Mountainbiking Association of Dublin

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.

There haven’t been many club spins this week, mostly due to the miserable weather. We’ll be out this Sunday though, whatever the conditions, for a ride around Kindlestown. Everyone is welcome to come along. Meet at the car park at 10am for a few laps. We might go further afield if everything goes well.

The tents have been packed, the food stockpiled and the wellies bought for this years’s Mountain Mayhem 24 hour race at Eastnor Castle in Herefordshire. Seven brave MAD riders are heading over to push themselves to the limit. Conditions should be challenging after all the rain, so best of luck to Oisin, Judith, Paddy, Alex, Nigel, Brian and Inga tomorrow.

Bonjour,

Lots to do this weekend again!

First thing to mention is the NPS race in Killaloe, Co. Clare. University Limerick are organising this and it will be a great even I’m sure. Note that it’s on Saturday

Our spins for the weekend
Saturday -

1. Shane Lavelle’s Early Spin. Meeting point is 8am at the Hellfire club. A few laps of Hellfire and a blast through Masseys Wood. 2-3 hours in duration. All Levels welcome! There was a car break-in last week so you are advised to park elsewhere and cycle up. Contact Shane Lavelle on 0863195936. Pace will be moderate. There may be a change in time for this one so keep an eye on the website and the blog comments.
2. Regular Saturday spin. 10am at Taylor’s Threerock Pub. There is parking available here if you are driving. We will be heading up Threerock and then onto Tibradden and Masseys. Pace will be moderate. Everyone welcome (new people too!!) Contact me on 0879335403 with any questions.

Sunday -

1) It’s Mel’s Birthday!

We have been kindly invited for a Barbeque in the valley between Prince Willies and Crone. It’s a fantastic spot - we had lunch there last Sunday!

There will be barbecues there, but try to bring your own food! Superquinn have some lovely burgers and sausages. Our meeting point is Taylor’s Threerock Pub at 10am sharp. We will be heading up Fairy Castle and then following the Wicklow Way to our destination. The pace will be medium to fast. If you feel you need more time than that then send a mail to the group to see if others want to meet a bit earlier. Questions about the Barbecue can be directed to Mel on 086 1093557. Questions about the spin can be directed to me on 087 9335403. Everyone is welcome obviously! I’m sure a few of us will want to go towards Djouce afterwards so come prepared with food and water!

Usual rules apply to the spins

• Bike in working order
• Helmet compulsory - no helmet, no ride
• Bring plenty of water and food for all spins, especially the longer ones
• Spare tubes, pump and puncture repair kit are essential.

Nigel

0879335403

poloholemint AT gmail DOT com

Howdy,

Martin’s Saturday spin - This is a nice easy spin to easy into the post exam blues!
Meeting:- Hellfire Carpark
Time:- 10am Sharp
Level:- Level is fun
Route:- Two laps of Hellfire to warm up the old leggs, head up Edmundstown road, past the joyriders and aloong br the back of Cruagh wood in the direction of Kippure, accross the back of cruagh and down the rocky decent (this is class !!) into the top of Cruagh Wood, down throught the wood (IMBRC trail) and over and accross into Masseys and a few loops there.
Duration:- Keep it to about 2.5/3 hours
Contact:- Martin 087 0515057

Fergal’s trailbuilding continues on Saturday morning as well. He will be in the usual place at 9am until about 1pm.
Map Link
Try to bring -

• Rake and shovel
• Gloves
• Plenty of water as it will be hot!
• Insect repellant
• Long Sleeve t-shirt

Contact Fergal with queries, or if you get lost on the way! 087 7927730
———————————————————————————————–

Sunday - Two spins this Sunday!

1) Downhill fun in Ballinastoe with Martin and Shane Lavelle -
Meeting:- Ballinastoe Carpark
Time:- 9am Sharp
Level:- Fun with added DH
Route:- to be decided on the day
Duration:- 3 hours or so!
Contact:- Martin 087 0515057 or Shane Lavelle 0863195936

2) XC spin from Taylors Pub to Powerscourt/Djouce and home via Enniskerry
Meeting:- Taylor’s Threerock Pub
Time:- 1015am - Leaving no later than 1030am.
Level:- Awesome to Savage
Route:- Ticknock, Fairy, Wocca woccas, Prince Willies, Crone, Powerscourt/Djouce, home via Enniskerry
Duration:- 4-6 hours depending on who is out! We’ll be stopping in Enniskerry to re-fuel anyway.
Contact:- Nigel 087 9335403

Weather forecast is good this weekend folks! Let’s make the most of it!
Usual rules apply -

• Bike in working order
• Helmet compulsory - no helmet, no ride
• Bring plenty of water and food for all spins, especially the longer ones
• Spare tubes, pump and puncture repair kit are essential.

Nigel

Saturday
Howth has been deemed too exotic for the moment so we’re having a couple of spins in more familiar, well worn locations.

Conor is leading a spin around Kindlestown at 10am, meeting at the car park

There will also be a local spin, meeting at Taylors at 10am - we’re expecting to see several of our long-absent riders there.

