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2011 Offroad Commission Report

Table of Contents

Introduction        1

Communications        1

Downhill        1

Cross Country        2

Trails and Access        3

In Terms Of Positives        3

In Terms Of The Not So Positive        4

The Year To Come        4

BMX        4

Cyclocross        4

Development Squad        5

2011 Off Road Commission XC Development        5

Introduction        5

Aims and Objectives        5

Development Squad Programme        5

Coaching and Education        7

Gearing Up        7

TCL Award        7

Coaching        7

Introduction

2011 has been an excellent year for Offroad biking with a record amount of events being held across the various disciplines. New venues were introduced and some old venues were revamped and firmly re-established. The Offroad season extended from January to December with a large range of events to suit rider preferences and experience levels.

Communications

In 2011, the Commission established a new website www.offroadcyclingireland.ie as a central source of information for xc, dh, cyclocross, bmx and access information. It also features reports on the activities of the Offroad Development Squad. We’ve also been using Facebook and Twitter to spread news about offroad events around the country.

Downhill

So the 2011 downhill season, another successful series?  It was a big change from last year with less races but the calendar was spread out. 5 races, 5 venues.

Round One brought us to the famous Rostrevor Woods, Co.Down. Rostrevor has to be one of the best tracks and venues in the country. Year in Year out it gets raced, is there ever a problem when racing there? I don’t think so! The Chain Reaction club seem to have it all dialled so thanks a lot to everyone who helped organise the event and who put effort into the track!

Round Two brought us to Leap, Co. Cork. A new venue, the track was brand new – it was steep in places, and flat out towards the end. Unfortunately the 021 Racing crew got the worst weather of the year. It literally lashed rain the whole weekend, making the new track become cloggy and almost impossible to ride come race day. That’s racing as they say – and the weather just wasn’t on the 021 crews side.

Round 3 brought us to Cullahill, Co Laois, there’s always something good about the races held in Cullahill. I think its the way the whole event is organised by about 5 or 6 dedicated lads who put all their time and effort into building a good track and putting huge effort into hosting a good event. It was muddy again but it didn’t dampen the spirits and another savage race was held. Smiles all round.

Round 4 was hosted in the ever-famous White Horse woods, Co. Waterford. Whitehorse is a famous venue, backyard to Tom Power a former Irish elite racer who is now living in Canada. But the 021 crew wanted to live on the Whitehorse legend. It’s always cool the way the car park is at the top of the track in Whitehorse, pretty much the complete opposite to most Irish events. The track was nice and challenging as always and overall it was a successful race despite the small turnout.

Round 5 of the NPS Series took us up north yet again, yes to Rostrevor Woods. But to a different part of the woods all together. Not Chain Reaction this time but Colin Finley and his Plush MTB Crew hosted this round. In Yellowater, a small part of the huge Rostrevor forest. The track was brilliant – fast, flowy, rocky, rooty and technical in places. Exactly, what you want in downhill track. The race went flawlessly, despite huge rain coming just as the race begun, the track remained brilliant and everyone put the coats and luckily little or no moaning was done.

The DH National Champs was run under blue sunny skies in dusty Carrick. FlowMTB and EPICDH combined forces to produce an amazing event which was very professionally run in all regards. Dual-slalom racing, barbeques, food-stalls films, music and of course the criac in the camping paddock kept riders highly entertained throughout the weekend.
The temperature was almost as hot as the blazing action as riders tackled a super-fast and feature-packed course. Riders were met with blaring roars, cheers and screams in the final super-steep forest area as they flew off the big jump and over the table-top and out into the sunny finish area.

Overall the season was extremely successful, with some positive and negatives coming from it. Hopefully these negatives will become positives for the 2012 NPS Race Series.

I personally, sure am looking forward to it!

(Report by Flow MTB’s Pro-Elite-Savage racing correspondent - Adam Tarbett - Big thanks from the Offroad Commission to Adam for getting this done in double fast time!)

For more information on the DH season please see www.irishdh.com.

Cross Country

The Biking Blitz series kicked-off the XC racing with events in the four Irish trail centres which were a great introduction to racing and an opportunity for the experienced racers to dust-off the cobwebs and see what their form was like.

