Downhill: Bree Easter weekend

[diamondG]

attention pinners, I'm just putting feelers out there

would you like to go to Bree next weekend?

before you answer, know this.. Bree is The most enjoyable downhill track ever.
Yes its downhill, yes you'll need a suitable bike, full face helmet and pads would be nice.
But if you've always wanted to give it a go, this is the track to do it on!

There is nothing too gnarly, its fast and its a long track.

There some really nice jumps, all rollable if you want, there's a nice table top, small set of doubles, one or two biggies, and lots of things to bounce the bike off.
After my last visit there I began to love airtime, its a great place to practice getting air.

The most enjoyment you've had on a bike, gauranteed.

So if you can get the gear together give it a go! You might just get hooked.

As to which of the 4 days of Easter, I'm flexible.

I want good excuses if you're not going too, that means you
Fergal, Phil, Dr Rob, Markie Mark, Steve 'I can't remember if I own a mountain bike' Scrivo and I'm just assuming all the usual regulars are going.

go onnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!

[TomH]

Great idea Graham...Saturday or Monday suits me...not Sunday though...
Bree is handy and a hell of a lot of fun, can't wait for this...come on lad's lets make this a big MAD day of downhill demonry...put your names in the pot...

Also while we're talking about it, the NPS in Bree is the weekend of June 20th, realistically this will probably be the next downhill race I can get to..so put it in your calendars...

[diamondG]

Saturday or Monday it is, who else is in?

[Micheal]

I'd be on for Monday, if that suits anyone else

[Scrivo]

I'm easssy. After Grahams hurtful comments in another threads, I'll be down to thrash him for this. Puts in a couple of handy DH runs and he thinks he's Sam Hill :P

[diamondG]

cool!
So will we say Monday so.

Steve, I can't remember my hurtful comments but I welcome your atempted thrashing, bring whatever bike is best for ya, I'll be on the Reign, the morewood will be a few weeks yet :cool:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3364/3255622615_041145a6c4.jpg

[Oisin]

Monday suits me too. You're really getting that Morewood Graham? Wow!

[TomH]

I can see Oisin sitting in watching telly tonight, making lot's of tea and being very attentive...then innocently mentioning what good value downhill bikes are, before tentatively suggesting that 'maybe we should invest in one?'....

Monday suits me so...

[shane]

well i can't make it down

working both sat and monday

[Fergal]

wooh - that's a feckin lovely bike, reaaaaallllll nice - you have to get those white bits - they set it off like a sea of petrol on fire!

[Oisin]

I tried tentatively already but that didn't work. Now its moved on to "I need a DH bike". Unfortunately getting a buggy has moved into top priority though.

I can see Oisin sitting in watching telly tonight, making lot's of tea and being very attentive...then innocently mentioning what good value downhill bikes are, before tentatively suggesting that 'maybe we should invest in one?'....

Monday suits me so...

[TomH]

I tried tentatively already but that didn't work. Now its moved on to "I need a DH bike". Unfortunately getting a buggy has moved into top priority though.

I think it's time to try " No I definitely always had a 2009 Giant Glory, yep, I've had it for years' before remarking on how nice her hair is....

[djcromie]

use the ride to work scheme Oisin, worked for me, if theres a saving to be made the missus will be happy

can't make this weekend, i'll be in Italy catchin the last of the snow, 30cm last saturday with 4-6cm most days this week, woop woop

[TomH]

Nice one DJ, would love to get a sneaky weekend in before the season ends....

Anyway I'll see you tomorrow, send me on your number will you. It could be nearly two before I get there, it depends on work, but I'll get there...
Mine is 087 9115953

[TomH]

Will be done in work at 10:00am, should be in Cloon for 11:30am,...

[Conor]

Nice one Tom. We should be there from 10 or so.

DJ Mark... I have your spade, I'll bring it tomorow.

[Oisin]

I'll be along too at 10am.

[djcromie]

cool conor

i should be there at 11 or so

[TomH]

What can I say, it was a savage session today, we were all riding pretty well and conditions were perfect...

We did a few trains on Colin B's track and we were flying, I have never had so much time in the air, that drop after the rock garden is sweet for getting airtime...

Mark was tearing on his new steed, and then with 3 metres of track to go, a big jump in the bag and on his last run of the day he stacked it majorly, he's still alive though and we had a good laugh after, hope you alright bro?...

I did my back in at the start of the day and still cannot stand up straight, even had to get my flatmate to lift my bike in from the car, but it didn't stop me from having a seriously good day, even found a ninja line or two ;)...

[djcromie]

What a day that was deadly, hit all the jumps bar one but I reckon thats for next time

Bit sore this morning after the crash, all stiff, neck is sore a touch, wrists are sore, big graze on my hip and ass and bruises all over. Still it was well worth it. Poor bike now has a proper dent on the rear swing arm, I thought it got off too lightly......

Bree will be deadly, you lucky buggers but i suppose the Italian Alps will make an alright substitute......

[Oisin]

Yeah that was a great session. I always forget the buzz of those tracks when I haven't ridden them for a while but they are works of art - especially when bone dry.

Did a final run on Colin B's track on Tom's Commencal and I think it was easily the fastest of the day and on an unfamiliar bike and I didn't even feel like I was pushing it - those proper DH rigs are something else!

[TomH]

Right so lads, I am giving Jerusha a lift and will be there for 10:00am. So far we have Fergal, Oisin, Steve, Micheal, Graham, Rob and Phil...are you in Conor?...anyone else going to come along for the craic?

