safe. It’s a wonderful setting and geared towards even very young children enjoying it. That’s very important, they’re the future of the sport.”