Wexford’s favourite and finest offroaders Racing795 held Round 1 of the Leinster XC League with a great attendance and overwhelmingly positive feedback from the riders who loved the new extensions to the course. This event was also a very significant success in introducing the new ability-based XC racing categories, so big thanks to the 795 lads for facilitating this.

The XC NPS was very popular this year with battles throughout the various categories and attendance numbers up over 30% from last year. Big thanks to all the NPS hosting clubs - IMBRC, Banbridge, MBCC, XMTB (x2), Carn Wheelers and Cuchulainn CC.

The Ulster League (outside of the NPS rounds) was also very well-attended with some great racing north enjoyed of the border– more information at http://www.ulsterxc.com/

Team WORC hosted an amazing XC National Champs in the illustrious Kilruddery estate with a huge turnout of riders enjoying a brilliant track designed and built by Robin Seymour and his fellow trailbuilders.

Team Ballyhoura hosted a brilliant National XC Marathon Champs in Ballyhoura with well-received combination of trail-centre, open-mountain and club-built singletrack sections. Attendance numbers were lower than expected and this was likely due to the event being scheduled at the far end of the long XC racing season (UCI regulations). The Offroad Commission will negotiate with the UCI to attempt to get the date moved closer to the end of the NPS season for 2012.

EPICMTB also hosted their biggest and muddiest Blast of all time, with a helicopter and the UK MTB legends Dan and Gee Atherton chasing riders off the hill through fast and sliddery trails.

Other events included the Cooley Thriller and the Bull Raid ran to great reception by Cuchulainn CC.

Big thanks to all the hosting clubs, sponsors, organisations and volunteers for all the various XC events in 2011, apologies to any clubs if you have not been mentioned – we love you all!

2011 Events

For more information on the XC season please see www.irishxcmtb.com.

Trails and Access

This year has seen a number on notable steps forward both in terms of general access and interrelations with landowners and other stake holders. Unfortunately there have also been some setbacks and some areas where it is becoming obvious that there may be trouble ahead.

In Terms Of Positives

Dublin’s first official mountainbiking trail was officially opened in 2011. Minister for Sport, Leo Varadkar; Coillte Head of Recreation, Bill Murphy and Cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Lettie McCarthy conducted the ceremony at Ticknock. Over 200 riders of all ages were in attendance for the inaugural Dublin Biking Blitz event.

In partnership with Cookstown District Council, CAAN is working on a project to deliver approximately 11.5kms of multipurpose trails within Davagh Forest. A concept plan was completed by Dafydd Davis in 2009 and this will form the basis of the new trail system. Funding has been secured and it is hoped that the new trails will be in place by end of September 2012.

A new trail construction project is underway in Moycullen, Co. Galway. It’s a collaboration between Connemara MTB, Moycullen Community Development Association, Galway County Council Community Support Scheme and Moycullen Bike Works. The goal is to have the trail complete by National Trails Day on October 2nd. Connemara MTB have also enlisted Peter Laing to draft trail development plans for Derroura and Derryclare. They are also working with the Oughterard Community Group who want to establish a pump track and trails in the community park.

Funding has been granted for a downhill facility to be located near Killarney. The project is a co-operative arrangement between Kerry County Council, Cycling Ireland and a local landowner. Rowan Sorrel has been named as the design consultant. The facility will be the first of its kind in the country. 

Work is on going on a Coillte mountain bike strategy. It is hoped that the strategy will not only deal with future purpose build trail developments on Coillte land but also put a framework in place for permissive access user built trail projects.

There are a number of other private trail projects at various stages of development.

In Terms Of The Not So Positive

There have been a number of recent incidents which have damaged relations between the MTB community and certain landowners and stakeholders. While there are often understandable reasons why unfortunate situations occur, the time has come for the mountain bike community to take some necessary steps to firmly establish itself as responsible outdoor user group.

Over the coming months the off-road commission we be engaging with clubs and riders to hopefully set out proper codes of practice and develop a clearer understanding of how conflict issues arise and how best to deal with and avoid these issues.

The Year To Come

2012 is going to see some exciting developments in the areas of both trail developments, club based construction projects and general access. However there will be significant challenges that will need to be overcome. To do so we will need the buy in, cooperation and help of all established clubs plus the majority of riders. If you have an interest in helping to try and push this area forward, or if you have projects in which you need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact the Commission and get involved.

BMX

BMX racing is due to make a welcome return in 2011. Ratoath BMX have been working extremely hard to establish a BMX track at Ratoath, Co. Meath. Approximately €30 000 has been invested, funded by a grant, a loan and sponsorship from local business. Ratoath BMX will continue to seek funding to pay outstanding loans and to enhance the existing facility with additional parking space, picnic benches, tiered seating for 200 spectators and fencing around the track. They also intend to build jumps for expert riders adjacent to the existing kiddies track.

It is intended to hold a 6-round BMX national series with another 6 local events, depending on interest/demand. As well as racing, Ratoath will offer proficiency sessions in race starts and technique as well as cycle maintenance classes. Ratoath also hope to take a team to compete in the UK Nationals later in the year.

Cyclocross

The 2011 cyclocross season has recently gotten underway. Round 1 of the Ulster Cyclocross Series took place in Lurgan Park, location of the 2011 National Championships last January, organized by Apollo CT. On October 8th the Stevens Supercross Cup kicks off at Grange Castle in Dublin. The Ulster league will comprise six rounds and the Supercross five. Cuchulainn CC will also host an open race on December 10th (Super Duper Disco Cross!).

The 2012 Cyclocross National Championships will take place on January 8th 2012, details are to be finalized.

Development Squad

2011 Off Road Commission XC Development

Introduction

In 2011 Off Road Commission re-introduced funding and support for an XC Development Squad under the direction of National MTB Commission member Ciara MacManus and assisted by Greg May.

The development squad consisted of a total of 9 riders including 4 Juniors and 5 Under16 cross-country riders, namely:

Juniors

Under 16

Aims and Objectives

The primary aim of the development programme was to assist the younger Under 16 riders to develop the necessary bike handling and technical skills to progress them through to Junior category racing while also introducing the concept of structured training.  

For the existing Junior riders was aimed to harness their existing skills and strengths and focus their abilities towards honing their technical and tactical races skills while also continuing to develop their athletic training with the aim of leading into the high performance squad.

Development Squad Programme

The development squad programme consisted initially of two training days designed to allow potential development squad applicants to be assessed and to help in the final squad selection.  The two days took place over a period of 4 weeks, the first at Roundwood, Co Wicklow and the second at Tollymore, Co Down.   During each of these days the riders took part in a morning coached ride where their riding abilities and strengths/weaknesses were assessed, followed by afternoon classroom sessions which focused on informative presentations and rider feedback.

Following the selection of the nine riders the development of the Under 16 riders was largely focused upon developing their performance at domestic races, both regionally and nationally.  As part of this development two more training days were organised at the end of April and a pre-national camp on the 8th July, held by Greg May in Wicklow for Dublin based riders and Newry by Ciara MacManus for Northern based riders.  The April training camp was based in Carlingford with the day consisting of a coached ride with both Ciara and Greg followed by one-to-one coaching questions and answers session with the riders to review existing training programmes looking forward to the competition period.  The pre-nationals training camp concentrated on rider’s skills and technical abilities.  As well as these training days, members of the squad were invited to a coached pre-ride session at each NPS XC race course the day before race day with Ciara.

The primary goals for the season were based upon budgetary and resource availability and included;

  1. Good results/placing within the NPS Series
  2. Good results/placing within the XC Championships
  3. Selection to attend and place well at a Scottish Series XC Race
  4. Selection to attend and place well at the final round of the British XC MTB Series.

NPS Series

There was a clear commitment from riders to perform well in the 2011 XC Series, with competition high between the riders, with the Under 16 category being particularly competitive.  

Both Robert Deagan and David Montgomery showed great improvement over the year ranking 1st and 2nd places respectively in overall league standings, Chris Oakley ranking 3rd.

Junior riders who continued to show strong performances over 2011 were Matthew Adair and Claire Oakley.  Matthew Adair was also involved in the road development squad and subsequently had to divide his time between both road and off road.

