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Irish DH - NPS Round One
Bally Carton Woods
Writers: Pete Davey - 25th April 2004
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This weekend past was one of the many to remember, it was the start of the NPS in Ireland, the start of a whole new season. Lots of excited people buzzing to get started! The venue for NPS Round 1 was held in Ballycarton Woods, Co. Derry. We arrived on Sunday morning at eight in the morning and from what we were seeing, this race was already looking great, blue skies, a dry course, lots of riders and a very friendly atmosphere as usual. Always a great start for a brilliant day!
The course was a little wet in places, but mostly dry as ever. The course started near the top of Benevenagh Mountain. The first section consisted of a small slope into a twisty section, you then switch backed round a corner and it turned very steep, but definitely fun. The track then came out of the woods and onto a straight fire road with a big ski jump at the end onto a nice down slope followed by a sharp corner back into the woods. The second section was made up of steep rooty chutes, drops and berms to catch you at the bottom then over a road gap into a small berm and out onto the fire road again.
The course leads you on down a short fire road and off a drop straight back into the forest, this drop was about 6ft onto a nice down slope that gave you plenty of speed Next up was a group of berms which lead you to the take off for a small jump back onto the fire road.
You then followed the fire road into a small section which lead you across the road and into the last section, this section consisted of steep dips which was followed by a north shore style drop over a rock garden. You then pedalled out of this section over rocks and roots and the worst was to come, a 400m sprint to the finish down a fire road, the sprint was great, but was still the worst. Left you knackered at the finish line but a good end to what was a brilliant start for the Irish racing calendar!
I would just like to say a big thanks to the course builders, Nigel and Trevor, Joe Ward and the potato bred crew for the organisation, the guys who gave the uplifts which were top notch, the marshals and who I didn’t mention you know who you are. Once again a big thanks for providing such a great race.
Also I hope a quick recovery to Keith Qualle, Stephen Maginn and Gaz Baker!
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