Enduro World Series

godtabh

Thinking of heading out on Sunday. Is there any where that has easy access to view with out having to trek far? Bringing a 3 year old with me so if he gets bored I want an easy escape.

fat bloke

Snap.

Same as that. My girls are a bit older than 3 but probably have a largely equivalent cyclo-spectating attention span.

Tenzor07

You could stay around by the race village and bike expo show: http://www.emeraldenduro.com/index.php/schedule

Other than that, you're facing a reasonably good walk to get up to the various stages...

JiffyJ

The bottom of stage 6 isn't too far from the race village, and pretty spectacular IIRC, think its the bottom of the DH track.

godtabh

Any idea how busy it will be?

C3PO

godtabh wrote: »

Any idea how busy it will be?

After the success of last year and what looks like great weather .... very busy I would say!!

JiffyJ

Its one of the more popular spots, but on the plus side, its basically a natural amphitheater, with a fantastic atmosphere and a spectacular drop right at the end!

These guys have to be seen to be believed.

godtabh

Had very little interest in it until the brother in law showed me some youtube clips. Dont think I'd ever do it but looks cool

JiffyJ

I felt the same till i tried it, absolutely love it now. Its fun from the get go, and a steady progression from basic trails at relatively slow speeds (still feels fast!) to gnarlier and faster trails. Theres always a bit of a risk of falling off, but once you ride within your level its minimal, really. Worth renting a bike for a spin around Ballinastoe, see if you enjoy the craic.

These lads however take it to a whole 'nother level...

godtabh

JiffyJ wrote: »

I felt the same till i tried it, absolutely love it now. Its fun from the get go, and a steady progression from basic trails at relatively slow speeds (still feels fast!) to gnarlier and faster trails. Theres always a bit of a risk of falling off, but once you ride within your level its minimal, really. Worth renting a bike for a spin around Ballinastoe, see if you enjoy the craic.

These lads however take it to a whole 'nother level...

My brother in law broke his elbow his first time out and was out of work for 6 weeks. I dont see myself adding to my road bike collection any time soon!

JiffyJ

Ahhh that's so unlucky. I've ridden all of the trails on show this weekend and never more than a few scratches (cue mtb'ers on here telling me to go faster...)

Enjoy, maybe the weekend will change your mind!

kirk buttercup

going up on sat. and sunday but only live about 10 minutes drive away. Cant wait this will be my first mtb event.

Tenzor07

kirk buttercup wrote: »

going up on sat. and sunday but only live about 10 minutes drive away. Cant wait this will be my first mtb event.

If you're only 10mins by car, it's probably better to cycle or walk, would say the place will be packed especially on Sunday and vehicular traffic will be a nitemare...

€5 day pass entry for spectators, U18 free.

C3PO

godtabh wrote: »

My brother in law broke his elbow his first time out and was out of work for 6 weeks. I dont see myself adding to my road bike collection any time soon!

I do about 50/50 mountain and road and most of the serious injuries that my friends have had have been on the road! At least on the mountain bike if you crash it's probably your own fault ... in a road race it will likely be someone else who caused the accident and there's just nowhere to go! Consequently I've given up on road racing!

kirk buttercup

Tenzor07 wrote:

If you're only 10mins by car, it's probably better to cycle or walk, would say the place will be packed especially on Sunday and vehicular traffic will be a nitemare...

Thats 10 country minutes . And im bringing my kids up so will have to drive unfortunately

saccades

This is the course/marshal map.

I took my 4 year old last year on a practice day and we had a ball, high fives from all the Pro's, free cow bell from CRC. We walked all the low stuff and climbed up to 1.5 and then across to 6.4 and back down. Loads of sweets to keep him powered ( I wouldn't normally). He was like a giddy kipper.

Last year there were 4-5K people, but it's a mountain, it's really big. Stage 7 will be packed, but that's right at the end - Stage 3 is very quiet compared to all the others as it's the far side.

T1 is a long steep drag to get to btw, I wouldn't with a nipper on a hot day.