Be warned it's a notorious road for speed checks and as it's a bank holiday extra caution would be advised...

[rob1891]

I might need a lift, anyone passing Stillorgan?

[Conor]

I'm in.

I can pick you up Dr.Rob. Where in Stillorgan? o87//293 9837

[rob1891]

Cool Conor, I'm off the N11, St. John of Gods. I'll give you a ring later.

[TomH]

Good man Conor, you'll love it...

http://www.accuweather.com/ukie/forecast-details.asp?partner=accuweather&traveler=0&postalcode=EUR;IE;EI006;DUBLIN;&metric=1&fday=5

[Fergal]

no way, you chancer...

[Micheal]

No can do, have to pick the boss up from the airport on saturday

[Scrivo]

So what time are we meeting at Bree tomorrow??

[diamondG]

just talked to Oisin, we're planning on being there at 11.

see ye all then :D

[Conor]

Myself and Rob will be there by 10 ish....

[Michael196]

Hi ,


Is that Bree in county wexford?

[Micheal]

ill be there for 10 also. Already down here in Gorey so only have a short spin in the morning. Yup it is in Wexford

[Conor]

I'll be calling in the morning for directions Michael. I head out the road for New Ross (?) from Enniscorthy?

[Micheal]

Yeah i think its the N32, you basically DONT follow the N11 and cross back over the river in enniscorty and take a left when you come to the roundabout. The directions are on irishdh somewhere but feel free to give me a ring at 08 seven 7 five 3767 two*

* dont really know why i wrote my number like that but its seems to be all the rage, is it something to do with hackers?

[shane]

directions
from enniscorthy take n30 towards new ross about 6 miles outside enniscorthy take a left on to r730 to wexford turn left at the 2nd cross road and straight untill you get to woods

hope these help

from irish dh

[Conor]

Thanks Shane.

Ehh Michael, the N32 will lead me to Donaghmede from the M50!!!!

[shane]

no bother

just follow them and DON'T follow a sign for bree

just follow them

[TomH]

Well lads I've been couped up in work all day, did I miss much?

[Scrivo]

Well--- WOW! Absolutely class day!!! Fergal picked me up at the cloudy time of 9. Was nice and warm and just looked like a couple of showers we said to ourselves. We were very wrong. It lashed rain from the second we hit the m50 at 9 until I got home at half 4. The track was soaked but riding so so well!

After a couple of sessioning sessions, we did the entire track. Think we all logged respectable enough times around the 2:35-2:40 mark. Loads of adrenaline has blurred my memory but we did about 6 full runs and I got down to a personal best of 2:24 with Oisin still setting the pace with a blistering 2:18. One of the best DH days I have done. Class class class! Fair play to all for braving those conditions. Made that track seriously testing! STOKED

[Oisin]

Well it was very wet but brilliant fun. Actually the most fun I've ever had riding DH on a wet course - really enjoyed battling with lack of grip and visibility. I think our runs were similar times to the dry course so we must be improving. The track was getting seriously wet around 4pm so we called it day but it was well worth the trip.

[TomH]

Bloody hell, they are some fast times in the wet lads,....roll on the race...were you taking the tight right-hander straight after the rock garden? or were you going straight down onto the chute?..gutted to have missed it...so what did the newcomers make of it?...

[rob1891]

I liked it Tom, wasn't riding very well, but each run was better. Didn't take all the proper NPS lines but was getting something out of the track anyway. The lads would have lost me by the time of the chute, but I think we were all going straight down it.

[Conor]

Well, I for one had a deadly day! I have'nt been that wet and muddy for ages, but the track was solid enough despite the rain. Great spot for easy jumps, lots of air and nice smooth landings. If it was dry, it would have been even better.

Any sign of the pics??

[diamondG]

it was class alright, despite the rain the track had perfect traction, with my swamp things and crazy low pressures, I only slipped out once, and that was on a root the size your leg

didn't quite beat steve's time and was nowhere near oisin's, but I was chuffed that my time was better than my last dry time there!

the flic-up of wet was unreal though, and my goggles were useless after the first run.
With all the muck that was flicking up, my eyes are only just recovered now, and even then, they are red red

I'm definitely going to setup a tube or something on the fork to catch all that spray.

it was cool day alright, but I can't wait for a dry session!!

[TomH]

Yeah Bree is the type of track that holds up well in the wet. Was up around three-rock this evening and took a look at the extension to dreamtrack, it's going to a sweet section of trail...some pretty big gaps, but the rest is all rideable and well designed, looking forward to trying it out...

[Micheal]

Well have to say i have rarely been as wet as we were in Bree on Monday but there wasn't a hint of the miserable that normally goes along with it!

Got a good few runs in but only did two timed runs. Got a 2.42 which isn't anywhere those fit lads times ;) but i was happy with it all the same. Obviously i managed to break a part of the bike and this week it was the chainguide!! Really like that track and you have to say fairplay to the Bree lads for making it so weather proof

Have to check out the dreamtrack, we must head up to three rock for some dh action

[Michael196]

is the track marked out in Bree ?

do I just head to the top and come back down again ?

[TomH]

Pretty much, are you from the area?

[Michael196]

yep I live close by to Bree,

working in dub these days and have been out on Balinastoe, am eagar to learn the other tracks such as Djouce , leadmines, ticknock etc

have a kellys mobster MTB recently upograded to from a Giant Boulder... Love the ballinastoe track