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.

Winter has arrived but for some reason it’s warmer and drier than the summer. Rather than worry about climate-change we’re just going to organise some fantastic spins to take advantage of the perfect trail conditions.

On Saturday Sean will lead a spin around Three Rock. This one will be suitable for anyone and beginners are particularly welcome. Meet at Taylors at 9.45am for a 10am start.
Alternatively, for a faster spin, meet Richie (086 8201549) at Taylors at 9am for a quick blast. Or you could head out on Rach*a*els park spin at 10am too.

On Sunday there will be a harder spin with Oisin taking charge. “The route will be up the Kilmashogue hill climb (or alternatively the standard way up Three Rock) then over to Glencullen via the wocas, along to Prince Willies and then continue along that trail above Cloon woods to the Glencree side of the featherbeds, then back along the road but cutting over the bog on the right hand side to decend down through Cruagh woods. I’d like to keep this a fast pace with minimum stopping.” Meet at Taylors at 10am for this one too.

Well done to everyone who has attended any of the Beginners Course, I hope it was an enjoyable and insightful introduction to our club and MTBing.
I certainly enjoyed every minute of it and look forward to seeing many of you again soon. We’ve discovered some great natural talent and had lots of giggles along the way.
For those who are interested in continuing on with us, I’ll send out a mail this week regarding membership etc. If you have not already done so, add your email address to our Mailing List so you will receive this and many more informative mails (regarding spins etc) in the future.

Finally, muchos gracias to any MAD members who gave up their time to help out, guide groups around and show their collective wisdom (or lack thereof….) A special mention must go to one Mr. Ian Heald who is not a MAD member but has been on hand and showed his expertise with calmness and good humour throughout.

See you all soon,
Sean

After the first 3 weeks have been raining, dull and raining respectively, we’ll do a little sundance this weekend in the hope that the current fine weather lasts.

This Saturday we will be visiting the Mecca of MTBing, Three Rock.
We’ll meet at Ticknock Carpark at 10am and ride for about 2.5 hours.
Directions here
Parking available at the carpark, or at Taylors pub down the road.

This week’s Tech Talk will be on chains, specifically breaking and rejoining them.
As usual, you’ll require a helmet, gloves, rainjacket, food, water, spare tube, pump and a tool which fits all of the various parts of your bike (remembering things like spanners for bolts on wheels etc)

As ever, queries can be directed to committee AT madmtb.com

Sean

Crossing the midway mark with much gusto, this weeks Beginner Course will take place in the Leadmines off the Enniskerry Road.
Directions here
We strongly advise parking at Palmers Pub and cycling out (10mins max), parking is very limited at Barnasligan Lane and the area gets easily congested with a few cars, which annoys the locals.
Even better still, you could cycle out there and leave the car at home….

We’ll meet at Barnasligan Car Park at 10am (rain, hail, sun or even shine!) and roll on from there, for about 2 hours.

As usual, you’ll require a helmet, rainjacket, food, water, spare tube, pump and tool.
If you’re under 16 years of age, you’ll need a parent to sign this form.

We haven’t yet decided what the TechTalk will cover, so we’re very open to canvassing! Post a comment or send an email if you know of anything that you’d like covered. So far we’ve showed you how to set up your bike and fix a puncture.

As always, queries can be directed to committee@madmtb.com or a direct reply to this post.

See you all Saturday,
Sean

Afternoon folks,

Loads happening this weekend - hill-running, beginner’s biking, intermediate biking and awesome/savage biking!

Friday - Myself and Cait are gonna continue our preparations for Annacurragh by hitting the hills for some mountain running. Meet at 7pm at the entrance to Ticknock Carpark. Everyone is welcome.

Saturday - Beginners Course #2
With a great turnout of 22 riders, many of them taking their first steps into the world of mountainbiking, we are pleased to announce details of this week’s adventure….

The MAD MTB Beginners Course continues this on Saturday, August 11th. We’ll meet up in the Kindlestown car park at 10am (directions below). Sean will show you how to repair a puncture before starting - something which everyone will eventually need to know how to do. Depending on the numbers who turn up we’ll divide into smaller groups and have an easy ride around Kindlestown for about two hours.

