Cycling Ulster Off-road Commission – Events Working Group

Bring back the good old days!!

Recent years have seen a decline in the number of off-road cycling events in Ulster.  This has been from the restricted access to venues, a decline in the number of willing clubs and the reduction in the number of willing volunteers.  The Covid lockdown also didn’t help. 

Mountain bikers young and old are not getting the opportunity to race off-road in Ulster. The Cycling Ulster Off-road Commission is seeking to change this.

The first step is to form a working group of individuals from various clubs (and those with no club) and bring us all together to brainstorm and organise. 

If you are interested in joining this working group, please drop an email to Martin Grimley, secretary of the off-road commission (secretary@offroadcyclingulster.com) before the end of play on Friday 28 March 2025.

Please share this post with those who you know would be keen to join.

Introduction to cross-country racing

On Sunday 25 February 2024, Cycling Ulster off-road commission coaches hosted an introduction to cross-country racing session at Barnetts Demesne in Belfast. Attending were 8 boys and 1 girl ranging in age from 4 to 11. This was ahead of the upcoming Spring series which is 3 races being held in March in Belfast by Kinning Cycles. Skills covered were mass starts and some time trials along a section of the mountain bike trails over a 90 minute period. Well done to all the young riders.

Expression of interest to join the CU MTB development squad 2024

The Cycling Ulster Off-road Commission is now looking for expression of interest from riders who wish to join their cross-country, enduro, downhill mountain bike development squad.  The aim of the squad is to improve riders through a set of coaching sessions.  Inclusion in the squad would be very beneficial to those thinking of competing in races outside of Ireland.  Age categories for the squad are Under 14s, Under 16s, Junior and Under 23 (male or female).

Eligibility for the squad is as follows:

  • The rider must have been born in Ulster, or the rider must belong to an Ulster cycling club or the rider must live in Ulster.
  • The rider must have a current UCI competition membership licence
  • Year of birth must be in the range 2002-2011.

Those interested in putting their name forward for this squad need to complete the form below before close of play on Saturday 24 February 2024.

Link to form here.

Expression of interest to join the CU MTB development squad 2023

The Cycling Ulster Off-road Commission is now looking for expression of interest from riders who wish to join their cross-country, enduro, downhill mountain bike development squad.  The aim of the squad is to improve riders through a set of coaching sessions.  Inclusion in the squad would be very beneficial to those thinking of competing in races outside of Ireland.  Age categories for the squad are Under 14s, Under 16s, Junior and Under 23 (male or female).

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Cycling Ulster Off-road Commission AGM – 3rd notification

This is the third notification for the 2022 Cycling Ulster Off-road Commission Annual General Meeting will take place online on Monday 17 October 2022 at 7:30 pm. Attendees will need to register in advance (link to register here). Registration closes on Friday 14 October at midnight.
Minutes from the 2021 AGM can be found here.  Please review these as we will need to have these proposed and seconded at the meeting.

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