Ticknock: How to find blue/easier trails

steamsey

https://m.facebook.com/dmpvr/photos/a.542549595792928/1900476203333587/?type=3

Link to full post, I hope

Tenzor07

steamsey wrote: »

Shots fired.

Hardly..

Wanderer78

We ve been having issues on and off with horse riders for years, tis pissing me off

Tenzor07

Wanderer78 wrote: »

We ve been having issues on and off with horse riders for years, tis pissing me off

Believe me, every group of recreational users P'off every other group..

Sunday strollers, mountain walkers/runners, motor/mountain bikers, dogwalkers, horse riders... the lot..

Lemming

To quote some signs that have appeared in recent months around Sheffield & the Peaks district; "Remember, be nice say hi".

Hurrache

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Believe me, every group of recreational users P'off every other group..

Sunday strollers, mountain walkers/runners, motor/mountain bikers, dogwalkers, horse riders... the lot..

It's so true, everyone hates everyone else on a different form of transport who they don't think should be there.

I think there's a universal hate for those on scramblers tearing up the national parks though (not the guys doing proper trials etc), the the guys tying to get up Fairy Castle and the likes without trace of a silence on their bike.

Big Nasty

Lemming wrote: »

To quote some signs that have appeared in recent months around Sheffield & the Peaks district; "Remember, be nice say hi".

+1

I make a habbit of doing this

Tenzor07

Hurrache wrote: »

I think there's a universal hate for those on scramblers tearing up the national parks though (not the guys doing proper trials etc), the the guys tying to get up Fairy Castle and the likes without trace of a silence on their bike.

Not as common as it used to be, motorbike scramblers back in the 90's used to tear up new trails that MTB'ers could follow..

You rarely see them about now, usually only over on the Ballyedmonduff side and very early in the mornings...

Hurrache

Yeah, last time I saw them was last year on the trail leading south east off Fairy Castle. But I myself don't be there too early in the mornings these days.

Tenzor07

Big Nasty wrote: »

+1

I make a habbit of doing this

You can tell my the face on someone if you should bother saying hello at all..Most around Ticknock are casual walkers, so if you say hello to people while walking around Marlay park then by all means do so in the forest trails..

Will always give a hello or thanks to another Mtb'er when passing, and horse riders.. Motor bikers I don't care.. Casual walkers either, or those who hold there line, walk 3 or 4 abreast when they see you approach, a bit of mountain etiquette is missing from the likes of those..

prunudo

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Casual walkers either, or those who hold there line, walk 3 or 4 abreast when they see you approach, a bit of mountain etiquette is missing from the likes of those..

Its funny, i often hear my dad (who is into his walking but usually on his own) giving out about these big groups. Reckons they should be renamed talking clubs not walking clubs!

cjt156

Any one been up lately?
Are the maps all out of date now? Metro bottom continues down to the Biking.ie hut, whereas it used to finish at the top gate.
Is there a climb off road to get back to the gate by the trails?

muckwarrior

cjt156 wrote: »

Is there a climb off road to get back to the gate by the trails?

Unfortunately not. Would be nice if they added one back in.

steamsey

Was up over the Christmas. Jammers on Saturday - they're going to need more parking soon.

Yup - you have to cycle up via the tarmac now, it's not so bad but miss the old track up as it was a good warm up and decent bits of technical climbing. The only change to the map is the extension of Metro to the biking.ie hut.

Hurrache

The period over Christmas was really busy up there alright. Some amount of selfish parking though, particularly those wanting to park as close to the bike hut as possible.

They leave it stupidly narrow to allow a car to pass, but any fire vehicle trying to get up there won't even be able to get to the hut itself. They need to start putting up signage or just stickering ignorant parking.

And there's a high increase of the dumb ass phenomenon of people carrying their dog **** back to the gate and then throwing it on the hill alongside. Absolute fuckwits.

The Noble Nudge

cjt156 wrote: »

Any one been up lately?
Are the maps all out of date now? Metro bottom continues down to the Biking.ie hut, whereas it used to finish at the top gate.
Is there a climb off road to get back to the gate by the trails?

