Ireland’s Premier Mountainbiking Club™
Sean Downey
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Posts by Sean Downey
Club Leisure Wear – Last Chance Saloon!
65 years ago
by Sean Downey
in Uncategorized
Hi,
The deadline for ordering and paying your deposits was yesterday, so thanks to all who have done so already.
As we’re still short on fleece orders, I’m offering one last chance to everyone, extending the deadline until this evening (Monday) to order either fleeces or hoodies.
Order will be placed first thing tomorrow morning!
Don’t forget, you can also order your club jersies from Morgan.
Sean
Email me!
Club Wear
105 years ago
by Sean Downey
in Uncategorized
Hello,
With the spring racing season upon us, we’ve finally got around to organising something which has been asked about for a while – club fleeces and hoodies.
The apparel will be black in colour, with the logo of your club embroidered on it for a high class finish.
Sizes XS to 3XL are available, and garments are of the “unisex” variety.
Fleeces will have a full length zip.
Prices will likely be in the region of €35 for hoodies and €45 for the fleeces.
A deposit of €25 will be required per garment, to be collected at the rides and race this weekend.
Orders will be taken by email this week, and in person (Me!) at the race on Sunday.
Closing date for orders will be Sunday 25th March next.
As usual, production can only take place if we order a sufficient amount, and the more we order, the cheaper they become for everybody.
Regards,
Sean
woohoo.downey@gmail.com
Bank Holiday Weekend Spins
135 years ago
by Sean Downey
in spins
Hello,
Sorry I’m not as creative as Fergal with my spin announcements, but here goes……..
Saturday March 17th
8.30am – Taylor’s Pub
Awesome/Savage level (but short) spin with Nigel. Bring your fast legs.
9.00am – Crone Carpark
Martin’s Easy spin around Crone and Djouce. Remember, you’ll need food + water, spare tubes, pump & multitool and suitable clothing.
Sunday March 18th – Mother’s Day
10.00am Yellow House
Savage spin oe’r hill and dale. Wish your Mother “Happy Mother’s Day” before you leave in case you’re not back in time to do so afterwards.
You’ll need to be 100% self sufficient, it would also be a good idea to be familiar with the road routes home in case you have to drop out.
If we’re feeling especially organised, we’ll let you know about Monday, otherwise just keep an eye on your email or phones and we’ll plan something off the cuff.
Finally – MAD has reached international fame thanks to our grim elite star, Ryan.
His photograph and result appeared on the www.cyclingnews.com website, the source of all international cycling information.
Happy St. Patrick’s (and Mother’s) Day,
Sean
Weekend Spins
65 years ago
by Sean Downey
in spins
Hello,
We’ve got two more great spins lined up for this weekend.
On Saturday, assemble at Old Bawn Shopping Centre at 10 for Martin’s Uphill Camp #2, up Old Court Road and Stocking Lane past the Hell Fire Club.
Directions here.
On Sunday, meet at the Yellow House for a regular ol’ Sunday Spin.
Weather’s not looking great so it won’t be anything epic.
Remember, you MUST have:
-Helmet
-Rainjacket
-Food & Water
-Tools
-Spare tubes
-Pump
for all spins.
Sean
Email
086 3354576
Saturday 21st October
225 years ago
by Sean Downey
in spins
Hello,
This Saturday we’ve got a duo of fantastic options for everybody……….
Fergal and Steve will be heading on a spin over 3rock and Prince Willies (the first 2 mountains on the way to Wicklow)
This will likely be kept at a reasonable pace for experienced riders.
Yellow House at 10am.
For a more relaxed ride, head to the Hellfire Carpark for 10.00 for a tour du Hellfire et Masseys. I shall be in attendance, but I’m very glad to see the initiative taken by a few newer folk this week in organising this. Top job.
Hellfire was the location of the first of our introductory spins, hopefully the weather’ll be somewhat better this time ’round.
Hellfire Club Directions
From the Yellow House in Rathfarnham take Willbrook Road south
Continue along Ballyboden road until you reach the Ballyboden Roundabout
(you can also get to the roundabout from Grange Road to the east, or the Ballycullen exit of the M50)
Go straight through the roundabout and take the first right
Take the first left, up Stocking Lane
The Hellfire Car park is 2km along, on the right.
Details of Sunday have yet to be announced, but for anybody who’s interested, there’s the Corcagh Cross race.
Happy biking.
Sean
Email
Like Mountainbiking, only 10 times better!!!
45 years ago
by Sean Downey
in Uncategorized
This Sunday sees the first Cyclocross race of the season to take place down south, promoted by TeamWORC, in an excellent location just off the N7 at Newland’s Cross – it’s even within cycling distance for most of you folks! Race HQ is just beside the Camac Valley Caravan Park.
Racing will get underway at 12 for underage Senior races will follow.
Don’t worry if you haven’t got a ‘Cross bike, MTBs can compete in the same race as the ‘Crossers, in a sub-category.
