Mountainbiking Association of Dublin

This Saturday we’ll have the last day of our MTB Beginners Course. This time we’ll be venturing to Ballinastoe - the country’s first “official” mtb trail. The terrain will be quite different to the last two weeks - no roots and a lot more gravel, you might even think you’re in Wales. You can read more about the trail on the Coillte Outdoors site and even download a trail map.

The technical talk this week will be all about chains and how to fix them, presented by the elusive Mr. Sean Downey. Sean will also have vast stocks of 2008 club gear with him, for anyone who needs to collect it.

As usual we’ll meet at 9.45 and start riding at 10am. You can find directions here.

Anyone who wants to continue riding with the club after the beginners course should join-up without delay. Membership forms will be available on Saturday or you can download and fill-in one here. If you have any questions you should email the committee.

The third round of the 2008 Cross Country NPS takes place this Sunday in Magheramorne Quarry, near Larne Co. Antrim. This venue was used for the first time last year and we recieved some good reports. It’s part of the Magheramorne Works redevelopment which you can read about here www.magworks.info.

Sign-on is at the Blue Circle Sailing Club (directions). Full facilities will be available (toilets! showers!) and there should be sandwiches after the race too (sandwiches!). It’s a bit of a drive to get up there but should be well worth the effort - especially as the new MAD 2008 club gear will be on display for the first time (and hopefully on the podium too).

We had a great turn-out for the first day of the MAD Beginners Couse last weekend with 18 new people turning up in the rain. Nice to see such a good turn-out of ladies too. The forecast is good for this weekend so the trails should be a bit drier this time around.
The destination this week is Kindlestown. There’s a nice forest loop which everyone will by flying around by the end of the day. We may also head into Glen of the Downs for a quick spin. Here’s a map and driving directions.  Once again we’ll meet at 9.45 and hit the trails at 10.

I hope to see most of last week’s riders back again and if you missed that one you can still come along.

Folks,

Just been talking to Sean to discover he got taken out by a car while out on the bike today, but thankfully has nothing more serious than bruised ribs and a whole lotta cuts, grazes, bruises and interesting patterns.

I know from personal experience how quickly this can happen and how painful it can be, so be careful out there and keep those helmets no matter how short a trip you’re doing.

Just think we should all join in wishing him a speedy recovery cos hes had a long time off the bike already, and we were hoping to finally having him back on the bike at races rather than randomly flinging water bottles from the sidelines.

Paddy