MTB - Lusk area

instinct · 03-01-2011 11:33PM #1

Hey I read a few comments about trails around Ardgillan Castle. Am moving out the Lusk direction soon and am just wondering what is on my doorstep.

Thanks

Mark

bcmf · 04-01-2011 01:22AM

instinct wrote: »

Hey I read a few comments about trails around Ardgillan Castle. Am moving out the Lusk direction soon and am just wondering what is on my doorstep.

Thanks

Mark

Thats about it. There is on in Drogheda that goes all the way along the Boyne to Navan or so I am told. Havent tried it yet but fully intend to shortly.

Lawdie · 04-01-2011 11:45PM

Hey, firstly welcome to North County Dublin, Ardgillan has no mtb trails. The circuit is a loop that has a flat downhill and decent climb for training but there are no up and downy bits!
Another member suggested Howth for tracks and was going to arrange an intro spin. Still awaiting this posting.
Do you drive? as this is the only real solution.

GlennaMaddy · 05-01-2011 12:04PM

Ardgillan has a (ridiculous) speed limit of 5km/h (or 8km/h) imposed on cyclists. When asked about the one year trial they ran in 2009, they said that cycling in the park had worked out, the only problem they had was the occasional 'racing types' that have shown up :eek:

instinct · 05-01-2011 12:18PM

Ok cheers for that. So the circuit is on tarmac is it ?

I'm from North Dublin and do Howth the odd time. I drive but now that we can take bikes on the train I may use it to get to howth junction and cycle to howth. Its another option apart from trekking out to the mountains.

So are they fairly strict in Ardgillan ? Kind of sounds like it.

Beasty · 05-01-2011 12:34PM

Ardgillan is not tarmac - its basically a trail through the woods.

I don't think they are particularly strict - bcmf and a few of the other local guys went out on it a few weeks ago, but I suspect there were few others out that day.

However it is a facility that is used by families/kids - it is not designed to be anything technical, and I am sure they would (quite rightly in my opinion) clamp down on anyone they consider "racing" if this puts other users (including those walking around the park) at any perceived risk

GlennaMaddy · 05-01-2011 01:03PM

@Beasty: Couldn't agree more.

But there's potential to accomodate adults too IMO. Ardgillan is the only place I know of that has a lengthy hillside between the Cooley and Wicklow mountains so I think there's plenty of scope to develop proper off-road trails in Ardgillan, even a DH MTB track, if FCC could be shown how this has been done elsewhere they could be convinced.

RobFowl · 05-01-2011 01:44PM

GlennaMaddy wrote: »

Ardgillan has a (ridiculous) speed limit of 5km/h (or 8km/h) imposed on cyclists.

Maybe we need one of these !!

GlennaMaddy · 05-01-2011 01:50PM

We should ask FCC to treat us fairly and request a similar sign to be erected for runners, as many of these 'running types' run above 8km/h

bcmf · 05-01-2011 03:43PM

GlennaMaddy wrote: »

the only problem they had was the occasional 'racing types' that have shown up :eek:

well the problem stems from the fact that shaungil tagged along. nuff said!:D

The wardens are generally ok about cyclists using the trail as long as you keep to the trail.However I have been collared going the wrong way back up ie not going back up via the tarmac section. There is one warden who seems to be put out about cyclists... but he is a grumpy bollix anyway.
There is deffo huge potential for a really decent dedicated off road track.
Time to get in Trevor Sargents ear before he possibly gets shunted out of office!

RobFowl · 05-01-2011 04:36PM

I've heard of an off road track from Gormanstown beach as far as laytown which must look into. The grounds around Gormonstown school also have tracks which the brothers allow local cyclists to use as long as they behave.
Might talk BCMF and Midonohoe into a spot of investigating....

bcmf · 05-01-2011 04:52PM

Gormanston to Laytown would be nice spin (in the snow )

Beasty · 05-01-2011 04:58PM

GlennaMaddy wrote: »

But there's potential to accomodate adults too IMO. Ardgillan is the only place I know of that has a lengthy hillside between the Cooley and Wicklow mountains so I think there's plenty of scope to develop proper off-road trails in Ardgillan, even a DH MTB track, if FCC could be shown how this has been done elsewhere they could be convinced.

I agree, but you guys put a great deal of effort into getting what is there already - seeing the pigs-ear FCC have made of water supplies and other infrastructure issues, I for one don't believe there is the will (or indeed ability) in current local politicians to deliver on this sort of thing (unfortunately).

Whatever happened to that grant that was supposed to provide cycling facilities from Skerries up past our place and onto Ardgillan? Is that still going ahead?

bcmf · 05-01-2011 05:06PM

but with an election imminent at least we can try an get a political promise (:P)

Beasty · 05-01-2011 05:09PM

bcmf wrote: »

but with an election imminent at least we can try an get a political promise (:P)

Agreed, this is the time to put pressure on - I am just very sceptical about delivery ....

Gavin · 07-01-2011 01:20PM

Tedious bickering moved to... Tedious bickering !

MTB - Lusk area

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