Ireland’s Premier Mountainbiking Club™
spins
A double helping of awesome!
31
This weekends cycling menu is as follows:
On Saturday you can savour the savoury delights of Kindlestown under the leadership of Ben. This ride would suit people of any ability – the route is a loop so you can go as slowly or as quickly as you want. Meet at the Kindlestown car park at 10am.
On Sunday you can challenge your palette with the Ortolan of mtb rides. Starting at Taylors Three Rock, Tom will lead the brave riders over Three Rock and Prince Willies, through Crone, down XTC, along Benchcut and, if you have room for dessert, home on the road. Meet at Taylors Three Rock at 10am, if you dare. This is not for the faint-hearted.
Weekend of Doom!
32
We’ll have another ride around Djouce on Saturday morning. Martin now knows the trails like the back of his hand and will lead everyone to their doom. Leaving from the lower car park in Djouce at 10am – get there on time because Martin waits for no-one.
Martin passed a lot of tips on to me last week so I’m going to have a go at leading a spin myself on Sunday. This will be “awesome with savage overtones” on the MAD ride-o-meter so be prepared. I have a route in mind but there will be a bit of improvisation. We’ll leave from the Glendalough visitors centre car park at 9am (once again, be on time).
Awesome Weekend Ahead
14
The main event this weekend is definitely the MTB Marathon Champs in Carlingford on Saturday. Read all about it here.
For those who fancy something a little less awesome, Martin will be leading a spin around Djouce on Saturday morning. Meet at the lower car park at 10am for a ride around some of the best trails in Wicklow. There’s even a snack-shop halfway along. Bring your Sealskinz as there may be a river crossing involved (only a shallow one though). This would suit nearly everyone – maybe not complete beginners though. Drop an email to the mailing list if you need a lift.
Night Spins this week: Tues 25th and Thurs 27th (7pm)
33Howdy All!
Night spins are back on the calendar – bring on the night!!!
Note:
You must have been on a night spin previously, and have fully charged proper night-lights.
You also MUST HAVE a red rear light for the road – anyone not meeting these minimum safety requirements will not be permitted on the spin.
I also HIGHLY RECOMMEND people have glasses to protect your eyes from branches etc..
not only for night spins but every time you are out on your bike!
ALDI have them this week for only 4 euro! – get your self 2 pairs, don’t take chances with your vision – they’re the only pair of eyes you are ever likely to own!!!
You should also always carry your mobile with you and ensure AT LEAST 2 OTHER PEOPLE on the spin have your number so you can call them if you get injured.
ALDI have biking gear this week:
warm jackets, leggings, socks,
thermals, gloves, caps, overshoes,
lights (basic road lights) –
all at very cheap prices – kit yourself up for winter now – the stuff is great value for money.
Specific beginners night spins will be scheduled at suitable looations a later stage.
Tuesday will be SAVAGE-paced, suitable fast intermediates/experienced riders only. Venue is Leadmines – meet & park your car at Palmers Golden Ball pub at 7pm.
We’ll do some laps of the EPIC club course and a few loops of Barnaslingan forest,
might even do Catty Gallaghers….
Thursday will be an EASIER-paced spin.
Venue is 3Rock.
Meet at Taylors pub at 7pm, ~7:15 at Ticknock.
Hope to see ye out!!
Fergal
Weekend Happenings
3
It looks like things have been a bit quiet in the club for the last few weeks, with many of us away, cycling in exotic locations. However, there are a couple of rides planned for this weekend which you should know about.
Saturday Club Ride
Taking place at Leadmines. Meet at the Barnaslingan car park at 10am. As usual, if you’re driving, park at Palmers pub and ride up the hill. This will suit regular riders and anyone who’s attended our recent beginners rides who want to keep it going.
Dr. Rob’s Introduction to Mountainbiking
Real life doctor and closet MAD member Rob Higgins of UCD cycling club is leading a beginners-level ride around Kilmashogue and Three Rock. All are welcome. Meet either at UCD Sports Centre before 10.30 or at the car park at the end of Kilmashogue Lane at about 11.15.
We hope to resume normal service shortly, with regular Saturday and Sunday rides (as soon as everyone is back, and the pains in my legs go away). It’s also time to get your night lights charged (or bought) since the night-riding season has well and truly begun.
Have a great weekend.
Saturday Spin and drinks in town after
184 years ago
Afternoon all,
Saturday will be my last MAD spin for the guts of a year so I’m organising a spin to Kindelstown, Glen of the Downs and The Sugarloaf. We will meet at 10 – 10.15am at Kindelstown carpark and start with a couple of laps before heading on to Glen of the Downs and then to The Sugarloaf for some fun. This is suitable for all levels and it would be great to see a big crowd out! There are opt-out points after each destination so there’s no problem if you need to leave early etc. We will be finished in K’town at 1130; GOTD at 1; Sugarloaf at 230. If you can offer a lift then e-mail the group 
Bring the usual gear – food, water, minitool, pump, tubes, HELMET. A rain/wind-proof jacket would be handy for The Sugarloaf.
On Saturday night Tom has kindly organised the MAD-Lash Part Deux. We’re meeting in Hogan’s pub at 8pm. Who knows where this will lead…
Hopefully there will be a spin on Sunday too so keep an eye on your mails and the website.
If you have a question then contact us at committee AT madmtb DOT com
Nigel
0879335403
Weekend Spins
54 years ago
by MAD Website
in spins
Saturday – All,
Sat spin is back following the beginners course, this is the fun spin of the weekend and involves 3 – 4 hours of a cycling with a few breaks and taking in a variety of trails.
As for the spin:-
Meeting the Yellow House, Rathfarnham @ 10am http://www.madmtb.com/club_rides.html
Heading to :- Masseys – HF – Maybe Cruagh – Masseys – YH
Duration 3 -4 hours
Rem:- http://www.madmtb.com/begin_code.html
Again this spin is not set around savagery but more of a social spin! set for all levels. New members please take your application http://www.madmtb.com/docs/2007_MAD_Member_Registration.doc form to join mad for collection after the spin!
See you there!
Martin Lynch
Sunday – Taylor’s Threerock pub at 10am. Destination to be decided on the day. Likely to be fastish and long (4-5 hours). It’s not suitable for beginners, but if you think you are up to it then contact the committee first.
Nigel
0879335403
committee AT madmtb DOT com
Beginners Course – The Final Installment
34 years ago
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
Beginners Course Round 3
194 years ago
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
Friday, Saturday (Beginners Course #2) and Sunday
154 years ago
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
