Top 5 trails and trail centers
âCycle routes are popping up all over Ireland right now. Almost every corner of the country now has an official mountain bike trail center – it’s crazy to think of 10 years back when that wasn’t really something. on the radar, and now it’s almost becoming mainstream sport. “
Greg Callaghan riding the GAP at sunrise
© Ross Bell
âThe runners will have a real mix of challenges here. The proper tracks can be pretty smooth, smooth, high speed, while the nature is rougher, muddy, rocky, so you can really develop a lot of different skills on a hill.
Greg Callaghan rides the GAP regularly for his workout
© Ross Bell
The views over Dublin and beyond are unbeatable
© Ross Bell
âHere’s a tip: get up at sunrise to avoid the crowds at Ticknock, as it gets very crowded in the summer. Also, as you look east, you will have the sunrise over the sea. ‘Ireland as you ride. “
Beware of the GAP
© Ramsey Cardy
“A former golf course turned into an ATV park, the most popular thing about this course is that they offer lift service, so you can throw your bike onto a trailer in the back of a van, get in said van and spare you a bit of lung capacity when you go up to the top of the hill. They have a lot of groomed and professionally built tracks, so you have everything from big jump lines, really technical tracks to tracks for complete beginners; it really caters to everyone there.
Greg riding in Glencullen Adventure Park
© Ramsey Cardy
âEach trail is different, with tips for all levels of rider. With the full range of trails from blue to black, this is truly a great place to progress.â
Greg and his friends relax at the 200-year-old Johnnie Fox’s pub
© Ross Bell
âThe Rostrevor mountain bike trails are located in a beautiful part of the world. The course itself has a great setup and like the GAP they also lift. You will find a wide variety of trails, full downhill trails which elite runners will train on a nice official loop which is fun but gentle enough for beginners.
The hill overlooks a vast expanse of scenery, with incredible 360 ââdegree views out to sea and then over to Carlingford Lough. On a good day, Kodak Corner is one of the best mountain biking spots in the country.
Greg Callaghan sliding in the dirt
© Duncan Philpott
âIt’s definitely rockier terrain here compared to what I train on in Dublin. Some of the trails are nestled in beautiful forest while others are in the open, hugging mountains and views. I spent years touring here for racing Downhill trails are some of the best My best experience here was Red Bull Foxhunt [above in 2018], when I became the fox – an experience hardly anyone has. It was one of the funniest races I have ever had, and everyone involved came away with tons of personal stories. “
Ballyhoura has nearly 100 km of incredible mountain biking trails
© Ballyhoura Fáilte
âWith such a vast trail network, there is a lot to explore, from narrow technical trails to big ups and downs. You will quickly understand why the 2015 Irish Championships took place here.
Discover a wonderland of the Ballyhoura Fáilte forest
© Ballyhoura Fáilte
âWhile Rostrevor or Ticknock feel in touch with a city, here it feels like one with nature – it’s such a vast area. You can really explore the local hills, which is really cool.”
There is never a bad time to wakeboard
© Ballyhass Wake Park
âThere is an RV park about 10-15 minutes from the trails, although if you are looking for a B&B there are even a few mountain cabins in the area and loads of great finds elsewhere.
“There is nothing better than going to a cool place, seeing cool tracks, cool scenery, having a good day on the bike, racing with your friends and, at the end of the day, during the day, to sit down to eat a little, have a little fun, tell stories about the day, and enjoy the vacation aspect. “
âAs with any of these official trail centers it uses a kind of gravel surface. It makes it good in all weather so you’re not going to show up and get buried in a muddy bog if it is. it’s a rainy weekend. “
âBeing so close to Strandhill – one of the best surf spots in the country – you can cycle in the morning and then hit the waves later in the afternoon. What better way to end a day?
Evening surf at Strandhill
© The Irish Content Pool
Note: Always check locations before traveling to make sure they are open and not affected by Covid measures.
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Greg Callaghan
Ireland’s number one mountain biker, Gregâ¦
Ireland
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