Steveb
September 12-2005, 11:50 AM
By Reac Photography
Another great event was to be had at Ballinastoe wood for the second round
of the Epic Blast. Riders from all over the country turned up to compete in Irelands finest endurance race with a mixture of DH and XC that challenged even the expierience riders.
With a good turn out of over 100 riders and prize givings being top notch it
made for an event with sweet atmosphere and a superbly run EPIC!
http://www.mtbrider.com/images/article_images/blast-rnd2/Crowdattheprizegiving.JPG
The Epic challenge
A mixture of DH and XC was what the riders were up against. Starting of on
the mountain with a mad dash brought the riders to the challenges. Dark wooded areas with trees to avoid and roots to get over. Northshore obstacles such as a tree house and a very steep shoot was a topic on the rider minds as to see which was the fastest way round.
A few fire road sections and a couple of bus stops later the riders were then faced with 2 northshore kicker jumps. Onto a northshore type skinny was the next obstacle which led into a bomb hole section, out onto a fire road for a split second then it was into a fast peice of single track with a few lips to get some air. Fire road section next with an uphill Apedally bit brought
the riders into the last forest section which was a sweet bit of single
track with ferns chest high. Into another bomb hole via a berm gave the riders 2 lines to choose from for the exit: A small drop or chicken run. Out onto the final fire road see's the riders sprint to the finsh with 2 lines to choose from: The left had a 2ft jump with a rock garden exit and the right had a small jump then a 2ft hip jump, both led into the final obstacle which was a pic-nic table then a 3mt sprint to the finish line.
http://www.mtbrider.com/images/article_images/blast-rnd2/Onthewaytothetop.JPG
The Event
Riders young and old took part, from full suss bikes to hardtail and rigid.
The only competing i saw was the riders competing against themselves. Some found the course very demanding while for others it was just a day out. There was a few spills with one rider hurting his arm quite bad and
ended up with his arm in a sling. The atmoshpere was electric with spectators positioned throughout the course cheering the riders on, especially at the end section were we had the Happy fairy * richie* giving it loads on the PA system, cheering the guys on.
Refreshments were given to the riders after they completed each heat to regain there energy for the final blast which was a BLAST indeed. 70 riders decended from the top of the mountain with No75 Joe McCall *team worc*
taking the overall EPIC BLAST win.
Our very own forum members were there in force. Heat 1 final saw JohnO take a respected 6th place and took 8th overall, wheely'ing past riders on an uphill fire road climb...love it! Heat final 3 saw christy taking 4th place and 66th overall, though he ran into alot of mechanical problems. Jonny * big air * C took 7th position in heat 5 final, on a bike he had never riden before, even doing a double, it was good to see. Pete * im no tool,im i? * came 6th in his heat. StevieD taking 2nd place in his heat was a very good result,
but the highlight of the day was are very own SHAM taking 1st place in his heat, mucho respect fella.
http://www.mtbrider.com/images/article_images/blast-rnd2/Shamtakesgold.JPG
Another great event by the EPIC guys. BIG thanks to all that made it possable. Hope to see more events like this in the future, its just what Ireland needs.
Reac Photographyhttp://www.mtbrider.com/images/article_images/Crowdattheprizegiving.JPG
Another great event was to be had at Ballinastoe wood for the second round
of the Epic Blast. Riders from all over the country turned up to compete in Irelands finest endurance race with a mixture of DH and XC that challenged even the expierience riders.
With a good turn out of over 100 riders and prize givings being top notch it
made for an event with sweet atmosphere and a superbly run EPIC!
http://www.mtbrider.com/images/article_images/blast-rnd2/Crowdattheprizegiving.JPG
The Epic challenge
A mixture of DH and XC was what the riders were up against. Starting of on
the mountain with a mad dash brought the riders to the challenges. Dark wooded areas with trees to avoid and roots to get over. Northshore obstacles such as a tree house and a very steep shoot was a topic on the rider minds as to see which was the fastest way round.
A few fire road sections and a couple of bus stops later the riders were then faced with 2 northshore kicker jumps. Onto a northshore type skinny was the next obstacle which led into a bomb hole section, out onto a fire road for a split second then it was into a fast peice of single track with a few lips to get some air. Fire road section next with an uphill Apedally bit brought
the riders into the last forest section which was a sweet bit of single
track with ferns chest high. Into another bomb hole via a berm gave the riders 2 lines to choose from for the exit: A small drop or chicken run. Out onto the final fire road see's the riders sprint to the finsh with 2 lines to choose from: The left had a 2ft jump with a rock garden exit and the right had a small jump then a 2ft hip jump, both led into the final obstacle which was a pic-nic table then a 3mt sprint to the finish line.
http://www.mtbrider.com/images/article_images/blast-rnd2/Onthewaytothetop.JPG
The Event
Riders young and old took part, from full suss bikes to hardtail and rigid.
The only competing i saw was the riders competing against themselves. Some found the course very demanding while for others it was just a day out. There was a few spills with one rider hurting his arm quite bad and
ended up with his arm in a sling. The atmoshpere was electric with spectators positioned throughout the course cheering the riders on, especially at the end section were we had the Happy fairy * richie* giving it loads on the PA system, cheering the guys on.
Refreshments were given to the riders after they completed each heat to regain there energy for the final blast which was a BLAST indeed. 70 riders decended from the top of the mountain with No75 Joe McCall *team worc*
taking the overall EPIC BLAST win.
Our very own forum members were there in force. Heat 1 final saw JohnO take a respected 6th place and took 8th overall, wheely'ing past riders on an uphill fire road climb...love it! Heat final 3 saw christy taking 4th place and 66th overall, though he ran into alot of mechanical problems. Jonny * big air * C took 7th position in heat 5 final, on a bike he had never riden before, even doing a double, it was good to see. Pete * im no tool,im i? * came 6th in his heat. StevieD taking 2nd place in his heat was a very good result,
but the highlight of the day was are very own SHAM taking 1st place in his heat, mucho respect fella.
http://www.mtbrider.com/images/article_images/blast-rnd2/Shamtakesgold.JPG
Another great event by the EPIC guys. BIG thanks to all that made it possable. Hope to see more events like this in the future, its just what Ireland needs.
Reac Photographyhttp://www.mtbrider.com/images/article_images/Crowdattheprizegiving.JPG