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.