Ive used the "walkers" path if it is even such a thing...
Snails pace pulled in to a stop (awaiting an earful) for a few nosey oulwans to have a go at me needless to say my politeness in my understanding of the situation left them no option but to walk on.
Might be better to do it at night time when no walkers are around but I live on the edge..:p:D

Wanderer78

Hurrache wrote:

They leave it stupidly narrow to allow a car to pass, but any fire vehicle trying to get up there won't even be able to get to the hut itself. They need to start putting up signage or just stickering ignorant parking.

Oh I'd say emergency personal would make sure they'd get their vehicles to a fire, owners of badly parked cars probably wouldn't be too happy about the outcome though.

Hurrache

I don't think Dublin Fire Brigade would force a vehicle through, they haven't done yet, don't think they'll start. You'll often see photos on their social media with such obstructions.

kirving

If it came to it, and they were called for a forest fire or serious injury, I'd love to see them leave any car in their way in the ditch.

Parking up there some days is absolutely horrendous by 12pm when I'm finishing up. Really need to be ticketed by the council.

Wanderer78

Kevin Irving wrote:

Parking up there some days is absolutely horrendous by 12pm when I'm finishing up. Really need to be ticketed by the council.

Unfortunately that may eventually happen

steamsey

Wanderer78 wrote: »

Unfortunately that may eventually happen

I hope not. They don't do it at any of the other Coillte forest sites around the place (Cruagh, Kilmashogue etc) but they are not as busy as Ticknock. Ticknock's beauty and (now) potential problem is that it's so close for so many people.

I suppose it's better than having your car alone in the upper car park, and worried it'll get broken into. Safety in numbers.

It's a pain in the arse how busy it is, but it's the emergency services piece that worries me. Have seen a fair few mountain rescue jeeps, ambulances etc up there helping people over the years (including myself) and could be a serious issue if they couldn't get up to reach someone. I don't think people should have to pay to walk in the hills so I hope they find a solution other than ticketing. Maybe though, it's largely seasonal and will calm down post January.

Some signage around the place and more clearly marked parking spaces would definitely help as it is a bit of a free for all.

Wanderer78

steamsey wrote:

I hope not. They don't do it at any of the other Coillte forest sites around the place (Cruagh, Kilmashogue etc) but they are not as busy as Ticknock. Ticknock's beauty and (now) potential problem is that it's so close for so many people.

Parking fee seems to work well in ballyhoura, so don't be surprised if it eventually appears in ticknock, the ongoing parking issues may cause this.

Hurrache

steamsey wrote: »

I don't think people should have to pay to walk in the hills so I hope they find a solution other than ticketing. Maybe though, it's largely seasonal and will calm down post January.

By ticketing I assumed ticketing refers to badly parked cars, rather than paying to park? A couple of weekends of even just stickering cars highlighting bad and inconsiderate parking might be enough.

steamsey

Hurrache wrote: »

By ticketing I assumed ticketing refers to badly parked cars, rather than paying to park? A couple of weekends of even just stickering cars highlighting bad and inconsiderate parking might be enough.

Ah ok - I took it to mean paid parking, which I hope doesn't happen and don't think it will.

I think signage is the answer - the types of people who use the hills are usually pretty respectful and simple signage could do the job, especially if signs refer to emergency vehicle access required

Hurrache

I think part of the reason why Ticknock is so busy is an unfortunate reflection of the rampant theft we have from cars at other locations.

Mid week I prefer to park there, at the gates at Ballinastoe or GAP as they're busier and less isolated than everywhere else. Other locations around the Dublin and Wicklow mountains are pretty dodgy.

Tenzor07

I'd gladly park further down at Lambs or Taylors, however both pub landlords don't want MTB'ers parking there, and I wouldn't feel safe leaving my car at those places early morning before they open either..

Lemming

Tenzor07 wrote: »

I'd gladly park further down at Lambs or Taylors, however both pub landlords don't want MTB'ers parking there, and I wouldn't feel safe leaving my car at those places early morning before they open either..

Have those pubs said why they don't want mountain bikers parking there? I'd have thought they'd be thrilled - or indifferent at any rate - as there's a fair chance that folk will stop and have some food or drink afterwards, especially in the summer months.

