Ballinastoe Mountain Bike Trails temporarily closed

From CoillteOutdoors.ie

Sections of the Ballinastoe Mountain Bike Trails will be closed from Monday 21st January 2008 for a period of about three weeks. This is to facilitate the closing works which need to be carried out to ensure that the trails are finished to the highest quality standards. We would ask all trail users to respect the section closure and re-routing signs. Your cooperation with these temporary section closures will ultimately result in a better mountain biking experience.

Club Gear - Last Chance Saloon!

Hi folks,

Just trying to round up any more outstanding gear orders from our outstanding 2008 range.

We are particularly short of orders for:

-Jackets
-Bibshorts
-Ladies shorts
-Bibtights
-3/4 lengths
-Leg & arm warmers

Additional charges may have to be paid if we can't meet minimum order requirements, or we may not be able to offer the full range of gear. In order to avoid this, we need more orders!
If you think you'll need any new cycling gear in 2008, order it now - this is your last chance!

Click here for details

Anyone who has already placed an order will receive a confirmation email over the weekend.

Happy shopping
Sean

2008 MAD Club Gear Order

Right folks, that time of year again when you get to update your wardrobe with the latest and greatest in cycling fashion.

Below, you will see an order form, in MS Excel. Fill it out (including any jerseys you wanted to order from Paddy) and return it to jerseys@madmtb.com and we'll go from there.

You will see a wide variety of garments on the form. Their availability depends on meeting strict minimum quantity requirements so its possible that some items may not be ordered. You will be informed of this in good time and will have the opportunity to reassess your order.

We can't confirm prices now, as prices always depend on quantities ordered but we can confirm that the more we order, the cheaper it becomes for everybody.
We can also confirm that we will NOT be using the same supplier as last year, so those of you with qualms about the shorts and tights should be happy.

Download form here

Finally, I'd just like to encourage everyone to kit out in club gear and show you're representing MAD while out on the trails at home and abroad and participating in races. It looks great and reflects well on the club when people are proud enough to show they're a member.
Plus you might find that its as cheap or cheaper than buying brand name gear elsewhere.

Sean

Cyclocross National Champs

Our good friends over at IMBRC are running the Cyclocross National Championship this (next?) year in Tymon park. For more details of this bizarre event click here.

The MAD Christmas Lash

The last and greatest event of the MAD 2007 social calendar is happening this Friday. The MAD Lash commences in the Bull and Castle, Christchurch, between 8 and 9pm. Come and meet your mtb heroes, or become a legend yourself on the night.

We're also having a pre-Christmas spin on Sunday, riding the new trails at Ballinastoe. The pace will be Christmassy and everyone is welcome to come along. Starting cycling at 10am.

There will be a spin on St. Stephens day too - details to follow.

Mr. Ketchup Wins Club Champs

Things are finally getting back to normal after the MAD Club Champs 2007. My hands have stopped shaking and the double-vision is nearly gone. After talking with the committee and piecing together our fragmented memories the following results emerged:

Steve "Ketchup" Scrivener took first place in the Champs, finally winning the MAD Perpetual Trophy which he's coveted for so long.

Former club champion Sean Downey took silver, showing that despite his advancing years he's still a force to be reckoned with.

The bronze medal went to Shane Geoghegan whose strong racing form during the year is really paying off.


A number of other awards were also presented at the AGM. Conor Coneff received the award for Greatest Contribution 2007. Without his great trailbuilding efforts during the year this years event wouldn't have been possible.

The Best Newcomer award went to Ollie Castle for getting so involved with the club in the short time he's been with us and taking an active role in organising activities.

Ryan Sherlock took the well-deserved Most Awesome Racer award after his 2007 NPS Series Elite victory, numerous podium finishes and his foray into international XC and marathon racing.

Finally the Dirtiest Rider award went to Tom "Thong" Heavey who reminds us all that if you can't be a good example you should at least be a terrible warning.


The 2008 club committee was also elected at the AGM - stay tuned for full details...

2007 Bicycle Christmas Party

The 2007 Dublin's Cyclists' Christmas Party is the biggest seasonal party ever held for the capital's cycling crew. Fabulous venue - The POD at Harcourt LUAS stop, great entertainment - music for all ears, fine food and fab company.......all for a fiver. Special prizes for those who decorate their bicycles in the most festive fashion.

Come along and meet your cycling campaigning colleagues, the messengers who keep the city centre businesses bustling, lots of commuters, tourers, racers, mountain-bikers...........they will all be there. Politicians and figures from the Councils and government departments with responsibility for transport are also invited so this is your chance to charm or corner them over a pint and explain how it all should happen. The fun starts at 7pm. Fabulous area for bikes in off the road so your steed will enjoy the evening as much as you do.

Bring your family and friends - in fact, anyone who cycles, used to cycle, might cycle in the future, or just wants to hang out with all of those fit cyclists for an evening. Spread the word - extra posters downloadable on www.dublincycling.ie Look forward to seeing you there. The Dublin Cycling Campaign Social Committee.

Stolen bike: black & gold LaPierre

Howdy MAD crew
Just a quick note to ask if ye can keep an eye out when ye are on the trails for a stolen bike (thankfully not mine again).
It was stolen from Dun Laoghaire area this week, details are below:

Black and Gold LaPierre frame
Shimano Derore Gearset,cranks, shifters.
Axon Forks
Mitchelin Tyres
Formula Oro Hydraulic Brakes Front and Rear
Adjustable rear sus.

Any info etc.. please email Ken

thanks
Fergal (on behalf of Ken)

Stolen bike: Specialized Stumpjumper FSR

Howdy all,
Just a note to ask ye to keep an eye out in case you see a blue 2006 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR for sale,
as mine was stolen off the back off my car after the NPS on Saturday.
Recent pic is below
Thanks
Fergal 087-792-7730

Gallery is down

The MAD photo gallery is temporarily unavailalble. Due to the number of people looking at the Castlewellan photos we exceeded our bandwidth limit. We're trying to sort it out and hope to have the gallery back online soon.

UPDATE: The gallery is now back online!

A new website

A new site about Irish culture, heritage and coutryside was launched last week. It also includes a small section on mountainbiking in Ireland, featuring some photos from our gallery. See Ask About Ireland for more.