Mountain biking Ballinastoe

University of Limerick Mountain Bike Team

The lunatics from UL mountain bike team came up to Wicklow for some mountain bike training and guided tours this weekend. We spent the whole of Saturday riding some really technical trials like this one. After some pointers and practice everyone nailed what must be the toughest line in Djouce.

Sunny biking in Ballinastoe

Mountain Biking in Ballinastoe

Ballinastoe was super busy this bank holiday weekend, a few more days of sunshine like that would be great!

Green-Oil Bike Wash Spray

Started using the Green Oil bike cleaner "Green Clean" last week. Has anyone tried it? I reckon its well worth a go- removes the muck with no nasty chemical smell.



Bit of Biking at Ballinastoe

Busy day with lessons in Ballinastoe today. What a cracking day to be out on the bike, you'd think it was July!

Sharing Space with Cyclists #5

On rural roads with limited forward visibility, remember that a CYCLIST may be around the NEXT CORNER. Adjust your driving to suit the conditions and the road ahead.

For more safe travel tips see http://www.smartertravel.ie/ from the Department of Transport.

Niall in Dirt Magazine Advert

Niall bike testing for MBR Magazine

Biking.ie Bike Skills for Outsider Magazine

Sharing Space with Cyclists #4

During their hours of operation, it is ILLEGAL to PARK or DRI VE in a CYCLE LANE bounded by a continuous white line. You may enter a cycle lane bounded by a broken white line for necessary, temporary manoeuvers but don’t encroach on cyclists.

For more safe travel tips see http://www.smartertravel.ie/ from the Department of Transport.

32 New Mountain Bikers

Well after today's National Trails Day in Ballinastoe Woods we now have 32 new mountain bikers! We rode all the lower trails in Ballinastoe and covered the basic beginner skills. It was great craic altogether!

Mountain biking in the lashing rain

So you think your a hardy biker, this was their first time on bikes in years. We got absolutely soaked but it was great craic :) Fair play to the you gang!

Bike Hire at Ballinastoe Woods

Ready and waiting for some pre booked mountain bike rentals at Ballinastoe Mountain Bike Trails in County Wicklow. The most exciting trail centre in Ireland!

Mountain Bike Lessons

We don't just show you the skills on the mountain bike lessons, we ride some pretty amazing trails too! Its great to be able to see the improvements riders make within a couple of hours. Before the session they could ride this trail at all... now look at the speed!

Sharing Space with Cyclists #3

Don’t drive TOO CLOSE behind a cyclist – if, for any reason, they take evasive action or come off their bike, you might not be able to stop in time.

For more safe travel tips see http://www.smartertravel.ie/ from the Department of Transport.

Trek Demo Day

Some really nice kit at treks demo day today including custom project one bikes and shimano's electronic shift set up.

Cycle Inn Mega Store

We dropped in to the Cycle Inn Mega Store to check out the progress. Things are looking great, with open view workshop and large display area- that doesn't feel like a factory or warehouse!! You could actually spend a few hours chilling out and relaxing. It will be a cool place to hang out when it's done.

Bike hire at ballinastoe

Bikes serviced and ready to go.

Deer Hunting Season 2010-2011

Deer huntiung season is now open, Coillte will put notices at forest gates when hunting is underway.

Living Streets Festival

Looks like fun, great idea.

http://www.dublincycling.com/node/661

Sharing Space with Cyclists #2

Give cyclists PLENTY OF ROOM (1.5 metres recommended) when overtaking as they may need to avoid hazards you can’t see.Make sure you’re well past them before resuming your position.

For more safe travel tips see http://www.smartertravel.ie/ from the Department of Transport.

National Trails Day- 3rd Oct 2010

We are hosting an introduction to mountain biking in Ballinastoe Woods for National Trails Day on the 3rd of October 2010. We will be running two introductory classes- for FREE! Bike hire will be available at a discounted rate of €20 for those attending the classes.

