Mountainbiking Association of Dublin

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)

We’ll be running our first beginner night ride next Wednesday (10th). It’ll be very easy - just around the Phoenix Park - but it’ll allow people to get used to riding 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.

We’ll also be having a quick blast around the park this Sunday (7th) to determine a route for the night spin. This will be suitable for everyone - even those who have just received a MTB for Christmas and never ventured offroad before. You should read our beginners information and get in touch if you haven’t been out with us already. Meeting at White’s Gate, 10am.

Over the past month we’ve had nearly 40 riders of all ages and abilities come along on our beginners rides. It’s great to see so many people improve their confidence, skill and abilities in a short space of time. The final one takes place this Saturday in Slade Valley, location of the MAD Dash earlier this year. We’ll be mostly riding woodland singletrack with a few short climbs and some challenges for the brave. There will be a demonstration of how to keep your gears in tune too. We’d like everyone to come along (whether you’ve been on the other spins or not) for this final outing. We’ll meet at the Slade Valley car park and start the ride at 10am.

Map and Directions

Due to the Marathon Champs, this weeks beginners spin will take place on Sunday. I expect anyone who rode the marathon to be going v e r y s l o w l y . . .

We’ll be riding in the MTB Mecca that is Three Rock, taking in Fairy Castle, The MAD Club Course, the Boneshaker and more! Meet at the Ticknock lower car park at 10am. We’ll also take some time to show you how to fix a bike chain.

Map link

The MAD Beginners course continues this week with a ride around the Leadmines where we have some nice challenges lined up for you. With the way people are progressing I think everyone will manage just fine. The tech session will cover headset and V-brake adjustments. We’ll meet at the Barnaslingan car park at 10am and ride for about two hours. Everyone is welcome to come along.

Underage rider information

Directions to Leadmines
———————–
Take the Enniskerry Road south through Stepaside
Continue through Kilternan
Pass Ambrose Glass motors on the left
Continue through the next area of roadworks
Take the left turn immediately after the roadworks (opposite a phone box)
Barnaslingan Lane climbs steeply until it reaches Barnaslingan car park on the right.

Map Link

Fourteen new riders braved extreme weather conditions for our first beginners ride last Saturday. The rain didn’t stop for the entire spin but that didn’t prevent them tackling everything in their path - uphill and down - with smiles and enthusiasm. Instruction was proved on tackling various obstacles and Sean showed how to check your bike over before a ride.

Our destination this week is Kindlestown forest in Co. Wicklow (forest car park, 10am). There’s a great loop there which we’ll have you flying around in no time. We’ll also show you how to repair a puncture - fast. It’s not essential to attend all the rides (although we’d recommend it) so even if you missed last week you can still come along.

Riders under 18 and their parents must read this.

Directions to Kindlestown
————————————-
Take the M11/N11 south to Kilmacanogue
Two miles or so after Kilmacanogue you’ll pass the “Eco Shop” on your left
Take the next exit signposted “Glenview Hotel”
Take the next right turn (do not cross the flyover bridge)
You’ll pass the Glen of the Downs golf club on your left, then take a right
The entrance to Kindlestown car park is on your left.

Hi all,

This may or may not have been sent around before, but it’s worth saying again:
If any riders under the age of 16 are planning on doing the beginner’s ride, they’ll need to download our “Underage rider form” here: Underage rider consent form

Both they and their parent must sign the form, and the parent must accompany the rider to the meeting place to meet us and hand over the form. The Parent must also return to collect the rider at the appointed time, to be agreed with the ride leader on the day.

If anybody has any trouble downloading the form, email me and I’ll email it on to you.
If you have any other queries, just drop me a mail or a call to 086 3354576.

See you all on Saturday,
Sean

The MAD MTB Beginners Course kicks off on Saturday September 2nd. We’ll meet up in the Hellfire Club car park at 10am (directions below). Sean and Morgan will show you how to check your bike over before the ride and how to set it up properly. We’ll then have an easy ride around Masseys Wood for about two hours.

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

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). Sean also likes Jaffa Cakes.

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.

Map Link

Richie Byrne, Cycling Ireland’s underage development officer is running two underage beginner spins on Saturday mornings in May.

May 6th Meet at Dalkey Hill Car Park, Dalkey, South County Dublin 10.00..
May 20th Meet at St Annes Pk, at the Black Gate, Raheny , North County Dublin 10.00

These are introduction/progression spins for underage riders. Senior riders are welcome once they bring an under 12,under 14 or under 16. It will be very easy with an emphasis on fun and skill development and will last for about an hour.

You will need:

• a helmet
• Gloves
• A water bottle

You can contact Richie on 087 63760565 and richie.byrne@gmail.com

Hello gach duine,

We’re having a nice easy spin on Saturday so we can get some of the beginner/newbie folk out. Everybody is welcome…..yes that’s EVERYBODY. Come along, it will be a good spin! If you don’t think you are able for it then we’ll prove you wrong.

10am Yellow House, Rathfarnham - map available on website. Any queries then give me a shout.

Nigel
087 9335 403
poloholemint@gmail.com