Tenzor07

one doesn't want bikers taking up the spaces where staff park, the other from what I recall doesn't want bikers...

Would be good if the pub with the huge carpark had decent coffee, cakes or sandwiches, no biker wants to go in for beers when driving or a carvery

steamsey

Tenzor07 wrote: »

one doesn't want bikers taking up the spaces where staff park, the other from what I recall doesn't want bikers...

Would be good if the pub with the huge carpark had decent coffee, cakes or sandwiches, no biker wants to go in for beers when driving or a carvery

Lamb Doyle's has never had a problem with me leaving the car there.. I've parked there plenty, and sometimes have a pint afterwards..

I also love their Guinness (best after Bluer) so I'd stop in after a spin at Ticknock and have one or two outside with the bike when car isn't with me. At one point last summer the bar man was dropping pints out to us - he was asking all about biking. Spoke to the owner one night outside too in full bike gear a year or two ago, and the bike was beside me. She didn't seem anti MTB at all and neither do the one or two locals that still go there. Sometimes, you'll catch the barman playing darts on his own. Not a sinner in the place a lot of the time.

I'd say if anything it's clubs parking there, and then maybe not spending any money or just taking up a lot of space.

Can't imagine the bluer saying anything to you. As long as it's not 20 cars from a club, and you buy something occasionally.

Bluer is pro MTB for sure. Plenty of guys leave their bikes on the courtyard thing at front and have a pint, covered in mud. Owners and staff are sound. Savage pints.

Tenzor07

I'm sure the odd car here and there is fine at LD's.

I don't like to drive with any alcohol onboard.

Bluer is fine I am sure.

Big Nasty

The Lambs is never stuck for space. The Bluer is pretty welcoming to bikers but have limited space. Taylors have a lot of coach tours so probably wouldn't be happy with car park space being taken up in the evenings.

steamsey

Lamb Doyle's, with their massive empty car park, could definitely cash in on the mountain biking scene a bit more. They've zero interest in improving the place though - it was for sale for years so they were not pushed to do much with it. I've no idea if they are still trying to sell it - bar staff don't seem to know much about that. Complex planning history up there. Not sure if a pub is a goer on that site - used to be a popular place, people would go up for the carvery. Possibly a restaurant could do well - views over Dublin etc. But I love the idea of making it a walkers / MTBers - general mountain users' hub - food, advice, safe parking - all that. Next phase would to stick a cable car in from the car park to top of Ticknock!

They did used to have a hose at the back of Lamb Doyle's going back a few years and bikers would use it to clean bikes - it disappeared one day - and I wonder if this was a direct snub to bikers or what happened. This was around the time clubs would all meet in the car park and practically fill it - come back, pack up and leave without spending a penny generally.

I wouldn't park at Taylor's and cycle up purely because I really don't like cycling up Kellystown Road - love coming down it though. Doubt Taylor's would notice a few cars or even care but as said - they rely heavily on coaches and wouldn't want coach parking impacted.

Tenzor07

steamsey wrote: »

I'd say if anything it's clubs parking there, and then maybe not spending any money or just taking up a lot of space.
Can't imagine the bluer saying anything to you. As long as it's not 20 cars from a club, and you buy something occasionally.

steamsey wrote: »

This was around the time clubs would all meet in the car park and practically fill it - come back, pack up and leave without spending a penny generally.

Pretty hard on the clubs !

muckwarrior

steamsey wrote: »

Doubt Taylor's would notice a few cars or even care but as said - they rely heavily on coaches and wouldn't want coach parking impacted.

They don't mind you parking there during the winter, but in summer, when it's busier, they need all the spaces for customers. Was told this first hand by the manager (possibly owner).

smacl

muckwarrior wrote: »

They don't mind you parking there during the winter, but in summer, when it's busier, they need all the spaces for customers. Was told this first hand by the manager (possibly owner).

If you were happy enough to suck up the climb from Taylors adding the extra 2-3 minutes by parking in the back car park at Marlay seems like a decent alternative. No idea what it's like for theft, but the carpark at Kilmashogue woods is another alternative.

smacl

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Pretty hard on the clubs !

