Ireland’s Premier Mountainbiking Club™
paddyobrien
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Posts by paddyobrien
Beginners Course Round 3
23 years ago
by paddyobrien
in beginners
Take a look at our beginners pages to see what you should wear and bring with you. If you have any questions, send an email to committee@madmtb.com or just ask in the forum.
Bad News and some Not so bad News
73 years ago
by paddyobrien
in Uncategorized
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
Berties Beastly Biking Bonanza
23 years ago
by paddyobrien
in spins
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)
MAD in the Alps (Morzine/Les Gets trip)
654 years ago
by paddyobrien
in Uncategorized
Well folks,
While some are off to scotland battling their way through haggis, deep fried pizza and cans of Iron Bru, a rival idea has sprung up regarding a trip to the alps. We’ve actually been thinking of it for ages but lazyness and procrastination mean we’re only trying to get it organised now.
Info as follows:
Dates: 1st Sept till the 8th or 9th (return not yet confirmed).
Flights: Aer Lingus to Geneva (looking around 170 or 180 euro each including taxes)
Bikes: Think its an extra 30 euro each way.
Types of bikes: Bouncy full sus type bikes would be best
Accomodation: Some form of self catering chalet thing. Depends on numbers. Maybe 100 – 150 for the week.
Transfers: Again .. around 30 euro each way or something.
Food and Drink: we’ll probably consume lots of it
So far its myself, Oisin and Dutch Robb confirmed. (note that i’ll be much slower than the other two so it doesn’t matter what level you’re at)
Can anyone seriously interested in coming along let me know by email ASAP. All levels welcome. There’s ski lifts to take us uphill and gravity to take us back down so we can just keep hooning around all week and meet up in cafes/pubs/medical centres etc.
Paddy
NPS season under way
174 years ago
by paddyobrien
in events
The NPS season kicked off with a great race up north on sunday, in Glenarm Forest Park. MAD had a sizable contingent, with 8 of us taking to the start line (plus Cait from UCD who was honorary MAD for the day), on a course that included some tight twisty singletrack, some fast straight singletrack, some sketchy gripless sections and a killer steep fireroad climb.
Cait had a great race taking 2nd in the Elite ladies with Mel taking a well deserved 3rd place in her first race of the season, for MADs only official podium. Unfortunately for Judith the mechanical chain gremlins struck causing her to retire.
In the U16s class, Shane took 4th wiht Ciaran just behind in 5th place.
The sports race was great fun, despite chasing hard i just could not catch Daniel who took 7th place for MAD, with myself in 8th, Arek in 10th and Mr Diamond taking a great 13th in his first ever race. Hopefully we’ll get some good photos courtesy of Marta who was busily snapping away whenever i walked up any of the hills (dammit).
Round 2 takes place in Ballinastoe next Sunday which is so close to us that there’s no excuse for not getting out and giving it a try. As Tom would say .. Bring on the Power!
Saturday spin – the winner is announced!
114 years ago
by paddyobrien
in spins
well folks, wiht over 50% of the vote, Yellow house To Cruagh via Masseys is the decisison of the masses. Meeting at the yellow house at the ungodly hour of 10am. Don’t forget your spare tubes, helmets, water, food etc
On Sunday the first round of the NPS is on in a land far far away so there’s no regular organised spin unless someone who’s not racing decides they want to organise one. Go on, you know you want to …
Paddy
Another MAD Weekend
1084 years ago
by paddyobrien
in spins
After the cracking weather, dusty dry trails, and brilliant spins of the long bank holiday weekend comes what’s referred to in certain circles as a ‘normal’ weekend. Theres only two days in this one so we’d better make the most of it.
On Saturday Martins democratic governance continues with a spin to be chosen by the howling masses. Click Here for the poll and get voting as polling finishes on Thursday at 6pm sharp. At the time of going to press only one person is going to get drunk and wake up with a hangover (and its not me for a change) so there should be plenty of people there. This spin will be somewhere between easy, fun and awesome on our trusted spin measuring thingy. Basically it depends where you want to go but bring plenty of food and water as it could last for 3 or 4 hours depending. Further details will be posted when the polls are closed, ballots counted and brown envelopes opened, counted, taken into account over a few beers and promptly forgotten about.
****EDIT**** The Masses have spoken .. or clicked buttons .. or something. Anyway, Ballinastoe was the narrow winner so meet at the carpark there at 10am. Shame on the 2 people staying in bed and remember to torture those 4 who have the big hangovers!
