xc race out west

[Barrydanzig]

hey,


just checking the emails today and saw the xc race out west on the 30th.


fergal do we know anymore information about the course? just checking to see what it will be like because currently i am sans cast (yay!) and will probably be back in the mountains towards the end of the month. so basically i will be looking for a race to get back into the swing of things.


anyone else think they will go?

[Morgan]

I was at this race in Clarenbridge last year. It was a short, fun course (and I hear it's been extended now). It's very level with hardly any climbing or descending (might suit Ollie's singlespeed) but it's all tight singletrack. It was also the muddiest race I've ever ridden in - I couldn't even see my drivetrain and had to stop a couple of times to clear out my fork. Hopefully it'll be drier this year. I think anyone currently riding sports would really enjoy it but there's a possibility that expert/masters riders would find it a bit unchallenging - but I guess that would depend on the competition. If you're racing against some strong riders it would be savagely relentless.


It would be great to make a weekend of it and combine the race with some riding in the west - maybe the official trail in Oughterard or even down to Limerick/Ballyhoura.


It's just under three hours drive to get there (according to Google (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?daddr=Clarinbridge,+Galway,+Co.+Galway,+Irela nd&geocode=&dirflg=&saddr=Dublin&f=d&sll=53.22934,-8.881416&sspn=0.008914,0.020084&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=8)).

[Barrydanzig]

you think we could get a mad contingent to go to this race? its always cool to see all the mad jerseys at the races. it sounds like a larf so i would be up for it, can i grab a lift from you richie if you are going?


i was out tonight for my first traning session since the accident and it felt good, the ocupational therapist told me i'm only allowed to do endurance training for the time being, so that means lots of road spins, so i can't wait to get back on the trails.

[Cormac]

I will echo what Morgan has already stated. Clarinbridge is one of the muddiest venues around, admittadly it has rained solidly for the preceeding week. I did the race last october, even with specialised mud tyres I was a slippin and a slidin all over the place.


The course is very very flat with some trecherously slippy wood features

[Liam]

[paddyobrien]

good point liam ;-)

[Barrydanzig]

yeah liam raises a good point, i'm definitely doing that race now.

[Richie]

No problem Barry - what will you be racing on by the way - the Kona??

[Barrydanzig]

i'm building a hardtail at the moment mon fréré...it's gonna be xc-tastic

[Richie]

Sorry Barry, gonna give Clarinbridge a miss and camp out in Djouce all next weekend in preparation for round 3...

[Barrydanzig]

yeah don't think my wrist will be up for it anyway, also my hardtail isn't finished yet!

[shane]

so who is heading out over to this