Any new trails in Ballinastoe in the last 2 months ?

Yeah, same as Gerry, nothing new opened in the last few months except a slight revamp to the start of Expressway. Still, with what is there you would get in 25km by doing everything.

But as you say, there is huge work going on and probably come the summer there will be another 5 trails open. New link to Expressway from end of Zipper, second trial off the platform beside Junkers and 3 new trails from new climbing trail off Pump & Grind.

With the layout of the trails now, it is definitely going to a long day in saddle on a regular bike. You would get a lot of meters in trying to hit all the trails when finished given their top to bottom nature.

Some more new trails gonna be opening in Ballinastoe hopefully in March!

That's not a big change. That's just a big building, and some cosmetic changes, and a bit more parking. A big change to me would be loads of new trails. We go for trails, not for buildings.

Ah I know all the new trails, and the ones proposed. The point I was making was that a new trail head building isn't a huge addition: it's more the trails that are of interest to bikers generally. They go for the trails, not the shop/showers/whatever.

Ah yeah, decent facilities are welcome alright. I hear there's a load of new trails going to be opened in March. The whole thing is a huge improvement on what was there.

New trails open now if anyone is undecided where to ride this weekend. A seriously impressive trail network now, with something to suit all abilities. Hats off to the Trailbreaker crew who have done great work on the all the new trails.

As well as Ravens (parallel to Junkers) and the link to Expressway which opened last month, there are now 3 extra trails which are accesesd off Pump n Grind. 1 flowy red, 1 techy black and a black jump line. Also a lower black section with drops and doubles which finishes at end Expressway.

Everything is rollable but they are a step up from any of the previous trails. If you're used to natural trails they won't be a problem.

I think the inner car park was originally only open for the weekends, but then its been opened midweek if the guys are working in the biking.ie hut.

But said it before, 4.30 closing is ridiculous and they really need to look at better opening hours, with the long evenings and improved trails.

Thought I'd post here rather than start a new thread. What would be the easiest way to the top of Ballinastoe?

Today I skipped Cool Runnings and took the road up towards Double Trouble, it gets pretty steep but it's a short climb then it's downhill to get right up to Double Trouble.

I could mess around with Trail Forks but the numbers aren't always a good indicator, for example from the end of Expressway going up past Suas is more elevation but I'd much rather go that way rather than take the other path downhill just to go back up again.

Don't forget the back climb, up by the overflow carpark and up towards start of zipper.

Tbh, you're heading the same place eitherway so doesn't really matter what way you go. I usually mix it up to break the monotony of taking the same climb on every visit.

Enjoyed some of the new/ revamped trails over the weekend on the gravel bike, although caught out a bit by Housebound going straight down to the trail head rather than to the top of Home Run. Easy Rider into Cool Runnings a definite improvement on the fire road (I assume easy rider there a long time, just not marked?) given the talk of the climbing.

I was also a bit surprised Zipper was a Red trail, same as Bump n Grind - I wouldn't really have them as the same level?

My main takeaway was having to stand in from e-Mtb's flying up zipper - must get one of those things!

Yes, agree, great section of trails, although still need to master some of the doubles on steps. Think I need to session it to build up the confidence to clear them.