3 crucial dates for return of Irish cycling events & training after lock-down

The Government in the Republic has confirmed many Covid-19 lock-down measures will be eased from May 10^th. And more crucial dates for the further easing of lock-down will follow in quick succession.

In Northern Ireland outdoor training in groups and also bike races and other cycling events, with capped numbers, have already resumed with the first races held last weekend and more to come.

The bad news for cyclists in the Republic is that there is still a wait before we will enjoy the same freedoms already in place in Northern Ireland. But the good news is that the key re-opening dates for cycling are now stated and they are not too far way.

May 10^th:All non contact group training, in pods of up to 15 people, can resume. This means all forms of social and club training, in groups capped at 15 riders, can resume from May 10^th. Furthermore, inter county travel can also resume from May 10^th, meaning you can train in a group anywhere you want.

June 7^th: This has been billed as the date for the “return of matches” but – pending confirmation from Cycling Ireland – it looks very likely that races, and perhaps some leisure events, will be able to resume on this date.

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July 5th: A pilot scheme will be rolled out for a return of spectators to sports events, which would aid the organisation of cycling races in the Republic.

Other dates of some interest to the domestic cycling
scene – racing and leisure – include June 2^nd when hotels, B&Bs,
guesthouses and self-catering accommodation can open once again. This would aid
cyclists in traveling around to events and may be an early sign that stage
races could be possible this summer.

Likewise, from June 7^th places like gyms, swimming pools and leisure centres can open again for individual training.

The timetable for the easing of restrictions was set out by the Government on Thursday evening, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin saying the vaccine programme was continuing at pace and a degree of normality was now about to return.

“Each and every one of us has an image in our heads of a moment that we’re looking forward to enjoying when we get through this," he said in his televised public address. "Tonight each and every one of us is closer to enjoying that moment than we have been for a very long time. Let’s stick to our strategy.”