Meet Snailblazers - Ireland’s cycle-packing community
There’s something quietly powerful about rolling out on two wheels with a group of people who just get it. It’s never just about cycling. It’s about connection, confidence, and joining a little community in the world that feels like right.
That’s exactly the spirit behind Snailblazers.
Born from a love of adventure (and a healthy appreciation for going at your own pace), Snailblazers is a cycling and bikepacking community in Ireland that’s as much about people as it is about pedalling. Whether you’re brand new to bikepacking, curious about spending a night outdoors, or simply looking for a welcoming group to ride with, this is a space where you can show up exactly as you are.
In this interview, we chat with the Saoirse behind Snailblazers about how it all started, and what keeps the wheels turning.
Hi Saoirse,
1. Tell us about your group — who are you, and what kind of adventures bring you together What’s the shared thread that connects everyone?
We’re Snailblazers - a cycling community that is about more than cycling.
It’s for people who are interested in adventure, spending time outside, learning new skills, socialising with like-minded people or getting some headspace in nature.
This year we’re running group rides, bikepacking weekends, introductory courses and workshops. We want to create both a space and practical resources for people who enjoy cycling adventures or are simply curious to try one.
2. What made you think, “We should make this a thing”? Was there something missing, something you wanted more of, or a feeling you were trying to create?
On my own cycling journey I was very intimidated by traditional cycling groups. I predominately saw men in lycra with beautiful bikes and I was nervous to show up as the only girl, not knowing much about bikes or slowing them down.
I’ve since travelled the world on my bike and it has allowed me to experience things that have completely changed my perspectives on life. Most importantly, through these cycling adventures I’ve gained a huge belief in my own abilities and competence to face many different situations.
Snailblazers aims to break down the barriers that prevent people from taking on cycling adventures. Many of us under-estimate ourselves, especially women, and when I returned to Ireland, I wanted to help create a welcoming environment where people would feel comfortable to just turn up, give it a go and connect through bikepacking.
I want to see more people giving bikepacking a go because I believe that outdoor adventure is a great tool to help us realise that we are all more capable than we think.
3. How would you describe the vibe of your group?
What values really matter to you, and what makes your community feel like yours?
Snailblazers is like the hippie cousin of traditional cycling.
We want people to turn up and feel accepted no matter what gear they have, what bike they ride, how much experience they have or what they look like.
Snailblazers is there to create a space that feels welcoming for all, especially people that are under-represented in traditional cycling groups.
We’re trying to implement our inclusive beliefs through our messaging on social media and ticketing strategy. We’re initially focusing on reducing barriers for FLINTA riders (Female, Lesbian, Intersex, Non-binary, Trans and Agender people) and people who may face financial barriers.
Cycling has traditionally been very male dominated. We want to create a mixed space that is more representative of our population. For our ticketed events, 50% of spaces are reserved for FLINTA riders and for our festival we’re testing out releasing tickets in two batches for people that need more time to plan around childcare etc.
Where possible, our standard tickets will offset a small number of subsidised tickets and profits from our events will be reinvested into a kit library so people can borrow bikepacking gear before having to invest in it.
We want bikepacking to feel possible, not exclusive.
4. How do you look after each other out there — physically, mentally, and emotionallyEspecially when things get hard, cold, or a bit wobbly.
The reality of cycling and Irish conditions is that sometimes it can get tough out there.
For our team and community, it’s a balance, we want to encourage people to push their comfort zones, whilst also accepting that it’s okay to say, ‘not today’. Having fun should be a priority.
The goal is that people leave with a greater sense of self belief and that means creating a space where you can give it a go, in your own way.
For example, if you see someone else who has a puncture, giving them encouragement or tools whilst allowing them the space to solve the problem on their own rather than taking over without permission and fixing it for them.
If there is a big climb, we celebrate everyone that gave it a go. It doesn’t matter if you ride up, walk up or decide that today is not the day, the important thing is that you tried. We hope that belief and messaging comes across in everything that we do.
5. When you look ahead, what do you hope this group becomes? And how do you hope people feel because they’ve been part of it?
We hope Snailblazers becomes a symbol to show that cycling doesn’t have to look one particular way. Our plan is to continue listening to feedback from our community and growing in that direction.
The other thing that we’re very passionate about is managing growth and accessibility with sustainability. I’ve heard of so many amazing communities that have had to stop because of volunteer burn out. We want Snailblazers to be in existence for many years to come. A priority is to learn how to balance the unseen time, money and effort involved in building a community whilst also continuing to make it accessible.
I hope people leave feeling more confident in their own ability and inspired to take on their own adventures. I would love to see more people in Ireland riding bikes and enjoying what a beautiful country we have. We would also love to see more local groups like this popping up all across Ireland and I hope people who come to our gatherings feel empowered to start something in their local area, if they don’t see it already.
Follow @snailblazers.cc here