Winter Weekend of Wonderment

Winter has arrived but for some reason it's warmer and drier than the summer. Rather than worry about climate-change we're just going to organise some fantastic spins to take advantage of the perfect trail conditions.

On Saturday Sean will lead a spin around Three Rock. This one will be suitable for anyone and beginners are particularly welcome. Meet at Taylors at 9.45am for a 10am start.
Alternatively, for a faster spin, meet Richie (086 8201549) at Taylors at 9am for a quick blast. Or you could head out on Rach*a*els park spin at 10am too.

On Sunday there will be a harder spin with Oisin taking charge. "The route will be up the Kilmashogue hill climb (or alternatively the standard way up Three Rock) then over to Glencullen via the wocas, along to Prince Willies and then continue along that trail above Cloon woods to the Glencree side of the featherbeds, then back along the road but cutting over the bog on the right hand side to decend down through Cruagh woods. I'd like to keep this a fast pace with minimum stopping." Meet at Taylors at 10am for this one too.

Beginners Course Wrap Up

Well done to everyone who has attended any of the Beginners Course, I hope it was an enjoyable and insightful introduction to our club and MTBing.
I certainly enjoyed every minute of it and look forward to seeing many of you again soon. We've discovered some great natural talent and had lots of giggles along the way.
For those who are interested in continuing on with us, I'll send out a mail this week regarding membership etc. If you have not already done so, add your email address to our Mailing List so you will receive this and many more informative mails (regarding spins etc) in the future.

Finally, muchos gracias to any MAD members who gave up their time to help out, guide groups around and show their collective wisdom (or lack thereof....) A special mention must go to one Mr. Ian Heald who is not a MAD member but has been on hand and showed his expertise with calmness and good humour throughout.

See you all soon,
Sean

Beginners Course - The Final Installment

After the first 3 weeks have been raining, dull and raining respectively, we'll do a little sundance this weekend in the hope that the current fine weather lasts.


This Saturday we will be visiting the Mecca of MTBing, Three Rock.
We'll meet at Ticknock Carpark at 10am and ride for about 2.5 hours.
Directions here
Parking available at the carpark, or at Taylors pub down the road.

This week's Tech Talk will be on chains, specifically breaking and rejoining them.
As usual, you'll require a helmet, gloves, rainjacket, food, water, spare tube, pump and a tool which fits all of the various parts of your bike (remembering things like spanners for bolts on wheels etc)

As ever, queries can be directed to committee AT madmtb.com

Sean

Beginners Course Round 3

Crossing the midway mark with much gusto, this weeks Beginner Course will take place in the Leadmines off the Enniskerry Road.
Directions here
We strongly advise parking at Palmers Pub and cycling out (10mins max), parking is very limited at Barnasligan Lane and the area gets easily congested with a few cars, which annoys the locals.
Even better still, you could cycle out there and leave the car at home....


We'll meet at Barnasligan Car Park at 10am (rain, hail, sun or even shine!) and roll on from there, for about 2 hours.

As usual, you'll require a helmet, rainjacket, food, water, spare tube, pump and tool.
If you're under 16 years of age, you'll need a parent to sign this form.

We haven't yet decided what the TechTalk will cover, so we're very open to canvassing! Post a comment or send an email if you know of anything that you'd like covered. So far we've showed you how to set up your bike and fix a puncture.

As always, queries can be directed to committee@madmtb.com or a direct reply to this post.

See you all Saturday,
Sean

Friday, Saturday (Beginners Course #2) and Sunday

Afternoon folks,

Loads happening this weekend - hill-running, beginner's biking, intermediate biking and awesome/savage biking!

Friday - Myself and Cait are gonna continue our preparations for Annacurragh by hitting the hills for some mountain running. Meet at 7pm at the entrance to Ticknock Carpark. Everyone is welcome.

Saturday - Beginners Course #2
With a great turnout of 22 riders, many of them taking their first steps into the world of mountainbiking, we are pleased to announce details of this week's adventure....

The MAD MTB Beginners Course continues this on Saturday, August 11th. We'll meet up in the Kindlestown car park at 10am (directions below). Sean will show you how to repair a puncture before starting - something which everyone will eventually need to know how to do. Depending on the numbers who turn up we'll divide into smaller groups and have an easy ride around Kindlestown for about two hours.

Helmets are compulsory on these rides (Ask Fidelma why!!!) - 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).

Most people will need to drive to this venue so lifts will probably be required by some - use the website or mailing list to organise this amongst yourselves.

Directions available here

Sunday - There will be two Sunday spins this week - one easy and one hard. Both of the spins are meeting at Taylor's Threerock Pub at 10am.

1)RachelC will be taking the easier spin to Cloon and back via the Wicklow Way. If you are interested then e-mail her at "rachelcinnsealach AT googlemail DOT com" or call/text on 087 2561906. Rachel would be grateful if one or two of the more experienced members could lend a hand.

2)The harder spin will be heading further afield after some fun on Madjestic and the other trails in Ticknock. Hopefully we'll get as far as Djouce after Ticknock. Contact me on 0879335403 or poloholemint AT gmail DOT com for more details.

Any queries can be directed to committee AT madmtb DOT com

Nigel

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 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

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.

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)

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.

MTB Beginners Course - Week 5 - Last One!

Over the past month we've had nearly 40 riders of all ages and abilities come along on our beginners rides. It's great to see so many people improve their confidence, skill and abilities in a short space of time. The final one takes place this Saturday in Slade Valley, location of the MAD Dash earlier this year. We'll be mostly riding woodland singletrack with a few short climbs and some challenges for the brave. There will be a demonstration of how to keep your gears in tune too. We'd like everyone to come along (whether you've been on the other spins or not) for this final outing. We'll meet at the Slade Valley car park and start the ride at 10am.



