Background

Biking.ie are the leading provider of mountain bike education and training in Ireland. Based on the experience acquired in delivering mountain bike specific educational courses for several years, competing at top international level and given our internationally recognised qualifications, we are confident in delivering such programs to the highest possible standard.

Courses

Mountain Skills Courses

Beginner

Key Points
Bike setup 
Attack Position
Balance Skills
Gear usage
Track stands
Braking techniques
Front wheel lift
Rear wheel lift
Question and answer sessions.

Terrain
The terrain will be predominantly wider tracks with some single track riding after the skills.

Fitness
Participants require a basic level of fitness. However, during the course there are frequent breaks to accommodate questions and answers. So the training day will not be physically demanding at all.

Bike
If you haven't yet bought a bike then you can hire one at a discounted rate of €20, just mention when booking. Otherwise a suitable mountain bike with working brakes and gears. Suspension is not essential.

Equipment
It is important to wrap up warm on the day and some light rain gear is advisable. Avoid cotton t-shirts, hoodies and wearing loose baggy clothes because they flap in the wind and snag on the bike. Helmets are essential. Read more here.

Duration
The course lasts three hours.

Cost
€50 per person. Add €20 for bike hire
€40 for members of any mountain bike club (please bring your licence as proof). 
 

Intermediate

Take the next step with intermediate mountain lesson.
Our intermediate training course builds on the basic skills you have learned on the beginners course. We recommend that having completed the beginners course you should try to hone the skills you have learned for a few months before immediately attending an intermediate course. This way you'll be sure to get the most out of the session.

Key Points
Review and refresh beginners skills
Bike setup
Track stands
Bunny hops
Switchback climbing
Switchback descending
Log hops
Low level drop-offs
Small jumps
Question and answer sessions.

Terrain
There will be a mix of wider trails and single track in the intermediate session. Most of the skills are taught on the fire road then put to practice on the single track trails.

Fitness
Participants require a basic level of fitness. The course will focus on skills rather than the physical aspect of the sport. The intermediate course will move at a slightly quicker pace than the beginner's course.

Duration
The group session lasts three hours.

Cost
€50 per person. Add €20 for bike hire
€40 for members of any mountain bike club (please bring your licence as proof).

Advanced

The advanced mountain bike training courses are aimed at perfecting your skills so you can take anything the trail can throw at you. The majority of the day is spent on single track and will focus on advanced techniques such as line selection, large drop offs and riding at speed. Here's a look at some of the areas covered in the course. Read our clients' testimonials here.

Key Points
Lateral bunny hops
Switchbacks with speed
Wet roots
Drop-offs
Jumps
Off Camber techniques
Question and Answer sessions.

Terrain
We'll be building up to riding some of the hardest trails in Ireland. A warm up on the fire road, then progress into the single track to look at set skills and problem areas.

Fitness
A moderate level of fitness is needed for this course, although the main focus will be on skills.

Duration
The course typically lasts about three hours but quality is the aim rather than quantity.

Cost
€50 per person.
€40 for members of any mountain bike club (please bring your licence as proof).

Racer

Improve your lap times with Biking.ie training.
Biking.ie provides expert racing advice based on over 20 years experience competing at top International level in multiple disciplines. If you're the competitive type and every spin with your mates turns into a race them you're in the right place. Mountain bike racing is a great way to meet likeminded people, travel the country and most all it's the biggest adrenalin rush you can get! There are a number of different styles of racing, from downhill to cross country and Biking.ie have the experience to get you to the top- FAST.

Key Points
Bike setup
Technique
Fitness training
Physiological preparation
Diet
Warm up routine
Equipment preparation
Sponsorship advice.

What's involved?
Tuition is on a one to one basis, so you can get the most out of the session. We can focus on specific problem areas to get the most out of the session.

Duration
Each individual training session lasts two hours, group sessions last three hours.

Cost
Private Lesson: €80 per person, €180 for three lessons. €70 for members of any mountain bike club (please bring your licence as proof).
Group Lesson: €50 per person, minimum four people. €40 for members of any mountain bike club (please bring your licence as proof). 

