Just got my first real mtb, what next?!

buck65

Bought a KTM Ultra Sport mtb on a bike to work scheme, looking to hit some trails soon but are there any events races for 40 year old novices who aren't interested or capable of cycling fast? I'm not into road cycling really.

My backround is mountain running recently and I'd be a mid packer at best but injuries have forced me to ease off running.

There are pleanty of running events but what about MTB? any must do's on the calendar?

Thanks

Viper_JB

buck65 wrote: »

Bought a KTM Ultra Sport mtb on a bike to work scheme, looking to hit some trails soon but are there any events races for 40 year old novices who aren't interested or capable of cycling fast? I'm not into road cycling really.

My backround is mountain running recently and I'd be a mid packer at best but injuries have forced me to ease off running.

There are pleanty of running events but what about MTB? any must do's on the calendar?

Thanks

Here would be a good place to start I intend on doing it next year and done the nire valley drop this year, very fun and I'm sure it will be coming up late next year, site is here best just to get out and hit as many trails as you can though...it's like the most fun you can have on two wheels

On the bikingblitz as well it looks like a great way to get to explore the various trail centers around Ireland, my localish one is ballyhoura - fantastic facility for XC mountain biking.

Jawgap

What next?

.....trade it in for a road bike :pac:

There's also this place - http://www.bikeparkireland.ie/

Idleater

Jawgap wrote: »

What next?

.....trade it in for a road bike :pac:

There's also this place - http://www.bikeparkireland.ie/

I was going to suggest cycle it to work, but possibly too obvious.

Lemming

buck65 wrote: »

Bought a KTM Ultra Sport mtb on a bike to work scheme, looking to hit some trails soon but are there any events races for 40 year old novices who aren't interested or capable of cycling fast? I'm not into road cycling really.

My backround is mountain running recently and I'd be a mid packer at best but injuries have forced me to ease off running.

There are pleanty of running events but what about MTB? any must do's on the calendar?

Thanks

If you live anywhere near the south-side of Dublin, the wicklow mountains are on your door-step for some not too taxing trails & discovery. Grand for a novice (or at least I never came to a tragic end as a teenager on them).

But I'd recommend not riding alone for simple safety reasons should you have an emergency of some sort. If you don't have a few friends to hop on bikes iwth you, maybe look at what mountain bike cycle groups are available to you?

Can't speak about events as I no longer live in Ireland.

Edit: Also, enjoy mountain biking!! Ignore those heathen road-warriors and instead aim for the nearest insanely steep, muddy, sharp-stones-infested bit of hillside to hurtle down at insanity-speed +1 :pac:

Tenzor07

Go on some of the beginner spins that MTB clubs run..

Viper_JB

Jawgap wrote: »

What next?

.....trade it in for a road bike :pac:

There's also this place - http://www.bikeparkireland.ie/

I'd advise doing some of the caoilte trails first the ones in bike park are great but pretty extreme especially for a beginner.

sebcity

Where do you live OP?

jmrc

what next, completely up grade all the components on the bike then sell it for a fraction of the cost and but a full suss...

biking blitz I would recommend.

just get out there and enjoy the mud....!

rizzodun

Hi Buck, as Viper mentioned there's a few sportives on during the year, but they are few and far between for mountain biking. I did the Nire Valley drop this year too, great fun, tough amount of climbing but not too technical.

If you're looking to compete there's XC leagues ran all over the country, which will be perfectly suited to your bike, see this link for a run down of what it entails.

Depending on where you are it may be worth looking up your local MTB club (or cycling club if you can't find any, as they'll steer you in the right direction) for where leagues may be taking place.

By far the most fun I have is just pulling out a map and looking for places that might be good to ride, I'm usually out on my own due to time I have to get out etc. but I'm joining a club for next year to meet some likeminded guys.

And if all that is of no use, you can always try...

buck65

sebcity wrote: »

Where do you live OP?

Ennis co Clare. 5k from Mooghaun Woods and 20MIN From Cratloe Woods

Mec-a-nic

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Go on some of the beginner spins that MTB clubs run..

MAD MTB club used to run beginner days twice a year, but it appears to be monthly now:
http://madmtb.com/v2_0/?s=beginners

Tenzor07

Not any good for the OP, but Epic MTB run a beginner friendly spin each Saturday morning: MTB-Beginner-Improver-spins-