Castlewellan bike trails host first major European event

Castlewellan bike trails host first major European event

30 April 2014

OVER 260 mountain bikers from 19 countries were in Castlewellan at the weekend for a major European event.

The Single Speed European Championships were held in Castlewellan Forest Park and in a colourful opening the bikers dressed up as everything from superheroes such as Captain America and Superman, to leprechauns and clowns.   

The event was hosted by Outdoor Recreation Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Mountain Biking Alliance with funding from Down Council.

Speaking at the opening, Down Council vice chairman councillor Gareth Sharvin welcomed the mountain bikers to Castlewellan and said the council was immensely proud of the new network of trails within the forest park.

“Since their launch, the Castlewellan Mountain Bike Trails have been visited over 20,000 times by mountain bikers from all across the UK and Ireland,” he said.

“To now host these iconic championships which reach the wider European market whilst the trails are still under a year old highlights just how important this activity tourism product is for Castlewellan and the wider Mournes region.”

Chris Armstrong, from MountainBikeNI.com, said the engagement of local cafes and pubs had helped to create a unique atmosphere in Castlewellan for participants, spectators and the local community.  

“This weekend was a fantastic celebration of mountain biking and the new trails here in Castlewellan,” he said.

“It was great to see so many people down watching in the forest park and we were delighted to also see local businesses embracing the fun-loving ethos of the mountain biking community throughout the entire weekend.”