SRAM XX kicked off the 2010 racing season right where it had ended in 2009: on the podium, with a clean sweep of the first three positions of the XX Maremma Cup powered by SRAM.

Held in beautiful Massa Marittima, Italy, the XX Maremma Cup is a week long racing series which has become a classic season opener, the first chance to see the world’s best riders in action. [Read more →]

The Collective’s three amazing movies - The Collective, Roam and Seasons, showed us how MTB films could and should be made.  Anthill films is a progression of some of the original members and their first film Follow me is out this May featuring some of the top riders in the world.

Report below thanks to Richie Byrne from EPICMTB:

Last weekend saw the penultimate round of Ireland’s most Successful Cross Country Race Series.
It was dry in Ballyhoura, Co Limerick, dry, sunny and a little bit chilly. A fabulous start to a fabulous race.  I was never expecting as big turnout in Ballyhoura as the previous race in Wicklow as a lot of people won’t stray too far from DunDrum Town Centre in case there is a sale on in H&M !! [Read more →]

WAR have just announced an extra 20 places in both the full event and the sorter WAR-Sport option.  You’ll need to be quick though as there are only 20 of each!

Go to the events website here to register.

Niall Davis checks in from the XC Developmental series regarding competition winners -

‘The XC Development Race Series is now up to full speed and heading towards the ultimate round in Galway on the 21st of March. [Read more →]

Nicolas Roche of AG2R continued his rise up the Pelotons ranks with a fantastic third on today’s stage 3 of the Paris-Nice which was shortened to 155kms due to adverse weather. [Read more →]

The Sinethesis is METs top end road helmet which adorns the heads of the Liquigas team including France Pellizzotti and Ivan Basso and it is now available in team colours.

[Read more →]

Super-distributors Madison recently had their annual trade show at their headquarters in Milton-Keynes and we made the trip to check out the newest products.

DT SWISS

DT Swiss EXM 150 [Read more →]

Back in November we brought you news of the new Garmin OSi maps for Ireland.  At the time the drawback was the way the country was split into four with a line stretching across from Johnny Fox’s marking the end of North-East and start of South-East, an obvious drawback if you utilise the Dublin mountains much.  Well Garmin have listened and we are delighted to announce that the lines have been redrawn.

North-East grid [Read more →]

Drury street car park now includes an indoor bike park for 192 bikes in the heart of Dublin, steps from Grafton Street.

Opened in October it hasn’t exactly been widely publicised [Read more →]

When SRAM introduced XX last year it was the first full groupset that incorporated a 2×10 setup in mountain biking. We ran a 2×9 setup on a carbon hardtail for most of last season and found it spectacular so no winning over was required from us.

SRAM have launched a new website called SRAM2×10.com designed as the ultimate resource on the new MTB drivetrain standard [Read more →]

You can now view the February issue of Outsider magazine online here (or click on the image).  Lots of bike features and reviews this issue.

If there is anything you would like to see specifically from a mountain bike point of view between the covers of Outsider email us at info@spoke.ie.  As mountain bike editor we have a bit of sway…

2010 sees the return of provincial XC racing leagues to the calendar with the Leinster League set to kick off on the 28th of March in Wexford.  This gives you a few weeks to get up to speed ahead of what will be a busy season.

The Leinster League is comprised of 4 races: [Read more →]

As part of continuing support of the XC Development race series, Niall Davis from Biking.ie will be taking two groups of five riders out for a Pre-Lap (or part thereof, due to the length of the lap) of the Ballyhoura race circuit on the morning of the race.

The aim of the Pre-Lap is to help the riders get through their first race with some hints and tips. [Read more →]

It is with regret that Chain Reaction Cycling Club have made the decision to cancel round 4 of the Irish Downhill Winter League, due to be held on 27/28th February 2010.

Following heavy snow throughout the week the forest is still under a blanket of snow and fire roads are impassable.

More snow and sub zero temperatures are forecast for tonight and this weekend which would made the track dangerous to ride as well as roads dangerous to drive on, therefore the club have made the decision to cancel the event.

We would ask you to please spread the word to fellow DHers as we don’t want anyone making unnecessary trips.

