Last weekend saw us travel down to Fivemiletown in Tyrone to check out the newly constructed MTB trails at Blessingbourne Estate for an End of Summer MTB Blast of coaching and fun and games for the Cycling Ulster Youth commission.
A total 20 yound mtb'ers from the ages of 6 upwards came from all over Northern Ireland, the morning starting with a session on our MTB skills course which was doubled up for the day to hold a dual slalom race, starting with knock out heats down to the final two riders who would duke it out for the title of fastest on the course.
After lunch we headed out on the MTB trails which consist of a 6km easy woodland route which meanders its way through a natural woodland forest with slightly harder sections running off it in loops containing berms, jumps, rock gardens and rock drops. Many of the riders got to practice the skills learnt on the skills course earlier in the day, learning to rail the berms and pump the doubles and tackle the scary high rock drops.
Last up was a spin around the pump track with a competition to see who could develop their riding skills and balance to produce enough momentum to get around the track without pedalling as demonstrated by track owner Nick Lowry who rode around on a bike with no chain! Top spot was taken by Nick's son Rory who effortlessly went round and round till he ran out of steam, although he does the an unfair advantage of being able to practice every single day!!
Everyone fully enjoyed the day thanks to our great hosts Colleen & Nick Lowry who provided refreshments and bike hire on the day.
A total 20 yound mtb'ers from the ages of 6 upwards came from all over Northern Ireland, the morning starting with a session on our MTB skills course which was doubled up for the day to hold a dual slalom race, starting with knock out heats down to the final two riders who would duke it out for the title of fastest on the course.
After lunch we headed out on the MTB trails which consist of a 6km easy woodland route which meanders its way through a natural woodland forest with slightly harder sections running off it in loops containing berms, jumps, rock gardens and rock drops. Many of the riders got to practice the skills learnt on the skills course earlier in the day, learning to rail the berms and pump the doubles and tackle the scary high rock drops.
Last up was a spin around the pump track with a competition to see who could develop their riding skills and balance to produce enough momentum to get around the track without pedalling as demonstrated by track owner Nick Lowry who rode around on a bike with no chain! Top spot was taken by Nick's son Rory who effortlessly went round and round till he ran out of steam, although he does the an unfair advantage of being able to practice every single day!!
Everyone fully enjoyed the day thanks to our great hosts Colleen & Nick Lowry who provided refreshments and bike hire on the day.
