Nire Valley Drop

comanche_cor

Hi,

Anyone know if the date for the nire valley drop has been announced yet?

bogmanfan

October 28 I believe. Looking forward to doing this one for the first time. The 60km route looks a good spin.

comanche_cor wrote: »

Hi,

Anyone know if the date for the nire valley drop has been announced yet?

comanche_cor

bogmanfan wrote: »

October 28 I believe. Looking forward to doing this one for the first time. The 60km route looks a good spin.

Never done it myself either - hoping to get it done this year!

The Noble Nudge

Lads trying to sign up for this too but cant find anything current online?
Any links Ive emailed the organisers too...
cheers

Wanderer78

is there a lot of steep climbing on this?

Tenzor07

Wanderer78 wrote: »

is there a lot of steep climbing on this?

Around 1600m of climbing over the 52k or so...

Wanderer78

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Around 1600m of climbing over the 52k or so...

are the climbs steep and plentiful? my enduro is a brute at 14kg, climbs get a little annoying to say the least

rizzodun

Wanderer78 wrote: »

are the climbs steep and plentiful? my enduro is a brute at 14kg, climbs get a little annoying to say the least

They're plentiful alright, not too steep, more long, very long. The one to the mid point is a bitch. Great day out on a bike, but maybe a tough day on a full on enduro bike. A XC or Trail bike would be the best bet. I've done it on a 29er, was perfect for it.

Wanderer78

rizzodun wrote: »

They're plentiful alright, not too steep, more long, very long. The one to the mid point is a bitch. Great day out on a bike, but maybe a tough day on a full on enduro bike. A XC or Trail bike would be the best bet. I've done it on a 29er, was perfect for it.

retired my 26 inch hard tail couple of years ago, wrecked it, pushed it beyond its limits. have debated doing the drop but our approach to mountain biking has changed a lot over the couple of years since the purchase of the enduro. id rather horse it around places like bike park now and on our own trails. the drop does sound like a good day though, so i ll see

seaviewphotos

Done the short course last year on a borrowed hardtail, bought my own earlier this year especially for this event. Thoroughly enjoyed it last year and can wait for this year's event.

The Noble Nudge

Registration will be live next week...

Has anyone a strava profile for the 60k version they would care to share...

JazzyJ

How much easier than the Cooley Thriller is it? Died a horrible death at that this year, even though I thought I'd more training/fitness than previous years

bogmanfan

JazzyJ wrote: »

How much easier than the Cooley Thriller is it? Died a horrible death at that this year, even though I thought I'd more training/fitness than previous years

Surely it can't be any harder than this year's Cooley!!! Weather made a tough day even tougher. I'd say there's still a few on the mountain waiting to finish.

From looking at Strava it seems to be around 250m less climbing so that's a good start. Planning to do it for the first time this year. Sure there's a couple of months to go yet - plenty of time to get a bit more training in.

Tenzor07

JazzyJ wrote: »

How much easier than the Cooley Thriller is it? Died a horrible death at that this year, even though I thought I'd more training/fitness than previous years

I'd say the NVD will have a lot more fireroad than techy singletrack/descents/climbs...

Not sure if they'll have the 3 great food stops the Cooley had..

emeraldmtb

I know the date is the 28th of October, as previously mentioned. The organisers asked to have it added to theEmerald MTB event calendar.

I don't think they're ready for registrations yet, their Facebook page has only just started being updated with some photos of trail work being done. (FB: nirevalleydrop )

rizzodun

Thinking I may sign up to this, might even rock up with the Boards MTB jersey!

Whatwicklow

The Noble Nudge wrote: »

Registration will be live next week...

Has anyone a strava profile for the 60k version they would care to share...

Pm sent

Whatwicklow

2017 Long one is 58km with nearly 1600up. Easier than the cooley, you can pedal everything . Nice trails great xc day out . Nothing technical on three downs

2016 was 55km with 1400up

ianobrien

I'm tempted to sign up when the registration opens. To be honest, I don't think I'd manage the full 55 to 60km one, so will probably do the shorter one.

Can I ask the people here who have done it, how does the route compare to the White in the Ballyhoura's? It's roughness, rock gardens, etc is what I'm trying to compare.

rizzodun

ianobrien wrote: »

I'm tempted to sign up when the registration opens. To be honest, I don't think I'd manage the full 55 to 60km one, so will probably do the shorter one.

Can I ask the people here who have done it, how does the route compare to the White in the Ballyhoura's? It's roughness, rock gardens, etc is what I'm trying to compare.

I done it a few years back, it's long fire road climbs split with 9 'drops' these are a mix of single track descents and rough wide descents. Some are rocky but no rock gardens as such, just off road. It's very capable on a normal short travel xc bike, a full suss trail bike would be more comfortable however.

I've never done the White in the Ballyhouras so I can't make a comparison, but if you've ridden off road trails at all you'll manage it. There's no steep surprises to catch you out.

