Bike
These are 2017's best mountain biking events in Ireland... are you brave enough to get involved?
The mountain biking scene in Ireland is on the up. With new trail centres opening up and ongoing improvements being made to existing ones, there are more people than ever opting to hop on the saddle and head off-road.
The surge in popularity in the sport has also had a really positive impact on the mountain biking events calendar. With world-class events happening here throughout the year, it is hard to believe that mountain biking didn’t even exist in Ireland some 20 years ago. The growth of the sport has been phenomenal.
Although the EWS isn't on this year in Ireland, there's still nothing stopping you from getting out there and signing up for one of these awesome mountain biking events.
1. Biking Blitz
The Biking Blitz is a beginner friendly mass cross country mountain bike race series with something for everyone. There are two distances to choose from – the Baggy Shorts for beginners and Super Pro for those with more experience – so it is a perfect event for all levels of riders. Youth and junior categories are also on offer so the whole family can get involved.
Racers will battle it out in Wicklow on 11 February, Limerick on 25 February, Galway on 11 March and Dublin on 25 March in an attempt to be crowned King or Queen of the Irish mountain bike trails centres.
2. Gravity Enduro Ireland
The 2017 Gravity Enduro Series will see competitors battle it out over five, two day events held in some of Ireland’s premier mountain biking locations – Ballinastoe, Ticknock, Mt Leinster, Carrick and Djouce – with the winner crowned as the best all-round rider in Ireland. Gravity Enduro combines the fitness of cross country riding and the technique of downhill racing.
3. Vitus First Tracks Enduro Cup
The Vitus First Tracks Enduro Cup is the ultimate test of skill, fitness and metal on some of our country’s finest trails. The event will consist of four rounds where competitors will complete a lap of anywhere between 16km - 28km.
Each round will present its very own set of unique challenges. Within each lap are up to six timed stages that each last between two and 10 minutes which can be anything from natural singletrack to trail centre. The rider with the fastest overall combined stage times wins.
This event is primarily aimed at intermediate to advanced riders, however, a shorter Sports category will be on offer for those with a little less race experience.
4. Davagh Enduro
This laid back and fun-filled event is now in its fourth year, and each year has been getting better and better. The five timed stages take place in Davagh Forest and can take anywhere from 2 minutes to 10 minutes. Most of the route involves descent, but don’t get too comfortable as there is a sneaky climb along the way.
5. Red Bull Foxhunt
The rowdiest of races in international mountain biking is back once again for another year taking place on the trails of Rostrevor, County Down. The rules are simple, a few hundred riders are released at once and their job is (kind of) straightforward- ride to the finish line ahead of the fox. Who is the fox? This year it's a pair of double UCI World Champions in the form of Loïc Bruni and Gee Atherton.
Keep your eyes peeled for more information on RedBull.com/FoxHunt as this event sold out in a matter of hours last year.
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