Our main aim is to slowly build up your confidence on a mountain bike by demonstrating fundamental skills. A moderate fitness level is required and it would help if you aren't a complete stranger to cycling of some description! We will chat about the sport, finding a club and having fun on your bike.

Session 1 at 10am
Session 2 at 12pm

Places must be booked beforehand.
info@biking.ie

Watch out for tree felling at ballinastoe, they're working right at the fire road now.

Last of the post work spins in day light?

Sharing Space with Cyclists #1

Cyclists overtake slow and static traffis on either side. Check your mirrors. A cyclist could be in one of your blind zones, so take care when turning or moving left.

For more safe travel tips see http://www.smartertravel.ie/ from the Department of Transport.

Biking.ie in the Media

Biking.ie has been recommended on Simonseeks. Here's what they had to say;

The closest mountain bike park to Dublin is in Ballinastoe Woods in Co Wicklow. It's a purpose built mountain bike centre with 14km of great trails. Biking.ie rent mountain bikes and organise tours of the Wicklow hills taking in Ballinastoe Bike Park, Lough Tay, Powerscourt House and Gardens, Glendalough and many more sights. There's no doubt that the bike allows you to see so much more in one day than any other tour

Val di Sole MTB World Cup

We went to Val di Sole in northern Italy for the second last of the mountain bike world cup series. Val di Sole translates to the valley of the sun and we weren't disappointed with temperatures around 30' daily! The dusty courses made for some great racing, in the XC, 4X and DH.

The women’s xc was won by Nathalie Schneitter with Italian favourite Eva Lechner in second place. The men’s race was a spectacular dual between World Champion Nino Schurter and world cup leader Julian Absolan. As we've seen before this year, Schurter managed to out sprint Absolan, thus taking over the leaders jersey with only one round for the world series to go!

In the womens downhill, Emmeline Ragot took a decisive 2 second victory on what was the most physically demanding course of the year. The men’s race was won by British rider Marc Beaumont, after many of the favourites failed to deliver. Fastest qualifier, Gee Atherton described his run as a struggle, fighting the bike rather than flowing while the second fastest qualifier Arron Gwin had a big crash after being 1.5 seconds up on the first split time.

The world cup circus heads across the water to America for the final round of the world cup series and then to Canada for the World Championships.

Biking.ie on Facebook

We’ve just launched a dedicated Facebook page for Biking.ie so now it’s even easier for you follow us and keep up to date with Mountain Biking in Ireland. Check it out here

Mountain Bike Lessons in August

We have just posted some up and coming dates for mountain bike lessons this August. If you’re looking to progress your skills, Biking.ie provide expert tuition in the form of beginner, intermediate and advanced mountain bike lessons. Check out the calendar here

Why Biking.ie?

• 13 times Irish National Mountain Bike Champion

• World Cup, World Championship and Olympic mountain bike racers in DH and XC

• Certified in the Code of Ethics for Children’s Sport

• Fully Qualified SMBLA Mountain Bike Guides

• Red Cross First Aid Trained

• Ireland’s First SMBLA Mountain bike tutors

Mountain Bike Day tours in Wicklow

Brilliant fun on the Activity Tour Bus this. We took in trips around the bike trails in Djouce and Ballinastoe. Lough Tay is pictured below.

Transalp Livigno to Ponte Legno

One of the toughest days of the transalp ever according to the riders. The course was 104km today, taking in the Mortirolo road climb which Lance Armstrong believes to be the hardest climb he has ever done, the average gradient is 14%! Perhaps the cruelest part of the race was the 4km slog after the Mortirolo to the finish in Ponte Legno, "There was no need for that at all..." an Irish rider said in disgust!


The day was not without its causalities too, with Irish rider Eamon McConvey taking a bad fall on a fast loose descent some 15km from the finish. He was taken to hospital where it was confirmed that he has broken his collar bone, cracked a rib and punctured a lung. We wish him a speedy recovery.

