From the Sheep’s Head Raid Course Team

We are very close to having the Sheeps Head Raid Mountain Bike Marathon sorted and it looks great. The overall length will be about 52km and 1500 metres of ascent, in one big lap, which is very similar to the figures for the brilliant Carlingford marathon.

So completion times would range from 3 to 6 hours. which is what a mountain bike marathon should be. There is one bit that needs a bit of building on it which we will sort out early next week. There are very short sections of hike a bike but these really are short and in no way disrupt the journey. So we are very close, all we need now is a lot of signs and a good few marshals, nice weather (its always sunny down here) and bobs your uncle, we will have a quality mountain bike experience in West Cork.

The course may not have the pure single track (although large sections are surprisingly very good) of the man made small forest type XC tracks but it more than makes up for that with a true mountain feeling, a raw sense of nature, varied types of riding and unbeatable scenery which means that one is always entertained, interested and motivated to press on and see what lies beyond. I would suggest that riders are prepared for all types of weather and be self sufficient so that they can manage a variety of unforeseen situations. All the usual spares, plenty food and drink (we will have a feed point) a survival blanket, sense of humour and spirit of adventure!

This is also the first one which is always a bit special. And don’t forget the Downhilling Xc race (a little up too!) the day before, the great atmosphere, super food, local camping, family riding, reasonable price and magic of the area and we have the making’s of an excellent weekend’s craic.

See you there (:
Donncha.

ALSO MOST OF THIS COURSE WILL ONLY BE OPEN TO BIKERS ONCE A YEAR, AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME. PLEASE RESPECT THIS AND WE HOPE TO MAKE IT AN ANNUAL EVENT.