Bike
We look at some of the top Irish races you should be slotting into your 2014 calender
There is a saying that races are won in the off-season. To give you a bit of motivation on those dark winter nights here is some info on the rapidly approaching 2014 season with many race series announced both domestically and internationally.
Biking Blitz
The early bird races the Blitz. Event organisers Biking.ie run this phenominally successful race series that serves as a baptism for many modern XC racers. The Baggy shorts category is reserved for newbies removing that start line jitter of ‘I’ll be dropped on the first climb’. Off course you may be but that’s why we are telling you about it now rather than in February!
The courses make use of the Coillte trails at the venues meaning that nothing is too scary or dangerous for racing virgins.
Round 1: Ballinastoe, Co. Wicklow - 2 Feb 2014 (14km or 28km)Round 2: Ballhoura, Co. Limerick - 16 Feb 2014 (17km or 36km)Round 3: Derroura, Co. Galway - 2 March 2014 (16km or 32km)Round 4: Ticknock, Co. Dublin - 16 March 2014 (14km or 28 km)
For those that have some experience there is always the Super Pro category. Junior riders are particularly well catered for with categories beginning at under 8s.
Entry is now open.
Gravity Series
Also run by Biking.ie, the Gravity Enduro series is now entering it’s third year and is very much the darling of the Irish MTB set currently.
Races regularly sold out last year and rumours are flying that some top International pros have included dates in their calendars for 2014, as such you might want to get in there early!
Actually this is where the early bird catches the worm. There is a five races for the price of four special on early registrations.
Round 1: Ballinastoe, Wicklow - 12th/13th AprilRound 2: Ticknock, Dublin - 17th/18th MayRound 3: Ballyhoura, Limerick 12th/13th JulyNational Champs: Djouce, Wicklow - 2nd/3rd AugustRound 4: Carrick, Wicklow - 6th/7th September
Racing is fast and furious, but completely accessible, as everyone starts individually. Practise is on the saturday, with racing on the sunday. Courses are technical in nature but nothing too scary. Pads must be worn. A truly epic day on the bike, best enjoyed with a group of mates but warning - bragging rights are immediate on the finish line where you are handed your stage times!
Bluegrass Enduro series
Just as we went to press details emerged for the Bluegrass Enduro Tour for 2014. The six round series kicks off in France with a childrens day the day before and a new “Open” category aimed at allowing people to try Enduro for the first time. Round 2 moves to Scotland and will feature a mass start on the last stage which is bound to be fun/carnage depending on how you look at it.
The Irish round in August is being billed as a Ladies only event which is interesting and the final round is in Sicily with a season ending "ride-with-the-Pros" all-mountain ride the day after the race.The Ballyhoura round was the race of the year for this writer last year with a fantastic vibe and two days of spectacular racing over seven stages. Miss this at your peril!Round 1: Dabo - France - 06 AprilRound 2: Glencoe mountain - Scotland - 04 MayRound 3: Rombach le Franc - France - 11 MayRound 4: Dublin - Ireland. (Ladies-only event) - 16 AugustRound 5: Guebwiller - France - 21 SeptemberRound 6: Castelbuono - Sicily - 26/28 September
Irish XC NPS
The National Cross country league swings into action on the 27th of April at the multi-award winning course in Slade Valley. Belfast, Ballyhoura and Garvagh are the other announced stops on the tour with two more yet to be announced. This tour de force celebrates the best of Irish courses annually and is not one to be missed!Round 1: Slade Valley, IMBRC - 27th of April Round 2: Venue TBC - 11th of May Round 3: Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park, Belfast, XMTB McConvey Cycles - 25th of MayRound 4: Ballyhoura, Team Ballyhoura - 8th of JuneRound 5: Garvagh, Carn Wheelers - 22nd of JuneRound 6: Venue TBC - 6th of JulyXCO National Championships: Fossa, Killarney CC - 20th of JulyXCM National Championships: TBCXCM European Championships: Ballyhoura, Biking.ie - 14th/15th JuneThe European Marathon Champs land in Ireland in 2014 with Biking.ie serving up another cracker of a course in Ballyhoura. Open races (Experts, Masters, Vets, Classic Vets) and a 35km Fun race take place on Saturday the 14th and are open to all while the Elite & Espoir men and female racers take to the trails on the Sunday. How often can you say you took place in a European champs?
Red Bull FoxhuntRed Bull Foxhunt returns to Rostrevor on the 4th of October 2014 for another weekend of madness in County Down. This is perhaps the most fun you can have on two wheels with Gee Atherton chasing the red jerseyed hounds down the hill.
Gentleman Gee is super approachable and for many riding with him was their highlight of the year. Location, great trails, awesome event support, and uplifts! Need we say more? See you on the start line!
Enduro World Series (Bonus International Event)
Fancy spreading your wings a bit? 2013 saw the birth of the inaugural Enduro World Series. Dates and venues for the 2014 season have been announced including a stop not too far from our shores, in Scotland.
The 30th May/1st June sees the EWS roll into town with registration set to open in February. Best to watch Twitter and Facebook for announcements though as this will sell out faster than you can say haggis.
Round 1: Andes, Chile - 19 - 20 AprilRound 2: Tweedlove Festival, Scotland, UK - 30 May - 1 JuneRound 3: Valloire, France - 21 - 22 JuneRound 4: La Thuille, Italy - 13 - 14 JulyRound 5: Colorado Freeride Festival, USA - 26 - 27 JulyRound 6: Crankworx Whistler, Canada - 9 - 10 AugustRound 7: Finale Ligure, Italy - 4 - 5 October
The French round particularly suits those looking for a weekend away as racing doesn’t allow for pre-riding leveling the field. Competitors ride once down the course before going straight back up and doing their race run. French Enduros also make extensive use of ski lifts. There we’ve said it!Another popular option are the Italian SuperEnduro’s. More pedally than their French neighbours they are immensely popular and plenty of Irish tricolours mixed it up in 2013. Racing is fantastic but don’t be afraid to look beyond the EWS rounds once the full series is announced.
