Pro mountain biker Greg Callaghan has found his ultimate thrill on the rugged terrain of the Dublin Mountains. From humble beginnings living out of his customized van while self-funding his downhill mountain bike events, Callaghan has become Ireland’s only professional Enduro rider. He joined the Enduro World Series in 2017 and has since won events outside of Ireland, including a World Series event in Madeira.
As he enters his 13th year as an endurance competitor, Callaghan knows he must put in the effort to stay sharp. Enduro racing is demanding and intense, with races that can last up to eight hours a day. Each race consists of multiple timed stages, usually downhill, with climbs not being timed. This means riders must use their endurance and explosivity to succeed.
To train for Enduro racing, Callaghan spends a lot of time on mountain bikes, building fitness on the uphill climbs and honing speed skills on the way back down. Living in the Dublin Mountains allows him access to a network of trails and forests, making training exciting and never boring.
While the sport is intense and dangerous, with riders reaching speeds of up to 70kph, the risk of falling is always present. Competitors must ride at their absolute limit to stay competitive. The physicality and variety of the sport make it a true test of a mountain biker’s skills and endurance.
Callaghan has had his fair share of injuries over the years, but he has managed to stay mostly injury-free and miss only two races in his 10-year racing career. Now taking a break from the Enduro World Series, Callaghan is focusing on the Downhill National Championships at Glencullen Adventure Park. He understands the importance of momentum in racing and aims to maintain it throughout the season.
The margin for success in mountain biking is tiny, with just a four percent difference between a top 30 finish and a win. Callaghan knows that the small details, like braking and pedaling technique, can make all the difference in a race.
As for this weekend’s event, Callaghan is excited to compete alongside his fellow Irish riders and hopes to be an inspiration to aspiring bikers. He remembers looking up to the top Irish riders when he started and learned from their every move. Now, he aims to set a good example and pass on his knowledge to the next generation of riders.
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