Slaney Cycling Club presents

Black & WhiteGravel & MTB 2026

One hard, honest lap of the Blackstairs & White Mountain range — fire road, forest track and open mountain, in the best month to ride them.

Registration €40 See the route

Event detail: Sunday 11 October 2026
Event detail: Killanne, Co. Wexford
Event detail: Blackstairs & White Mountain range

About the event

An October day on the Blackstairs

The Black & White is Slaney Cycling Club's off-road day out in the hills above Killanne, Co. Wexford. It rolls out from Rackards, climbs onto the shoulder of the Blackstairs, crosses to the White Mountain and drops back down through the forestry — a proper mix of fire road, farm track, forest singletrack and a little tarmac to stitch it together.

One of the toughest short-course events on the calendar, it's a race if you want it to be, and a hard day in good company if you don't. The route is fully signed and marshalled, there's a feed station on course and food back at HQ afterwards. Gravel bikes and mountain bikes are equally welcome — bring whatever you're happiest descending on, plus mudguards for the drive home. October in Wexford is exactly what you think it is.

RangesThe Blackstairs and the White Mountain, linked in a single loop.
DaySunday 11 Oct 2026 — sign on, ride, eat, go home.
BikesGravel or mountain bike. Both are at home on this ground.

Event details

Everything you need to know

The essentials for the day. Anything still to be confirmed is marked, and this page is updated as it lands.

Date
Sunday 11 October 2026
Sign-on and start times confirmed nearer the day.
Start & event HQ
Rackards Car Park
Killanne, Co. Wexford
Y21 W9V3
Open in Maps →
Format
Mass start, off-road loop
Gravel and mountain bikes welcome
Gravel, forest road & mountain track.
Entry
€40
CI day-license available on the day for an additional cost.
Enter on Eventmaster →
On the day
Sign-on at event HQ
Feed station on course
Hot food after the finish
Requirements
Helmet
Pump and basic bike maintenance kit — tubes, tyre levers, quick link, etc.
Waterproof jacket
Fully charged mobile phone
Enough water for the event, or at least until the water station (approx. 30 km)
Enough nutrition for the full course
Emergency numbers — from the organisers

The route

Blackstairs to White Mountain

The full route and GPX file will be published here closer to the event. Expect a long opening climb out of Killanne, a high traverse between the two ranges, and a fast forestry descent back to HQ. The route is signed throughout and marshalled at every junction.

Distance: ~50 km
Elevation: ~1,200 m
Surface: Gravel, forest road & mountain track

GPX file coming soon

Placeholder

Indicative only — the final route map and GPX will be published here.

Rider rules

Read before you enter

All riders must read, adhere to and agree to our Rules of Engagement before entering and participating in the Black & White Gravel MTB 2026 event. Click the button below to read them.

Self-supported riding
Private land
Leave No Trace

Rules of Engagement

Community

Supported by local business

The Black & White runs on the goodwill of the businesses and clubs around the Blackstairs. Interested in partnering with us on the 2026 event? Get in touch.

Registration

Get your entry in

Entries are handled through Eventmaster. Places are limited by the capacity of the mountain roads, so early entry is the safe bet.

Standard entry

€40

Fully signed route with marshalling
On-course water station
Mechanical & medical support
Bike wash station
Post-race food at HQ

Enter — €40

Entries open on eventmaster.ie. Questions before you enter? Email us.

Amenities

Making a weekend of it

Places to stay, park and eat around Killanne. Book early — it's a small village and the event fills it.

Rackard's Pub
Event HQ, and the obvious place to end up afterwards. Sign on here in the morning and come back for food and a pint when you're done.
Visit website
Blackstairs Glamping
Heated glamping pods in Killanne sleeping up to six, each with a full kitchen and a private hot tub.
Book on Airbnb
The Gables
Self-contained two-bedroom home in the heart of Killanne village, sleeping five. A few minutes' walk from the pub and the takeaway.
Book on Airbnb
B&M Saunas
Private sauna and cold plunge sessions for up to eight people, in Killanne itself. A good way to loosen off after the ride.
View on Facebook
Rackard's Car Park
Plenty of parking at event HQ, with room for camper vans if you want to stay over the night before.
Open in Maps
Fanucci's Takeaway
Local takeaway for the drive home, if the post-race food hasn't covered it.
View on Facebook