2007 Beginners Course - Week 1

The MAD MTB Beginners Course kicks off on Saturday August 4th. We'll meet up in the Hellfire Club car park at 10am (directions below). Paddy will show you how to check your bike over before the ride and how to set it up properly. Depending on the numbers who turn up we'll divide into smaller groups and have an easy ride around Masseys Wood for about two hours.



**** EDIT ****
For those driving up to the Hellfire carpark on saturday morning please note that the carpark there is closed for the foreseeable future (apparantly there was some anti social activities happening ... probably the usual devil worshiping, sacraficing of small animals and all that lark!).

Anyway, as a result of this there is very limited car space at the entrance to the carpark so you have two options.

(Also, to make sure there is no confusion, we're still meeting at the Hellfire carpark for 10am.)

First, when you pass the Hellfire carpark on your right, continue along the road another 100 metres or so and there is a small area on the left where you can also park (there's a small pedestrain gate into Masseys Woods there).

Second (and probably the safest option), following the directions below, after the Ballyboden roundabout continue straight on up the hill (i.e. don't turn right) and you will pass a pub on your left hand side (The Merry Ploughboy), with a large carpark on the right. There'll be loads of space to park here, and its near the top of the hill (road wise) so won't involve too much extra cycling. If you decide to park here, be there, ready to go by 9:30 and i'll meet ye there and we'll cycle up.
**** EDIT ****

Helmets are compulsory on these rides - 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).

Map Link

Hellfire Club Directions

• From the Yellow House in Rathfarnham take Willbrook Road south
  
• Continue along Ballyboden road until you reach the Ballyboden Roundabout
  (you can also get to the roundabout from Grange Road to the east, or the Ballycullen exit of the M50)
  
• Go straight through the roundabout and take the first right
  
• Take the first left, up Stocking Lane
  
• The Hellfire Car park is 2km along, on the right.

MAD in the Alps (Morzine/Les Gets trip)

Well folks,

While some are off to scotland battling their way through haggis, deep fried pizza and cans of Iron Bru, a rival idea has sprung up regarding a trip to the alps. We've actually been thinking of it for ages but lazyness and procrastination mean we're only trying to get it organised now.

Info as follows:
Dates: 1st Sept till the 8th or 9th (return not yet confirmed).
Flights: Aer Lingus to Geneva (looking around 170 or 180 euro each including taxes)
Bikes: Think its an extra 30 euro each way.
Types of bikes: Bouncy full sus type bikes would be best
Accomodation: Some form of self catering chalet thing. Depends on numbers. Maybe 100 - 150 for the week.
Transfers: Again .. around 30 euro each way or something.
Food and Drink: we'll probably consume lots of it

So far its myself, Oisin and Dutch Robb confirmed. (note that i'll be much slower than the other two so it doesn't matter what level you're at)

Can anyone seriously interested in coming along let me know by email ASAP. All levels welcome. There's ski lifts to take us uphill and gravity to take us back down so we can just keep hooning around all week and meet up in cafes/pubs/medical centres etc.

Paddy

Annacurra Challenge - August 18th

The 2007 Outsider Annacurra Challenge takes place on August 18th. There are a couple of MAD teams signed up for this already but there are still places available. Full details below.

National XC Champs - This Weekend

A gaggle of cloned Robin Seymours should provide some strong competition in this year's XC National Championship. Banbridge CC are hosting the event in the new venue of Tollymore Forest Park, Newcastle, Co. Down. See below for full details.

Advertising Feature - Specialized Epic For Sale

András is selling his bike - details as follows:
2007 Specialized Epic Comp (size M) for sale! Nice and good condition, I
was take care of it! I've done only 4000 km on it. I've many custom part
on the bike (Mavic CrossMax Enduro wheelset, Pro stem-handlebar, XT
cassette, etc...).
I looking for 2000 for it, but I can be flexible with this price!

Contact: András 087-980-8967 or gercso1@freemail.hu

Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th July

Hello all,
We are back to the regular weekends of no official racing, but we have a few things in mind for those of you with the racing bug!

Saturday - Morgan's Saturday spin. Meeting at Taylor's Threerock Pub at 10am. We are going to spin up to the Bluelight pub and do a timed climb from there all the way to the top of Fairy Castle. Steve suggested that we set up a section on the website with records of certain trails and this is the first one. We will follow that with laps of the club course in preparation for the National Championships next weekend.


Sunday - Regular Sunday spin. Meeting at the Yellow House Pub at 10am. We're going for a nice long spin starting with a timed run of the Kilmashogue Hillclimb! Ryan has set the bar for us - 13mins 30secs. Destination after the climb is yet to be confirmed but expect the spin to last 3-5 hours
Alternate Sunday Spin. Shane Lavelle and Ciaran Clissman are taking a spin down in Glendalough. Meeting at Glendalough Visitor's Carpark at 9am. Contact Shane with any questions on 0863195936.

Any other queries, contact the committee at committee AT madmtb DOT com

Nigel
0879335403

Fast evening spin 3 rock Tues 10 July

Tally-Ho old chaps!

There will be a gentlemanly pursuit of bicycling extremity up 3 rock on Tuesday evening, wot wot!

Pipe-smoking of Old Holdburn is allowed on the ascents but not on the descents.
Loose-pants must be tucked into knee-length socks.

Snuff-snorting and tweed jackets are acceptable, as are large moustaches and monocles.

Skinny moustaches and seedy leering (per image below) will not be permitted.

Meet at Taylors pub at 7pm, ~7:15 at Ticknock.

We might try include one of the three routes I have in mind for the DIXIE dash to see what you other bounders think, wot say you?

Note:
This will be an awesome-paced paced spin with a hard technical climb & fast rocky descending, thus not suitable for beginners, oh, and bring your full suss for full fun!
Fergal
087-792-7730

MAD MTB Beginners Course 2007

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.

Date	Venue	Tech Talk
Saturday August 4th	Masseys Wood	Bike Setup
Saturday August 11th	Kindlestown	Puncture Repair
Saturday August 18th	Leadmines	Brake setup
Saturday August 25th	Three Rock	Chain repair

Club Trail building session #1

Howdy all
This is the first in a series of official trailbuilding dates, and I hope that we can get as many people out as possible, especially beginners so you can familiarise yourselves quickly with the various trails up 3 Rock.
The trails we will be building/clearing are to be rideable by both novice and experienced riders.
Our trailbuilding exploits to date have been very successful and well received by other clubs so we will be continuing this tradition.

The first date is set for Saturday 28th July, 9am start for approx 6hours or however long people can stay out, even if you can only come along for an hour in the afternoon please do!

Further info as to the meeting point and tools to bring etc... will be posted to this blog over the next week or so.
I'll also be sending out a reminder e-mail closer to the time but meanwhile if you can keep this date free then that'd be great.

Thanks for your support

Fergal
MADMTB Club Secretary

Tymon Park Racing This Weekend

As you all know the IMBRC are running two races in Tymon Park this weekend - a team relay on the Saturday and the final round of the NPS on Sunday. This is an ideal opportunity for people to try out racing for the first time. The course will be flowing and non-technical and you also get two races for the cost of your day race-licence. It's also very easy to get to.

We're hoping to field a good few teams from MAD in the relay. If you'd like to take part just drop me an email to let me know. I'll maintain a list of riders and teams here:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgx9xz2d_8fs5j6f
(You can also find entry fee details there)
If you'd really like to be on a team with a particular person let me know that too.