Minister wheeling and dealing for great bike ride

The phrase ‘on your bike’ is not something any politician is ever too keen to hear, but for the next few weeks Fine Gael TD Brendan Griffin will be happy to make an exception to the usual rule.

The junior sports minister was yesterday part of the launch for the third edition of the Great Dublin Bike Ride and, while the 60km one-day race is focused on the capital, he believes the high-profile nature of the cycle will encourage people across the country to hit the road with their best Seán Kelly impressions.

“As someone who cycled the Ring of Kerry three times having not been on a bike for about 15 years, it’s not as daunting as it seems,” he said.