The Threat to our Forests and Trails

Coillte, Ireland's State-owned forestry company have recently published details of their plans to clear-fell large areas of forest in Dublin and North Wicklow. These areas will include Djouce, Slade Valley and Tibradden. You can read the proposals in detail here.



This is not only disastrous for mountain bikers but for anyone who enjoys outdoor recreation. Coillte see their mandate as being to make money through forest operations - but this should not be at the public expense and in areas of such obvious amenity value. Their operations have already been widely criticized. We desperately need a change of focus from short term profit to proper forest and countryside managment, either by Coillte or another state body.

There will be a report on this issue on RTE 6 o'clock news on Tuesday January 30th and we should all do what we can to keep this in the public eye. I encourage you to contact your local public representatives to express your concern at these developments and demand that action be taken. Being an election year we may have a greater chance of being listened to.

You can also make yourself heard by signing this online petition.

More Beginners Night Rides

Martin will be leading another of his ferociously popular beginners night rides this Wednesday. People should meet at White's Gate for a 7.30pm start. Please ensure your bike is in good working order and that you have some decent lights so you can see where you're going. The pace will be easygoing along the woodland trails and everyone is welcome.

Get your night-moves groovin' ! Night ride Ticknock 7pm Tues 30 Jan

There will be a night ride this Tuesday night (30th Jan), departing Ticknock car-park at 7pm sharp.

I'll be parking at Taylors Pub and cycling up from there at 6:45 (brisk pace) if anyone wants to join me.

Double-check your lights are charged and remember your flashy/LED style light if you are cycling on the road.
I'm open to any route options people may prefer, the DH section (near to entrance to the MAD club course)could be an option, there is also a spooky new-ish DH section near daggetts which finishes in a steep slope to the fireroad - ooerrr!

A hair-raising descent down the gully-licious rock-n-rollin' boneshaker will likely finish-off the spin.

Hope to see ye there - weather looks dry so that's all the more reason to get out and let rip!

Fergal
087-792-7730

Le Weekend - please read!

Hey all,

Just a few things to mention before the details of the upcoming spins -

This may sound complicated but I think that it's the best thing to do considering the Wales Trip. We have 30 people going on the trip so it will be split into a number of groups, depending on level of fitness. There is no doubt that this trip will be an excellent one but we need to make sure everyone can handle 2/3 days of biking in a row. As far as I am aware not everyone does 2/3 days in a row regularly, so now is a great time to try it!

What I would like to do is run a easier-paced Sunday spin that will start from the same place as the normal Sunday spin, but at an earlier time. If this works out we will all meet at a previously agreed destination and time. These spins are aimed at buidling up stamina and I think that it is easier to do in a group with people of a similar fitness level and ability. I think from now on this will be known as the Intermediate Spin. This spin may vary between Saturday and Sunday in the future but there will be at least 3 levels of spins at the weekend from now on - Easy, Intermediate, and the normal Sunday spin. Don't be afraid of trying a longer/harder spin!

Ideally if you are heading to Wales (or want to improve your level), then you should attend as many spins as you can, especially the ones on consecutive days.

The plan for the weekend is as follows -

Saturday - Martin's Easy/Fun/Beginner spins continue. This week we are heading to Tibradden via Kilmashogue. Meeting at 10am Yellow House sharp. It's a really good spin, especially the descent from Tibradden. It's likely that we will finish by going through Masseys Wood afterwards. Everyone welcome!



SUNDAY - We are all heading to Cloon Wood to cheer on all the competitors at EPIC's Downhill NPS race. We will have a few of our own competing at it and they will be glad of the support. The route will be the same for both of the spins, except the new group will have an extra hour to complete it.

• Easy-pace Sunday (First Intermediate Spin) - For those of you interested in improving their fitness even further (especially those of you going to Wales and any other riders) then we will meet at 9am at the Yellow House in Rathfarnham. The pace will be the same as the Easy/fun/beginner Saturday spins. That point needs to be made clear. Ideally, if you are going on the Wales Trip then we encourage you to attend as many of these spins as possible in the coming 2 months. There are opt out points on the way if anybody needs to leave early. From now on this spin will be known as the Intermediate spin :D

• Normal Sunday - All others, i.e those of you who have done Sunday spins recently then we are meeting at 10am at the Yellow House. Destination will be Cloon, and depending on time after the DH race then maybe Crone.

Some LED lights would be handy for the spin home.

If you are unsure of which Sunday Spin to attend then just contact me.

Details about Night Rides will be posted over the weekend so keep your eyes open!

If you wish to discuss anything mentioned in this email, or any other club business then email me at poloholemint AT gmail DOT com, or call/text me on 087 9335 403

Nigel

Wednesday Night Ride - Beginners

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)

This week/weekend

Hey folks.

Plenty of biking to be done over the coming week. Details are as follows!

Tuesday - Nightriding. Meeting outside ticknock/3rock carpark at 730.

Thursday - Nightracing league. 7pm at the Leadmines Tower. If you are driving then please park at Palmers Pub and then cycle up.

3 spins for you lot this weekend - 2 on Saturday and 1 on Sunday.

