Mountain Biking / MTB

There are three main Mountain Biking Course Providers in Ireland running MTB courses, teaching MTB skills and also offering MTB training and certification:

Trailriders.ie (Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails with 90km of the best Mountain Bike Trails in the country)

Kilfinane OEC (Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails with 90km of the best Mountain Bike Trails in the country)

Biking.ie (Ballinastoe Mountain Bike Park has 14km of purpose built mountain bike trails)

As the leading centres for Mountain Biking in Ireland they have designed MTB Skills Pathways to help you get to grips with this exhilarating sport.

Details of the MTB courses provided in each centre can be found on each centre's page:

Trailriders.ie

Kilfinane OEC

Biking.ie

MTB Skills Courses

Courses are designed in Half- Day modules in such a way that you can join in at the appropriate level. They also run MTB Courses and MTB Skills clinics on demand for groups.
The MTB skills courses take you from beginner through to advanced. There are also additional courses that you can do in both centres such as bike care & trailside mechanics for mountain bikes, mountain bikes basic mechanics, MTB Navigation, racer courses etc.  

MTB Leadership Pathway

There are also leader MTB courses called the MTB Leadership Pathway - The scheme provides training and assessment in mountain biking and leadership skills and offers awards at two levels in progression (Note: Both centres run the The Trail Cycle Leader Award while currently Biking.ie is the only centre to run the Mountain Bike Leader Award):
 

(1) The Trail Cycle Leader Award (TCL) 

The Trail Cycle Leader award is the appropriate award for leading groups of bikers on Mountain Bike trails such as the Ballyhoura MTB trails. It is the ideal qualification for staff in Outdoor Education Centres, Adventure Centres, Schools, Youth Groups, anyone leading groups within a club or for bikers who just want to improve their skills.
The course consists of two days Mountain Bike training. Participants must then complete logbook requirements and then attend for a one day assessment. This award is certified by Scottish Cycling and is recognised by Cycling Ireland.
Pre-Entry to SMBLA Trail Cycle Leader Training
Candidates must be over 18 years old and have log book experience of at least 20 mountain bike rides of 1.5 hr duration in a variety of terrain and weather conditions. Longer runs of 2 to 3 hrs duration, with at least one being 6 hours and 2/3 detailed route cards should also be included. The terrain covered should be appropriate to the level of award sought.
Candidates should also register with the SMBLA and British/Scottish Cycling.

Evidence of having acted as an assistant mountain bike leader with a group is recommended (but not essential) to help acquaint the candidate with the skills and issues covered by the course.

(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)

It is the next level up from the trail cycle leader. The skills base required for the mountain bike leader award if notable higher than the trail cycle leader also. The focus shifts to leading groups in remote and technically challenging terrain for many hours. Applicants must hold a valid first aid certificate, have completed the trail cycle leader award and logged 20 recent mountain bike leader standard rides.

There are three additional modules available to all existing TCLs and MBLs: (Expedition Module, Night Riding Module & Winter Conditions Module)

Mountain Bike Trails

Descriptions of Ireland's Mountain Biking Trails, their degree of difficulty (see Cycling Route Grade Definitions below to help you choose the most suitable trail) and directions are provided on the Course Provider tab 

MTB Route Grading Definitions

Easy
Gradients - Shallow
Surface - Compacted surface 2-3 m wide and forest roads
Suitable for - Occasional cyclists and families

Moderate
Gradients - Moderate with some steep sections that may have to be walked
Surface - Compacted surface 2-3 m wide with up to 10% on rough tracks under 2m wide
Suitable for - Novice cyclists and families

Difficult
Gradients - Steep
Surface - Width below 1m wide with a range of surfaces including rough narrow tracks
Suitable for - Good cyclists with mountain bikes

Severe
Gradients - Steep with drop offs
Surface - Mostly on rough narrow tracks
Suitable for - Expert mountain bikers

MTB Clubs, Mountain Bike Hire & Guided Rides

Details of Irelands MTB clubs, where to hire Mountain Bikes at the trails and details of clubs that provide guided rides for corporate and private groups are provided on the Course Provider tab