****EDIT****
Sunday sees the savageness being put back into the word savage .. or .. something to that effect. We’re off on a long one starting at the yellow house at 9am. Bring loads of food, water and sacrafice small furry animals to the god of good weather and dry trails (St. Morgan of Kilmainham). We’re going from the yellow house to Fairy Castle, Prince Willies, Cloon, Crone, around Powerscourt, Djouce, XTC (we all love that one), Powerscourt and then back home. This is one for the improvers amongst you who are yet to come out on the really long spins (points in the direction of John H, Conor, Richie C etc) as well as the normal crew. The pace will be steady without too many breaks and theres plenty of drop out points along the way just in case (not that we’ll actually let you drop out)
Paddy (086 6087046)
Its a MAD Bank Holiday …
294 years ago
by paddyobrien
in spins
Well folks, time once again to find out whats happening this weekend.
First off there’s Shane “No longer a Mystery Man since meeting him in Wales” Lavelles’ evening spin on ticknock. Meeting at the carpark there at 8pm. Get in touch with him on 086 3195936 if you need any more info.
Friday features a spin around kindlestown, meeting in the carpark there at 10am.
Saturday has an early morning spin starting at 7am from the hellfire carpark for those of various levels. Contact Shane Lavelle for this one.
On Saturday there’ll also be a big long spin meeting at 10am at Crone. This will be a “Savage” on the MAD spin-o-meter so only for the fit, fast and mentally challenged. Bring lots of food, water, tubes, puncture repair kits, spare wheels, frame bearings etc. The route will be taking in Crone, Maulin, Djouce, The Boardwalks, Lugalla (POG Course), Ballinstoe (Blast Course), Djouce, XTC, Powerscourt, and finally back to Crone.
Saturday also features Martins Magical Mystery Tour, meeting at Taylors 3 Rock pub at 10am. Contact him on 087 0515057 for more details. But since its magical and mysterious he mightn’t tell you anything. This is a fun spin and will be suitable for all and sundry.
On Sunday is the first round of the DH NPS in Cloon woods. Run by EPIC this is sure to be a cracking event with the soft sound of ambulance sirens providing some atmosphere. Our very own downhill people, Steve, Fergal and Robb should be taking part (no guarantees though as i ain’t been speaking to them), so go along and support or cycle down there to support. EPIC may still be looking for some extra marshalls for the weekend (mainly on the sunday i presume). If anyone is going down to watch and wants to help them out and get to see all thats involved in organising a race check out this post .
Monday, hmmm, magical mystery tour maybe? Again keep an eye out in the next day or two and i’ll update things.
Paddy (086 6087046)
The most interesting injury
184 years ago
by paddyobrien
in Uncategorized
a near perfect imprint of my watch on my wrist! Seriously though, i’m very lucky as it could have been a lot worse especailly if i hadn’t worn my helmet as i landed head and face first.
Thanks for all the messages etc … will reply when i get a chance but it turns out i’m highly non ambidextrous so it’ll take some time. Paddy
*** EDIT ***
more photos now up here
Weekend Spins (13th and 14th)
205 years ago
by paddyobrien
in spins
After yet another weekend of some great spins, some more new people
trying out mountain biking for the first time (hope they all had a
great time) and fantastic weather on saturday we can only home for the
same this weekend.
And with that in mind here is whats planned!
Saturday Easy Pace spin, 10am at Palmers Golden Ball Pub – A nice easy
spin around the leadmines for everyone of every ability. Anyone
legging off at the front will be ridiculed and made do silly things.
Directions : The pub is on the Enniskerry road, near where Glenamuck
road joins Enniskerry road, turn left at the top of Glenamuck road
(you would take the Kilternan exit off the M50)
Sunday long tiring savage cycle, Yellow House at 9 – One for the
budding racers trying to get their fitness and stamina up. The route
will be similar to what we did on saturday. 3 Rock – > Wocas – >
Prince Willies -> Crone and then one of two routes depending on
weather and exhaustion. Either Maulin, Djouce, Boardwalk, Lugala (POG
course), Ballinastoe (Blast Course), Djouce woods, Powerscourt and
home or a shorter route looping around the top of the waterfall and
back through djouce woods. You’ll need to be able to handle a fair
pace for a good many hours to manage this spin, as we’re gonna try and
not stop too much but there is a lot of drop out points along the way,
so come along and challange yourself and see how far you can make it.
Its best though if you know the roads around the area so that you can
find your way home if you do have to drop out.
**EDIT**
Please bring along some normal commuting lights for the road home just in case. Flashy LED lights would be perfect.
**EDIT**
Paddy
