Slieve Bloom trail centre

Claude Burgundy · 23-10-2019 2:37pm

Tenzor07 wrote: »

I'm sure in this context it means "not worth the trip" for the trail center they're building...

Yes that's it

xxyyzz · 28-10-2019 3:36pm

I went back to the slieve Blooms today and for some unknown reason they have resurfaced the long fireroad climb up to the start of the trail. God knows why this needs resurfacing given how far behind the project is. They have also closed off the lower section of the descent they had open with a Fairymount farm - under maintenance sign up. It's great to see some competent trail builders involved but Christ on a bike how long more is it gonna be before they open the thing up? The local bike hire businesses must be doing their nut.

iwillhtfu · 28-10-2019 3:47pm

xxyyzz wrote: »

I went back to the slieve Blooms today and for some unknown reason they have resurfaced the long fireroad climb up to the start of the trail. God knows why this needs resurfacing given how far behind the project is. They have also closed off the lower section of the descent they had open with a Fairymount farm - under maintenance sign up. It's great to see some competent trail builders involved but Christ on a bike how long more is it gonna be before they open the thing up? The local bike hire businesses must be doing their nut.

The last I was the the bottom was a mess or at least that section where there's a switch back turned into a straight. Have they opened any of the top sections yet or is it still just the bit after you pedal up the fire road across that open section.

I'd say the ebike place is getting some business by people looking to head up the fire roads and have a right ramble about the forests.

As you say though what is taking them so long. I'd say the budget is completely blown. They should have gotten the guy based at BPW that hepled design The Gap.

prunudo · 28-10-2019 4:19pm

Doesn't sound like a great time to be a bike rental business, between delays to opening and insurance worries must be a nightmare.

http://www.stickybottle.com/latest-news/waterford-greenway-businesses-face-closure-due-to-cycling-insurance/

xxyyzz · 28-10-2019 4:39pm

iwillhtfu wrote: »

The last I was the the bottom was a mess or at least that section where there's a switch back turned into a straight. Have they opened any of the top sections yet or is it still just the bit after you pedal up the fire road across that open section.

I'd say the ebike place is getting some business by people looking to head up the fire roads and have a right ramble about the forests.

As you say though what is taking them so long. I'd say the budget is completely blown. They should have gotten the guy based at BPW that hepled design The Gap.

I actually didn't even look at the upper section because I had a tired and emotional 6 year old who wasn't on for any more climbing. You're right about the lower section, they had a few switchbacks where you come in at speed and there was no berm to catch you, just a flat corner with a drop on the other side. Hopefully Graham and Scott sort it all out. Great to see them still involved in the MTB scene.

iwillhtfu · 28-10-2019 7:55pm

They must've been listening/reading

Not long now according to Bloomeriders

https://www.facebook.com/Bloomeriders-2061549667230231/

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74226564_2750458585005999_7714679119601991680_o.jpg?_nc_cat=104&cachebreaker=hd&_nc_oc=AQlDT9WIEzt2QjnX0sVLIaBmhRanTq-6kj4oVImcreedcubeAtlzA5sij1JOUZPUq4Q&_nc_ht=scontent.fdub2-2.fna&oh=1e4600f7a5d28099aef93820813b85ac&oe=5E552032

mad turnip · 04-11-2019 1:13pm

xxyyzz wrote: »

There's plenty of good natural stuff there if you're strava-savvy, I wouldn't say it's not worth the trip.

I had a soop around there, what are the difficulty of the trails like, a fair few don't seem particularlly steep would they fall into a more xc type? Our riding group has quite the varied skill level.

SWD the only trail on trailforks has a black rating yet the overall gradient is 8%
Maybe there is some bigger features on them?

Lemming · 04-11-2019 2:06pm

mad turnip wrote: »

SWD the only trail on trailforks has a black rating yet the overall gradient is 8%
Maybe there is some bigger features on them?

It's not gradient that makes the rating; it's trail features, although granted you'll frequently find gradient with trail features on more demanding trails anyway just to add confusion. There is another rating system that does incorporate gradients but it's not very user-friendly to understand (and I'm not sure I do either so I'll not even try save to mention it exists).