Saturday - (i) Martini's Beginner/easy spins continue. Meeting at 10am SHARP Yellow House. Going to do a run of The Hellfire Club and Masseys Wood. There is a bit of climbing involved to get to the destination but it's easier than getting to 3rock. This won't be a problem for anyone so come along!
(ii) Steve's got himself a new bike and wishes to make proper use of it out in Cloon Forest. The plan is to meet at Yellow House at 9.30 and drive down to Cloon for about 10. This spin requires no fitness to speak of but be warned, the course is quite technical, so some love for descending is essential. There are two great DH tracks down here so its an easy enough push to the top for a choice of two great descents! If you have a bike rack then please bring it to the yellow house, along with a car of course! Check the website for more details about this spin.

Sunday - We haven't been to Kindelstown/Glen of the Downs on a daytime spin in a while now, so that is our destination. Meeting at Kindlestown Carpark at 10am. If the weather holds up we will also head to the Sugar Loaf for a really great descent. I'm sure people will need lifts so if you can offer one then mail the group!

Directions to Kindlestown

Night-lights are essential for the nightrides.
Helmets are compulsory for all spins.
Bring some food and water with you on all spins.

Any problems, email me at poloholemint AT gmail DOT com, or phone/text on 087 9335403

Nigel

DH practice day Saturday 20th

Hey All,
This Saturday there will be a downhill specific spin in preparation for EPIC's NPS round on the 28th.

The plan is to meet at Yellow House at 9.30 and drive down to Cloon for about 10. This spin requires no fitness to speak of but be warned, the course is quite technical, so some love for descending is essential. There are two great DH tracks down here so its an easy enough push to the top for a choice of two great descents!

Safety Aspects:

1. You DO NOT need a down hill specific bike, your usual XC bike will be able to handle it fine.
2. All of the drops and jumps have a 'chicken run', this is a way around the potentially dangerous obstacle.
3. Bring any safety gear you have, none is essential to ride but it gives extra confidence if you have it.

This would be a great spin for anybody trying to quicken themselves when the trail points downwards. (i.e. just about everybody I think!) We will be doing the same bit of trail over and over so you are bound to speed up by the end of the day! There are also some nice starter jumps and drops to practice on.

Please send me a mail if you can offer or need a lift. stephen_scrivener~AT~yahoo.co.uk

Cheers,
Steve

Tuesday 16th Night Ride

Hey,

Meeting at 730 outside Ticknock Carpark for a night ride.

Proper Nightlights essential!

Any problems, email me at poloholemint AT gmail DOT com, or call/text on 087 9335 403


Nigel

MAD Club Membership 2007

Hi,
Club membership fees for 2007 are now due. All it costs to join Ireland's Premier Mountainbiking Club is €20 (plus Cycling Ireland membership).

New club members
If you've been coming out on a few rides we expect you to become a full member of MAD. Please download the 2007 membership form and give it to a committee member with your €20 membership fee.

Existing club members
If you're already a club member we don't need another form from you (unless your contact/emergency contact details have changed) - just give your 2007 club fees (€20) to a committee member on the next spin.

Cycling Ireland / Race Licences
We require all club members to become members of Cycling Ireland. If you're planning on competing in 2007 you must have a race licence. Even if you won't be racing a Cycling Ireland membership is strongly advised. You can find the latest membership fees and benefits in this document. If you have any questions about this please contact the committee.

The easiest way to join Cycling Ireland is by using their online system. If you were a member last year you should use the login details provided (contact us if you can't remember them). Alternatively you can download a membership form and pay by cheque.

Regards,
Morgan
Club Chairman

Weekend Spins (13th and 14th)

After yet another weekend of some great spins, some more new people
trying out mountain biking for the first time (hope they all had a
great time) and fantastic weather on saturday we can only home for the
same this weekend.

And with that in mind here is whats planned!

Saturday Easy Pace spin, 10am at Palmers Golden Ball Pub - A nice easy
spin around the leadmines for everyone of every ability. Anyone
legging off at the front will be ridiculed and made do silly things.

Directions : The pub is on the Enniskerry road, near where Glenamuck
road joins Enniskerry road, turn left at the top of Glenamuck road
(you would take the Kilternan exit off the M50)

Map Link

Sunday long tiring savage cycle, Yellow House at 9 - One for the
budding racers trying to get their fitness and stamina up. The route
will be similar to what we did on saturday. 3 Rock - > Wocas - >
Prince Willies -> Crone and then one of two routes depending on
weather and exhaustion. Either Maulin, Djouce, Boardwalk, Lugala (POG
course), Ballinastoe (Blast Course), Djouce woods, Powerscourt and
home or a shorter route looping around the top of the waterfall and
back through djouce woods. You'll need to be able to handle a fair
pace for a good many hours to manage this spin, as we're gonna try and
not stop too much but there is a lot of drop out points along the way,
so come along and challange yourself and see how far you can make it.
Its best though if you know the roads around the area so that you can
find your way home if you do have to drop out.

**EDIT**
Please bring along some normal commuting lights for the road home just in case. Flashy LED lights would be perfect.
**EDIT**

Paddy

Upcoming beginners rides - day and night

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.

Saturday 6th Jan 07 - Easy Pace

Alright guys!

Happy new year ! The first spin of the year will be Djouce on
Saturday at 10am! As its a good bit out for a few anyone who can share
a lift say so! The spin will be at an easy pace - suitable for everyone!

Meeting at Djouce Middle Carpark (Red D in map below). Ignore the last line of the directions.
Djouce Middle Carpark

Martin

Post back if you can make it!