If its a private car park it is up to who ever owns it to say who can use it. Most will have a sign saying the car park is for customers only, which is fair enough.

Nalz

off topic I know, but it was suggested to post this here...

My wife is a dog walker, and one of her energetic dogs has ran off while up for a walk in ticknock. Springer Spaniel.

Clutching at straws I know but any help greatly appreciated.

<EDIT> Dog found, thanks all

prunudo

Hurrache wrote: »

I don't think Dublin Fire Brigade would force a vehicle through, they haven't done yet, don't think they'll start. You'll often see photos on their social media with such obstructions.

I know its dragging up an old post but I see they posted this today.
https://twitter.com/DubFireBrigade/status/1119960237178540032?s=19

Hurrache

That 3rd photo, that's just lazy and selfish bastards. Even on a busy day there's parking at the back of the loop

nak

Hurrache wrote: »

That 3rd photo, that's just lazy and selfish bastards. Even on a busy day there's parking at the back of the loop

Yep, loads of spaces on the other side yesterday. Watched them try to get the truck up the hill. They will force their way through if they have to, that would make people reconsider ditching the car anywhere they like. People were parked on both sides of the road the last time we had snow as the car park was inaccessible blocking in all the local residents.

Tenzor07

DFB should take a leaf out of the book of the NYFD and just force there way through...

DaveyDave

I know this thread is a bit old but I saw this today. The official trails have been renamed?
This may add to the confusion for those of us not too familiar with the trails. Don't know when this happened though so it may not be news to others. When I started up here around 2013 there was only upper and lower official trails known as Metro loop.

Upper Trail = Metro 2, aka Afterburner
New Loop = Euroservices aka Blazin' Saddles
Lower Trail = Metro aka Skyline

Barnstormer is officially marked
Tom's Climb is officially marked

Euroskeptic aka The Devil's Elbow

Kiddies Highway is the fire road where the Fairy Castle walking loop ends, the crossroad just up from the gate is where Barnstormer goes into Tom's Climb at the metal shed thing?

prunudo

Thats interesting, wonder what the thinking behind that was.

Tenzor07

They will always be the Metro's or the Euroserv's.... New names are awful! "Skyline..." FFS!

prunudo

The other thing of note from that sign is the grading of the trails, the mainloop (eurosceptic &metro) are graded difficult and Metro2 graded severe Are they trying to scare beginners away by making them sound more challenging than they are.
Would hate to see how they grade enduro and downhill trails.

Wanderer78

prunudo wrote:

The other thing of note from that sign is the grading of the trails, the mainloop (eurosceptic &metro) are graded difficult and Metro2 graded severe Are they trying to scare beginners away by making them sound more challenging than they are. Would hate to see how they grade enduro and downhill trails.

They probably have to for insurance purposes

DaveyDave

It looks like a nice loop. I watched a video of the new lower trail and Jesus it really is flowy! I'll miss the old one but once you pass the carpark the new section down towards the hut looks a bit like the original lower trail with the rocks and stuff so it's not entirely smooth.

Not a fan of the rocks in the beginning of the upper trail but Euroservices seems to avoid that now.

Now that I know about Barnstormer, Tom's Climb and Euroskeptic I'll have to head back again soon. It's also nice knowing I can start the day with Barnstormer and not have to head up the tarmac every time. Euroskeptic doesn't look too bad, bit narrower towards the end but just need to take it handy there.

steamsey

Interesting. Whatever about the names - at least it might create consistent naming among bikers after a while. But seriously - Afterburner?? There is nothing official up there that deserves a name like that - Afterthought might be better!! (joking - I love Ticknock).

If they start naming the unofficial trails that'd be really impressive stuff. Heard there are a few new unofficial trails emerging, which is badly needed after the felling armageddon of 2018.

muckwarrior

steamsey wrote: »

If they start naming the unofficial trails that'd be really impressive stuff.

The honour of naming a trail should go to whomever built it.

rizzodun

muckwarrior wrote: »

The honour of naming a trail should go to whomever built it.

Pretty poor and long winded suggestion for a trail to be honest.....

:pac: