Rostrevor Gearing up for Mountain Bike Festival

Mountain Bikers from all over Ireland are flocking to the Rostrevor Mountain Bike Trails powered by Chain Reaction Cycles this weekend to take part in the first ever Rostrevor Mountain Bike Festival.

This event is expected to attract over five hundred mountain bikers during the bank holiday weekend and has been designed to showcase the new trails which are due to open to the public next week.

With just under fifty kilometres of purpose-built trails including two of the first official downhill trails in Ireland, Rostrevor offers a range of challenging features and provides some unique opportunities for local mountain biker and festival organiser Glyn O’Brien.

Speaking during final preparations, Mr O’Brien commented, “The trails here in Rostrevor are simply breathtaking. The descents are as epic as the panoramic views and the two downhill trails are up there with any others I ever ridden.” 

Mr O’Brien added, “This festival is the perfect way to celebrate the new mountain bike trails. It will be the largest ever mountain bike festival to take place in Northern Ireland and with a mix of cross-country, downhill and enduro style events on offer it is attracting mountain bikers from near and far.”

Local businesses are already gearing up for a busy summer ahead which is set to be topped off as the Rostrevor Mountain Bike Trails host the World Police and Fire Games in August.

Chris Armstrong from MountainBikeNI.com explains, “There is a real buzz around Rostrevor at the minute with local accommodation providers, restaurants, pubs and cafes eagerly anticipating the opening of the mountain bike trails.”

Mr Armstrong continued, “The Rostrevor Mountain Bike Festival will kick start this influx of mountain bike visitors which will be a great reward to the support that Newry and Mourne District Council and sponsors Chain Reaction Cycles have offered event organisers throughout the festival preparations.”

The Rostrevor Mountain Bike Trails have been made possible with partnership funding from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Down District Council, Newry & Mourne District Council and Sport NI with support from Forest Service of Northern Ireland and Outdoor Recreation Northern Ireland.