Chain Reaction Cycling Club

XMTB is running a three race Spring MTB league which starts this weekend at the O-Zone Recreation Centre, Ormeau Park, Belfast. The race is suitable for beginners, much like the developmental league which started last weekend. The course is pretty easy for all riders to enjoy and free coaching and advice is available. [Read more →]

Arctic conditions in Wicklow only added to the buzz in Ballinastoe Woods, Co. Wicklow on Sunday 21st February 2010.  165 eager riders from under-8 to over-60 to take part in the first race of its kind in Ireland. [Read more →]

Over the weekend European Masters Downhill Champion took possession of her new 2010 race bike from sponsor OC Tuning in KCR.  We were on hand for her first spin and spent most of the time with our fingers in our ears as she whooped with delight.

The bike is built around a custom Solid Mission 9 downhill frame [Read more →]

The Dublin Mountains partnership is extending its volunteer ranger programme to encompass mountain biking. This is an important set for the Dublin Mountains Partnership and gives them the opportunity to be involved in helping to manage recreation through out the Dublin Mountains. From a Mountain biking perspective it is important that we get involved and help influence how recreation activities are managed going forward. [Read more →]

This Sunday the 21st of February the first round of a developmental series will take place at Ballinastoe woods in Wicklow.

The aim of the series is to introduce novice XC racers to competitive racing. [Read more →]

A stalwart of Irish cycling, Joe Daly, passed away Monday following a short illness.  Joe was well known in South Dublin through his landmark shop in Dundum which he opened in 1951.  He is credited with starting many in the sport including this writer and a slightly more impressive rider Tour de France and World Champion Stephen Roche.

Joe Daly will be greatly missed.  He had remained involved in his shop until just recently and was just short of his ninetieth birthday.

We would like to offer our condolences to the entire Daly family.

Rest in peace Joe.

Cannondale team riders Pauline Dieffenthaler (Winner of the megavalanche 2007, 2nd in 2009) and Clementz Jérôme (Winner of the Enduro of nation 2009, megavalanche 2005 and Red Bull Exodus) will ride with a new helmet in 2010 from new manufacturer Bluegrass.

More information to follow soon!

The Mobex is a new backpack aimed at the adventure racer from gear manufacturer Columbia.

Columbia is a company that is reinvigorating itself. [Read more →]

This is a great time of year to set your goals for the season. The recession seems to have brought out the outdoors in lots of people and looking ahead there are lots of great events coming up, including a lot based around the challenge idea and away from simply a pure race.  That’s not to say that the racing calendar is light either with intro racing in February for XC, a Downhill Winter League, Provincial leagues and a full NPS series in both disciplines only around the corner.  For those looking for something a little different here are 3 options to wet your appetite.  All 3 take place before July giving two benefits- something to focus on and getting you into shape for lying on a beach. [Read more →]

These are an awesome performer with great power transfer, fit, weight and (importantly) price. It’s a complete package with a number of innovative features.

[Read more →]

The Sky Ride Etape Hibernia will take place over an 80-mile (approx) closed road course in scenic County Clare on Sunday, August 22nd 2010.

[Read more →]

Rachel, Gee and Dan Atherton have just signed a 2 year deal to keep them riding Commencal frames. The deal sees Team Animal Commencal renamed Team Commencal.  Between them the family has two senior World Championship jerseys from 2008 but they suffered a difficlt season in 2009 with Rachel out injured for the entire season.

[Read more →]

A favourite among our female testers, these leggings from merino supremo Icebreaker are fantastic for all outdoor sports.

Made from 260 g/m2 Merino wool, these leggings are part of the GT active outdoor range. [Read more →]

Joe McCall won his first Cyclocross Nationals on Sunday in a fast paced race in St Anne’s Park.  The experienced rider distanced second place by a full minute  in the race which lasted just over 1 hour. [Read more →]

Attached is a document from the Off Road Commission that gives some details of the upcoming race season.  It also gives details of the new online registration system.  We will also be bringing you full details of all the races across the season as and when they are released but in the mean time here is the preview.

2010_offroad_preview