Dunmore Offroad
I think it is quite safe to say that 2020 has been a challenging year; COVID-19 has swept the nation by storm, grinding all sense of ‘normality’ to a halt. Many have been affected, both financially and mentally. Unable to do the things they enjoy and spen
Aremarkable characteristic of humanity, however, is our resilience in the face of adversity. We have a unique ability to spot opportunities in chaos and to innovate. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, we too rose with our community to find a solution to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our cogs started to turn as we began to engineer a solution; a plan was set in motion. Until, finally, Dunmore Off-Road Activity Centre was born.
DUNMORE OFF-ROAD ACTIVITY CENTRE
Many of the previously enjoyed venues had closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, creating a need for a new space; one that was COVIDcompliant to help ensure riders that they were safe, where they could again relax and kickstart their engines.
Dunmore Off-Road Activity Centre is a space made for riders, by riders, covering a massive 180 acres of hill, rocks, rivers and drops. The centre is located just outside the small town of Ballynahinch, Northern Ireland; it is a must-ride location for anyone living in or visiting the area.
Surrounded by the iconic, world-famous Mourne Mountains, it provides some awe-inspiring views as you ride up the rivers and around the mountains. The centre caters for trials, enduro and other off-road vehicles through our organised events, and features a large hard-standing car park, toilet facilities and a machine-washing area. The land can be
privately booked to allow other clubs and individuals to run events at the centre. We believe that the community will only continue to grow and thrive if we work together to get through this challenging time and implores any rider from mainland UK to come over to Northern Ireland for a full weekend of riding. The centre is a short one-hour drive from the ferry station and in close proximity to other clubs that hold trials, providing easy access to a weekend of riding. Dunmore Off-Road Activity Centre prides itself on catering for riders of all ability ranges, from novice to elite.
FAMILY FUN
With a focus of being an affordable space for families to have a good day out, the land has flat surfaces and small hills for those only just beginning their journey on a trials machine. It also has challenging rock faces and the iconic ‘Waterfall Section’ for those that want to get the adrenaline pumping as their engines roar across the terrain. With 180 acres of open land to explore, Dunmore Off-Road Activity Centre allows riders to go at their own pace. You can simply explore the land freely with your friends and family, uncovering unridden sections that will leave you longing to explore more!
Through private lessons with one of the best motorcycle trials riders Northern Ireland has ever produced, riders of all ability ranges can learn from Robert Crawford (RC LIVE)
– a former top-seven FIM trials rider. Robert can help guide and teach you new tricks and skills that will get you conquering sections you previously thought impossible.
PAY AND PLAY
One of the more popular events is its ‘Pay & Play’ day. It is as simple as it sounds, you pay the entry fee, and you ride; no time limit and no set sections. While the sun is in the sky and you have the fuel you can ride wherever, whenever. Riders have the opportunity to explore freely and without limits allowing them to let go and have fun again — a great reason to free the machines from their workshops and load them onto the trailer with eager anticipation.
The journey to its opening day has been nothing short of exciting. As previously mentioned, humanity, when faced with adversity, bands together to find a solution and work together to overcome that issue. Within minutes of its first event being announced, the amount of support we received from our trials community was nothing short of inspiring. Aware the sport would outlive COVID-19, the community wanted to get those engines roaring again, giving everyone something to look forward to at the weekend.
SATURDAY 10TH OCTOBER
The day finally arrived: the launch of Dunmore Off-Road Activity Centre. The sky was blackened by dark cloud threatening to dampen the day with rain. The officials were riding around in an organised panic, making sure everything was in place and ready for the day ahead.
As 9.00am approached, slowly but surely trailers and vans began to fill the car park. An hour before signing on even opened, riders in excitement kickstarted their machines with the roar of engines filling the air.
At 10.00am, two Jeeps eagerly awaited the swarm of riders as they flocked to sign on, many of whom warmed up on the small section in front of signing on, smiling and laughing, finally having the opportunity to enjoy being back out with their community.
The sun slowly emerged from behind the clouds, its rays dancing on the fresh morning dew – nothing was going to spoil the day. Disappearing in groups to explore the unknown, they rode off with the sun on their backs and smiles on their faces.
Around one o’clock the riders began to slowly filter back to the car park, covered in mud but
hungry for more. They had their lunch, refuelled their engines, and set out again on their journeys conquering hills, rivers, rocks and drops. With the first event such a big success, the community’s support humbled all those involved at the centre.
A GREAT ADVENTURE
Dunmore Off-Road Activity Centre wants to provide an excellent adventure for those that visit, giving riders a breath-taking experience every time. The centre wants to help its community thrive, working with clubs and individuals who have the same love and passion as it has for the sport.
Get involved: now more than ever, everyone needs something to look forward to. The sport will outlive COVID-19; the community will always overcome adversity. Welcome to the strong trials community in Northern Ireland — we are waiting for you!