Map and Directions

MTB Beginners Course - Week 4 - Sunday!

Due to the Marathon Champs, this weeks beginners spin will take place on Sunday. I expect anyone who rode the marathon to be going v e r y s l o w l y . . .

We'll be riding in the MTB Mecca that is Three Rock, taking in Fairy Castle, The MAD Club Course, the Boneshaker and more! Meet at the Ticknock lower car park at 10am. We'll also take some time to show you how to fix a bike chain.

Map link

MTB Beginners Course - Week 3

The MAD Beginners course continues this week with a ride around the Leadmines where we have some nice challenges lined up for you. With the way people are progressing I think everyone will manage just fine. The tech session will cover headset and V-brake adjustments. We'll meet at the Barnaslingan car park at 10am and ride for about two hours. Everyone is welcome to come along.

Underage rider information



Directions to Leadmines
-----------------------
Take the Enniskerry Road south through Stepaside
Continue through Kilternan
Pass Ambrose Glass motors on the left
Continue through the next area of roadworks
Take the left turn immediately after the roadworks (opposite a phone box)
Barnaslingan Lane climbs steeply until it reaches Barnaslingan car park on the right.

Map Link

MTB Beginners Course - Week 2

Fourteen new riders braved extreme weather conditions for our first beginners ride last Saturday. The rain didn't stop for the entire spin but that didn't prevent them tackling everything in their path - uphill and down - with smiles and enthusiasm. Instruction was proved on tackling various obstacles and Sean showed how to check your bike over before a ride.



Our destination this week is Kindlestown forest in Co. Wicklow (forest car park, 10am). There's a great loop there which we'll have you flying around in no time. We'll also show you how to repair a puncture - fast. It's not essential to attend all the rides (although we'd recommend it) so even if you missed last week you can still come along.

Riders under 18 and their parents must read this.

Directions to Kindlestown
-------------------------------------
Take the M11/N11 south to Kilmacanogue
Two miles or so after Kilmacanogue you'll pass the "Eco Shop" on your left
Take the next exit signposted "Glenview Hotel"
Take the next right turn (do not cross the flyover bridge)
You'll pass the Glen of the Downs golf club on your left, then take a right
The entrance to Kindlestown car park is on your left.

Beginners spins & Underage riders

Hi all,

This may or may not have been sent around before, but it's worth saying again:
If any riders under the age of 16 are planning on doing the beginner's ride, they'll need to download our "Underage rider form" here: Underage rider consent form

Both they and their parent must sign the form, and the parent must accompany the rider to the meeting place to meet us and hand over the form. The Parent must also return to collect the rider at the appointed time, to be agreed with the ride leader on the day.

If anybody has any trouble downloading the form, email me and I'll email it on to you.
If you have any other queries, just drop me a mail or a call to 086 3354576.

See you all on Saturday,
Sean

MTB Beginners Course - Week 1

The MAD MTB Beginners Course kicks off on Saturday September 2nd. We'll meet up in the Hellfire Club car park at 10am (directions below). Sean and Morgan will show you how to check your bike over before the ride and how to set it up properly. We'll then have an easy ride around Masseys Wood for about two hours.

Helmets are compulsory on these rides - no exceptions under any circumstances. Check here for a list of what else to bring.

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). Sean also likes Jaffa Cakes.

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.

Map Link

Underage Beginners Spins - May 2006

Richie Byrne, Cycling Ireland's underage development officer is running two underage beginner spins on Saturday mornings in May.

May 6th Meet at Dalkey Hill Car Park, Dalkey, South County Dublin 10.00..
May 20th Meet at St Annes Pk, at the Black Gate, Raheny , North County Dublin 10.00

These are introduction/progression spins for underage riders. Senior riders are welcome once they bring an under 12,under 14 or under 16. It will be very easy with an emphasis on fun and skill development and will last for about an hour.

You will need:

• a helmet
  
• Gloves
  
• A water bottle

You can contact Richie on 087 63760565 and richie.byrne@gmail.com

Saturday 25th March - BEGINNERS!

Hello gach duine,

We're having a nice easy spin on Saturday so we can get some of the beginner/newbie folk out. Everybody is welcome.....yes that's EVERYBODY. Come along, it will be a good spin! If you don't think you are able for it then we'll prove you wrong.

10am Yellow House, Rathfarnham - map available on website. Any queries then give me a shout.

Nigel
087 9335 403
poloholemint@gmail.com

Underage Beginner Spin

Underage beginner spin Saturday 28.01.06
For riders aged 16 and under. We will just be riding some singletrack and giving some gentle instructions.
Adults are welcome to attend provided they bring an underage rider along. I also want at least one volunteer to assist me.
The Venue will be Djouce Woods middle car park at 10.00.
Djouce woods can be found just South of Enniskerry on the old long hill road.
As its the first of one per month it won't be more than one hour.
The riders will need a decent bike with working brakes and gears, a helmet and gloves.
They must be accompanied by an adult (no abandoning of children please, the moms or dads can wait until we come back) - we won't be long.
Don't hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have.

Richie Byrne
MTB Commision Underage Development Officer
087 637 6065
richie.byrne@gmail.com

Beginners Day II - Saturday 10th

After the sucess of last weekends beginners day, the second one is being held this Saturday (10th).

The same idea as the last time. Meet at the yellow house at 10am or ticknock carpark at 10:45. For details of what to bring with you check out our beginners section on the website.

The two most common questions i've been getting are:

Q) Can i come along?
A) Of course ... its a beginners day ... everyone welcome.

Q) What should i bring?
A) Check out the beginners section (link above). It has all the details.

If you've any *other* questions or anything then email me or call (086 6087046)

Paddy