The EPIC Blast

The EPIC Blast, Sunday June 12th, Ballinastoe Co. Wicklow

The POG Challenge V

The fifth (or sixth, if you count this one) POG challenge is on this weekend (Sunday June 5th) in Ballinastoe Co. Wicklow. This is probably Ireland's premier MTB event. The course this year includes many new sections of singletrack along with the best from previous years. Click the image above to see the race poster.

Weekend Ride Reports

Saturday beginners spin
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Unfortunately saturday was not an ideal day for a beginners spin, featuring, as it did, gale force winds, but at least there was no rain!

We had two absolute beginners with us, Graham and Tracy, who struggled a bit on the road up to Ticknock (didn't we all the first time). I had an interesting / funny encounter with a wind assisted tree branch that clocked me in the head on the way up (thats one of the reasons why we wear helmets of course!).

Once we got to ticknock and everyone had recovered suitably we headed off up the trails but soon split into two groups, as one lot insisted on taking the road up to the masts (i.e. cheating) while the rest of us went via the red shed thing and on up the boneshaker. Unfortunately the wind meant that there was point in heading on any further up to fairy castle and so instead we headed down the trails to the carpark before looping back up to go down the trail with the double bombhole. After a slow start getting used to the whole rocks and mud issue, both Tracy and Graham had sped up a lot by the time the ride over and the big cheesy grins means we should be seeing them both again soon.

Photos (only a few though) can be found at http://madmtb.fotopic.net/c523350_49.html

Sundays exploration spin
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With much better weather on sunday (very light winds), Thomas, Mick and myself headed off to try and see what we could find / generally just have fun. First of all was the nasty climb along the fenceline in masseys which felt much harder than ever before (recovering from a cold at the moment).

After that the lovely, fast and flowing track in Cruagh brought us across to Tibradden where the evil climbing started once again. Once at the top we took a quick break and then headed on down the other side with some minor unplanned excursions to bring us to the Woca Wocas (farside of 2 rock mtn) which we sped down and then along the road, across the river and started climbing up Prince Willies.

After a short fireroad climb we headed up the muddy, boggy, rocky way and around the side of the mountain before noticing a track leading right to the top. Sure why not! So off we went up an even more muddy and boggy track which mostly had zero traction and involved some pushing and climbing to get to the top. Of course what goes up must come down and after a short break we were alternatively speeding down or slowly bumping down, depending on if you were Thomas or me. Finally we hit the joy of the forest descent in Prince Willies where disaster struck as Micks rear derailleur got pulled into his spokes, bending the hanger and finally snapping the mounting point on his frame!! Mick then made history as the first chainless and gearless gear bike to ride the trails down through the forest before being picked up at the carpark by the rescue crew (our housemate Sam).

Myself and Thomas then headed off towards Djouce, going truely cross country through a few fields of sheep before finally arriving on the road beside Djouce forest and deciding that we'd had enough and were too tired to continue. Of course at that point you realise you still have over an hour of road cycling and several hills to climb in order to get home, where, if you're like me, you arrive broken and in need of lots of food / water / tea / beer and a shower!

Photos from sundays ride will be posted as soon as i can get the time.

Trailfinding Expedition

MAD will host a trailfinding expedition on Sunday, 29th May. We'll meet at the Yellow House at 11am, and head generally south from there.

This spin will be through unfamiliar territory, and insofar as possible, entirely off-road. Since there are no guaranteed opt-out points, only more experienced riders will be able to participate.

Anyone interested in turning up, please contact Mick (by email, or 086 6004878).

Beginners Spin - Saturday 28th May

I'll be taking a beginners spin on saturday morning up to 3 Rock
mountain and fairy castle etc. We'll meet at 11am at the yellow house
in Rathfarnham or at 11:30 (ish) at the carpark in ticknock. As its a
beginners spin, the pace will be nice and gentle, and as usual all are
welcome.

Don't forget all the necessary items such as a working bike, helmet,
spare tubes, puncture repair kit, pump, rain jacket, food and water.

If anyone has any queries, email me at paddyobrien@gmail.com or call
me on 086 6087046.

The Mystery Ride

Sunday's mystery ride turned out to be a spin around Massy's and Hellfire, a big thanks to all who turned up. We had seven riders out on the day - Judith, Paddy, Nigel and Mick, also Bjorn, Feargal, and Peter.

Starting out from Massy's, things went very well. Trails were try, and conditions good. After a few minor mechanicals early in the day for Feargal's hypochondriac Trek, we made good progress once we reached the woods.

Up to Hellfire, and we could see the storm clouds looming in the distance. Sure enough, before we ever made it back down to the road, we got caught in a torrent of hail. This didn't last too long, fortunately, and made things interesting as it muddied up the trails a bit.

So, back over to Massy's, and the fun began. Those tasty drops in the woods were made all the more interesting with fresh mud and slippery roots. Bjorn discovered just how slippery, and had difficulty walking, let alone cycling!



The day was capped off with a visit to the super drop near the lower gate by the road. After much coaxing and a demonstration by Paddy, Mick was convinced to launch himself over the edge, overcoming recent anxieties since an encounter with a tree.

Thanks particularly to Czech Peter, who was on his first ride with MAD. Next time, he may even be forced to get his shiny white bike dirty!

Ride this Sunday

This will be a fairly long spin, beginning in Massies Wood and ending at Djouce (and then returning by road). However, there are several opportunities to shorten the ride if you just want to come along for part of it.

Meeting at the Yellow House, 10am.

Ravensdale Photos and Results

There are photos from Sunday's race on MTBLeague.com, Gareth Maguire and Wedge Photography. The results are on MTBIreland.