Sunday
You’re also spoiled for choice on Sunday with a pair of awesome rides.

Meet at Glendalough lower car park for a ride up the Spink and down the Miners Track.

Alternatively, get yourself down to the Yellow House at 10am for a ride over Cruagh, Prince Williams Seat and down to Cloon.

Monday
On Monday we’ll be marking Robb’s return to Holland with a ride over Three Rock and down to to Leadmines, meeting at the Yellow House at 10am.

In other news, the club jerseys are in transit from Germany, so if you haven’t already paid for yours yet, please pony up right away.

Myself and Alex are going for some training in preparation for Mountain Mayhem. We’re meeting at 6pm at Taylor’s Threerock pub. All are welcome, but there won’t be much stopping.

Nigel
0879335403

Hey folks,

Plenty of action for The MAD Crew over the next few days.

Thursday - 1) Shane Lavelle’s Evening/Night Spin. Destination - Helfire Club, Craugh, Masseys Wood. Meeting point - 7/7.15pm at Helfire Carpark. Parking space is limited as they have closed the carpark up there until further notice! If you must drive, then continue up the road to where there is a small area on your left hand side (200metres up the road). Bring Nightlights just in case. Contact Shane on 0863195936 for further information.
2) EPIC Summer XC League continues at the Leadmines in Kilternan. Meet at 7pm in Palmers Pub on the Enniskerry Road. If you are driving please park here. There is STRICTLY no parking up at the Leadmines. Everyone cycles up to the tower for a 730pm start

Friday - Christian is having a farewell drink in the Duke pub just off Grafton Street. Meet sometime between 8 and 9pm.

Saturday - 1) The Return of the Ever Popular Sat Spin
Location :- Yellow House
Time:- 10am (for 3 hours +)
To:- Will be decided on the day
Level:- Fun
A Volunteer is required to lead this spin. If somebody has a good knowledge of the locality then send me an email
2) Trailbuilding - We’re extending our new trail even further on Saturday morning. Meeting at 10am on the new trail. I will be passing through Ticknock Carpark at around 945am, so if you are unsure of the way there then call me.

Sunday -
I was going to do a poll for this, but I don’t think there is enough time for everyone to vote, and then to organise transport.

Destination - Crone Carpark.
Time - 1030am.
Route - Crone - Djouce (Board Walks) - Lugalla (POG) - Ballinastoe (Blast course) - Djouce (XTC etc.) - Powerscourt (icecream!!).
This will probably take 5hours or so, but it is a fantastic spin. Lunch and PLENTY of water is required for this spin. The usual equipment also - a bike in working order, tubes, pump, Multitool, Puncture repair kit etc. Some kinda energy food would be very handy also

Check out this video on Youtube to see for yourself! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDxxsC-ZfS4

Transport may be required for this spin, so it would be great if anyone can offer a lift. It takes 30-45mins to get there.

Crone Wood is about 5 km south west of Enniskerry on 3rd class road to Glencree on south side of Glencree River. It can be found on discovery map number 56, grid reference O-193 142 .
http://iol.ie/%7Eimra/map_location_crone.html

Nigel
0879335403
poloholemint@gmail.com

In a cruel twist of fate, soon after upgrading his bike to one from this century, MAD wunderkind Christian (with his accomplice and über-home-baker, Sonia) has to return to Germany to take up a new job. We’ll be sorry to see him go, not to mention his endless supply of home-made cakes. He’s having a final, farewell ride this Saturday, meeting at the Yellow House at 10am, so be sure to come along and wish him well.

On Sunday, round four of the 2007 NPS takes place in Magheramorne Quarry, near Larne Co. Antrim. This is a totally new race venue, part of the Magheramorne Works redevelopment (read about it on www.magworks.info). The venue and organisation sound promising - “Riders should really enjoy the set up, the course includes a bridge crossing, a tunnel, a lake splash and plenty of single track. Facilities at the venue are great, we will be using the Blue Circle Sailing Club as the race HQ, and this includes access to changing rooms and showers.” This should be well worth the journey. Read more below.

Check out the MAD calendar for details of other spins this weekend.

Well now,
This weekend we have 2 spins on Saturday:

10am at Leadmines being organised by Martin, meet at:Palmers Golden Ball pub

4pm spin up 3 rock being led by Barry, meet at Taylors pub

I’ll be foraging through the undergrowth once again searching-out new trails
at 10am up 3 rock until approx 2pm, anyone who wants to join me is most welcome,call me on 087-792-7730.

My plan is to create a longer/alternate route from the new section (christened “rock-n-roll”). This route will meet-up with an existing trail which in turn will lead to the large lower section of forest.
Tools required are mainly loppers and rake, Lidl may still have some cheap loppers in stock.

On Sunday we have the 2nd round of the NPS XCO league in Ballinastoe.
No details received as yet about the race, but once I do get any info, I’ll post it at Irish XC MTB website.

Hope to see ye out at some stage

Fergal