Cycling Club helps people on journey from addiction to recovery

A CYCLING club with the goal of helping people in their journey from addiction to recovery has been established in Clondalkin, thanks to a project providing financial support for equipment.

Clondalkin Tus Nua, a community-based addiction support centre, has launched a Recovery Road Cycling Club following the success of a similar project in Ballymun.

Such was the raging success of the club on the north side, an anonymous benefactor has committed to €500,000 to help establish 18 Recovery Road Cycling clubs nationwide.

The Recovery Road Cycling Club in Clondalkin Tus Nua is supported by Trek Bikes, Think Bikes, South Dublin County Council and Cycling Ireland, with Jamie Doran acting as the champion of the group to oversee its operation.

“Clondalkin Tus Nua’s initiative is aimed at increasing our service users’ recovery capital,” Jamie Doran said.

“Cycling has so many important elements of recovery. It promotes mental and emotional well-being, along with the benefits of physical activity.

“The social element, fun and sense of achievement from cycling will improve our group members’ recovery in each of these areas.

“We’re delighted to be starting this in Clondalkin and look forward to the benefits what will undoubtedly flow from this.”

Liam Hogan and Tom Barber of the Addiction Recovery Cycling Group, which provides financial support to acquire road racing bikes, advice and training, supported the new project in Clondalkin.

Addiction Recovery Cycling Group received the €500k from a benefactor who wished to remain anonymous and the group intends to use it to establish new clubs.

The Clondalkin club is the second one after Ballymun and the first in an expansion that could see a further 18 clubs.

“The original idea for using cycling as a help for those recovering from addiction came from Philly McMahon,” Barber and Hogan said.

“We set up this ad hoc group to make it happen and we are delighted with the progress that has been made from a standing start.

“Brian Foley has done a tremendous job in building the Ballymun Recovery Road Cycling Club and Jamie Doran will do likewise in Clondalkin.

“Club Champions, such as Brian and Jamie, are vital to the success of the initiative. These guys are inspirational.

“The association with well-established community groups is also key to the success of the endeavour.

“The partnership with Clondalkin Tus Nua will create a sustainable platform for the Club there which means that it will be well organised and very active.”