Topics

1

Spins (Public) / MTB Rendezvous Sunday 23rd September 2012

« on: September 04, 2012, 05:49:13 PM »

We have a plan for this but it's top secret because I haven't thought about it yet!  Let get as many old friends of the club out as we can, it's going to be some craic!

The offiical blurb

MTB Rendezvous Sunday 23rd September 2012

Revive your Ride on the ultimate Sunday spin.

If you are one of the hundreds of mountain bikers who head into the hills every weekend there is a not to be missed spin for you coming next month.

MTB Rendezvous is a new concept for an MTB spin gathering everyone for food and refreshments at the end of their cycle in Knockree Youth Hostel at 12:00 noon, Sunday 23rd September.

Catering for all abilities you can ride out with your club or regular cycling buddies and travel as far a distance as your legs will take you and from any starting point. The only requirement is to Rendezvous at 12:00 noon in Knockree Youth Hostel.

The concept was put together by a few old time mountain bikers from Dublin keen to create a social MTB event where all abilities could participate in. Trying to create a spin to suit the Super Pro’s and the local trail riders proved just about impossible as routes would be too severe or too tame. Either way everyone would split up and be spread across two mountains (not very sociable) within the first hour. So the idea was to reverse it. Let each group of riders or club choose their own preferred route and cycle out for 1, 2 or 3 hours where everyone would Rendezvous in the one place at the one time.

With Knockree Youth Hostel kindly providing the venue it has the facilities to cater for hundreds of tired and hungry mountain bikers. Nestled in between Enniskerry and Glencree and within view from Djouce forest and the Wicklow way, it is the ideal location for such a gathering and only a short cycle home on the road.

There is no car parking at Knockree so don’t forget to make allowances for your spin home. Enniskerry is only 6km away or take a short climb over the Featherbeds and then downhill all the way back to Rathfranham.

With the great support from all the local MTB clubs, EPIC MTB, Mountainbike Association of Dublin, IMBRC, Team WORC, Racing 795, Rocky Mountain and the Off-Road Commission, all the refreshments will be free to everyone who can Rendezvous at 12:00 noon.

Are you going to Rendezvous?

Further details and updates see us here http://www.facebook.com/bikerendezvous

2

General Discussion / How should you vote on Thursday?

« on: May 29, 2012, 11:55:45 PM »

With the upcoming referendum the mountain bikers of Ireland are pondering on how to vote.  Here’s my handy guide to help you make up your mind. 

What is it then? The treaty amends the constitution so that governments of the future must adhere to budget deficits levels set by the EU.

How does this affect Mountain Bikers then?    Well this is a tricky question as no one can predict the future.  I have compiled an economic model to try assess the impact of various scenarios.  For simplistic purposes I’m assuming Ireland is sticking with the Euro and that the government of the day are as idiotic as all previous governments, two reasonable assumptions.

No vote scenario:  The government will cut spending due to lack of credit.  The reduction in expenditure will lead to job losses and falls in the price of non exportable goods and services.  As bikes are imported from Taiwan these will become relative more expensive to other items such as houses and haircuts.   Fortunately cuts in spending will lead to less state backed trail manufacture and cuts in enforcement of EU conservation rules.  More unemployment may also lead to bums living in the mountains creating cool naturals trails however my economic model is vague in the numbers of people who will go completely mad.

Yes vote scenario: The government will continue spending like there is no tomorrow.  Bikes will remain at relatively the same cost.  Tomorrow will arrive and the no vote scenario will play out for even longer. 

So my recommendation is buy a bike now and vote yes, that way you can afford the bike and you’ll get to ride some great trails later when the country runs out of money!

3

General Discussion / Random Post - Getting extra life out of Crossmax Hubs

« on: May 28, 2012, 01:22:13 PM »

This is for Pete, but I thought I would post it on the public forum.  The freehub on Crossmax hubs tends to wear out with use, eventually even if you replace the entire freehub body you will still have too much play.  Do not throw your 600 yoyo wheels in the bin just yet, you can just get oversize bushings that compensate for the wear.  The job is simple just cut out the old bushing and press in one of these.

