Major Mountain Bike event announced for Lough Derg
A major Mountain Biking Event will take place in the Lough Derg area in April 2011. The Mountain Bike Challenge is a multi stage event that will take place over two days and is the first of its kind in Ireland.
9th & 10th April, 2011, Killaloe: Lough Derg will play host to a major Mountain Biking event attracting Mountain Bike riders from all over the country. The event will take place over two days and will incorporate four different courses all based within close proximity to Killaloe/Ballina.
The event is the first of its kind to take place in Ireland and is expected to attract mountain bikers from all over the country and further afield. Andrew Deakin from Dolmen Sports, the event organisers, says “Ireland lends itself perfectly to mountain biking. We have an abundance of rural routes, scenery like no place else and there’s a growing amount of people who want to get out on their bikes to enjoy it.”
Also involved in the event are Niall Davis and Tarja Owens of Biking.ie, Ireland's Mountain Biking experts. Davis, a highly accomplished International Mountain Biker says "This is a fantastic route in a spectacular part of the country. The course provides plenty of climbing, fast descents and spectacular views of Lough Derg and the surrounding area -for those who have the time to look. It’s very exciting to be involved with an event like this. It’s a progressive concept and will provide a challenge for all participants from the elite rider to what we call the Weekend Warrior".
Less experienced riders will have an opportunity to get a taste of Mountain Biking too. The MS Ireland Sunday Cycle, which will take place on the second day of the event, will bring riders over two stages of the event with proceeds from the day going to MS Ireland.
The MS Ireland Sunday Cycle day will be set up in Ballycuggarrin Forest which is just a few minutes drive North of Killaloe. Spectators will be able to see the action up close and the race village will be open to the public.
More information on the event at: www.mountainbikechallenge.ie.
Or from Conor Madden, Dolmen Sports at:
conor@dolmensports.com
087 997 4633
Dolmen Sports Moy Road, Kinvara Co. Galway www.dolmensports.com