Trails in 3 Rock

joeduke

Hi Guys

Can anyone tell me if the new trails in 3 rock as finished yet and if so what do people think of them

Morgan

The trails are still under construction. The expected completion date for the full loop is the end of February. Coillte have requested that users refrain from using the trails until they're finished and signposting is in place.

joeduke

I have read that some MTBers are using the trails and nearly ran in to some walkers..

Tenzor07

joeduke wrote: »

I have read that some MTBers are using the trails and nearly ran in to some walkers..

If the trails are not finished then mountain biker's should not have been on it, never mind walkers!
You would not drive on an unfinished road as it would be dangerous, same thing with the new track...

billy.fish

Tenzor07 wrote: »

If the trails are not finished then mountain biker's should not have been on it, never mind walkers!
You would not drive on an unfinished road as it would be dangerous, same thing with the new track...

Twoddle.

If you put a big grey line down the middle of 3rock people will ride it. If its less surfaced than a trail centre all the better. How the hell do you think trails get ridden in? Most trails had to be hacked and ridden in bit by bit to get them in, its only of late that you get 'trail centre' trails and people forget about riding rough ground.

Secondly...i would drive on an unfinished road, ive ridden on them too (M3 sportive), most bloody roads in this country are unfinished. M50, M1....the list goes on.

Not even going to get into the walkers on the trail bit. Open mountain. Coilte owned. Its going to happen. Its never not going to have walkers on it, bra maybe a race day.

Tenzor07

Far from Twoddle!

I accept that if people see a track they may cycle/walk on it, but in this case it's an official Coilte MTB trail which is Under Construction And the effect of bikers and to a lesser extent walker's using it will be that when the official contractors return to work on it then any damage due to wear&Tear/skiding etc will add to the time taken to complete, and may push back the official opening date when bikers can use and enjoy it...(officially!)

Ant

I went walking on Three Rock a few weeks ago and saw the new purpose-built trail which I hadn't previously been aware of. While signs displaying the name of the contractor are still in place, the trail does looks like it's completed as there's no sign of construction material and the trail looks like it's perfect for the job. I hadn't been to Ticknock in years and presumed the trail had been there for a while but thought it was in very good condition. We decided to walk up alongside the trail as we thought it would be fun to see the adrenaline-charged mountain bikers whizzing down but unfortunately didn't see anyone.that day.

Only after researching online yesterday evening did I discover that the trail is very recent and still under construction. I presume that the work paused with the recent bad weather before they move on to a different section. Having seen the trail, it's no surprise that MTBers are already using it and to be honest, I'd be surprised if a few skids would do all that much harm as it's very solidly built. Kudos to Coillte and the Dublin Mountains Partnership for this initiative.

joeduke

I totally agree with you Ant, I glad for once that some of the money I pay in Tax is being used to fund projects like this and not to bail out Banker and Politicans. As for the Walkers v Bikers row I feel safety in numbers, the more people using 3 Rock, Djouce etc then the safer the trails and car parks will be. If every one respects the mountain code and walkers and bikers give each other a little space then we can all enjoy our day out.
Hats off to Coillte and all involved in getting theses trails built, "Build it and they will come"

Tenzor07

From Dublinmountains.ie

Mountain Bike Trails at Tiknock

The Dublin Mountains Partnership and Coillte is to construct the first purpose built and sustainable Mountain Bike Trails at Ticknock Forest with work commencing on Tuesday 12th October 2010.

Daithi de Forge, from Coillte’s Recreation Team, designed the trails and said:
"The trails at Ticknock will be fast and fun for those with some level of experience already. There will be large rock slabs, big grade reversals, technical ‘twisty bits’ and fast flowing descents with plenty of opportunity to get airborne!”

The company appointed to construct the trail is Metro Building Contractors Ltd, from Wexford. Paul Duffy, Managing Director of Metro Building Contractors Ltd expects that the trail will be open to the public by the end of 2010. **

Please take care using the forest during construction works and obey signage. Please do not attempt to ride the trails while work is in progress - to do so will destroy them. Please co-operate with us.

mtbireland

It also says in that quote that it is expected to open by the end of 2010....

they must be open as the 'nominated MTB liason officers to Coillte, the DMI and the DMP' has been out riding the trail several times in one night it seems.