Wanderer78

ianobrien wrote:

Can I ask the people here who have done it, how does the route compare to the White in the Ballyhoura's? It's roughness, rock gardens, etc is what I'm trying to compare.

Even though I've never done the drop, I suspect you ll be fine, as I believe it's geared towards people that have basic skills. Been a long time since I've been in ballyhoura, must get back there soon. I'm sure you d have a blast doing the drop, enjoy

ford2600

ianobrien wrote: »

I'm tempted to sign up when the registration opens. To be honest, I don't think I'd manage the full 55 to 60km one, so will probably do the shorter one.

Can I ask the people here who have done it, how does the route compare to the White in the Ballyhoura's? It's roughness, rock gardens, etc is what I'm trying to compare.

It's a hard day on bike by any measure but not very technical. I'm local to area and would have ridden most of trails more than most; but not for a while on mtb.

The route actually traverses two valleys; the Nire and Glenahiry to the north. There is a mountain bike club active to the north of route and a little of their trails are used for last two years; which has added to route.

On the rest of route some trail building has been done each year before event; but as there is no mtb club active in area it's pretty limited.


I'd be surprised if you didn't enjoy the welcome to area and the community feel of it in general.

ianobrien

Well, I may be worried needlessly. Saturday I did 21km with 550m up and it didn't really notice it. The weekend before I did 42km. I prefer the XC stuff rather than the narrow rough trail so it seem like something I'd like.

I see that you can decide on the day which route you want to do. Can you decide while "on route" which one you want to do?

All I have to do is talk my usual cycling crew to do it!

rizzodun

ianobrien wrote: »

Well, I may be worried needlessly. Saturday I did 21km with 550m up and it didn't really notice it. The weekend before I did 42km. I prefer the XC stuff rather than the narrow rough trail so it seem like something I'd like.

I see that you can decide on the day which route you want to do. Can you decide while "on route" which one you want to do?

All I have to do is talk my usual cycling crew to do it!

You can decide while "on route", if I'm correct the first half of the two routes are the same, so you cab see how you're feeling after about 20km.

Vizzy

Was talking to one of the organisers today.

Routes will probably be 30ish and 55ish.
There will be a few changes from last year to make some of the long draggy climbs and replace them with more short & probably steeper ones.
The first 5 or 6 Km is mostly climbing with only 2 downhill bits but most of it is very manageable.
The organisers are also exploring a few new offroad parts ( mostly singletrack) so they will be good.

Once the first 10k or so is out of the way the drops come thick and fast and the last 5k is all downhill with one very fast offroad section( Chicken George) and a few nice short steep drops as well.


If the days leading up to it are wet, then there will be plenty of fun in the mud and if they are dry, then it is a pleasure to ride and can be very fast in sections.


There are a number of places where you can swap between the long and short routes on the day and there are marshalls at nearly every major junction.


One way or another you will love it (but you'll sleep that night)

Wanderer78

This sounds very well organised, I might check it out myself

benneca1

Possible to do this on cx bike

rizzodun

benneca1 wrote: »

Possible to do this on cx bike

Anything's possible, not everything's comfortable.

In short, I wouldn't recommend it, borrow a MTB for the day even.

Whatwicklow

There was a short course boy 1/2 way down Chicken George getting medical attention last year, flat out he tried jump of the drainage ditches and put his knee out on landing.. that's the thing with these events they aren't predictable xc trails , you need to expect anything !!

Hopefully weather is better, last 10km last year was a pure slog thru 150mm of grime

Vizzy

Whatwicklow wrote: »

There was a short course boy 1/2 way down Chicken George getting medical attention last year, flat out he tried jump of the drainage ditches and put his knee out on landing.. that's the thing with these events they aren't predictable xc trails , you need to expect anything !!

Hopefully weather is better, last 10km last year was a pure slog thru 150mm of grime

That wasn't on Chicken George.

I think that the drop is called the Nire Valley Drop ( there is a nice cambered bit at the bottom of it)

The jump was put in by a guy in a HiMac who thought we all wanted to appear on RedBull Tv.

It has been flattened out now though but you can still get some air on it if you hit it at speed.

Top Dog

Latest information from their Facebook page is that they're meeting this week and entries will hopefully be opening this weekend.

Anyone know how much it costs to enter? I presume its a flat fee?

Whatwicklow

Hopefully it won't clash with the ballyhoura tour

emeraldmtb

The Tour de Ballyhouras is on the 14th of october, the Nire Valley Drop is on the 28th of October. Both dates provided by the organizers, so should be definite.

Whatwicklow

14th for Balyhoura I guess!
Thanks - They are now locked in the diary! 
The Greystones CX is on the 27th so will need to be skipped - NVD will need full legs!

emeraldmtb

Whatwicklow wrote: »

14th for Balyhoura I guess!
Thanks - They are now locked in the diary! 
The Greystones CX is on the 27th so will need to be skipped - NVD will need full legs!