From memory - and I stand to be corrected -

Blue: rollers, table tops, and berms for the most part are what you'll encounter
Red: Above + rock gardens and maybe some [smaller] drops. Alternate chicken lines are most likely available.
Black: above on steroids. Alternate chicken lines are probably available.
Orange: Above + ensure you are oh-so-comfortable going airborne because you are very unlikely to find chicken-lines as you will be expected to hit that 10ft jump with punji stake pit.

Good jib! · 04-11-2019 5:12pm

Those punji stake pits take feckin' ages to install, which I guess would account for the delay in opening up the trails!

Lemming · 04-11-2019 6:07pm

Good jib! wrote: »

Those punji stake pits take feckin' ages to install, which I guess would account for the delay in opening up the trails!

I should have said I was referring to the general application of the colour-coded ranking system, not the Slieve Bloom trails.

I left myself open to that one

... cheeky bugger

covey123 · 04-11-2019 7:53pm

Good jib! wrote: »

Those punji stake pits take feckin' ages to install, which I guess would account for the delay in opening up the trails!

:D:D:D

booooonzo · 08-11-2019 1:04am

The blooms had original contractors leave and they have gotten smaller contract teams on board who know trails and mtb.
might be frustrating but its a better outcome imo. they are only blues as far as i know but the quality has ramped up i believe
I would gladly wait months more for Coolaney knowing it was being done right...

iwillhtfu · 08-11-2019 9:46am

booooonzo wrote: »

The blooms had original contractors leave and they have gotten smaller contract teams on board who know trails and mtb.
might be frustrating but its a better outcome imo. they are only blues as far as i know but the quality has ramped up i believe
I would gladly wait months more for Coolaney knowing it was being done right...

Has it not been years since either were proposed? Also not everyones opinion of being done right is the same that's why both sites aren't even remotely ready for opening. If we get one decent trail out of either I'll be surprised. They're not building bike parks they're building a couple of generic trails that don't appear to be much more than hiking or deer trails.

I for one was happy to wait to see the final product but at this point it's an absolute farce and only a matter of time before funding is dried up and we're left with what is typically Irish and unfinished project. Also let's not forget the first hint of a claim of any description on these trails and they'll be changed to walking only trails.

Tenzor07 · 08-11-2019 10:07am

At this stage with the winter almost upon us and the long nights, I predict it will be early Summer 2020 before anything opens...

booooonzo · 08-11-2019 11:19am

Yes years, so much has gone wrong you would not even believe.. a perfect storm!
Yes everyone has different opinions of what's a good trail but even non debatable things like surface are being done wrong.
It's very hard to specify a trail but it's all the more reason to employ mtb based builders who have a level of passion understanding and general cop on. Not civil firms.

Funding is not drying up, I can guarentee you that but that's all the more reason to start getting things right!

booooonzo · 08-11-2019 11:20am

My best guess is coolaney will be March/April opening.

xxyyzz · 10-11-2019 12:31am

The BPI lads have done a good job on revamping the trail that was open. It's like a slightly tamer version of the old blue trail at BPI. It's not technical but as with all well designed trails, the faster you go the more fun you can get out of it. I'm looking forward to seeing what they do with the rest of it.

prunudo · 01-12-2019 8:47am

https://www.leinsterexpress.ie/news/arts-culture-entertainment/498096/christmas-bikes-at-the-ready-for-slieve-bloom-bike-trails.html

Good news for all you midlands riders. 21km should keep you entertained while everything else is slop at the moment.

Claude Burgundy · 02-12-2019 10:31am

prunudo wrote: »

https://www.leinsterexpress.ie/news/arts-culture-entertainment/498096/christmas-bikes-at-the-ready-for-slieve-bloom-bike-trails.html

Good news for all you midlands riders. 21km should keep you entertained while everything else is slop at the moment.

Great to hear

Tenzor07 · 02-12-2019 11:30am

prunudo wrote: »

Good news for all you midlands riders. 21km should keep you entertained while everything else is slop at the moment.

21k doesn't seem bad, the lap at Ballinastoe in Wicklow is only 14k..

