Nire Valley Drop

Yes, they have a gravel event this year. ( I'll be marshalling). Most of the gravel route is on fireroads and open mountain tracks, with some of it more "offroad".

I dont know a lot about CX, but I wonder how much stronger a CX wheel is, over a "road wheel" or how much weaker it is over a gravel wheel.

If you are confident that the bike will handle the rough and tumble of a gravel route, then it is very doable.

I sent a message to one of the organisers and asked for details and route maps. When he comes back to me I will post here.

As far as I know the start time is 11.00 am on 12/7/25. It starts from the community centre in Ballymacarby, Co Waterford.

Ok, the event starts at 10.00am with the gravel grinder riders starting about 5 mins before the MTB guys.

They are still finalising the routes, so it will be the weekend before they have links finalised.

Cramcycle, I not sure if you are familiar with the NVD from previous years, but if you are you will know that there are LOADS of "chicken runs" on it. But the gravel grinder does not have any of the really rough drops on it.

It really is a nice(but challenging) day out, particularly at this time of the year when the trails are relatively dry.

Here are the routes as komoot files, but I think that they can be downloaded and opened in Strava.

The water stops on the MTB ride are at 18km and 32km

Water stops on Gravel Grinder are at 18km and 40km.

All stewards have been asked to bring extra water for the riders as it will be very hot, particularly on the open mountain sections, so don't be afraid to ask for water at any stage.

Best of luck to everyone.

https://www.komoot.com/tour/2340116935?ref=aso&share_token=aWW7CATK5AabNEkyf5OCwAPRFVL9DJvG6Y0qoQrumLCK2SI76y

https://www.komoot.com/tour/1673888931?ref=aso&share_token=aDW0wDDBvON60jp5TS6nWEO2YQYJLo392QhHzf7xU6RSyTa96M

You can, but you will need to produce proof of membership of CI, or else you will need to purchase a 1 day licence which will be available also.

Beat me to it - tech level same/harder then the Cooley thriller?

Either way I'm on a bouncy bike, but do I need to be careful?

I'm a marshall on this( as I was last year).

Not familiar with Cooley thriller, but the NVD is definately more of an XC than a downhill.

All of the front runners will me on hardtails, but a "bouncy bike" will be fine too.

There are loads of drops on it and also loads of chicken runs.

I've done it twice a few years ago and regularly ride parts of it as part of my spins. Very enjoyable, but it will test you too.

Hopefully I will be able to get my hands on the Strava files( the ones from last year are further up the page and I dont think that they will change much this year)

If I get the files I will post them here, propbably in the few days before the event as the lads are still finalising the route.