Transalp hits Italy

This years Transalp mountain bike stage race crossed over into Italy today to finish in livigno. The infamous McCabe brothers are battling hard and pushing into a top 30 position. Gerry is nursing a torn achilles tendon which is hard enough as it is but... to make things even more challenging, the pedal on his strong side broke off. So he had to do 15km climb with only his bad leg! What a savage! Tomorrow's stage is 104km long with a monster climb to finish. Best of luck to all the Irish.

Day Tours Wickow

Biking.ie have launched a new venture called “Day Tours Wicklow” with Hill Top Treks and Brennanstown horse riding centre. A daily activity bus runs from Dublin’s city centre, with pick up points along the way to Wickow. You can hop off the bus and can choose from mountain biking, horse riding or hill walking. And when the activity is finished you will be transported back to your destination. For more information see http://www.daytourswicklow.ie/

New Hire Bikes

We just took delivery of some shinny new Trek 4900 hardtails which you’ll be able to rent at Ballinastoe, 3 rock, Djouce... We deliver anywhere in Dublin/ Wicklow.

The bikes are really nice to ride because of the wide riser bar, plush suspension and good bontragger tires. The bikes come equipped with 27 speed Shimano Deore grear, Shimano Deore hydraulic discs and a remote lock out to stop the suspension bobbing on the climbs, which saves you energy on the uphills! To rent a bike contact the bike hire hotline 0834346992

Niall in Dirt Mag

Dirt Magazine is the UK and Ireland’s number one downhill mountain bike magazine. Photographer extraordinaire Victor Lucas wrote an article all about the Dublin biking scene featuring some of the local spots. We can’t tell you where the fallen tree jump is but it makes a great photo!

Bike Testing for MBR Magazine

We flew out to Lake Garda with the guys from MBR to do some bike testing earlier in the year. We rode three free-ride bikes from top manufactures Scott Voltage, Commencal and Specialized SX trail. All bikes were fitted with the same tires to even up the odds but there was a clear winner. We’ll let you know when the review is published.

Best of Luck at the 2010 National Mountain Bike Championships

For those not in the know, the 2010 National Mountain Bike Championships are taking place this weekend in Djouce Woods County Wicklow. The weather forecast predicts rain but that will make the event even more fun! If you’re racing, best of luck or if you fancy a day out with a difference then come along to watch.

Mega Avalanche Race Results

Wow what a day, 5.30 wake up to be up at the gondola for 6am, the race started at 9am. Niall finished 19th out of 2000 riders who entered the event, beating off many top professional racers, happy days! Race report to follow soon.

Mega Avalanche Qualifying

Starting from the 4th row Niall finished 10th out of the 200 riders in qualifying today. The course was mainly downhill with just a short section of climbing. He’s riding a standard Trek Remedy with 150mm of travel front and rear, perfect for the job. The top 39 from each of the 12 qualifying groups go through to the main Mega Avalanche race on Sunday. Should be good!

Mega Avalanche Practice

Rough as hell this year and very hot! The qualifying track is the same as last year with loose rocky sections at the top, flat out fast grassy meadows in the middle and tight trees at the bottom. It’s a real mix and a great test of ability to hang on, 95% is downhill so its tough on the body.

On a side note, I got chatting to 6 time winner of the Mega Rennie Wieldaber earlier today, he was asking lots of questions about the new Columbia sportswear backpack... There’s a sure sign that the Columbia have got it right! Check out the review of the Mobex on http://www.spoke.ie/?p=2803#more-2803

The track for the main event is much the same as last year but the big problem will be the snow. With Europe experiencing somewhat of a heat wave, the high temperatures are causing the snow at the top of the course to melt. That’s going to be interesting come race day!

