Just myself, Steve and Cormac, though we ran into Martins Martin-less (!!!) group in b’stoe and it looked like they were rightly enjoying themsleves - as we were - cycling on the fireroads …. fireroads can be fun and technical when approached in the right way…isn’t that right Ollie, Karl, Ashling & friends?
Anyway, great to see ye getting out on your bikes and taking full advantage of the weather

Us three met at the YH but decided to drive to Crone as the trip over the top of 3rock/Willies is getting all too familar these days…
Up the long winding climb from Crone to the gate, then flying along the singletrack until my puncture, quickly fixed then off again.
Then down the switchback steps to the river and up the far side, over the wall and along the real XC marathon style trail, challenging, long, misty and technical - this is what MTBing is all about, then onto the sleepers/boardwalk - admittedly I was rattling going along them as the back of the bike was twitching like crazy, stopped quickly to check the wheel wasn’t loose etc then on again and down the stepped-part (spooky at speed!) and over the style.
Turned left then down the trail - thanks to Coillte who’ve wrecked a really nice descent there, the big feckin’ gaylords, regardless we
engaged skill level 7 on the skill-ometer and made it most of the way without a dismount.
Then instead of staying left we turned right up the path towards the light - continued along then saw a pile of walkers on a hill over looking Lough Tay (I think)
Scoped out that area and saw a potential for a summer spin next year,
also noticed that the sleepers continue to this section - all stepped-down and steep - looks pretty tough but I think Steve and myself will be giving it a go next time ’round…

Then went into b’stoe, up the fireroad a tiny bit then right up the double track and joined the pog/nps course.
This wound us nice and etchy and fastly thru the trees and along the wall in the forest.
Followed the nps course along the fence and just kept the boot down - such a great course - swooping and dropping and climbing - really well designed.
Then out onto the fireroad until we discovered some ‘new trails’ we aren’t allowed talk about.

I was very impressed by the end of the last few berms leading back to the car park.

Cormac picked up a near-mortal injury along the way but he just about survived.

Then along the road to Djouce, had a quick chat with Oz from EPIC who we then followed down XTC - an awesome experience as expected.

Then down switchbacks which were in perfect condition after Robins great repair jobs

After that along the fireroad for a small bit then dove down steep and fast to the right and along a new bit of trail for me - Steve asked me if i was “ready” - “err… for what?” I wondered; then we dropped down this steep rooty bank and to the river - nice one Steve

Dropped down into Powerscourt for egg mayo sambos, tea, coffee and what have ya and then out the gates, and then of course Steve WOULD have to sprint up the killer-steep hill and I WOULD have to give chase, so that bit of eejit-ery got us back to the cars in no time.

…and that was it … and I’m still smiling…

if people are interested either comment here and i’ll check tonight, or ring me, otherwise i’m staying in bed!!

the hippy.
087 6449353

i sent it out yesterday.

http://www.voidspace.org.uk/gallery/silly/horse_driving.jpg

Signed-up 2 new members tonight (it’s great when people come up to you from out of nowhere and shove envelopes of money into your hands - perks of being the secretary I guess, I must spend the money on a nice chainsaw before Paddy invests it in expensive women)

anyway, welcome Annesley and Keith - 2 lads that definitely knew how to ride an mtb - great to see lads - ye were flying tonight, and doing the TToT at night was also worthy of respect, at least you knew the route now so you can go full tilt the next time.

Fairy to 2rock was definitely softer and slower than expected but still fun to see Morgan and Ciaran go over the bars in the exact same spot….and that was just the start of Morgans woes…

Rock n roll was so perfect and fast tonight, MADjestic was exactly that, I got rid off the first plank jump and used the rocks on the far side of the big mound so you now have the speed to jump it or you can roll off the rocks on the far side, think it’s better this way

Continued on to the TToT, the big jump before it was perfect, nice level landing and then over the TToT, was going to drop it but someone has made a hefty landing ramp that’s just all wrong - too steep and short - will need to do something with it…

and then just before the ferny descent most everyone headed off, myself Keith climbed the fireroad and did half of rock n roll, then hopped-up onto the new bit of trail I cleared on Monday.

We then headed up the fireroad toward the aerials and I split-off down no-dabs and diverted onto the new section I cleared, it’s really fast - I recommend it to everyone, climbing it will be tough….
this trail spat me out onto the fireroad, then I climbed the muddy lane and took the trail down to the bottom of the fireroad.

Instead of heading over to the boneshaker I took the snakey-bermed run down to the road - it was absolutely fookin deadly, another rarely used trail that is amazing, ’specially on a big travel bike.
and that was that!

The forests were really warm tonight - it was weird, like under-trail heating

fair play to those who came out tonight:
Cait, Morgan, Ciaran, Keith, Annesley, Michael.
5 points each, and additional 5 points to Micheal and the 2 new lads for doing the TToT

how much are you selling the Blur for Morgan?