Obviously listen to the marshals around the course, the speed the Pro's get up to is phenomenal and no one wants a crash, scheduled times are tight for the riders and we want this to be as much a success as last year. Don't cross the course unless there is a marshal there and listen for the whistle (about half a second to tell you a rider is on the way).

Car parks are a 1 way system, in at the GAA pitch/church/xmas tree spot in glenealy and then out around via several farmers fields that have had a road made with aggregate, so exiting is actually pretty smooth so long as you are heading for dublin, turn left out of the field and follow the road to ashford and the N11 junction.

Mr. Grieves

For people driving from Dublin on Sunday, be aware the Shay Elliott is leaving Bray at 11 and heading along the N11 through Glenealy, so expect some delays, or take the back roads.

Tenzor07

Some results:

1. Greg Callaghan(IRL) Pro-Elite
1. Robin Seymour(IRL) Masters
1. Killian Callaghan(IRL) U21
1. Leah Maunsell(IRL) U21F

godtabh

Went out this morning. Arrived at 11. Took a few wrong turns (walked up part of Stage 2 to get to the end of Stage 1).

Watched the elite men/women on Stage 1 right at the finish. Little lad enjoyed it but his attentions pan meant we only got to see the masters on stage 6 on the way home.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTRxiM6lV4E

kirk buttercup

It was amazing. We were at 5 and 6 some unbelievable talent on show. Can't wait for next year

godtabh

Will it be back? I thought it was a big thing to have it two years in a row and a third would be unlikely

xxyyzz

I'd say so, we put on a good show in fairness.

Inquitus

xxyyzz wrote: »

I'd say so, we put on a good show in fairness.

Been blessed with the weather 2 years on the trot as well!

Subcomandante Marcos

Good man the Grej.

mcdonrob

Was there today with my son. Absolutely brilliant. Really well organised too.
I'm not a mountain biker... but I love bikes. First time at one of these events.
The skill and bravery of these guys and girls is unreal.
Highlight for me was the final crazy mind-bending drop on stage 7.
Super Event

bogmanfan

Fantastic day again. Super weather, world class riders and wonderful crowds. We went to a few different spots throughout the day, but hard to beat the atmosphere at the big drop on stage 7. Really hoping this could become an annual event

muckwarrior

The Emerald Enduro in one minute http://www.pinkbike.com/news/the-celtic-tiger-returns-ews-wicklow-in-one-minute-video-2016.html

Also, some of these photos are amazing. http://www.pinkbike.com/news/ews-round-3-ireland-practice-day-two-2016.html Really paints Ireland in a good light to any foreigners looking. Almost too good if anything. If they come here expecting bluebells and cloudless skies, there's a 99% chance they'll be disappointed

kirk buttercup

Anyone know when they decide for next year?

Tenzor07

kirk buttercup wrote: »

Anyone know when they decide for next year?

I'd imagine that it would come back next year, although Carrick mountain could probably do with a break from all the over-use in the past couple of years..

bogmanfan

I would have thought with all the money invested in MTB in Northern Ireland that Rostrevor would be looking for it next year.

Tenzor07

bogmanfan wrote: »

I would have thought with all the money invested in MTB in Northern Ireland that Rostrevor would be looking for it next year.

Would be an ideal place, just need a business to organise it as Biking.ie have done in Carrick...

Eamonnator

There is talk, that there will be a round of The World Enduro Series in Rostrevor next year. And that it will be organised by Biking.ie

saccades

godtabh wrote: »

Will it be back? I thought it was a big thing to have it two years in a row and a third would be unlikely

We were lucky to get it (some of the riders couldn't see how there would be any decent trails/descents on such a small "mountain", quite a few of the trails needed a lot of work to get them up to the required standard), but the incredibly slick organisation by Niall at biking.ie and the fantastic crowds (best supported EWS) meant that all the teams and the EWS management were very happy to come back again. All good signs for hopefully getting it again.

Weather would have helped too.