Sat 8 - MTB Spin Ballinastoe

Caroline_ie · 06-08-2009 8:37am #1

MTB spin in Ballinatoe Co Wicklow ( around Lugalla past sally gap )

Meeting time at 11.30 on the parking area.

So far 4 of us are in.

Blorg's idea is to cycle down to larragh for lunch and get back up as well afterwards ... ( eeek)

Disclaimer: please note that the participants of the MTB spin are clean cut roadies and inexperienced off road ... all true truffle hunters could be bored and frustrated ( MTBs are so bloody heavy )

blorg · 06-08-2009 8:39am

Caroline_ie wrote: »

Blorg's idea is to cycle down to larragh for lunch and get back up as well afterwards ... ( eeek)

Haha that bit was a joke, I don't think we will be getting that far

Caroline_ie · 06-08-2009 8:40am

MTB messes up all sence of distance for us roadies ... i thought it was more than doable.

Idleater · 06-08-2009 9:55am

Caroline_ie wrote: »

Disclaimer: please note that the participants of the MTB spin are clean cut roadies and inexperienced off road ... all true truffle hunters could be bored and frustrated ( MTBs are so bloody heavy )

I'll see what the plans for the day are but I'm interested - may fail on some of the T&C's

Gavin · 06-08-2009 12:19pm

Would like to, but otherwise engaged. Back in the big schmoke at the end of the month and mtb action will resume!

ROK ON · 06-08-2009 1:06pm

I was out in that direction last night on my bike (road bike). I was eaten alive by midges and chased by a swarm of angry flies.

Bring insect repellant - I would imagine that it would be worse in the forest, than on the road.

Anyway, enjoy.

TinyExplosions · 06-08-2009 2:11pm

I would be in, but for lack of working knee and mtb

kenmc · 06-08-2009 2:12pm

ROK ON wrote: »

I was out in that direction last night on my bike (road bike). I was eaten alive by midges and chased by a swarm of angry flies.

Bring insect repellant - I would imagine that it would be worse in the forest, than on the road.

Anyway, enjoy.

Yes actually, good advice, oodles of midges and flies on sunday when I was up there MTBing

blorg · 06-08-2009 2:27pm

TinyExplosions wrote: »

I would be in, but for lack of working knee and mtb

Well I think your MTB will be making an appearance anyway.

Lumen · 07-08-2009 12:05pm

Balls, not free for the next two weekends or I'd have been well up for it.

Cyclocross Injuries II - This Time It's Bone-Through-The-Skin will have to wait for another couple of weeks.

Caroline_ie · 07-08-2009 12:19pm

Lumen wrote: »

Balls, not free for the next two weekends or I'd have been well up for it.

Cyclocross Injuries II - This Time It's Bone-Through-The-Skin will have to wait for another couple of weeks.

ouch ...

'68 Fastback · 07-08-2009 3:40pm

hey
is this a regular thing? i cant go this weekend but just got my mtb together and would love to give ballinastoe a try. not a noob but haven't done any mountain stuff in years, new bike is jeering me every time i pass it. more importantly though, would there be space in a car for one more?

Caroline_ie · 07-08-2009 3:44pm

'68 wrote:

hey
is this a regular thing? i cant go this weekend but just got my mtb together and would love to give ballinastoe a try. not a noob but haven't done any mountain stuff in years, new bike is jeering me every time i pass it. more importantly though, would there be space in a car for one more?

A regular thing? what? you mad? We're roadies!

It's rather occasional tbh, only the 2nd one this year. But I am sure the real MTB crowd do gather more often. The few of us going are just going as very inexperienced and just a laugh.

'68 Fastback · 07-08-2009 3:48pm

That's what I'm after! I never liked the idea of mtb clubs but i''m not stupid (read "young") enough to go it alone like i used to. I reckon any skills i might have had are long gone.

blorg · 07-08-2009 4:08pm

The MTB clubs are very friendly, I have been out with MAD quite a few times. All very laid back and welcoming of beginners. They don't bite! They run special beginner spins I think mostly around the start of the year.

DirkVoodoo · 07-08-2009 6:04pm

I will see you guys there tmw, looking forward to it, haven't been mountain biking in ages!

Idleater · 08-08-2009 7:58am

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

I will see you guys there tmw, looking forward to it, haven't been mountain biking in ages!

I hope this is not a fair weather only outing! I blame the rain on me sticking on new tyres...

Caroline_ie · 08-08-2009 8:51am

we re loading the bikes on the roof.

DirkVoodoo · 08-08-2009 11:27am

Sorry, got home late and wasn't in much of a state to do anything this morning. I will probably go for a midweek road spin though, watch this space!

Vélo · 08-08-2009 3:57pm

That was a bit of craic, really enjoyed it. I must get back up there soon.

Caroline_ie · 08-08-2009 7:12pm

WOW .. I never thought fear, falls and scratches would be so much fun.

After a bit of a struggle trying to fit roof bars on the roof of my small car, we decided to stuff the bikes in the back of the car, securing them with a few bungees and off we went to Ballinastoe. My first real MTB spin, Velo and nereid ( nice to meet you and nice bike ) met niceonetom and me at the entrance ( sorry for the lateness, somehow I had confused the back entrance near lugalla for the actual start of the course. )

I took a few falls, 4 to be exact, the 1st one including my right foot stuck between the frame, a tree stump and my wheel. It was quite funny, I couldn't get out. Great to break the ice anyway.

BananaPants made an appearance, he's obviously a skilled Mad MTBiker, and it was quite interresting to see the skills that are involved when you're good.

Anyway, I will get back out there soon, as soon as my mad month of august is over. Thanks to all!

Photo included

Sat 8 - MTB Spin Ballinastoe

Comments