XC Championships

As with the NPS series the Under 16 riders showed the strongest results in the National Championships, with David Montgomery showing a particularly strong showing on the day to take 1st place, Robert Deagan 2nd and Chris Oakley 3rd.  

Unfortunately Junior Matthew Adair had been chosen that day to compete on the National Road development squad so was unable to attend, while Stuart Ballantine placed 4th, this being his first race back after breaking his collar bone earlier in the season.

Claire Oakley chose to rider with the Elite women as she remains the only Junior MTB female in Ireland and place 5th on the day.

Scottish XC Series Race, Perth Ayrshire

A selection of the XC squad riders were chosen to travel to Perth for the fifth round of the Scottish XC series at the end of July as a joint venture with Cycling Ulster development team.  This would represent the first time that a number of the riders experienced racing in larger fields outside Ireland.   Selection was based largely on XC Championship results and NPS league results.

Two members of the National squad (Rob Deagan & Robert Scanlon) travelled over while Claire Oakley, Matthew Adair and Chris Oakley travelled as part of the Cycling Ulster team.  

Again all riders selected placed well in a larger and often stronger Scottish field.  Matthew Adair comfortable won Junior Men category posting times faster than some of the Elite men.  Robert Scanlon placed 7th, while Claire Oakley took 2nd in the Junior female category.  David Montgomery put in a very strong ride to take 2nd place, a mechanical hindered him from taking 1st.  Rob Deagan unfortunately crashed out of the race, while Chris Oakley placed 13th.

British MTB Race Series, Plymouth

A selection of XC squad riders were chosen to travel to the final round of the British MTB Series in Plymouth. This represents a round of the National British series as well as being a UCI designated race for Elite riders.  Riders were selected based upon their performances during the year including results at the earlier race in Perth.  Riders chosen to travel were Matthew Adair, Claire Oakley, Robert Deagan, David Montgomery and reserve rider Robert Scanlon.  Unfortunately David Montgomery was unable to attend due to injury while Robert Scanlon could not due to work commitments.  

Again squad riders rode well with both Matthew Adair and Claire Oakley taking 3nd place in the Junior men’s and women’s race, respectively.  This was Robert Deagan’s first large scale event with an attendance of 26 riders in his category.  Despite starting at the back of the group Rob managed to work his way up the field to finish in 15th place.

Coaching and Education

Cycling Ireland's coach education officer, Rachel Ormrod, has been developing a number of projects which will greatly benefit new and existing offroad riders.

Gearing Up

Gearing Up is Cycling Ireland's new discipline-specific cycling skills programme. The final draft of the offroad programme is currently being reviewed. It will provide new riders with a solid grounding in offroad riding skills. It is aimed at riders from 11 years old, who may have completed the Sprocket Rocket programme, but it suitable for all ages. Cycling Ireland will hold training courses to teach coaches/instructors to present the eight week course.   The first phase of the planned rollout will be to run a training course, this course will be two days in duration, it is envisaged that the first training weekend will be held in November or December, Cycling Ireland is currently looking into dates for this.    Following the training course Gearing Off-Road will move into a pilot delivery phase, it is hoped that the pilot will be run in two secondary schools and two cycling clubs prior to a full rollout country wide.

TCL Award

Cycling Ireland has worked with Scottish Cycling to develop the Trail Cycle Leader (TCL) qualification to provide a framework and qualification for Leaders to deliver mountain biking as a safe and enjoyable sport and activity. The scheme provides training and assessment in mountain biking and leadership skills. The more advanced Mountain Bike Leader (MBL) award will follow.  The TCL course will be delivered by Cycling Ireland under the Coaching Ireland Adventure Sports Framework.  The TCL course syllabus, content, etc has been submitted to Coaching Ireland for review.  Upon a successful review and completion of the Coaching Ireland Tutor Training for our TCL tutor, Cycling Ireland will move into a pilot delivery of the course prior to a full rollout.  It is hoped that the first pilot course will take place in December or early January.

Coaching

Cycling Ireland have recently come to a formal agreement with British Cycling to adopt their Level 2 coaching qualifications for use in Ireland. These qualificiations will be discipline-specific. Road/Time Trial coaching will be introduced first, followed by MTB in 2012.

For further information, contact rachel@cyclingireland.ie