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Qty-2-Mavic-Crossmax-Freehub-Bushing-003-Oversize-/260460008332?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3ca4a0538c

The cassette will then sit tighter on the wheel getting rid of those sloppy gear changes.  A word of warning though, these only work if your hub is worn, otherwise the oversize bushing will be too tight and the freehub won't turn freely, or freewheel to be precise!

4

Enduro / IMBRC DH is back!!!!!

« on: April 15, 2012, 06:17:01 PM »

Check out the videos, some more Enduro spins coming soon!



[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_Pskv_3dms[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOg_G_J4am0[/youtube]

5

Racing / Duathlon Series – Formula 1 this Wednesday

« on: August 01, 2011, 09:28:59 AM »

I'm getting withdrawal symptoms from the Helfire series:-)  Is any one up for this, more cycling than the earlier races (more running too but we won’t mention that!)

http://www.dublintri.com/duathlon/

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Spins (Public) / Le Tour Spin!

« on: July 22, 2011, 10:49:37 AM »

You've seen it on Telly now it's time to ride a stage yourself!  Since were in a recession and we aren't in pro tour teams yet we're going to for the Tour de Kilkenny.  The Logos are same so I’m sure the stage will be too:-)  Myself and Michael C are up for it, we're planing on doing the 110k and will be taking it handy so you’re welcome to join us:-)

www.marblecitycyclers.com/tour-de-kilkenny/

Spot the difference!

7

Racing / WAR Glenmalure Race Report

« on: June 19, 2011, 03:55:32 PM »

Well what a hard race, this round was a bit more suited to Cyclists because there was no kayaking, instead there was an obstacle course and a river crossing, on the day the river was left out too, dam Irish summer!

So the start was at a much more reasonable time of 10am which suited me fine.  I actually got there early for a change.  Dave being as organised as usual rings me looking for directions at the last minute.  The first run is up Kirakee Mountain around the back and down the other side.  So after a half warm up the whistle blows and we're off.  Dave sprints off and is sitting comfortably in a group chasing third place, after about 2k his group slows down so I passed him and a few others so I'm in around sixth place.  The nice fireroad ends and the course goes across a field and on to the open mountain.  After the check point at the summit it quite a rough decent, I'm getting down ok thanks to being fresh enough.  After a quick forest section it's on to a long fireroad decent back to the first transition.  I get caught by a few guys here but only a handful. 

I went with toe clips again, so it was a quick transition to the main cycle.  The route was up two big cols, the Shay Elliott and the Sliabh Mann.  I passed a good few guys in the first few km.  Then we turned off the main road to Laragh up this lane.  This road was cool, one of the many hidden treasures around Wicklow.  After a few clicks the road disappeared and it was unsurfaced track, rougher that paris roubaix or the finestra.  Then there a shallow river crossing, the climb out was tough but worth it, then as if by magic we the half way up the Shay Elliott!  I hadn't seen anyone in ages so I just kept going.   Half way up the Sliabh Mann I saw a rider in the distance.  It was Ciaran Smith, I didn't catch him until just before the second transition.  I get there and there's only two bikes parked!  I'm in third, the shock got to me I ran off with my helmet and gloves still on:-)

So Ciaran takes back his third place back pretty swiftly on the run.   The route is up over the summit of Croaghanmoira mountain and down the far side to a checkpoint.  The return to the transition was back along the same route.  So I'm jogging up wondering what to do with this helmet and gloves, I need to leave them somewhere memorable so I don't forget to collect them on the way back down.  Next thing we turn a corner and there this colossal rocky climb stretching off into the distance, I was not going to forget that climb in a hurry so I dumped my helmet at the bottom.  After the summit there was another rough rocky decent.  My legs were feeling it now so I had to take it handy, it evened out a little and I got back into my stride.  It descended steeper again when I met the race leader Padraig marrey who was coming back up from the checkpoint, he was being chased hard by Kevin Murphy in second place.   Just before I reached the checkpoint Gary Crossan passes me, he took a wrong turn explaining my miraculous move to third.  He was penalised in transition for not having the mandatory kit so I got a little head start on the return leg. 

