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Last Updated: Sep 3rd, 2008 - 23:52:47 |
MTB INTRODUCTION DAY FOR KIDS IN WICKLOW
On the 6th September, the Epic MTB club is running a Kids introduction to MTB day in Ballinastoe, Co Wicklow - 10.00am at the Main Entrance.
The organiser and Chairman of Epic Richie Byrne said "For some time now I have been amazed at the lack of underage riders at MTB events, coupled with the unreal amount of Master and Veteran ridersI decided to do something about it."
"On the 6th of September I'm running a Kids Introduction to Mountainbiking in Ballinastoe, the object of the day is to introduce kids and parents to the world of organised Mountainbiking.and show them the fun to be had riding a bicycle offroad."
"We will be splitting them up in to under 8's, under 10's, under 12's and under 14's and under 16's. The emphasis will be on learning the fun and the pleasure in taking the Venerable Bicycle offroad. All done safely with the parents encouragement."
"Tackling obstacles, cornering,climbing, descending and basically learning what your bike and you can do. So get them to leave there Nintendoes at home, get them a helmet, a decent bike, some gloves, knee and elbow pads if you can get them, skateboard ones work fine."
For more info you can email richie.byrne@gmail.com or phone 087-63676065
The EPIC Blast (14th September)
The only Cycling event of its kind in Ireland. Unusual possibly in that it celebrates the meeting of man, Mountain and Bicycle regardless of ability age or whether its a downhill or XC machine., lets face it.. the Bike like the Television, at some stage everybody has one.
But unlike The TV, the Bike will give you a different experience whenever you use it., the Blast however, doesn't discriminate whether you are a savage rider or just hanging on by your fingernails.
This is no 4.. Called Armageddon on Flats.. i came up with the moniker because of the long running debate between riders - Flats or SPDs ( clips) ..I have heard every argument for and against both types of pedal, and I think its hilarious that the only thing we have to row about is the Pedal..because one way or another, with out a pedal.. The Bike would just be a scooter..
A few years ago Sean ( Sean Herlihy, we call him the Minister for Mountainbiking ) and myself were alway at odds over which was better Downhill or Cross country, and even though he was a savage cross country rider ( in my opinion The Best, though don't tell him I said that ) he felt Downhill was the real reason we took it up in the first place. so between us, we came up with the EPIC Blast..
A competition between cross Country and Downhill riders..
From the top of Ballinastoe Woods to the Bottom..10 heats with 10 riders. very likely a lot more this year. The first rider then goes off with the first rider from the other 9 heats.. No categories by the way.. all the riders are classed as equal.
So then you have the heats finals..
all the firsts, all the seconds, all the 3rds, get the picture?, of course you do.. Then at 3.00pm everybody goes back up to the top to go again. In a mass start, last time we had nearly 120 riders lined up in a row..alll heading for 1 x 4 foot gap.
Mayhem..
In 2005 Dan Wolfe from Flow MTB won the very first EPIC Blast..on his Dad Brian's XC bike, later that year Mountainbike legend Joe Mccall from Team RockyMountain Mark Kenny won it on a borrowed Downhill Bike, in 2006 Niall Davis (Olympic XC Hopeful) won it on a Jump bike..
This year, who knows, I have a few ideas who might, but it depends on who turns up on the day. The Course is 50% Downhill Course and 50% Cross country, but scattered throughout the course,everything is rollable or launchable,. But most of all its about what memories you go home with.
its about riding your bike, no sneaky lines, no ego's but mine, and I'm on the PA..
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