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Clonakilty bike tours get under way

July 25th, 2016 11:25 PM

By Southern Star Team

Some of the cyclists who took part in Tuesday's Clonakilty bike tour pictured at Inchydoney with local guide Cllr Christopher O'Sullivan, left, who showed them around the area.

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The Clonakilty Bike Scheme – the only such one in Ireland in a town of Clonakilty’s size – got its free guided cycle tours up and running this week with a trip out to Inchydoney. 

THE Clonakilty Bike Scheme – the only such one in Ireland in a town of Clonakilty’s size – got its free guided cycle tours up and running this week with a trip out to Inchydoney. 

People may participate on their own bicycle or if they don’t have one, hire one from the scheme at any of the local hotels or the Model Village for the weekly tours, which start from O’Donovan’s Hotel each Tuesday morning at 11am (weather permitting) and are led by a local who will talk participants through the various attractions they will pass and stop at. 

Initially the tours will go as far as the stunning Blue Flag beach at Inchydoney, just a few kilometres outside the town and back again. This is a very easy route, being level practically all the way, and part of it includes an ancient track not suitable for cars. 

The tours are conducted at a leisurely pace, with the guide stopping regularly to point out snippets of historical interest, the birdlife in Clonakilty’s bay and recommendations of places to visit, such as the West Cork Model Railway Village, along the route. 

The tours are free and last two to three hours and white bikes from the Clonakilty Bicycle Scheme can be hired at any one of the local hotels or at the Model Village for €10 for three days or, if you’re a local, join the scheme for just €20 per year. This gives you unlimited use for the three days or year with the first hours usuage free each time a bike is signed out, and just €1 per hour thereafter.

Check on www.clonbike.com to see locations and numbers of bikes available to rent at each one in advance. Keep an eye out on the Clon Bike Scheme Facebook and Twitter pages (both ClonBikeScheme), for details; or ring main organiser and guide, local county councillor Christopher O’ Sullivan on 087-9016534 or email him at [email protected] for further details.

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