Rebel Pedal Sunday 20th September – Picture Slideshow published

Rebel Pedal in the Rain
Having been the main organiser of Rebel pedal for the past 4 years, today was certainly the wettest and the least number of participants. Perhaps this should be rather deflationary, however, as I journeyed home I felt more of a buoyancy at the indomitable spirit of all those who braved the rain to cycle through the streets of the city and down to the Atlantic Pond, especially the considerable number of young children undeterred by the rain.
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It is also very heartening to see the kindness of strangers, so to speak, from the Manager of Deep South who proffered a safe and warm space for the children to have their faces painted by Niamh & Silvia, out of the elements and all of the people who help out every year with the cycle. The volunteers with the St. John’s Ambulance, Alan and Stephen, the Gardai, in addition to the motorcycles and car it was great to have the community Gardai on bicyles again, and all of the volunteer stewards, many who do this every year.
We appreciate the Lord Mayor, Cllr. Chris O’Leary who not only gave a very positive message about the support of the city to sustainable travel and the future positive changes that will be undertaken but also joined in on a Bike Scheme bicycle for part of the cycle.
However, the heroes of today are the fifty or so people, many parents and young children who came out to support this sustainable travel initiative as the Rebel Pedal is an opportunity to cycle safely through the colourful city streets and encourages all ages to travel in a more sustainable way. The City Bike Scheme offers even more flexibility to join in such events, one participant came from Ballingeary by bus and joined the cycle through the scheme. Another one of our members came with his daughter and her friend from Charleville combining the event with other activities in the city.
Deirdre and Bryce were a welcome sight at the Atlantic Pond with the iconic EcoBus and had offered refuge to the Good Rain who were in situ at the back of the bus providing the musical entertainment. Thanks to Andy Ferriera, photographer, who also cycles with the Rebel pedal parade to get the best shots and we appreciate too the coverage by the Evening Echo.
Congratulations to Stephan Koch, the chicest male cyclist (we think it’s the socks that did it!) and to Niamh Scanlon, chicest female cyclist. Sincere thanks to the Bike outlets who supported the raffle, everyone loves a raffle, to Cillian Read of the Bike Shed, Barry from Kilgrews and Patrick Murray of City View Wheels.
It may have been the wettest Rebel Pedal for a while but there is something enlivening about embracing the elements and making the most of it, might be a Cork motto! Thanks again to everyone who supported the event and to the donations from some participants & last but by no means least thanks to our funders for this event Cork City Council & the Cork Sports Partnership.

Please join us for our Annual Family Fun Cycle through the streets of Cork with a post pedal picnic at the Atlantic Pond featuring music from the Good Rain, wonderful food from the iconic EcoBus and lots more entertainment.