Mega Avalanche 2010

This week we are heading to France for the Mega Avalanche, the world’s longest downhill bike race. This is our second year in a row at the event, once you get a taste for the events it’s hard to stop coming back. Steeped in cycling culture, the event is based in the Alpine mountain resort of Alp d’Heuz, the site of many a great Tour de France stage. The Mega Avalanche itself is a mass descender (everyone goes at the same time) with 2000 riders fighting it out to be crowned the world’s best biker.

The thing we love about the Mega:

1. Euro techno music at the start line (LOL!)

2. French bread

3. The 2km glacier section (the start is at 3300mtrs altitude!)

4. Sunny weather (we hope)

5. 2000 riders all after the same line in the single track!

6. Chairlifts to get you up the hill

National Points Series XC race 3Rock- Results

Well done to MAD MTB who hosted a great event on Dublin’s 3Rock. If missed the event and want to ride some of the trails around 3Rock then contact us about a guided bike tour. Here are the results

National Points Series XC race 3Rock

Dublin’s 3 Rock Mountain is one of the best natural areas for mountain biking in Ireland. The mountain bike event there will see Ireland’s top racers battle it out on some of the best single track trails around. Congratulations to MAD MTB for promoting what is set to be a great event and best of luck to everyone competing. Here is an update on the course from the MAD men.

National Bike Week 2010- Pictures

Some great shots of the day are available here. We had a bit of a mixed bag with the weather but it was great to see lots of smiling kids on bikes! Mission accomplished.

National Mountain bike Championships 2010

Epic Mtb will promote the National Mountain Bike Championships on the 18th of July 2010 in Djouce Woods, Co Wicklow. Here’s the official press release.

EPIC MTB today announces that Irish Cross Country is coming home this year with the ‘K Capital Irish XC National Championships’ to be held in Djouce Woods on 17 & 18 July 2010. This superb venue offers everything that is great about Irish mountain biking. The venue, coupled with EPIC MTB’s track record in coordinating world-class competitive events, guarantees the success of the 2010 Championships


EPIC MTB will build on the success of the 2009 ‘EPIC Blast’ which won the much-coveted Irish Cycling Event of the Year in 2009 and the 2010 championships will showcase Irish Cross Country MTB racing to an international standard.

To ensure success, EPIC MTB have teamed up with FD K Capital Source (K Capital), strong supporters of Cross Country MTB, both nationally and internationally. EPIC’s drive and determination matched with K Capital’s passion for the sport is a winning combination that is sure to deliver a world-class event.

In addition to 10 races covering all MTB categories, the event will feature an all-day DJ, food and beverage stalls, streamed race footage, a children’s bouncing castle, face painting and much more. In addition to K Capital as lead sponsor, EPIC is pleased to welcome Grange Motors, Moto-Pitstop, Spoke.ie, Saddle Skedaddle, Hivar Engineering, Auto Care, U-Pak, and Clear Division as sponsors of the event.

Richie Byrne, Founder of EPIC MTB, commented “Mountain Biking is coming home to the best venue in Ireland for the K Capital XC Irish Championships this year. We are truly excited about the opportunity to build on the success of the EPIC Blast in 2009 and bring Irish XC racing up to a truly international standard. The event will showcase world class Irish and international riders and also the awe inspiring venue that is Djouce Woods.”

He added “We believe this event will continue to broaden the appeal of Mountain Biking in Ireland and we have a full range of competitive events covering the Junior, Sports, Masters and Elite categories. We are also pleased to partner again with the K Capital team whose commitment to the sport is second to none.”

For more details see www.epicmtb.com

To keep track of the build up, check out Richie Byrne’s Blog: http://epicmtbracing.blogspot.com/

Active 8 Bike Fun Day- Picture

Well we had a great day today at the Active 8 bike day. Lots and lots of kids turned out for the skills course, rewarded bike some nice Haribo jellies too! The rain came in the afternoon but the busy bikers were well tired at that stage so now problems at all, except for those left tidying up afterwards! Well done to everyone who took part.

