Two World Class Trail Centres opened in Mourne Mountains, Ireland

Today sees the opening of over seventy five kilometres of purpose-built mountain bike trails in the Mourne Mountains Co. Down, Northern Ireland.

Over twenty thousand people are estimated to visit the brand new Castlewellan and Rostrevor Mountain Bike Trails powered by Chain Reaction Cycles in the first year alone, transforming the Mournes into the next ‘must visit’ mountain biking destination in the UK and Ireland.

With over two million pounds from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Sport Northern Ireland, both trails centres have been developed as part of a cross-county partnership between Down District Council and Newry and Mourne District Council. Together the trails will combine to generate approximately £660,000 for the local economy each year.

Chris Armstrong from MountainBikeNI.com explains, “Mountain biking has enjoyed an unparalleled surge in popularity in recent years and so it has been fantastic to see significant investment in the Mourne Mountains to develop these two world class trails facilities. The trails in Castlewellan and Rostrevor offer incredible mountain biking on a mix of terrain with breathtaking panoramic views.

Both trails centres in the Mournes have already attracted the attention of international events with Rostrevor hosting the World Police and Fire Games in August and Castlewellan recently selected as the venue for the Single Speed European Championships next April.

Speaking at last weekend’s Rostrevor Mountain Bike Festival, former Irish Downhill Champion, Glyn O’Brien explained, “It is no surprise that large-scale events are now looking at the Mournes as a potential venue. The Castlewellan trails are as stunning as the views and the trails in Rostrevor are up there with any others I ever ridden.”

UK based online giant Chain Reaction Cycles have sponsored a total of three new National Trail centres in Northern Ireland this year, PR Manager Simon Cordner welcomed the official opening of Rostrevor and Castlewellan

“We’re delighted to see these two fabulous facilities now officially open and to lend our support over the coming years alongside MountainbikeNI. He continued “Last weekend saw the largest MTB event take place in Northern Ireland with over 600 competitors racing XC, DH and Enduro at the Rostrevor Mountain Bike Festival. Every rider was coming down off the mountain waxing lyrical about the new trails and facilities and we hope to see many more riders visit this summer”

For detailed route descriptions, interactive mapping, information on bike hire, coaching and guiding across Northern Ireland check out www.MountainBikeNI.com.