Mountainbiking Association of Dublin

Round 1 of the XC Development Series was a huge success with 165 riders turning up to give it a shot in the snow at Ballinastoe. Round 2 takes place on March 7th in Ballyhoura, Co. Cork. You can find full details at www.irishxcmtb.com.

As part of his continuing support of the XC Development race series, Niall Davis from Biking.ie will be taking two groups of five riders out for a pre-lap (or part thereof, due to the length of the lap) of the Ballyhoura race circuit on the morning of the race. The aim of the pre-lap is to help the riders get through their first race with some hints and tips. The prizes go to the first 10 riders to contact them via the form on www.biking.ie. And don’t forget there is also a prize for the winner of the Sports B race to receive a private training day with Biking.ie!

A three-race series of XC races, sponsored by WheelWorx, is being organised this spring by Richie Byrne and the Offroad Commssion. This will be a great way for new riders to get an introduction to XC racing and they’re open to Sports, Women and Youth riders. The three rounds are:

• February 21st – Ballinastoe, Co. Wicklow
• March 7th – Ballyhoura, Co. Limerick
• March 21st – Derroura, Co. Galway

For further information check out http://www.irishxcmtb.com

The last of our 4-spin beginners series rides takes place this Sunday. We’ll meet at Kindlestown car park (directions below) at 9:40am and start riding at 10. As usual, make sure your bike is in good working order and that you’re wearing your helmet. Other requirements can be found in the beginners pages.

Following on from this, if you want to keep going on regular rides you’re welcome to join the club. We’ll be running easier spins every weekend until Christmas (details in the forum members area).

Driving directions

NOTE THE NEW VENUE FOR THE FIRST SPIN

From National Trails Day

We’re going to start our latest series of MTB beginners rides this weekend. Our first ride will be around Massey’s Wood – meeting at the Merry Ploughboy car park at 9:40am for a 10am start.

These spins are suitable for everyone – although a basic level of bike-fitness will really help. See the information on our Beginners Page for details on what to wear and bring. Helmets are compulsory for all riders – no exceptions under any circumstances.

Each week new riders will be guided around a different trail and shown how to deal with the obstacles they encounter. Experienced MAD riders provide advice on bike-setup and safety, necessary equipment and riding skills.

The rides are open to riders over 16 years of age. Riders under 18 must present a parental consent form to the club committee. Riders under 16 may attend on the condition that a parent also takes part and stays with the group at all times – please discuss this with the committee beforehand.

• Saturday September 12th – Masseys
• Sunday September 20th – Leadmines
• Sunday October 4th – Ballinastoe
• Sunday October 11thth – Kindlestown

EPIC will be running an Introduction to XC racing in Djouce Woods on 12th july 2009.
Its one lap of the NPS course.
Its approx 7k long, technical and extremely enjoyable.
It will kick off at 12.00 along with the Sports racers.
Its €5 to enter, but you must get a one day licence on the day which is €15 .

This event is designed to test yourself and your ability to race or just have the craic, bear in mind that it this course is one of the most challenging XC NPS courses. Djouce being one of the finest places to ride your mountainbike.

Don’t miss it!

There might even be Prizes !!

Sign-on starts at 9.00 on the day.

From Kindlestown Beginners Ride

There has been a lot of interest in running another MAD beginners day so we’re going to have one on Saturday April 25th. The venue this time is Ballinastoe. We’ll meet up at 10am and after a quick check of everyone’s bikes we’ll get going. A working mountainbike (please check everything BEFORE you arrive) and a helmet are compulsory. For other equipment see our Beginners Pages.

If you have any questions just ask in the forum or email committee@madmtb.com.

From Kindlestown Beginners Ride

We’ve just finished a month of MAD beginners rides (with over 50 riders turning up for some spins). So what’s next? If you want to continue riding with the club you should join up for 2009. You’ll find membership details here.

We’ll continue with a series of “easy” spins over the next few weeks. These will be at a level above the beginners spins, with less stops. However, they’ll still be at a manageable pace and nobody will be left behind. You can find details of the first spin in the club forum.

Following on from the success of the National Trail Day, and the second installment in Kindlestown and Glen of the Downs last weekend, we’ll be running the third installment of the beginners course in Ticknock/Three Rock Co. Dublin, site of some of the best trails around. We’ll meet at the lower car park in Ticknock at 9.45am on Sunday and start riding at 10am. Once again, riders will be divided into groups based on ability (or enthusiasm) and let around the trails by awsome MAD folk.

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.

• Map to Ticknock

Following on from the success of the National Trail Day last weekend, with 55 new riders running amok in Ballinastoe Wood,  we’ll be running a number of beginners rides this month. The first takes place this weekend at Kindlestown, Co. Wicklow. We’ll meet at Kindlestown car park at 9.45am on Saturday and start riding at 10am. Once again, riders will be divided into groups based on ability (or enthusiasm) and let around the trail by awsome MAD folk.

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.

• Driving directions to Kindlestown

National Trails Days will be held on Sunday 28th September 2008 with the objectives of:

• Promoting an awareness of the recreation trails (walking and biking) and allied outdoor recreation facilities that are currently available in Ireland
• Promoting an understanding of the need to manage and resource our trails and other facilities
• Promotion and awareness of the work of all key agencies in delivering trails and other facilities

The Mountainbike Association of Dublin (MADMTB) will be hosting the mountainbike session of the National Trails Day at Ballinastoe, Co. Wicklow on Sunday 28th September 2008 and will be guiding people around the various off-road trails and providing tips and information on how to get the best out of your mountainbiking experience. (more…)