National Bike Week 2010

Biking.ie are proud to be looking after the biking festivities for County Wicklow in June. Events will be centred around the bmx park in Greystones, see the Google map here. The main aim is to promote cycling for all the family, so we will have obstacle courses, fun cycles and some impressive bmx demos from Ireland’s top riders. So don’t miss it!

Active 8 Bike Fun Day

Biking.ie will be supporting Dun Loaghaire Rathdown’s annual bike fun day on the DATE in Shanganna Park in Shankill, Co Dublin, see Google map here.

New Bike Hire Delivery Service

Biking.ie now deliver top notch mountain bikes with suspension and disc brakes to anywhere in Wicklow or Dublin. We stock Trek full suspension (as pictured below) and front suspension mountain bikes. Helmets and tools are included for free!

For booking see www.biking.ie or call the bike hire hotline on 0834346992

Wicklow Outdoors Festival

Last weekend saw the first ever Wicklow Outdoor Festival taking place. Activities were being offered, for free, by lots very kind folk all around Wicklow. Biking.ie hosted free introductions to mountain biking on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Over 100 people turned out and had great fun in sunny Ballinastoe. Bike hire was available on the day with full range of top notch hardtail and cross country bikes, helmets included.

There was also an endless supply of Haribo sweets and Columbia Sportwear stickers for free too! So don't miss out next year, keep an eye on http://www.biking.ie/ for more events like this in the coming months.

Wicklow Adventure Race

Well done to everyone who took part in the Wicklow Adventure Race yesterday. There was a massive turn out and it was great to see everybody out enjoying the beautiful sunshine!

Cross Country National Points Series, Rd 1, Co. Dublin

The first round of the Irish XC NPS series kicks off this weekend at Slade Valley above Saggart in Dublin. It is also the third round of the Leinster XC League.

Slade Valley has hosted various XC events in the past including Leinster League and NPS races but the organising club, IMBRC have been busy creating new singletrack for the 5km course. 70% of the course is new singletrack!

As with previous IMBRC events the team relay makes a welcome return. Teams of three will race in relay format for one lap each around the course the day before the race, Saturday the 10th of April. This is an excellent way to pre-ride the course at true race pace and should not be missed. Sign on for this event starts at 12 with racing off at 1. Do not miss this! Entry fee is €15 per team.

See http://www.imbrc.com/ and http://www.spoke.ie/ for details

Ireland's first Mountain Bike Ranger

The Dublin Mountain Partnership (DMP) announced their latest recruits last week, including a new mountain bike ranger role. The DMP is charged with both promoting and protecting the area, and the rangers are the public face of the group. Biking.ie's Niall Davis has been selected as the first Mountain Bike Ranger in Ireland and is really looking forward to getting involved this summer. You can read more about the DMP on their website, or in the Sunday Business Post who featured the story over the weekend.

Biking.ie on Newstalk 106-108

Niall was chatting to Tom Dunne on Newstalk 106-108 on Wednesday the 31st on March. You can listen back to the show, part three @ 51:30. Listen Back

Save the Bike Trails

As you might have heard, the dirt jump trails St Anne's are at serious risk of getting demolished.

A massive cleanup/overhaul/landscaping job is needed to help save the trails. So all hands on deck until Monday 5th of April. You can get in touch with the crew to arrange helping out

Stephen 0863110281 // Rory 0863670881 // Andy 0879620027 // Jele 0879632893

Please bring your own tools if you can,shovels, picks, barrows, bin bags. We need a lot of rakes to level out the rough ground.

The future of the jumps depends on your help.

Mountaing biking at ballinastoe

Mountain bike hire now available at Ballinastoe. We have full suspension and hardtail bikes in a range of sizes. Helmets included in the cost. So on your bike! Summer is around the corner.
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Biking.ie 'Mountain Bike Training & Guided Tours'

Biking.ie Preview of Leinster League Rd 1

Niall rides the course for the first round of the Leinster League.

