Good times, coming our way...

Hi Folks,
Well we are finally here, it seems like only a few days ago when I naively suggested we go to Wales, I thought maybe one car even two would be going, how innocent I was back then. I was so unworldy I even said, ' I'll sort it out'..Well much time has passed between now and then and soon, against all odds, we embark on our voyage of discovery.
I have heard much about this Welsh wonderland, the mecca of European mountain bikers, some even refer to it as the new Canada. Who knows what await's for us?...Well I for one am looking forward to it,as I trust are you... so I hope it's a great weekend for everyone and safe riding!
Tom

Club Leisure Wear - Last Chance Saloon!

Hi,

The deadline for ordering and paying your deposits was yesterday, so thanks to all who have done so already.
As we're still short on fleece orders, I'm offering one last chance to everyone, extending the deadline until this evening (Monday) to order either fleeces or hoodies.

Order will be placed first thing tomorrow morning!


Don't forget, you can also order your club jersies from Morgan.

Sean
Email me!

Ticknock night spin Tues 27 March

Put your body to proper use!

Legs are for cycling, not walking, bums are for bike seats, not comfy couches, thumbs are for gear-shifting, not twiddling, mouths are for wearing huge grins after going so fast down a trail section it all turns into a blurrrrrr.....

Meet at Taylors pub at 7pm, ~7:15 at Ticknock.
We'll lash down that new section a few times....wheeeeeee!!!!!

Mr. Secretary

MAD Club Jerseys 2007

Due to overwhelming demand we are going to place another MAD jersey order. The available styles are long sleeved (as modelled by Sean above), short sleeved, Billy-Ray Cyrus style sleeveless and a new windproof version. You also have the option of custom text on the back.

Update: a downhill style jersey is also available in long and short sleeved versions, looking something like this (warning, contains students).

If you're unsure of your size I'd recommend trying on someones jersey to check. Unfortunately Owayo are not doing a womens-specific cut yet. The final cost will depend on the number of jerseys ordered but should be in the region of €45 (or less).

If you'd like to order please send me the following details by Tuesday, March 27th.

Name:
Phone number:
Email address:
Style: long XC / short XC / sleeveless / windproof / long DH / short DH (style info)
Size: S / M / L / XL / XXL / 3XL / 4XL (sizing info)
Text: Anything you like, one per jersey

For post-riding wear, don't forget to check out Sean's hoodies and fleeces below.

Club Wear

Hello,

With the spring racing season upon us, we've finally got around to organising something which has been asked about for a while - club fleeces and hoodies.

The apparel will be black in colour, with the logo of your club embroidered on it for a high class finish.
Sizes XS to 3XL are available, and garments are of the "unisex" variety.
Fleeces will have a full length zip.

Prices will likely be in the region of €35 for hoodies and €45 for the fleeces.
A deposit of €25 will be required per garment, to be collected at the rides and race this weekend.
Orders will be taken by email this week, and in person (Me!) at the race on Sunday.
Closing date for orders will be Sunday 25th March next.

As usual, production can only take place if we order a sufficient amount, and the more we order, the cheaper they become for everybody.
Regards,

Sean

woohoo.downey@gmail.com

What's on in the MADMTB world this week?

Well now,
The nice gnarly pic to grab your attention has nothing to do with this post,
so you have all been duped into reading this....tough luck

On Thursay 2 Mar 7pm at Taylors pub (~7:10pm Ticknock car park) we have our usual training spin although this has been more 'spin' than 'training' recently so we need to give ourselves a boot up the behind and get serious.
Since the Rostrevor race is rumoured to have a really big long climb, it could benefit us to to do the loop which includes the fireroad that everyone hates down by the club course.

On Saturday, I'm planning some more trail work up 3 Rock.
The work will involve clearing a path to the new section we are after creating,
which is at the top left of this Map
Depending on how many turn up, we may also do some work on the lower section (near the bottom right of the image)
Tools required will mainly be saws/loppers and rakes as we'll
mainly be removing branches and clearing a path through a forest section.

