West Cork Bike Fest, this weekend, 29th and 30th August.

Westcorkbiker

So its all getting very exciting down here only days til the first ever Westcork Bike Fest. Just checked the weather and its going to be?, good, imagine that, the perfect end to a not so perfect Irish summer. The bike fest is primarily for off- road cyclists, mountain bikers, how ever any bike goes for the family fun cycle on the Sunday afternoon in Kilcrohane, on the Sheeps Head.
Maybe or rather hopfully if enough riders turn up, in years to come it will be "another West Cork bike fest, we have it dialled now, they will have a quality time", this will only happen if people show up to the first one as we have spared no expense. For example the live timing for the Downhill Mash up on the saturday is 1700 euro!, i guess they do have to run over a mile of cable up the hill, as 2 of the runs are between 7 and 9 minutes long!, depending on what bike and ability you have. I do not know of a Downhill event on this fair isle where you get to race downhill (with a tiny amount of up) for so long, not quiet the Mega Avalanche but for Ireland? What bike? well seeing as you have a large window to make your own way to the top (untimed) for each of your runs (loads a time to walk with your heavy Downhill Bike and chat with friends) there is your answer, i do think an all mountain 5 or 6 inch bike would go over pretty well too.
Did i mention the free camping on the Friday night in Dunmanway? There is a recession on you know! We do understand (:
On to the Sunday, well it all starts at 11pm for the Xc Marathon but there is a great chance to ride on what ever bike you like, no matter what age you are, in the family fun cycle that starts at 2pm and is run on a mainly traffic free route and promises to be fun, fun, fun.
And if you want to race over the challenging and beautiful mountains that the Sheeps Head has to offer?
Well we have virgin terrain for mountain bikers and next Sunday is the only day of the year you will be alllowed ride on these Mountains. A beautiful setting, rugged, a mix of all terrains, views to the north of Beara and Bantry Bay to the south of the Mizen Penninsula. Starting and finishing in the West Cork village of Kilcrohane, you journey over goat paths, pilgrim trails, single track and dale. I rode the route a week ago and having done Trans Wales, the Scottish 7 stanes and large sections of the Trans Alps and raced at all the Irish venues i can stay that it stands up to them all. In the last week we have taken out road sections and put in unridden, flowing single track sections , we head out of Friday in what will probably be a gale to mark all 51kms of this course, in the hope that those who make the journey down to us will appreciate our efforts and above all enjoy the quality riding, craic and camaraderie that the West Cork Bike Fest has to offer.
More Info at, www.westcorkbikefest.com

OuterBombie

Damn,

Would absolutely love to be heading down to this, sounds like a great weekend. Family commitments have me out, bummed.

Best of luck with it.