And i'm sure this new trail will be a lot more interesting than B'stoe...(which wouldn't be difficult!)

covey123 · 02-12-2019 2:02pm

xxyyzz wrote: »

The BPI lads have done a good job on revamping the trail that was open. It's like a slightly tamer version of the old blue trail at BPI.

Have you any more updates on this?Is it worth a spin over the Christmas holidays?

booooonzo · 04-12-2019 4:23pm

xxyyzz wrote: »

The BPI lads have done a good job on revamping the trail that was open. It's like a slightly tamer version of the old blue trail at BPI. It's not technical but as with all well designed trails, the faster you go the more fun you can get out of it. I'm looking forward to seeing what they do with the rest of it.

When you have Mountain Bikers involved , things work out a hell of a lot better!!

Been telling that powers that be this for a long time and the tide is slowly changing for the better!

Good jib! · 10-12-2019 4:02pm

The linked article was a bit vague, talking about the trail opening at the end of December. I'd imagine with the 25th being a Wednesday, the trail would have to be open on the week from the 16th to the 20th, as after that everyone's going to be on holidays.

I'd love to go for a spin over the holidays, but even if the trail is open, I doubt the bike rental place will be.

xxyyzz · 15-12-2019 12:56am

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10162684890310511&id=811625510&preview_rid=10162684909415511

Good jib! · 16-12-2019 9:19am

Hard to know what to think from that timelapse video. My initial reaction was that it looks too wide and too flat, almost like a walking route. But then again maybe that's just because it's still "fresh" and needs time to bed in.

Comparing it to Ballyhoura, it seems like they've just covered over any natural rocks, bumps etc:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0gikQx9CLM

I'll reserve judgement until I've been up there though, the camera doesn't always do justice.

iwillhtfu · 16-12-2019 9:57am

Good jib! wrote: »

I'll reserve judgement until I've been up there though, the camera doesn't always do justice.

I'd be similar to this myself but the absolute lack of features is a bit concerning when they're saying themselves they're making lovely shapes. I have yet to see one drop/ledge/rock garden or anything even resembling a blue trail I won't even think about red for the minute.

prunudo · 16-12-2019 10:11am

Its catch 22 about the width, they need to create a solid base, yet to do so they need to be able to drive their machinery back and forward to get materiald in. Once the natural edges start encroaching back in the trail will get narrower but still have the benefit of the wide base for structural support so the edges don't break away.

xxyyzz · 16-12-2019 11:11am

There won't be any drops in a trail centre trail. From what little of it I have ridden there are plenty of rollers with potential for doubles and berms and it's a fast flowy trail. There were also a number of rock gardens thrown in similar to the tech loops near the carpark in ballyhoura. Plenty of off piste stuff also.

Good jib! · 16-12-2019 11:40am

xxyyzz wrote: »

There won't be any drops in a trail centre trail. From what little of it I have ridden there are plenty of rollers with potential for doubles and berms and it's a fast flowy trail. There were also a number of rock gardens thrown in similar to the tech loops near the carpark in ballyhoura. Plenty of off piste stuff also.

Do you mean there are rock gardens in the Slieve Bloom, either planned or already done?

iwillhtfu · 16-12-2019 11:45am

Good jib! wrote: »

Do you mean there are rock gardens in the Slieve Bloom, either planned or already done?

I didn't see any up there but it's been a while. As for there being no drops or similar features that would be the main problem in my opinion and the reason most think it's a waste of money. They're basically building access routes to trails that will be built by clubs outside of the centre.

xxyyzz · 16-12-2019 12:35pm

iwillhtfu wrote: »

I didn't see any up there but it's been a while. As for there being no drops or similar features that would be the main problem in my opinion and the reason most think it's a waste of money. They're basically building access routes to trails that will be built by clubs outside of the centre.

Well they aren't exactly Mont St Anne style rock gardens but there are a number of them put in on the section that is open. To be honest they'd hardly slow you down. Look, it is what it is. Coillte were never going to build a bike park and the BPI lads who are designing it are treading a fine line between what is fun to ride and keeping it rideable for beginners. What is there is a lot of fun as I said, it is very fast and flowy like the original blue trail at BPI, it's definitely a lot better than the pictures. It's a beautiful area and the trail centre combined with the natural stuff that's already there will make it a great day out.