My lead didn't last long and I was back to fifth but on the good side as the climb got steeper I hadn't met sixth place yet.  Happy days if I had the same lead over sixth that Padraig had over me I was in a good position!  It was good to see all the other competitors on the return leg, Dave was in the top ten and looking good.  I could see third and forth up ahead were jogging/walking so I wasn't too worried about doing the same too.  The last decent was not as rocky so I got down it ok.  I remembered my helmet too which was good.  I looked like a bit of a plonker running with my helmet on but arguably I was one. 

After the transition it was just a downhill cycle to the transition and the obstacle course.  Well that's what I thought, as I rode back the flat section was a lot longer than I expected.  I was still feeling ok so I rode along without a bother.  On the last stretch I came across Kevin Murphy previously in second, he had snaped his chain.  He ran the rest of the way to the transition because it was as quick to run as it was to fix the chain.  So I arrived forth man into the transition.  Just a short run with the bike and an obstacle course left.  Next think I slip and fall in front of everyone on a greasy boardwalk.  Just below my knee is cut badly and hurts like hell.  There were a series of five foot hay bales to bale over (I wonder if that's where the expression came from!)  I went for the bellyflop method, it worked a treat.  Half way through the course I see Ciaran in third!  There was no way I could catch him now, I was happy crossing the line so close though.  Roll on the next one. 

I seriously recommend trying one of these events, it really well run, the marshals are great an excellent day outdoors in the garden of Ireland.  The next event is in Powerscourt on the 24th of September so start training:-)

Full results here

http://www.irishtriathlon.com/index.php/2011/06/53degrees-north-wicklow-adventure-race-warglenmalure/

8

Racing / Hellfire Duathlon

« on: June 13, 2011, 09:51:28 AM »

I’ve entered tomorrow nights Hellfire race, only 4.5k of running so not too bad.  Should be a bit of craic for those who want to do something different. Dave O’Shea can’t make it now so if you want to impersonate him there’s a entry available. You can also enter on the night too for an extra 5 yoyo.  More details here

http://hellfire.wicklowadventurerace.com/

9

Racing / Lost and Found at Slade NPS

« on: April 11, 2010, 08:58:14 PM »

They's be at the next race in Kerry.. I think

Gloves left on the course before Stumpjumper (Size M)



Start finish blue track pump



Glasses at start finish area



A medium sized windtex Gilet possibly Team Worc not sure though

10

Racing / NPS 1 2010 preview of Rabbit Ride

« on: April 03, 2010, 10:56:10 PM »

Snow is rappidly melting away, course is riding very well, check out Rabbit Ride

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlJz9FlA4FQ[/youtube]

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Racing / Mongolia Bike Challenge

« on: October 22, 2009, 04:40:55 PM »

Ok it would cost €3,000 plus but it sounds amazing

http://www.mongoliabikechallenge.com/

12

Racing / Irish at the Mega

« on: July 14, 2009, 02:42:27 PM »

Our Niall 73rd.  Dan Wolfe 40th!  Savage.  Julian Absalons brother beats Vouilloz too.

1 (1)PRIO 1201 ABSALON Remy COMMENCAL ( France) 0:49:28,210 0:00:00 A
2 (2)PRIO 1 WILDHABER Rene TREK ( Suisse) 0:49:44,120 0:00:15 A
3 (3)PRIO 1202 VOUILLOZ Nicolas LAPIERRE ( France) 0:51:36,160 0:02:07 A

40 (14)SENI 29 WOLFE Daniel FLOW RACING ( Irlande) 1:01:33,420 0:12:05 A
73 (33)SENI 1778 NIALL Davis ALL MOUNTAIN EXPERIENCE ( Irlande) 1:06:47,400 0:17:19 F
77 (19)MA30 1404 O BRIEN Glyn KONA / SOMBRIO ( Irlande) 1:07:02,460 0:17:34 L
136 (65)SENI 635 COONEY Brian EPIC MTB ( Irlande) 1:11:58,190 0:22:29 F
280 (89)MA30 503 DONOVAN Niall MBCC ( Irlande) 1:22:10,360 0:32:42 Z09
325 (109)MA30 1428 WALL Gary DIRTY HABITS ( Irlande) 1:26:29,700 0:37:01 J
348 (118)MA30 1770 CARROLL Dave WICKLOW ( Irlande) 1:39:33,920 0:50:05 Z09