I'm looking at an early start approx 9am, so text / mail me if you are coming up to arrange a meeting point (likely somewhere near the first planned section).
There is a chance I won't make it up until the afternoon so if this is the case I'll be getting someone to bark the orders until I get up there.

EDIT:
Also on Sat there is an easy spin to Cloon, meeting at Taylors at 10am click here for details. (Thanks for the reminder Martin!)


Then of course, we have the 2nd round of the K Capital Cup in Rostrevor on Sunday.
This sounds like it's going to be a tough but very exciting race for all so it will be great to see a load of MAD jerseys out again and even more on the podium!!

That's the craic for now
See ye out there!
Fergal

Bank Holiday Weekend Spins

Hello,

Sorry I'm not as creative as Fergal with my spin announcements, but here goes........

Saturday March 17th
8.30am - Taylor's Pub
Awesome/Savage level (but short) spin with Nigel. Bring your fast legs.

9.00am - Crone Carpark
Martin's Easy spin around Crone and Djouce. Remember, you'll need food + water, spare tubes, pump & multitool and suitable clothing.

Sunday March 18th - Mother's Day
10.00am Yellow House
Savage spin oe'r hill and dale. Wish your Mother "Happy Mother's Day" before you leave in case you're not back in time to do so afterwards.
You'll need to be 100% self sufficient, it would also be a good idea to be familiar with the road routes home in case you have to drop out.

If we're feeling especially organised, we'll let you know about Monday, otherwise just keep an eye on your email or phones and we'll plan something off the cuff.

Finally - MAD has reached international fame thanks to our grim elite star, Ryan.
His photograph and result appeared on the www.cyclingnews.com website, the source of all international cycling information.

Happy St. Patrick's (and Mother's) Day,

Sean

The Night-Train is running again!

Yes indeed race-fans, night training again this Thurs meeting at Taylors pub 7pm for laps of 3 rock.
There's a small new section Nigel and myself completed last week that needs bedding-in, we might do a load of sprints around that for a warm-up, then we'll agree on a loop section.

This will be a savage-graded spin where you're expected to go as hard as you can for as long as you can, or as long as your lights last, it'll stand to you come race time!
I'll also be up there on either the Wed or Fri evening so add a comment to this blog if you are planning to come out either of those evenings.

** EDIT: Note that I'm heading up 3 rock tonight also(Wed 14 Mar), will be setting off from Taylors at 7pm for anyone that's interested in some training**

See ye there
Fergal
087-792-7730

Choo-Choo! All aboard! Night Train(ing)!

Thursday March 8th up 3 rock

The non-stop Savage City Express is departing Taylors pub at 7pm - get your ticket - get onboard - get savage!!

Elevate your VO2 and Lactate levels to the max! (whatever that means)

Assuming no hurricanes or biblical-proportioned flooding, we'll be doing multiple laps of jelly-legged, chain-stretchin' torture on the same route as last week, as I hear people found it very mild and pleasant....

Coming out on this training spin is sure to bump you up at least one place in Sunday's K-Cap race, which is going to see a very strong MAD contingent, that one place could make all the difference....

See you there my loyal minions!

Mr Secretary

K Capital Cup Round 1

The K Capital Cup begins this Sunday with round one taking place in the grounds of Kilruddery Estate, Co. Wicklow. We hope to have a large group from MAD in attendance whether you're racing or spectating. Bring your families and pets too! Sign on is at 10am with the races beginning at 12 noon (read more).

The course is open for practice from 1pm to 4pm on Saturday. If you're racing you should definitely head down to preview it. If you're a bit unsure about taking part you should go for the practice and then decide. This is your only opportunity to ride in Kilruddery - it's closed to mountainbikers for the rest of the year.

We're also having a race/fitness training spin on Thursday evening (Ticknock, 7pm). This will be similar to last weeks spin - completing as many short laps as possible in a specified time.

www.kcapitalcup.com