Claude Burgundy · 16-12-2019 12:48pm

I'm happy as its close to me and an ideal way to get my 5 year old on trails.

prunudo · 16-12-2019 1:17pm

Its a shame Coillte don't even allow for little drops or jumps just off the main trail. I've seen it on video's from various other places where they have a blue trail with small jumps but also have chicken lines for the less confident riders, it seems to work well.

Tenzor07 · 16-12-2019 2:22pm

prunudo wrote: »

Its a shame Coillte don't even allow for little drops or jumps just off the main trail. I've seen it on video's from various other places where they have a blue trail with small jumps but also have chicken lines for the less confident riders, it seems to work well.

All I can think of is that for insurance reasons they don't want to leave themselves liable for injuries sustained while on their land.

Also they want to ensure complete beginners can use the trails as with Ticknock and Ballinastoe..

prunudo · 16-12-2019 7:56pm

Tenzor07 wrote: »

All I can think of is that for insurance reasons they don't want to leave themselves liable for injuries sustained while on their land.

Also they want to ensure complete beginners can use the trails as with Ticknock and Ballinastoe..

Yep, no doubt they'll hide behind insurance whether its true or not. Only thing I've found, the so called beginner friendly trials can lull you into a false sense of security. The faster you go the more likely they are going to bite. Some of the doubles and a triple on the lower metro or whatever its called now spring to mind.

covey123 · 17-12-2019 9:21am

xxyyzz wrote: »

. What is there is a lot of fun as I said, it is very fast and flowy like the original blue trail at BPI

Is it a steep enough gradient or a case using momentum to get the most out of it?any sneaky features built next to a more obvious chicken run?

xxyyzz · 17-12-2019 10:52am

covey123 wrote: »

Is it a steep enough gradient or a case using momentum to get the most out of it?any sneaky features built next to a more obvious chicken run?

Bear in mind all that was open was a small 4km loop with a climb and a descent. There's loads of elevation there, the descent that is open is only half of what will be open in the next few months. In terms of steepness, as I said it's like the original blue in BPI, not super steep but plenty of dips and rollers to pump for free speed, speed won't be an issue if you know what you are doing. No sneaky features, no road gaps, no step-ups, no wall rides. It's a Coillte trail centre, not rampage

covey123 · 17-12-2019 10:58am

xxyyzz wrote: »

Bear in mind all that was open was a small 4km loop with a climb and a descent. There's loads of elevation there, the descent that is open is only half of what will be open in the next few months. In terms of steepness, as I said it's like the original blue in BPI, not super steep but plenty of dips and rollers to pump for free speed, speed won't be an issue if you know what you are doing. No sneaky features, no road gaps, no step-ups, no wall ride's. It's a Coillte trail centre, not rampage

What?not even skinnys or blind drops?? ðŸ˜œ

iwillhtfu · 17-12-2019 2:28pm

Are davagh/castlewellan/rostrevor not trail centres also? Somehow they manage to throw in something a bit interesting on ther official trails. No one is asking for rampage but if they are indeed intended for tourism they will not attract those looking for mtb trips.

Hopefully the bigger picture looks a lot better but if actual mtb trails and features are not incorporated into the design then I can't see it standing the test of time.

Peter T · 17-12-2019 5:07pm

All those mentioned are Northern Ireland so might not have to deal with the hand holding we have in the republic

bogmanfan · 18-12-2019 12:51pm

So does anyone know if the 21km is actually open? Such terrible communications from them. Heading to that neck of the woods over Christmas, so wondering if it's worth bringing the bike.

wellboss · 18-12-2019 4:56pm

I was there at the weekend with my local club, you need to know the woods to get the most out of it as not all the signs are up yet. The "trail closed" signs were removed from 90% of whats there so far compared to a visit a few weeks ago. You can still see ongoing development for the next batch of trails which will help link them all up. We often do 25-30 km over 2-3 hours with a mix of firetrack and trail but again you need to know how to find the sections further out into the wood. There are about 10 different trails sections open to date with good free flowing speed, you can get some small air if you want but no red level features yet. I am only a moderate level rider and it has enough for me and you can go fast enough to mess yourself up if you come off. Depending on what you want I think it is definitely worth a trip down but if your looking for reds and blacks you wont find them here.

