The first attraction is the pump track where you aim to do continuous laps without pedalling, using only your body weight to maintain momentum. This is the ideal and great fun way to learn how to perfect your technique and learn how to choose great lines.

For more mellow riders (families and beginners), the 6km blue loop which weaves around the estate, is ideal. Speed demons are also well catered for on the faster and more challenging red section, which includes tabletops, rock gardens and fabulous berms (banked corners). There is also a skills loop (highly recommended) where you can find jumps, berms, drops and log-rides.

The entire course has cleverly designed by Olympic trail builder Phil Saxena. The trailhead is set in a working farm in the middle of the Blessingbourne Estate (read more about them in Outsider Escapes on p36). Plans are underway for a bike wash and food in the traditional oak beamed coach house. Parking costs €4.

The project was joint funded by the estate owners and the Northern Ireland tourism development scheme. More trails are in the pipeline so keep an eye on www.cycleni.com to find out more.

If your bike needs parts (new brake pads for example), you will be able to purchase these in the shop so you can learn to fit them yourself. Similarly, you can buy tools. But don’t worry, you are not obliged to buy anything and you will have access to a full professional workshop regardless.

Midweek evening courses typically start at 6.30pm and are held all year round. Further information on nationwide locations is available on biking.ie and if you have a small group of friends you can even arrange a private class.

The cost of the course is €95 per person which includes €25 worth of gear/brake cables, all lubricants, grease and oil. Bargain considering your bike should be fully serviced at the end. For more details, visit www.biking.ie

This one-day adventure race consists of bike, hike, run and kayak. The course is 42km and will take you to some of the gems of the Dingle Peninsula. Biking over the spectacular winding Conor Pass, following in the footsteps of St Brandon climbing Ireland’s second highest Mountain range Mt Brandon, running country roads of the peninsula and kayaking in Dingle Harbour. Further details at www.dingleadventurerace.com.

The bicycle exhibition focuses on bicycle lifestyle, and showcases bicycle products, bicycle films, and bicycle art by Matthew Knight – a diverse Irish artist, influenced by Celtic, Aboriginal, Street, and Lowbrow art. According to Bear, the Irish bicycle lifestyle is similar to the Dutch bicycle lifestyle. However, Bear observes one big difference: Irish see cycling predominantly as spring and summer activity. In the Netherlands, cycling is for all seasons. Bear sees no reason why winter and autumn would be unfit for cycling in Ireland.

Further details about the exhibition can be found at www.bear-bicycles.com

Looking for the cycling challenge of a lifetime? Then why not take part in the in the first ever Celtic Cycle Challenge on 13 August 2011. Combining some of the best road cycling routes in Ireland and Britain, with a mobile tented village experience in a 6-day, 600-mile journey through Wales, England, Scotland, and Ireland.

The Celtic Cycle Challenge offers those with a passion for road cycling the opportunity to be part of an exciting and adventurous challenge – whilst helping Barnardos and the Irish Heart Foundation raise valuable funds for their work in combating heart disease and making Ireland a better place for children.

To register for the challenge go to www.celticcyclechallenge.ie You can pay the deposit to secure your place on the event today via their online booking system and commit to a minimum fundraising target of €2,350 which will be divided equally between Barnardos and the Irish Heart Foundation.

The Biking Blitz is the mountain bike race with something for everyone! Kicking off the 2011 biking season with a bang, the first event of the series will be held in Ballinastoe on 6 February.

There are two categories to choose from; Baggy Shorts and Super PRO. Racers will battle it out in Wicklow on 6 February, Limerick on 20 February and Galway on 13 March in an attempt to be crowed King and Queen of the Irish mountain bike trails centres.

The final round in Galway looks set to be a great weekend. The infamous Moycullen airbag will be brought out to play at the Moycullen pump track party, while the overall Biking Blitz winners will be crowned after Sunday’s race.
The entry fee is €20 and youth racers go free. Places are limited so early registration is advised. Full event details available at www.biking.ie

The last event in the Tuff Trax duathlon series will take place in surroundings of the Killruddery Estate, Bray, Co Wicklow on 12 December. This location has been used for several mountain bike championships and the course is no walk in the park.

There will be sport and expert options on offer. Those with little experience off-road should opt for the sport category while the expert course will definitely challenge those with more experience.

Niall Davis of Biking.ie is offering mountain bike hire for only €20 for race day if you do not have a suitable bike. He is also Ireland’s leading mountain bike coach and is available for expert tuition by arrangement in advance. Email info@biking .ie for further information.

Use of the discount code MSAIFriend will get a 15% discount of the standard single or double race entry fee. Entries are now open, further information is available at www.tufftrax.ie

Winner in the Sport race was The A Team’s Stuart Montgomery in a diving finish just ahead of Cathal De Barra (Both 1:04:27) with Eamon Lenihan (1:07:11) in third. Wicklow Tri’s Deborah Meehan (1:13:56) proved stongest lady ahead of Nessa Smyth (1:17:29) and Ciara Mulvey (1:19:00).

In the Expert section Naas Tri’s Dave Duke (1:56:12) survived a late bike tumble to take the victory ahead of Peter O Farrell (1:56:50) and Adrian Hennessy (1:58:27) whilst IMRA’s Melanie Earwaker performed impressively to win in the ladies section ahead of Aideen Keenan.

Biking.ie are hosting an introduction to mountain biking in Ballinastoe Woods for National Trails Day on 3 October 2010. They will be running two introductory classes completely free of charge!

The aim is to slowly build up your confidence on a mountain bike by demonstrating fundamental skills. A low to moderate fitness level is all that is required and it would help if you aren’t a complete stranger to cycling. Information will be provided about the sport, finding a club and having fun on your bike. Bike hire will be available at a discounted rate of €20 for those attending.

Session 1 at 10am
Session 2 at 12pm

Places must be booked beforehand info@biking.ie

In preparation for this year’s Rás na mBan, which takes place in Sneem this 17-19 September 2010, a women only cycle training weekend is taking place in Co Kerry on 14-15 August.

This is the perfect opportunity to get ready for Ireland’s only women’s stage race which has already attracted entries from international teams. Training spins start at 10am Saturday morning with the group divided according to ability. There will be a skills course for the less experienced and a cycle ride of about 30km. The more experienced riders will do between 60km and 70km, including interval training, speed work and learning how to ride in a group.

Following lunch, there will be a debrief with coaches who will discuss technique, training, nutrition, advice and anything else riders want to know. Sunday’s programme will be similar and ultimately participants will leave with details about where they should be going next with their training.

The cost of the weekend, including coaching, feedback, B&B for two nights and one dinner at Sneem Hotel, is €159 for Cycling Ireland members or €169 for non members. If you’d prefer to organise your own accommodation and meals, the cost is just €20 per day.

For more information on Rás na mBan or indeed other upcoming women-only cycling races that can be used in preparation, visit: www.womenscycling.ie. There is also a sample recommended training programme available