14th yes, sorry. :P

Top Dog

Been watching a bunch of videos on youtube of this event going back over the years. One of the things that stood out to me though, was the lack of pads being used? Is it fairly tame as far as risk is concerned?

Also, for anyone who's done it before, hows the parking? Thinking of doing the drop but might have to go to Dublin that night so considering staying the Saturday night in the camper (7m long). Wondering if I'll be able to find space to park it on the day?

The tax man

Parking last year was at the Ballymacarby Community center, where the event starts and finishes. Have a look on google earth for the car park, standard spaces maybe room around the back for something bigger than a car/van. Think they also used another car park up the road at the GAA club.
The year before that we had use of the field opposite for parking.
I'd ask the orginisers if they can advise on parking options for a camper.

Wanderer78

Top Dog wrote:

Been watching a bunch of videos on youtube of this event going back over the years. One of the things that stood out to me though, was the lack of pads being used? Is it fairly tame as far as risk is concerned?

Even though I've never done the drop, it does seem to be geared towards the more leisured mountain biker, of which there's nothing wrong with of course, it does seem like a very well run event though, and im sure, a good fun day out

Vizzy

Top Dog wrote: »

Been watching a bunch of videos on youtube of this event going back over the years. One of the things that stood out to me though, was the lack of pads being used? Is it fairly tame as far as risk is concerned?

Also, for anyone who's done it before, hows the parking? Thinking of doing the drop but might have to go to Dublin that night so considering staying the Saturday night in the camper (7m long). Wondering if I'll be able to find space to park it on the day?

Ill ask one of the organisers in the morning if it OK for you to park in the Community Centre car park on Saturday night.

Edit: Contacted one of the organisers. You will need to contact the Community Centre directly on 052 6185483 to use the car park adjacent to the centre. You will prob need to move the camper on the morning of the NVD to allow the cyclists to park there, but you could move the van down to the GAA field which is only 300m away.

ianobrien

Vizzy wrote: »

Ill ask one of the organisers in the morning if it OK for you to park in the Community Centre car park on Saturday night.

Edit: Contacted one of the organisers. You will need to contact the Community Centre directly on 052 6185483 to use the car park adjacent to the centre. You will prob need to move the camper on the morning of the NVD to allow the cyclists to park there, but you could move the van down to the GAA field which is only 300m away.

Thanks for posting that as I'll probably be doing the same, trying to park the camper the night before (and then use it for a post event shower)

Top Dog

Thanks for that Vizzy.

Don't suppose you've any idea when registrations will be opening?

mollser

Wanderer78 wrote: »

Even though I've never done the drop, it does seem to be geared towards the more leisured mountain biker, of which there's nothing wrong with of course, it does seem like a very well run event though, and im sure, a good fun day out

Think of it more like the Blitz - definitely suitable for leisure / beginner mtb'rs, but it was fairly racy for the full course! I did it last year in the muck, thought it was a brilliant event, a lot of fire road but the trails were fun. They seem to be adding to them all the time. Very tempted to go back this year.

The setup and support from the locals was outstanding

Whatwicklow

mollser wrote: »

Think of it more like the Blitz - definitely suitable for leisure / beginner mtb'rs, but it was fairly racy for the full course! I did it last year in the muck, thought it was a brilliant event, a lot of fire road but the trails were fun. They seem to be adding to them all the time. Very tempted to go back this year.

The setup and support from the locals was outstanding

This ⬆️⬆️⬆️

Vizzy

Top Dog wrote: »

Thanks for that Vizzy.

Don't suppose you've any idea when registrations will be opening?

Ill find out

Vizzy

It is open on Event Master, even though it has not been officially announced.

It might be starting an hour earlier this year, so keep an eye on the Facebook page for updates.

Wanderer78

Vizzy wrote:

It might be starting an hour earlier this year, so keep an eye on the Facebook page for updates.

How long does the whole circuit take normally?

Vizzy

Depending on your fitness, anything from 2 to 5 hours
The reason that they would like to start an hour earlier is that they have to take down all the signs etc on the day, so they will be there till 5 or 6pm.
There is deer hunting in all the forests,so they weren't allowed to start until 12 in previous years. This might be changing this year.

Tenzor07

Entries are open now:


https://sirius.eventmaster.ie/event/vZ5SPoSb4

seaviewphotos

Signed up today, done this event last year and now I can't wait for this years event. Hopefully the new sections of the course will be as good as last years, super day out.

Wanderer78

seaviewphotos wrote:

Signed up today, done this event last year and now I can't wait for this years event. Hopefully the new sections of the course will be as good as last years, super day out.

Friend of mine cycled the trails last week, sounds like he had a lot of fun, enjoy the day

ianobrien

Well, it looks like I won't be able to experience my first Nire Valley Drop this year. I've just been told that there is another event that I've got no choice in attending.......

I was looking forward to it with a mix of trepidation, fear and excitement.