For the last five years, the Big Day Out has been the Cycling Ulster Women’s Commission’s flagship event, dedicated to bringing women from all corners of the province together on bikes. Usually, we call the Tollymore National Outdoor Centre home, but with the venue temporarily closed this year, we took the event “on tour” to ensure we could still deliver for our community.
We brought 70 women to Corralea Activity Centre, in Fermanagh for a fantastic day of road cycling, gravel riding, e-biking, and wellness. Beyond being a great day out, the event offered a powerful reflection of how grassroots sport can bring Sport Northern Ireland’s “Be Seen, Be Heard, Belong” campaign to life.
Be Seen
Visibility matters, but so does leadership. While it was incredible to see 70 female cyclists taking over the roads and trails of Fermanagh, what made the day truly special was that our groups were guided by female ride leaders. Having women out in front, navigating the routes and managing the groups, gives others the confidence to step up. It sends a powerful message that women aren’t just participants in cycling, they are leaders.
Be Heard
We know that cycling clubs can sometimes feel intimidating, so we listened to what women actually wanted and designed the day to remove those barriers. We set up five distinct groups to ensure there was a safe, welcoming space for everyone, no matter their fitness or experience level. On the road, we ran a Road Challenge group alongside a more relaxed Road Chill ride. On the gravel, we mirrored this with both Challenge and Chill groups, and introduced a dedicated e-bike group for a gravel treasure hunt. By offering choices instead of a “one-size-fits-all” ride, we heard what women needed to feel comfortable. For several attendees, this was their first time ever riding in a structured group.
Belong
The magic didn’t stop when the bikes were parked. The afternoon was entirely about connection. We held a yoga session, fired up the barbecue, and took over the lakeside spa’s hot tubs and saunas. Some of the women who came along shared that they didn’t even know the Women’s Commission existed before signing up, and they were incredibly happy to finally find a community of women to meet and ride with. Bringing women together from throughout the province created a real sense of shared identity and belonging that will last long after the event.
The Big Day Out is just the gateway. We keep in touch with all females through our mailing list to keep them involved in the sport year-round, constantly running progressive programs to help women try out different types of cycling they might not otherwise access.
Events like this simply would not happen without the dedication of the Cycling Ulster Women’s Commission. I am incredibly proud to be part of the awesome team alongside Claire Young and Donna Smith, who work tirelessly to plan and execute this event to perfection every year.
A huge thank you to all of the riders, leaders, and volunteers who made the trip to Fermanagh so special and helped prove that there is a vibrant community ready to welcome any woman who wants to get on a bike.