Leader Courses

Leadership Pathway
The scheme provides training and assessment in mountain biking and leadership skills and offers awards at two levels in progression:

(1) The Trail Cycle Leader Award (TCL)
The Trail Cycle Leader Award (TCL) consists of a two (or three) day training course followed by a one day assessment (for use in AALA defined non-licensable terrain)

(2) The Mountain Bike Leader Award (MBL)
The Mountain Bike Leader Award (MBL) consists of an additional two days training plus a one day assessment (for use in AALA defined licensable terrain)

There are three additional modules available to all existing TCLs and MBLs:

Expedition Module (revised)
Available as a 2-day training course followed by a 2-night/3 day assessment.  Holders of the Expedition Module would be able to lead expeditions within the terrain covered by the remit of their MBLA leader award, e.g. a TCL could only lead expeditions within TCL terrain.

Night Riding Module
Will qualify Leaders to to operate in conditions outside the 'daytime only' remit of their award. The Module will enable TCLs to work in Night Time conditions within TCL terrain. MBLs will be able to lead on more technically difficult and remote terrain. The course will consist of a 7 hour Training Course, with at least 50% of the practical element to be undertaken in darkness. For the Module to be valid the candidate must then pass a 3 hour Assessment Course, which will be undertaken entirely during darkness.

Winter Conditions Module
Will extend the scope of the TCL and MBL award to enable Leaders to work outside the ‘summer conditions only’ remit. The module will consist of a 2 day training course and a 1 day assessment.  Day 1 of training is classroom based and can take place at any time of the year.Day 2 of training is practical and would take place in ‘winter’ conditions, as they occur.
This document should be read in conjunction with the MBLA Candidate Pathway which is available on the Scottish Cycling website downloads. The Candidate Pathway provides a step by step guide to any candidate wishing to undertake an MBLA award.

Hire

Front Suspension €30                         
Full Suspension €40
We have three sizes, small (43cm, 16"), medium (48cm, 18") and large (53cm, 21") bikes. The pedals on the hire bikes are interchangeable with either a flat platform pedal or a SPD clip in style to suit your preference.  The mountain bike comes with a bottle cage, pump and a saddle bag full of all the essential tools and spare parts for a day on the trails. A bike helmet is also included in the cost. 

Guided Tours

Corporate Groups

We understand the way it goes... fun not fitness... less of the ups, more of the downs please! Just trust us; with trail names like The Hurricane, Devil’s Downhill and Need for Speed- you’ll have a ball. The aim of the game is having fun. We’ll set you up on the bikes and give you the fundamental information at the start then hit the Wicklow hills form some mountain bike action.

The Facts
•Location: Ballinastoe Woods, County Wicklow
•Duration: Approximately 4 hours (not all cycling time)
•Groups sizes: 5- 20 at any one time
•Bike and helmets included
•Fitness and Skill level: Basic Level 1
•Max instructor client ratio: 1-8
•Food and drink: at the Coach Inn, 5 minutes drive

Guided Tours 

Our personalised bike tours allow you to access parts of the country you didn't even know existed. We are based at Ballinastoe Mountain Bike Park in Wicklow all year round. Our highly experienced and highly qualified guides will show you the best trails in Wicklow, the Garden County of Ireland.
The trails we ride will be designed around your technical abilities and fitness levels, from newbies to techies. A minimum group size of 4 is required to run the day tour. Tours usually start at 10 am at a pre arranged location and take in a lunch stop. The tour lasts approximately 3-4 hours, depending on group ability.

What to bring?
If you have no experience, you can hire the bike and all the equipment. See the equipment list here.

Cost
€50per person, group discounts availiable. Add €20 for bike hire.

Trails

Ballinastoe Mountain Bike Park has 14km of purpose built mountain bike trails. Special consideration has been made to ensure the trails are weather proof and usable all year round, very important given the weather in Ireland! There are two loops to choose from, both of which are sign posted by red cyclist icons. The terrain at ballinastoe woods is a mix of wide double-track and narrow singletrack, offering a challenge for any mountain biker.

Accommodation

Refer http://www.biking.ie for suggestions

Contact Details

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Bike Hire Hotline +353 (0) 83 434 6992
Tarja +353 (0) 86 080 4417
Niall +353 (0) 87 417 6029
http://www.biking.ie