My spin today...

Don't mind at all steamsey, I really welcome any hints, tips, advice etc, thanks.

Wailin wrote: »

Took the hardtail out yesterday for a change and just did the coilte loop at ticknock, no natural stuff. Afterburner on a hardtail is totally different compared to the full suss. That long rock garden section before the woods is a right bone shaker!

Metro 1/skyline, always nice to have this long descent to finish out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dz_CRnsrCII

You were really 'Wailin' those berms.....


I'll get my coat...

Yeah knew it was there for a few weeks before that vid surfaced. Have only done it once so far. It's wild enough, definitely the hardest trail in Djouce. Joins up with Irn Bru just before you fire into that final rough section at the bottom. It's a combo of loose and steep, but mainly the loose that makes it hard IMO. Once you're fine doing the roll downs on Dutch Gold, StumpJumper, and IrnBru the steep isn't so bad. There's only one main chute and one big bomb hole. The loose is very like that section that goes straight down the hill near the top of Crone. I'm never sure whether I'm actually in control or just on the edge of losing it!

Lemming wrote: »

Got a link for that video? I'm in need of more torture today on top of the two tyres that turned up from CRC that cost more than I've paid for some car tyres ...

https://youtu.be/Q1r590WdcmU?t=783

Wailin wrote: »

Angry badger looks class alright! Bit short but great to see natural trails mixed with the hard pack stuff in the bike park. I hope they do more of this stuff. Is it easy to find? Have never even been to the gap yet. I'm waiting to go midweek as the weekend would be too crazy for my liking.

Its easy enough, take the sign post up towards the black trails and keep going straight you can't miss it. The trails for the most part aren't too busy on weekend afternoons excluding the skills area which is very very busy. The morning looks crazy though.

Wailin wrote: »

One from last week at Ticknock. This is a great link up, T -connector to Mojave to leap of the bunny. Has a bit of everything. Rocky single track, tight rooty section and fast flowy bit with a few jumps near the end. The climb back up though is soul destroying.

When you finish leap of the bunny at the road take the next two left turns for a milder climb, still a bit on the steep side though:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/53.2445082,-6.2215004/53.2473073,-6.227648/@53.2422007,-6.2325852,15z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e1

Hit GAP last night for the first time on a bike I picked up late last year and maybe I'd guess for the first time since the enduro there last year. Jesus I was totally at sea on the easy flow trails for the first hour. My big XL suddenly felt very big and unweildy. Take me back across to Djouce any day! She shrank again after that though and things started to feel more normal. Some amount of people up there, great to see.

jrby wrote: »

Is the Gap open in the evenings now? Or just Thursdays?

Just Thursdays, as far as I know. Check their Facebook page to confirm.

First visit to the Slieve Blooms today, beautiful area. I just did the Baunreagh loop following the signs initially. Was finished after about 40ish minutes so took the road up to the upper trails. Passed two trails that were unfinished so there will be plenty of km's to keep everyone happy when finished. The link up with the trails from the top is nice and long, not the most exciting, just your typical coilte trails with little or no features. Great to get out though on a day like today and enjoy the fresh air and views.

Mo bother to you, must be that fancy new bike!

Wailin wrote: »

Thanks M, second spin on the bike today and still adjusting to it!

You need gloves and elbowpads or a long sleeve top or you'll fuq yourself up. Fullface helmet too.

fatbhoy wrote: »

You need gloves and elbowpads or a long sleeve top or you'll fuq yourself up. Fullface helmet too.

I keep all that gear for the more sketchy stuff, and in particular, wet rooty trails (my nemesis!). Hot summers day, a full face is the last thing I need going up hills. If its any consolidation to you I had knee pads...As for gloves, just simply forgot them.

Wailin wrote: »

Epic solo spin last weekend. Weather was unreal, got burnt to a crisp, and scenery was something else. First time doing a lot of the trails, some great natural stuff in these areas.






This one in Laragh stood out for me. But "stealth" near moneystown was unreal too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFPZhGZos98

That's class, we have very few flowy trails like that down here, it's all vertical fall-lines where you're hanging off your brakes for survival 90% of the time.

Is there anyone frequenting here since the outage and new layout.

Some heat out there today, really zapped the energy out of me on the climbs. Still though, far better than last Sunday which was misty wet shite.

I went exploring around Keeper hill yesterday. It's a fantastic spot but goddamn it was hot. I only got to scratch the surface of what's there.

North Tipp.

Was very tempted to sign up for Djouce but confidence is still not there since my off last year. Stupid really because I know Djouce and there's no real reason why I shouldn't but something in my head hesitated hitting the send button for the entry.

As you say though, it looks like a grassroots format which should be good. Also I noticed that trail breaker are involved in the stage design so that should be interesting.

Djouce Enduro was good - had a massive crash on 2nd run of stage 3 which messed me up and I had to quit but great to be back racing. I still think I prefer the old Enduro format and wonder what the future is. 3 stages as many times as you like, and no practice day, doesn't feel like an Enduro exactly. It is a good format though and probably more accessible but maybe not good training for any youngsters planning to join the EWS. Was pretty busy there and great to see / hear lads from all around the country participating.

Anyway - was at Ballinastoe yesterday afternoon. No one around so was a nice quiet spin. Just did the official trails which are all riding very well. Ticknock probably the next spin this week and want to get to Crone at some point.

Any injuries or did you get away unscathed. A mate of mine had an off on stage 3 too, just a bit black and blue but he got shook up.

Last Sunday down in Wexford.