NPS 3 - Lumpers Forest, Ravensdale, Co. Louth.

Greetings all,

Good day out yesterday in Co. Louth. I was competing in the Sports section. The course was fantastic! It started off with a long fire road climb which wasn't too steep so it was easy enough to get up. Then there was a drop into the single track section. The rest of the course was basically single track with a few small fire road sections going from one single track portion to the next. It was really dry in the forest which was good because you could maintain your momentum and it made the whole thing a little bit easier to predict. The course was the most enjoyable I've ridden yet, tight in places but generally very ridable. There were a couple of downhill sections that were quiet fast also but they were fairly straightforward.
One challenging aspect of the course was all the roots sticking out of the single track, you had to make sure and keep focused on the ground directly in front of you as well the what's coming up but these were mainly in the slower sections so it wasn't too bad.
During the first lap I let some guy overtake me as he was getting a bit aggravated. Anyway, he passed me and then nearly came off so I had to jam on the brakes at a bit of a steep bit and consequently came off and burst my leg off a rock. It was quiet painful, to say the least! So for about a minute I got really annoyed and decided I had enough of this racing malarkey and I was going to sit down for a while and take it easy. Thankfully, my leg was fine, just battered and bruised, so I got going again after a short while.
I spent the rest of the race playing catch up with these two guys in front of me. I passed one on the fire road climb on the second lap. The other, I passed near the end of the first single track loop. One of the elites was coming up fast behind us and shouting for me to get out of the way. After my experience in the first lap I was less than inclined to do so as I was worried the guy ahead would get away. I let him through anyway when we got to a place where we had to run the bike up a steep bit. After the elite rider went through I actually passed the guy in front of me by running up the steep bit and jumping on the bike before him. So away I went, he nearly caught me on the last fire road section but I beat him to the single track and finished about 20 second ahead I think. A great race altogether, really enjoyable. The guy who was just behind me at the finish shook hands with me after the race so I'm glad he didn't think my overtaking manoeuvre was a bit dodgy!
Don't know where I came yet, I think I might have come in 6th but it's unconfirmed as of yet. Morgan was racing also, not too sure how he got on as I didn't get to chat to him much after. So that was the race, the most enjoyable so far in my opinion, especially compared to the misery and carnage in Ballinastoe a fortnight previous!

Regards,

Aidan

Tim's long ride

Former MAD cyclist Tim, now living in London, has decided to go for a long ride next week. He's going from Land's End to John O'Groats (over 1000 miles) in aid of the Intermediate Development Group. You can check his plans and progress on his website www.watchingthewheels.co.uk. Any sponsorship you'd like to send would be much appreciated.

NPS Round 3 - Ravensdale

All - Round 3 of the NPS, organised by Cuchullan CC, takes place this Sunday in Ravensdale. We'll need to co-ordinate transport, so please let us know who's planning to go, who's driving, who needs a lift, etc.

LUMPERS FOREST, RAVENSDALE, DUNDALK, CO. LOUTH

DIRECTIONS: Lumpers Forest, behind Lumpers pub. From the north: Second left (5k) after the Carrickdale Hotel. Right at t-junction, (2k) to Lumbers pub. Left at pub, field car park 400m on the left. (Start/Finish, Sign-on, 100m ahead) From the south: Through Ballymac roundabout, heading north. Second right (2.5k) on bad bend, for Ravensdale. Right at t-junction, 2k to Lumbers pub. Signposted on the day before race.

RACE PROGRAMME STARTS AT 12 NOON SIGN ON 10am

START - 12 noon under 16 2 laps LONG course
Plus 1 min under 14 2 laps short course
Plus 1 min under 12 1 lap short course

START - 13.10 elite men 6 laps
Plus 1 min elite women / junior 4 laps
Plus 1 min masters 4 laps
Plus 1 min veterans 3 laps
Plus 1 min sports / FUN 3 laps

ONE DAY LICENCES will be available on the day from CYCLING IRELAND.

Sunday, May 1st - Howth

Sunday started off as a really nice, but windy day, as 6 of us headed out to howth including one new person, Bjorn (welcome welcome .. hope to see you out again soon), and also Steven, a guy from EPIC. A hurried repair to wheel hub delayed our start from sutton, but we were soon off on the trail with only a few walkers to get in our way ;-)

Unfortunately, shortly after the lighthouse the weather closed in with a really heavy fogbank rolling in off the sea and cutting the visibility to about 10m at one stage so we decided to abandon the trip and instead head over the top of the hill and make a break for Judiths house where we all stopped off for tea, coffee and homemade banana bread! Truely we are the club that cares(tm).

Photos are up on the gallery showing what a nice day it was at first.

May ride schedule

Date	Destination	Meeting Place	Contact
1-May-05	Howth	Liberty Hall, City Centre 11am or ESB Sutton Cross 12 noon	Mick
08-May-05	NPS Round 3	Ravensdale, Co. Louth. Details and directions	Morgan
	Early morning spin	Ticknock lower car park, 9am sharp	Colin
	Afternoon spin	Yellow House 12noon or Ticknock 12.30	Paddy
15-May-05	Djouce via Cruagh	Yellow House, 10am	Morgan
22-May-05	Leinster League Round 3	Slade Valley, Co. Wicklow	Morgan
	Mystery cycle	The Yellow House, 11am	Mick
28-May-05	Beginners spin	Yellow House 11am, Ticknock 11:30am. Everybody welcome	Paddy
29-May-05	Trail finding expedition	Yellow House 11am. Experienced riders only	Mick