Saturday 27 August 2011
Single Speed World Championships 2011

After spending the last 2 years hacking away on a single speed to work and back, and then giving it a go off road since last winter, I needed very little persuasion to enter the Single Speed World Championships when I heard it was coming to Ireland this year. I booked my place in January and spent the next 8 months excitedly awaiting the chance to ride the whackiest race going.

The purpose built Coillte trails at Ballyhoura in Limerick was the venue for the race. After parking up, signing on, getting my free socks and donning my special polka dot jersey, I joined in with somewhere in the region of 550 to 600 riders on a roll out to the start line. The noise of 500 odd mountain bike tires buzzing on the tarmac was probably heard for miles around.

The start was a Le Mans running start up the hill to get your bike. Unfortunately it is SSWC tradition for the organisers to move your bike from where you left it, so after a few minutes of looking around; I finally found my machine at the bottom of a stack of On-One Inbreds. Away I went up the long fire road climb passing Batman and Robin, Wonder Woman and Bob the Builder to name but a few.

As far as my race went, I was pretty happy. I had good fun passing people all along the way, getting a brief chat with some as I went. The singletrack trails at Ballyhoura have roughened up quite a bit since my last visit just after the centre opened a few years back and after the first lap my hands were suffering at the mercy of my rigid fork. The second lap was tougher on the hands again which was unfortunate as the legs and engine felt good on the climbs.

If you ever have the chance to ride in the SSWC, SSUK or SS Europe events – give it a go. It’s an experience not to be missed.

Well done to Niall Davis on the win and taking it for the host nation. If anyone fancies a go next year, South Africa are hosting it.

Dromara Riders and final placings:
Phil O'Neill – 4th Place
Geoff Brown– 4th Place
Barry Kellett – 4th Place