Here is a Garmin link to all the stuff that is open plus some that are not :O. Best to stay off them so we don't destroy them before they settle. If you zoom in you will see the red line leave the firetrack and may help people to locate the the trails. There is a few trails missing after 2:25:00 mark as we took another route down but they are open and you can continue down through the wood.

Hope this helps

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/4242258590#.XfpKi3qfyMI.gmail

Click on satellite view if it doesn't come on automatically

GiantRosa · 18-12-2019 11:20pm

wellboss wrote: »

I was there at the weekend with my local club, you need to know the woods to get the most out of it as not all the signs are up yet. The "trail closed" signs were removed from 90% of whats there so far compared to a visit a few weeks ago. You can still see ongoing development for the next batch of trails which will help link them all up. We often do 25-30 km over 2-3 hours with a mix of firetrack and trail but again you need to know how to find the sections further out into the wood. There are about 10 different trails sections open to date with good free flowing speed, you can get some small air if you want but no red level features yet. I am only a moderate level rider and it has enough for me and you can go fast enough to mess yourself up if you come off. Depending on what you want I think it is definitely worth a trip down but if your looking for reds and blacks you wont find them here.

Here is a Garmin link to all the stuff that is open plus some that are not :O. Best to stay off them so we don't destroy them before they settle. If you zoom in you will see the red line leave the firetrack and may help people to locate the the trails. There is a few trails missing after 2:25:00 mark as we took another route down but they are open and you can continue down through the wood.

Hope this helps

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/4242258590#.XfpKi3qfyMI.gmail

Click on satellite view if it doesn't come on automatically

Thanks for sharing the link!
I can open it in Garmin but can't download it.......any suggestions?
Plan on going up there on Friday.

iwillhtfu · 19-12-2019 9:22am

bogmanfan wrote: »

So does anyone know if the 21km is actually open? Such terrible communications from them. Heading to that neck of the woods over Christmas, so wondering if it's worth bringing the bike.

It's worth bringing the bike if you're heading that way but I'd head out off the trail to the top of the hill and you'll find more trails built by local clubs. It's a nice place for a walk/cycle.

xxyyzz · 19-12-2019 3:07pm

It's official now https://www.coillte.ie/site/slieve-bloom-mtb-trails-offaly/

Peter T · 19-12-2019 3:12pm

Could be ideal location for a boards.ie mtb meet

Tenzor07 · 19-12-2019 6:12pm

xxyyzz wrote: »

It's official now https://www.coillte.ie/site/slieve-bloom-mtb-trails-offaly/

Don't forget Laois!

https://www.coillte.ie/site/slieve-bloom-mtb-trails-laois/

Although the Laois trail is a mere 6km.

I'd say it will be good for locals to get out and about and try something different, hire a nice bicycle...get the family out to burn off the Xmas dinner in the fresh air..

xxyyzz · 19-12-2019 9:49pm

The laois side is a 6km red loop and the Offaly side is a 14km blue loop. The 2 loops meet in the middle, you just cross the road so you can do a 20km spin in total.

GiantRosa · 19-12-2019 10:11pm

xxyyzz wrote: »

The laois side is a 6km red loop and the Offaly side is a 14km blue loop. The 2 loops meet in the middle, you just cross the road so you can do a 20km spin in total.

Is it obvious where this point is?!
Using Wellboss's Garmin link

Joe1919 · 20-12-2019 10:28am

xxyyzz wrote: »

The laois side is a 6km red loop and the Offaly side is a 14km blue loop. The 2 loops meet in the middle, you just cross the road so you can do a 20km spin in total.

They are on two different sides of the mountain with nearly 6 miles and a 200 meter ascent/descent 'Wolftrap climb' between them, which is a nice road spin in itself.

Slieve Bloom trail centre

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