Morgan

No, the trails are not yet officially open. Construction has been hampered by the extreme weather in December (difficult to work thorugh two feet of snow!).

The current completion date is the end of February by which time both loops should be complete and information/waymarking signs will be in place.

Tenzor07

mtbireland wrote: »

they must be open as the 'nominated MTB liason officers to Coillte, the DMI and the DMP' has been out riding the trail several times in one night it seems.

Quality control testing perhaps? :rolleyes:

zacmorris

Anybody know if the Three Rock trail is open yet?

Tenzor07

Not officially anyways, no signs up, no updates on Coilte websites either...

Unofficially the sections that are done are very popular

zacmorris

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Not officially anyways, no signs up, no updates on Coilte websites either...

Unofficially the sections that are done are very popular

haha, thanks

Ah_go_on

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Not officially anyways, no signs up, no updates on Coilte websites either...

Unofficially the sections that are done are very popular

+1

Had a blast there last weekend:D

dario28

I mailed them to see whats the story and someone replied saying unofficial opening is end of March and official launch is May

Tenzor07

May? :eek: Only 5 months after it was supposed to open!

I guess the coffee shop, bike wash and showers will take another 5 months after that? :rolleyes:

Celticfire

I read somewhere that there were supposed to be 8km of new trails. Went up today for a spin and could only find one trail which was about 3-3.km in lenght.

Did I miss something or is that the only trail? First time up there so not too famililar with the area.

C3PO

You only found one of the two trails!

Celticfire

RPL1 wrote: »

You only found one of the two trails!

The one i found started at the mast and went down to near the car park... where might I find the other one?

studiorat

Been years, up from Ballinteer over Three Rock, along the Wicklow Way route then back through Enniskerry. Or else down to what used to be a firing range?

What way do these trails go?

nerraw1111

Be careful of the walkers

http://outside-blog.away.com/blog/2011/03/the-trial-of-mike-vandeman-1.html

brayblue24

Tenzor07 wrote: »

technical ‘twisty bits’

Ha ha

C3PO

Celticfire wrote: »

The one i found started at the mast and went down to near the car park... where might I find the other one?

With your back to the start of the trail you went down, cycle up towards the highest point of the mountain. Follow the fireroad and the entrance to the start of the other trail is on the right. Or failing that just ask someone!!

dingdong1234567

Would anyone per chance have a map track of the trail from a gps unit for reference?

Tenzor07

GPS is not really necessary, if you go up there on a bright Sunday afternoon just follow the numbers of bikers up around there...

Mr November

here you go...

Celticfire

RPL1 wrote: »

With your back to the start of the trail you went down, cycle up towards the highest point of the mountain. Follow the fireroad and the entrance to the start of the other trail is on the right. Or failing that just ask someone!!

Thanks for that.. with the weather the way it was yesterday I was pretty much the only one on the mountain...

silvo

Celticfire wrote: »

Thanks for that.. with the weather the way it was yesterday I was pretty much the only one on the mountain...

Was up there too yesterday, and it was like being in a washing machine with rain coming sideways with the gale force winds. Was blown off the bike near the masts but had great fun trying to stay on!

Bikerbhoy

Thinbike.ie MTB Group meeting at Taylors 3 Rock (Marley Park Hotel) car park tomorrow morning at 8.45 am...... God knows where Richie is going to bring us this week , but based on the last few outings its going to be good craic...... ALL WELCOME

markfdrums

Hi all,

Was up there for a walk today and would really like a spin round it. I live pretty close and know the mountain well but ever since my trek 6300 got nicked, i havent been biking as i dont have the cash to buy a new bike.

Does anybody know if there are bike rentals anywhere for use on the trails ??

Cheers all.

zil

markfdrums wrote: »

Hi all,

Was up there for a walk today and would really like a spin round it. I live pretty close and know the mountain well but ever since my trek 6300 got nicked, i havent been biking as i dont have the cash to buy a new bike.

Does anybody know if there are bike rentals anywhere for use on the trails ??

Cheers all.

biking.ie