Mountainbiking Association of Dublin

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)

Howdy,

WOW a blog post from Dave? What is this you ask?

Well I realised that our illustrious leader hadn’t written about the upcoming weekends biking for a while and neither had anyone else. I’m willing to chalk it down to excitement over the k-caps and all that other racing malarkey. But for those of us who aren’t quite able for the physically demanding and epic cycling that is competitive racing I thought it’d be nice for someone to talk about a weekend of regular biking.

So without further ado (and to stop myself from rambling too much) I present to you:

DAVE’S GUIDE TO THIS WEEKENDS SPINS

*Disclaimer: There will be no desert or army related spins, also that is not me in the pic (more…)

All, A bit of race training (no long spin).

• Kindlestown
• Time: 10am Sunday
• Laps: 2/3 laps
• Attire: Lycra only no baggys

• Banned: Camelbaks and peaks on mtb helmets
• Pace: Race? lets give it a go
• Bike: HT heaven or light sus

Following a bit of exertion we can then head over to the GOTDs and do a bit of a loop or two there on star wars and the tunnel!

Again people baggies and peaked helmets will be not allowed on the spin !

The emphasis will be on how many of us feel up to sports class racing this year or higher!
I’m on for giving sports a bash this year (but the look at the mad sports racers make me fear being lapped)
Martin

Meeting Place: Crone Carpark

Time: 9.30

Day: Sunday 2nd

Route: Climb to the top of Crone, Ride the sleepers (wind permitting), Maulin, Powerscourt, Djouce and Balinatoe all in there somewhere.

Pace: Savage 4-5 hours

Steve: 0861653925

This week sees the return of Nigel (above sporting the latest in uber-chic Belgian hairstyles) after a long absence from biking so there’s going to be a spin on Sunday in his honour.
The venue will be a riotous rip ’round the Sugarloaf.
Meeting time/location is Kindlestown at 10am (for a few warm-up laps) and heading from there.

In other spin news, Shane Lavelle is running a lively gallop around the Leadmines on Thurs night-meeting at Palmers Pub in Kilternan at 7.00/7.15pm.
Plan is to do the course three or so times at a moderate pace.
Lights and usual kit essential. contact Shane at: 0863195936

Also on Thursday night The Power is going to be brought-on with a lactic-acid boiler of a spin around Ballinastoe with Ireland’s Olympic XC (very) hopefuls Tom and Fergal.
Meet at the Ballinastoe car park at 7:30pm.
Pace will be blistering and will be excellent training for the K-Capital Cup which is inching ever-closer!

No spins are arranged for Saturday as this is an official club trailbuilding day and it’d be great to see people out helping-remember this is a great way to familiarise yourself with trails that you’d never find on your own!

Any other spin info let me know and I’ll update this post.

Fergal
087-792-7730

In a display of unprecedented organisation we can let you know what’s happening this weekend - and it’s only Tuesday! This is sure to herald great things for MAD in 2008.

First off Tom is promising a Saturday Spin of Pain. After seeing his choice of underwear we all know what he means. The route is from Taylors up over Three Rock, Prince Williams Seat, Crone and back along Military Road. Possibly returning via Masseys wood. This is not a spin for the unwary and the pace will be chafing. Meet at Taylors at 10am.

There will also be the usual Saturday early morning road training spin - let me know if you want to come along.

On Sunday you can choose between two options - let’s call them “the easy spin” and “the savage spin”.

The easy spin begins in Djouce Lower Car Park Ballinastoe (venue changed due to damp) at 10am. This will be suitable for anyone but beginners would find it challenging. Then again, who doesn’t like a challenge? Contact Martin for further details.
The savage spin leaves Taylors Three Rock just after 10am heads up over Three Rock and continues on to Prince Willies and on and on down to Powerscourt. Following sausage rolls at the snack shack it’ll be a fast ride back to town on the road. Conor holds all the secret information about this spin.

We’ll be accepting 2008 MAD membership fees and forms on all these spins. Cycling Ireland 2008 membership and race licences can now be purchased on their website too.

Hi,
I’m sure many of you will be resting and conserving your energy for next weeks exertions. But if you’re planning on tapering later in the week here are a few things to keep you going.

• On Saturday there is a road training spin. This will go from the Phoenix park to Celbridge, Maynooth and Leixlip. About 2.5 hours at 25kph. Meet at the Parkgate St. entrance at 9am.
• Ben will be leading a MTB ride around Three Rock, meeting at Taylors at 10am. Cait is gathering a group at the Gala shop at the same time so they’ll probably all meet up at some stage.
• On Sunday, Shane Lavelle is leading another of his early-morning excursions. The route is up Scarr and around Glendalough. Meeting in the triangle in Laragh at 8am.
• There are also rumors of a secret spin around the new Ballinastoe trail later on Sunday. However, I can say no more at this stage.

Hi,
There are no spins planned for Saturday. If you have excess energy get up to Three Rock to help Fergal with the trailbuilding.

On Sunday there will be a ride around Djouce - mostly following the route of last weeks Djouce Challenge but at a more manageable pace. Meet at the lower car park in Djouce at 9.30am. Colm will be leading this one.

If you can’t get up that early on Sunday there will be an alternative spin around Three Rock, leaving from Taylors at 10am. Contact Dave for details. The pace will be easy and beginners are welcome.

Another week, another excess of cycling options to choose from…

There are a few possibilities on Saturday.

• First off, Richie will be out at the crack of dawn for a fast ride around Three Rock. Leaving Taylors at 8.30am
• Next there will be a road-training spin at about 9am. This will last around 2-3 hours at a steady pace. If anyone is planning on racing seriously next year, now is the time to start building your base fitness. Contact me for details.
• At 9.30 on Saturday, Oisin will be leading an absolute-beginners ride. This leaves from UCD Sports Centre and will be around the Three Rock area. Everyone is welcome to come along.
• Finally on Saturday, Conor will lead a spin around Djouce and Ballinastoe. Meet at the Djouce lower car park at 10am. The pace will be reasonable, but won’t suit beginners. Give Conor a call on 087 2939837

The highlight of the weekend is the new Djouce Trail Challenge which takes place on Sunday. This isn’t a race - just an opportunity to enjoy 18km of new trails in the Djouce area - fully marked and supported. We’re expecting a great turn out from MAD so I hope to see all of you there. Check the link above for further details.

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.