Mountainbiking Association of Dublin

We’re going to head to Kippure on Sunday - haven’t decided on the route yet but it’s mostly “up”. If you don’t feel up to that you can come along for the first half of the spin with will be over Tibradden or Masseys - that’ll be manageable for everyone. Either way we’ll meet at the Yellow House at 10am and take it from there. There are rumours that “Nashville” O’ Dowd will be making a special appearance on the day.

Nigel is leading our club ride this Sunday. It’ll be a fairly long spin but people can opt out halfway if you like (except Steve). It’ll start in Masseys Wood, then up over Cruagh to the Military Road. From there the route is along the side of Glencree Valley to Cloon Wood and finally on to Crone Wood. Probably taking the easy route back on the road. Meet up at the Yellow House at 10am and contact Nigel with any questions.

Steve and Bjorn will be leading a group on Saturday. The destination is Three Rock and Fairy castle. The pace will be easy so this spin will be fine for beginners. Meet at the Yellow House at 10am or Ticknock lower car park at 10.30am.

Seeing as so many people are beginning to clock up airmiles, we’ve decided to hold a MAD jumping day this Saturday. This is suitable for EVERYBODY, from the seasoned looneys, to those who want the black art of getting airborne broken down for them. Don’t worry, we wont force you into anything, or let you do anything we don’t think you’re ready for.

Destination is Masseys Wood, meeting at the Yellow House at 10am.

There’s no beginners spin this week so beginners are more than welcome to come along, and besides, Masseys is a nice place to get started in mountain biking and has something for everybody.

Helmets must be worn, any other pads you can lay your hands on mightn’t be a bad idea too, jumping is ever so slightly more hazardous than normal riding.Warm clothes (rainjackets) would be nice; there’ll probably be a bit of waiting around while others are having a go at stuff.If you want any more info, directions or just a friendly chat, email me (Sean) at d.downey@ntlworld.ie or call or text 086 3354576 (evenings)

Regards,Sean & Nigel

It seemed like a poor showing at first, with only Eamonn and myself making the trek up from the YH, but we rounded up Steve, Marcus, Brian, Alexander and Nigel, on his knee-tremblingly gorgeous Kona in the carpark. The route for the day was decided but 3 chain-breakages and 2 punctures for Steve meant several modifications were made, as time was getting by. As all the group had some experience, the beginner spin became beginnerish by name only. We took in the steps, the climb to Kilmashogue, Daggets Track, the bonshaker and the carpark trails.

Legend of the Day award certainly goes to Nigel, who blindly followed me down the entire car park trail from top to bottom at full speed, laughing out loudly as he hit everything, bombholes, jumps and berms, before flying straight down Daggets rock, possibly becoming the first person ever on a Saturday spin to do it without first stopping to look at it, and then in between fits of adrenaline filled laughter, claiming that it was a conspiracy theory of mine to get the old guy to fall off…….Nigel, I look forward to your talked about revenge on me in the future!

While the drivers then headed back to their cars, Steve, Eamonn and myself headed across to the lower portion of the boneshaker, and headed home via Lamb Doyles.

Sean