Image: Don MacMonagle
OVER 40,000 bikers and biking enthusiasts have converged on Killarney this weekend for Ireland Bike Fest and many of the bikers are women.
Enthusiast Patricia O’Donoghue, who has been biking for nearly five years, remarked: “Women are taking to the roads in record numbers and not as pillion passengers but as fully fledged motorcycle riders.”
She added: “To be honest, people still look sideways when we take off our helmets and they realise it’s a woman underneath. We get remarks like, are you sure you can handle it.”
Patricia’s advice to women interested in taking it up is get the proper training, start off with a bike where their feet are flat on the ground and then just go for it.
“It’s all about confidence, freedom and being out in the fresh air, come rain or shine,” she said.
Ireland Bike Fest is the country’s only free, open biker festival with every make and model of motorbike imaginable, along with their owners, welcome to attend.
The festival headquarters, located at the Gleneagle Hotel, is the main hub of activity and it houses The Bike Village, featuring trader stands with specialised biker gear and a great social scene.
Highlights include daily ride-outs around famous touring routes including the Dingle Peninsula, Ring of Kerry and Wild Atlantic Way, marshalled by Celtic Thunder Chapter Ireland and Gaelic Chapter Ireland.
There are also free Harley-Davidson demo rides.
The parade through the streets of Killarney, in aid of Muscular Dystrophy Ireland, will once again take place on the Sunday and there will also be the opportunity to win a Harley-Davidson in a raffle in aid of Muscular Dystrophy Ireland.
Ireland Bike Fest is supported by Harley-Davidson Europe, Authorised Dealers and HOG Chapters in association with Destination Killarney Ltd and Fáilte Ireland.