Racing795 - Leinster League Rd1 Preview from Racing 795 on Vimeo.

Development Mountain bike event in Galway

75 riders made the trip down to galway for some great mountain biking action!

Leinster League Round 1- Bunclody

We were down with the gang from Racing 795 on the weekend, looking at their final preperations for the up and coming Leinster League race on the 28th of March. The guys have put a serious ammount of time, effort and thought into the race track and its going to make for cracking racing and a great day out. Full details on Racing795.com.

Don't miss this one.

Mountain biking in Ballinastoe.

Went to ballinastoe for a blast around yesterday evening, trails still had snow on them but you can tell Summer is coming up fast.

Tarja on the City Channel for Wicklow Tourism

Have a look at the link below, part 3 at 5 mins for cool clip of mountain biking around wicklow!

Visit Wicklow TV Show

Xc development race, Sports A start!

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Biking.ie 'Mountain Bike Training & Guided Tours'

Lots of snow on 3rock again...

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Biking.ie 'Mountain Bike Training & Guided Tours' Sent by Sony Ericsson phone

Biking.ie in Outsider Magazine

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All Mountain Experience  
'Mountain bike holidays'

Contact us:
IRELAND
Tarja   +353 86 080 4417  
Niall    +353 87 417 6029  

ITALY
Tarja   +393 46 610 1170  
Niall    +393 47 330 6535

info@allmountainexperience.com
www.allmountainexperience.com

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Visit our new Irish website Biking.ie for mountain bike training in Ireland.
www.biking.ie

Cycling Legend Joe Daly passes away

Its very sad to hear of the passing of Joe Daly. For anyone wishing to pay their respects, his removal will be held tomorrow evening (Wednesday) from Fanagans Funeral Home in Dundrum to the nearby Church of the Holy Cross, Dundrum, arriving at 5.30 pm. His funeral mass will start at 11am on Thursday, going to Shanganagh Cemetery afterwards. May he rest in peace.

XC Developmental Race series

Biking.ie are sponsoring the XC Developmental Race series. We are giving away a one-to-one private training day for the winner of the beginners race, at each round!

Watch out for Team Snap Printing at the xc developmental race series!

Columbia Backpack

Sick of squashing your clothes into a bag? Get a Columbia's Mobex, beats anything i've ever used...

Tarja's new bike!

Things are very quiet in Riva!

Better weather

Great spin this afternoon, really nice to ride semi dry trails!

Mountain Bike Holidays Lake Garda

Womens Mountain bike and adventure week has been announced ffrom June 25th until 2nd July.

Due to the demand of last years week, the girls will be back to the town of Ronzo in the mountains overlooking Lake Garda and ready to take on the adventures of the mountains for another year.

We will be mountain biking, sampling the thrilling Via Ferrata faces of the Italian mountains, and taking some well deserved R & R time by the lake, which may involve some italian ice cream sampling and of course local vino, which is grown locally.

This week to open to all, you just have to be female!!

Contact Tarja for more details on 0860804417

Mountain biking in the snow

Couldn't resist heading up 3Rock mountain today for a blast in the snow. Decided to keep it short and sweet so not to get too cold. It was some craic, lots of sideways action on the hacker hardtail!

Snow Biking

Not much biking going on these days! Keep an eye out for the late January session and get you bike skills up to speed

Mountain bike holidays

3 days XC/All Mountain biking, hotel accommodation, breakfast and 'three course' evening meal each day, return airport transfers.

Don't forget: your sun cream, sweet tooth for ice-cream, Italy= best pizza, swimming togs.

Free: wifi, bike wash, laundry, shuttle for biking

Get these flights:
Ryanair Dublin to Milan Bergamo
€25.99 Fri, 18 Jun 10 07:00Depart 10:35 Arrive
€26.99 Mon, 21 Jun10 21:40Depart 23:25 Arrive

See our specific holidays website www.allmountainexperience.com for details