Mountainbiking Association of Dublin

Right folks, this weekend we’re changing the meeting point back to the spiritual home of MAD, The Yellow House pub, at 10am, unless otherwise stated (Directions are on the site somewhere, think of it like a test, if you can’t find it you’re not clever enough for the club!) :

Starting on Saturday with Shane (Stupidly Early) Lavelles spin around Djouce. Meeting at the lower car park at 8:30am. Call or text him on 0863195936

Later on Saturday we’ll be taking a spin around Three Rock and its surrounds for a few hours, taking in all those lovely trails we built last year and generally having a bit of craic. We should be back around 2pm(ish). This will not be suitable for total beginners, but any of you that have been on the normal club spins will be fine.

On Sunday we’re going on a long one, meeting at the same time and place, and heading off down the wicklow way towards Crone, Maulin and Djouce, maybe even sticking on a lap of the KCapital course for fun at the end. To come on this spin you’ll need a decent level of fitness as its a long way and will take quite a few hours (We should be home by 6). Bring plenty of water and food for this one. There are drop out points along the way so if you only want to come along for a bit then thats fine too.

See ye there
Paddy (086 6087046)

Could you help spread word that by completing the online survey at http://www.wicklowleader.ie/outdoorrecreation.php participants in outdoor recreation activities can influence plans for the future development of outdoor recreation in Co. Wicklow?

This survey is a really important stage in the preparation of an Outdoor Recreation Strategy for Co. Wicklow, as it means that the plans will be based on the activities, needs and ideas of the people who enjoy the wide range of recreation opportunities available in the county.

Thanks for your help!

Helen Lawless
Countryside Recreation Officer
Wicklow Uplands Council

Howdy,

WOW a blog post from Dave? What is this you ask?

Well I realised that our illustrious leader hadn’t written about the upcoming weekends biking for a while and neither had anyone else. I’m willing to chalk it down to excitement over the k-caps and all that other racing malarkey. But for those of us who aren’t quite able for the physically demanding and epic cycling that is competitive racing I thought it’d be nice for someone to talk about a weekend of regular biking.

So without further ado (and to stop myself from rambling too much) I present to you:

DAVE’S GUIDE TO THIS WEEKENDS SPINS

*Disclaimer: There will be no desert or army related spins, also that is not me in the pic Read the rest of this entry »

The launch of mountain bike guided holidays by All Mountain Experience.

From May 2008, Irish international Olympic rider, Tarja Owens, is leading mountain bike guided holidays in the beautiful mountains surrounding Lake Garda, in Northern Italy.

If you want a relaxing weekend cycling through the Vineyards of the Trentino Valley, or a weeks specific mountain bike tutoring with an Olympic athlete on some of the best trails in Europe, your holiday will be tailored to your needs.

As a once off, All Mountain Experience is offering you the opportunity to preview this years World Championships Downhill and 4x course. From 2nd until 4th May you can partake in a test-event held on the course. Or perhaps you prefer to experience the thrill of the 2008 World Mountain Bike Championships races in June. All Mountain Experience will organise it all, you just have to book your flight and arrive.

See their site : www.AllMountainExperience.com for exclusive offers, or mail tarja@allmountainexperience.com for details.

Easter Parade At Moneyscalp

This Sunday, 23rd March, round two of the International K-Capital MTB XCO Series will be held at Moneyscalp Forest near Newcastle in County Down. Round one of the series in Bray attracted a record 263 entries. The event is promoted by Banbridge Cycling Club. Confusion has been caused in some circles as to the venue, with Tollymore being listed in the calendar. The race was originally set for Tollymore but on the advice from the NI Forest Service the race had to be switched to Moneyscalp Wood, which in fact is an annex of Tollymore. Read the rest of this entry »

The 2008 race season is upon us already. Round 1 of the K-Capital cup takes place in Kilruddery estate this Sunday. Read Andy Pott’s Preview for the low-down on what to expect. Kilruddery is one of the best XC courses in the country, very varied and challenging and there’s a huge amount of anticipation about this first race.

We’ll have a whole new generation of MAD riders trying out racing for the first time in the Sports category. Several will also be making the leap from Sports into the Expert and Masters categories. Ryan will still be representing us in Elites and will face some fierce competition. The forum is busy with talk of race preparation and gauntlets being thrown.

The MAD committee will be present on both days to distribute licences, collect club dues and solve your personal problems. Find them in the MAD Tent Village.

www.kcapitalcup.com

All, A bit of race training (no long spin).

• Kindlestown
• Time: 10am Sunday
• Laps: 2/3 laps
• Attire: Lycra only no baggys

• Banned: Camelbaks and peaks on mtb helmets
• Pace: Race? lets give it a go
• Bike: HT heaven or light sus

Following a bit of exertion we can then head over to the GOTDs and do a bit of a loop or two there on star wars and the tunnel!

Again people baggies and peaked helmets will be not allowed on the spin !

The emphasis will be on how many of us feel up to sports class racing this year or higher!
I’m on for giving sports a bash this year (but the look at the mad sports racers make me fear being lapped)
Martin

PS deep fried powerbars will be on sale from my car and some energy drink i got in Poland on a business trip last week! LETHAL stuff!

Meeting Place: Crone Carpark

Time: 9.30

Day: Sunday 2nd

Route: Climb to the top of Crone, Ride the sleepers (wind permitting), Maulin, Powerscourt, Djouce and Balinatoe all in there somewhere.

Pace: Savage 4-5 hours

Steve: 0861653925

This is a great offer - I’ve often had over 4grands worth of bikes on the back of my car and always hope no uninsured eejit runs into the back of me, or hope no one steals my bike from a race venue etc.. as has happened before - this offer will set my mind at ease!

Fergal

Click on the image below to view the offer.

The Mountain Biking Ireland AGM will take place at Kilfinane, Co Limerick on Saturday March 1st. The itinerary for the weekend is as follows:

10am - meet main forest car park for a spin around the new trails (3 hours)
1.30pm - lunch/showers
3pm - AGM Ballyhoura forest lodges, Ballyorgan
5pm - Dinner/Social evening

On Sunday there are two events nearby, a duathlon in Limerick city or an XC race in Tracton wood, or another spin around the trails.There is accommodation available in the Ballyhoura forest lodges at €55 - €65 per person for two nights accommodation. Everyone is welcome.
There are plenty of B&B’s also available locally.

The agenda for the AGM is as follows :

MBI AGM Agenda

1. Chairman’s report
2. Update for regions - regional reps
3. Proposed structure for MBI
4. Presentation on organisations who can impact trail development
5. Ratification of officers
6. AOB

Contact Elizabeth.mccluskey@dit.ie with any questions.