This venue was used for the 2006 National Champs and is a fantastic course, fast, flowy and because of it’s location in a park, attracts loads of casual spectators. It was like riding in an arena in one of the sections last year, such was the spectator support.
Even if you don’t have an interest in racing, come out and cheer everyone on.
For anybody who doesn’t yet know, Cyclocross is THE best of all the cycling disciplines, requiring the speed and power of Road riding with the finesse and skills of Mountainbiking. What makes it so exciting for ALL participants is that, no matter where you are in the race, there’s always loads of others around to race with.
Here’s a video which captures the essence of it, one of the best videos I’ve seen. It’s a full Grand Prix race from a few weeks ago.
Sean
Email
Winter Gear Update
65 years ago
by Sean Downey
in Uncategorized
Hi folks,
As promised, we will have some sample sizes of the new MAD winter gear (though not in the MAD colour scheme!)
The plan is that those of you who have asked to be able to try on sizes will be able to do so in Ballinatoe at this week’s Sunday Spin. Mick has very generously offered to facilitate this.
It is very important that you both:
(a)Wear your own clothes under the trial gear, and
(b)Try the stuff on BEFORE the spin starts, so you’re not dirty, sweaty etc.
For those of you who cannot make the Sunday spin and really need to try a size on, we can try to facilitate you early next week.
I will send out individual mails tonight so you can all remember what you have ordered.
I need you to email me on Monday/Tuesday confirming your order and size.
For anybody who has not yet ordered and wishes to do so (we strongly recommend you do!) there is still time!
All you need to do is send me an email NOW to get your order in.
I will send out final confirmation mails next week, at which point we will start collecting money. Details of this will follow.
Sean
Mail me!
Spins this weekend
165 years ago
by Sean Downey
in spins
Saturday 30th
You’ve got 2 delightful options on Saturday,
1) The 5th Introductory Spin in Slade Valley with myself, Morgan, Judith and maybe more, depending on Mick getting out of bed…….meet at 10am out there.
2)For the non-beginners, Steve is going off into the wilderness on an epic adventure where you’ll encounter exotic wildlife, vast terrain and meet the natives. Alternatively he might just fly around somewhere local, who knows………..Meet him at the Yellow House at 10am to find out…..
Sunday 1st October
A return to the big Sunday spins, we’ll rerun the one we did to Djouce a few weeks ago. Minimum of stopping and faffing about, we might even tempt back some IMBRC heads for a return visit. Bring your fit and fast legs and enough to be self-sufficient.
Meet at the YH at 10am.
Happy biking,
Sean
Dublin Mountains Recreational Initiative
05 years ago
by Sean Downey
in access
Isn’t It Time for a Recreational Plan for the Dublin Hills?’ asks the DMRI
Following a presentation to South Dublin Strategic Policy Committee on Sport, Recreation, Community & Parks today, the recently formed Dublin Mountains Recreational Initiative (DMRI)* are calling for the radical development of the leisure and recreational facilities of the Dublin Mountains.
Chairman of the DMRI, Mark d’Alton, said ”We represent all those who utilise the Dublin Mountains for recreational purposes – both those who are members of our affiliated groups and the many non-specialised users of the Dublin Mountains who, not being members of any particular grouping, have no means of conveying what the mountains mean to them and how they would like to see them developed.
“The central aim of the DMRI is the formulaton of a unified development and management policy for the Dublin Mountains. There are few capital cities in the world where the inhabitants and visitors alike have such ready access to the hills. Our vision is that ultimately there would be a Regional Park in the state owned portion of the mountains with greatly upgraded facilities, a ranger programme and sustainable multi-use way marked trails.
“With some imagination there is no reason why there could not be a Dublin Way linking to the Wicklow Way. The Dublin Mountains could become a major attraction that would benefit both the people who live here and those who visit us – there are huge social, health and economic benefits to be gained from proper development of upland trails.
“Despite its’ large and increasing population currently only about 10% of the trails in Ireland are in the greater Dublin Area. We should look to the examples of cities such as Adelaide in Australia and Vancouver in Canada to see how to properly develop the mountains on our doorstep. A swimming pool and associated facilities costs in the order of 12 million euro to build – by comparison trails cost only 20 to 30,000 euro per kilometer to develop.
“The DMRI intend to establish dialogue with the major landowners in the Dublin Mountains – we have already met with Coillte who have been very receptive. We also intend to work with local and national politicians to engender policy change and to secure proper funding.“ he concluded
* The DMRI was brought together to represent the interests of those who use the Dublin Mountains for leisure and recreation. Its’ members are:
i) The Mountaineering Council of Ireland
ii) The Scout Association of Ireland
iii) The Irish Mountain Running Association
iv) Mountain Biking Ireland
v) The Irish Orienteering Association
vi) Slí na Slaínte (Irish Heart Foundation)
Stay tuned………….
Sean
