This weekend we hosted two MTB days at Davagh and Rostrevor, featuring beginner/intermediate groups, an advanced group, and an adult ride to cap off each day.

Day 1 at Davagh Forest
Saturday’s session in Davagh Forest which was in partnership with the Outdoor Partnership to help develop the trails and activities in the Sperrins. On the day we had special guest Kelan Grant, alongside coaches Gary Donaldson from the Outdoor Partnership and Cathir Doyle.
The beginner/intermediate groups had a full turnout, working on core skills like cornering and bike handling. Some riders took to the pump track and skills loop, refining techniques on berms and drop-offs.

The advanced group focused on technical skills, starting with the fundamentals of berms in the skills loop, before heading to the trails to apply speed and add jumps. It was inspiring to see riders absorb the coaching advice and put it into practice. We wrapped up the day with the adult ride on the trails, making the most of Davagh’s technical features despite the rain.

Day 2 at Rostrevor
On Sunday, we moved to Rostrevor with Newry Wheelers coach Leona Farrell and East Coast Adventure MTB coaches Ian and Lucy Cumming. The beginner/intermediate group worked on essential skills like cornering and body positioning, preparing them for trail adaptability.
The advanced group built on these basics, focusing on corners, drop-offs, and more advanced skills like bunny hops and wheelies.

As with the day before, we rounded off with an adult ride. Although heavy rain set in, spirits remained high. We tackled the red trail, practicing on drop-offs to build confidence and skill for Rostrevor’s more challenging features.

It was a fantastic weekend of MTB riding, and we’re grateful to all the coaches and riders for making it a success. Looking forward to seeing even more riders at the next one!