Special Guest Ride Leaders Announced For Zwift Social Rides
Cycling Ireland is delighted to announce a series of special guest ride leaders of our Esports Zwift Social Rides in the coming weeks.
As the new year gets underway there's no better way to get back on the bike than to join some of Ireland's top cyclists and participants from around the world for a social spin from the comfort of your own home.
Participants will be joined by a host of exciting special guest ride leaders in the coming weeks - including three Irish national team riders, a Rás Tailteann winner and one of Ireland's best Esports riders.
Cycling Ireland Zwift Social Rides offer a great chance to enjoy the best elements of Esports and get involved in our exciting competition.
Junior Bikes Competition
Cycling Ireland is donating a fleet of kids bikes to one lucky club following the successful launch of the Esports Zwift Social Rides last September.
The competition has been running since early October and each week participants nominate their Cycling Ireland-affiliated club through the chat function on the Zwift Social Ride for their club to be in with a chance of winning 6 Lapierre Sensium Junior racing bikes.
The draw will be made in early March and the winner will be announced through our social media channels. This is a great opportunity for a club to attract new youth members who would otherwise not have access to a racing bike.
Cycling Ireland will also be offering the club support when it comes to setting up a youth section, running youth club rides and hosting youth events, such as a grass track cycling series.
Upcoming Ride Leaders
January 10th - Daire Feeley
One of Ireland's best domestic road cyclists, Daire Feeley was runner up in the 2023 Road National Series. As well as finishing top of Cycling Ireland's A1 road racing rankings in 2023 and 2022, Feeley won the general classification in the 2022 Rás Tailteann.
January 17th - Lara Gillespie
The current U23 and elite road national champion, Lara Gillespie is one of Ireland's most promising cyclists on both the road and the track. Gillespie picked up double gold medals at the U23 Track European Championships last year and is an important member of the Ireland national team on the track.
January 24th - Alice Sharpe
Alice Sharpe is a former road national champion and experienced international track cyclist. As well as being an important member of the Ireland national team on the track, Sharpe represented Ireland in the 2023 Road World Championships and European Road Championships.
February 7th - Ronan Grimes
One of Ireland's most decorated para-cyclists, Ronan Grimes has won multiple world championships medals on both the road and track. The Galway native won silver at the 2023 Road World Championships and two bronze medals at the Track World Championships in an impressive year ahead of the 2024 Paralympic Games.
February 14th - Richard Barry
Richard Barry is an experienced Esports rider and has represented Ireland twice at the Esports World Championships. Barry has been among the top ranked Esports riders in Ireland in recent seasons and finished 44th in the 2023 Esports World Championships - competing in person at the event in Glasgow last March.
Additional special guest ride leaders may be announced in the coming weeks.
More information on Esports can be found here.