The 8th edition of the Coillte Biking Blitz returns to Limerick this spring with over 1,500 mountain bikers expected to take part in a series of events being organised to mark the start of the 2018 biking season.
The Coillte Biking Blitz is a cross country mountain bike series that is taking place every second weekend until the 25th of March. The second event in the series takes place on Sunday, February 25th, at Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trail in County Limerick.
Event organiser Niall Davis of Biking.ie explains, “The Coillte Biking Blitz series is a brilliant introduction for children or adults who want to try out mountain biking for the first time.As a beginner friendly mountain bike series, with free events for kids on balance bikes as young as 2 years old, our aim is to ensure everyone has a fun experience. Winning or losing isn’t on the agenda and everyone gets a medal.”
The Coillte Biking Blitz is mostly aimed at mountain bike novices, but all other ability levels are also welcome.
“As the age category rises so does the level of competition. Senior races are split up into two classes, ‘Baggy Shorts’ for first timers, who want to have some fun on the hills, and ‘Super Pro’, for the longer distance and more experienced category. Race distances vary but are typically 15km or 30km and the first to post is crowned the winner,” Niall Davis explained.
Each of the Biking Blitz event courses are located at one of Coillte’s flagship mountain bike recreation sites, which are open to the public year-round.
Speaking about this year’s Biking Blitz, Daithi de Forge, Coillte’s Head of Recreation said, “Mountain biking is a fast becoming a very popular sport in Ireland and, as the leading provider of outdoor recreation in Ireland, Coillte are delighted to be the lead sponsor of this year’s Biking Blitz.”
2018 is the 8th year of the Biking Blitz and competitor numbers are expected to be up on previous years. The Biking Blitz event village will have something for everyone with food venders, live music, interviews and exhibitors. Admission is free for spectators and competitors are urged to enter online in advance of the closing deadline, three days before each event.
For more information about the event people are encouraged to visit www.bikingblitz.ie and follow @bikingblitz on Facebook and use the hashtag #bikinginIreland.
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