A popular challenge on foot every August, not too many have topped the 7 mountains over 700 metres in the Mournes wielding a bicycle.
Start/finish from Newcastle or Rostrevor. The Mournes contain many epic rides. Any of Tollymore Forest, Donard Wood or Rostrevor Forest are perfect locations to start / finish an epic in the Mournes.
Park at Trassey Car Park, OSNI Map 29 Grid Reference 311313. A popular fell run each year of 5.5miles and 1500ft of climbing on Boxing Day, and a rewarding experience for those who don't mind lugging their bike a wee bit!
Rostrevor, just East of Warrenpoint, signposted from Newry or Newcastle on the A2. Popular with XC bikers, with great climbs and mental descents, some great sections of singletrack. A great place to start an epic.
Slieve Martin cairn stands 485 meters above Rostrevor Village and there are 4 different routes that will take you to the peak.
Summit Northern Ireland's highest peak, at 853 metres. Park in Donard Car Park in Newcastle itself or at Bloody Bridge.
On the Newcastle Rd between Ballynahinch and Seaford, less than one mile on the right past Brennan’s Petrol Station travelling from Seaford.
25 miles, with plenty of carrying!
Just off the B180 from Newcastle (turn left at Bryansford). Labyrinth of single track sections all throughout the forest. Has previously hosted Irish downhill championship races. Super place for a day out.