We headed off last Saturday (March 1st) from Tralee over to Mallow and onto Galway for the second round of the Biking Blitz. We arrived at Moycullen in Galway just before closing time on saturday and it was then that I got my first look at MBW's facilities.. its insane. Massive pumptrack next to the shop, as you walk in the front door your greeted by an Indoor BMX park, I was in awe. After a chat with the boss man Garry we went for a play in the BMX bowl and after several wipe outs and one dead pair of skinny jeans it was time to leave.
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| the ridiculous downstairs in the MBW shop |
Johnny, Paul Lenihane and I stayed in our team mate Michelle Muldoons for the night and Sunday morning were escorted to Derroura mountain bike trails for the race. Once we arrived we signed on straight away and I met with Garry (MBW) who supplied me with my weapon of choice, A brand new Kona Process 111DL with full XX1 drive, safe to say I was cautious on board.
On the advice of my team mate Johnny I chose to race in baggies for my first ever biking blitz, it was a short 16km loop (single lap).
The races kicked off at 1pm with the Super pro leaving 2 minutes before they left the baggies off. I sat on the start line with a feeling of no pressure for possibly the first time and as we took off I simply spotted my gap between the four men in front and I opened out to the top of the hill, pulling out a gap I simply had to maintain to take my first win in what felt like forever. All was great until I hit the super pro traffic on the first single track and this ended up being my entire race, just weaving in and out and looking for passing opportunities throughout. The Kona process 111DL was the first 29er I have ever rode and it has converted me.. bigger wheels are better, they go faster. The phenominal grip from the tires and sharp gear changes from the XX1 are just a winning mix.. it would be inexcusable to lose on that absolute weapon.
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In the end I took my first win of the season sitting 2.5 minutes in front of second place, the boss man Garry Davoren.
I just want to shout out a thanks to Garry and all the MBW-Kona Ireland racing team for keeping me going on Sunday, Michelle for her hospitality and Paul Lenihane for being my driver and grRANA Energy Europe for driving me on, Also thanks to action pictures Ireland for the great pictures.
On the advice of my team mate Johnny I chose to race in baggies for my first ever biking blitz, it was a short 16km loop (single lap).
The races kicked off at 1pm with the Super pro leaving 2 minutes before they left the baggies off. I sat on the start line with a feeling of no pressure for possibly the first time and as we took off I simply spotted my gap between the four men in front and I opened out to the top of the hill, pulling out a gap I simply had to maintain to take my first win in what felt like forever. All was great until I hit the super pro traffic on the first single track and this ended up being my entire race, just weaving in and out and looking for passing opportunities throughout. The Kona process 111DL was the first 29er I have ever rode and it has converted me.. bigger wheels are better, they go faster. The phenominal grip from the tires and sharp gear changes from the XX1 are just a winning mix.. it would be inexcusable to lose on that absolute weapon.
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