Mountain Bike Guides in the Mournes – Rock and Ride Outdoors

Rock and Ride Outdoors are Mountain Bike Guides in the Mournes, based at Kilcoo in Co. Down, Northern Ireland. The Mourne Mountains have some of the best riding on the island of Ireland, from the trail centres at Castlewellan and Rostrevor to natural trails around Tollymore and Slieve Donard.

The mountain biking side is run by Ian Bailey, described as Northern Ireland’s only MBLA tutor. He trains new mountain bike leaders on Cycling Ireland’s Mountain Bike Leader Award courses, and the guides hold MBLA Mountain Bike Leader qualifications.

Guided rides

Guided rides take in the trail centres at Castlewellan and Rostrevor as well as natural trails in the Mournes. A three-hour guided session costs £175 for a group of up to eight riders.

Skills coaching

Coaching runs from complete beginner level to race-specific sessions. A three-hour session costs £100 for one rider, £140 for two, or £175 for a group of three to six.

Leader courses and more

Rock and Ride also runs Cycling Ireland leader award courses for people who want to lead rides themselves, and offers climbing and mountaineering. Hire bikes can be arranged with notice.

Good to know

Kilcoo is about an hour from Belfast and 90 minutes from Dublin. Contact the team by phone or through their website to plan a ride.