Helmets are compulsory on these rides (Ask Fidelma why!!!) - no exceptions under any circumstances. Check here for a list of what else to bring.If you’re under 16 you must have a parent/guardian sign this form and bring it along on the day. There is no cost for attending these rides but anyone continuing to ride with MAD afterwards must join the club (€20, +€35 Cycling Ireland membership).

Most people will need to drive to this venue so lifts will probably be required by some - use the website or mailing list to organise this amongst yourselves.

Directions available here

Sunday - There will be two Sunday spins this week - one easy and one hard. Both of the spins are meeting at Taylor’s Threerock Pub at 10am.

1)RachelC will be taking the easier spin to Cloon and back via the Wicklow Way. If you are interested then e-mail her at “rachelcinnsealach AT googlemail DOT com” or call/text on 087 2561906. Rachel would be grateful if one or two of the more experienced members could lend a hand.

2)The harder spin will be heading further afield after some fun on Madjestic and the other trails in Ticknock. Hopefully we’ll get as far as Djouce after Ticknock. Contact me on 0879335403 or poloholemint AT gmail DOT com for more details.

Any queries can be directed to committee AT madmtb DOT com

Nigel

The MAD MTB Beginners Course kicks off on Saturday August 4th. We’ll meet up in the Hellfire Club car park at 10am (directions below). Paddy will show you how to check your bike over before the ride and how to set it up properly. Depending on the numbers who turn up we’ll divide into smaller groups and have an easy ride around Masseys Wood for about two hours.

**** EDIT ****
For those driving up to the Hellfire carpark on saturday morning please note that the carpark there is closed for the foreseeable future (apparantly there was some anti social activities happening … probably the usual devil worshiping, sacraficing of small animals and all that lark!).

Anyway, as a result of this there is very limited car space at the entrance to the carpark so you have two options.

(Also, to make sure there is no confusion, we’re still meeting at the Hellfire carpark for 10am.)

First, when you pass the Hellfire carpark on your right, continue along the road another 100 metres or so and there is a small area on the left where you can also park (there’s a small pedestrain gate into Masseys Woods there).

Second (and probably the safest option), following the directions below, after the Ballyboden roundabout continue straight on up the hill (i.e. don’t turn right) and you will pass a pub on your left hand side (The Merry Ploughboy), with a large carpark on the right. There’ll be loads of space to park here, and its near the top of the hill (road wise) so won’t involve too much extra cycling. If you decide to park here, be there, ready to go by 9:30 and i’ll meet ye there and we’ll cycle up.
**** EDIT ****

Helmets are compulsory on these rides - no exceptions under any circumstances. Check here for a list of what else to bring.

If you’re under 16 you must have a parent/guardian sign this form and bring it along on the day. There is no cost for attending these rides but anyone continuing to ride with MAD afterwards must join the club (€20, +€35 Cycling Ireland membership).

Map Link

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.

During the month of August MAD will run another introductory mountainbiking course. This is for anyone who wants to take up the sport or who was involved in the past and wants to get back into it. Each week we’ll lead you around a new area, providing advice and support. There will also be a demonstration on the basics of bike maintenance.

Between now and the start of August we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have on bikes and equipment. We’d also be interested in hearing which maintenance/repair tasks you’d like to learn about. Just send an email to the address below.

Check out the beginners pages for details of what you’ll need to bring. If you have any questions or just want to let us know you’re interested, email committee@madmtb.com.

We’ll provide an update with full details each week, including directions. The general plan is as follows.

Martin will be leading another of his ferociously popular beginners night rides this Wednesday. People should meet at White’s Gate for a 7.30pm start. Please ensure your bike is in good working order and that you have some decent lights so you can see where you’re going. The pace will be easygoing along the woodland trails and everyone is welcome.

Beginner pace night ride next Wednesday (24th). It’ll be very easy - just around the Phoenix Park - but it’ll allow people to get used to riding offroad in the dark and make sure their lights are up to scratch. We’ll meet at White’s Gate entrance (near Farmleigh) at 7.30pm.

There will be steps, a few nice trails and a bit of messing about in the furry glen! (sounds saucy!!)

Martin (mail/post back if your up for it! and to see numbers)