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Coolaney National MTB Centre

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Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 4,158 ✭✭✭Top Dog


    Spotted that on Facebook alright. Hopefully they've no delays now in getting the trails sorted and opened up


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,598 ✭✭✭rizzodun


    Top Dog wrote: »
    Spotted that on Facebook alright. Hopefully they've no delays now in getting the trails sorted and opened up

    Work has started already, and are coming along nicely, from what I'm told. Be a while before there's something to ride, but progress is progress!!


  • Registered Users Posts: 8,258 ✭✭✭Tenzor07


    Should be great for locals to get out for an oul leisurely pedal around the local forest on a Sunny Sunday...


  • Registered Users Posts: 335 ✭✭El Vino


    Sorry if this is a dumb question but why is the word "National" in the title? Normally when you have this it means it is some sort of centre of excellence or similar as in National Aquatic Centre?


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,598 ✭✭✭rizzodun


    El Vino wrote: »
    Sorry if this is a dumb question but why is the word "National" in the title? Normally when you have this it means it is some sort of centre of excellence or similar as in National Aquatic Centre?

    Coillte had envisioned to have a few national centers throughout the country


    2.5.1 National scale centres

    These are the highest profile trail developments aimed at the largest possible market and are intended to be at the peak of tourism activity for off-road cycling in Ireland.

    They will be the primary driver for attracting overseas visitors to come to Ireland for mountain biking. They must exceed the offering available in the UK to attract visitors to come here, be of the highest value and quality and be maintained to the highest standards.

    They must appeal to both domestic and overseas visitors and be standalone, short-break destinations in their own right. They ideally will have a high level of visitor facilities, with car-parking, toilet and shower blocks and with potential to add-on café and bike hire or retail facilities.

    A of national scale trail centre should consist of at least 80kms of waymarked trails with at least 4 independent waymarked loops. Our experience has shown that to provide this, sites must be in excess of 1500ha in size to ensure that trail development is not over intensified and impacting adversely on timber management, conservation or other objectives.

    A national scale trail centre should consist of not less than 50% purpose-built singletrack trails providing a wide level of trail challenge ranging from class 2 to class 6 trails. The area should generally be of very varied topography with good ground and soil conditions capable of delivering cost effective trail construction.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 6,865 ✭✭✭prunudo


    rizzodun wrote: »
    Coillte had envisioned to have a few national centers throughout the country


    Sounds like a good objective, wonder are there any plans for the east coast?


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,158 ✭✭✭Top Dog


    jvan wrote: »
    Sounds like a good objective, wonder are there any plans for the east coast?
    Would that not be filled by Djouce, Ticknock & Ballinastoe?


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,865 ✭✭✭prunudo


    Top Dog wrote: »
    Would that not be filled by Djouce, Ticknock & Ballinastoe?

    They'd be a good starting point but nowhere near 80km of trails or a match for the likes of what they have in the U.K.
    There's nothing offical in Djouce and Ballinastoe and Ticknock only have 14 and 8km respectively.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,598 ✭✭✭rizzodun


    The Slieve Blooms will about 1hr 20 mins away, close to the M7 too, offering the same scope of trails.

    Rostrevor is about the same distance.

    Not sure if there's plans for anything closer to Dublin.


  • Registered Users Posts: 335 ✭✭El Vino


    Not close to Dublin but on the East of the country - I always think the woods south of the Suir river near Kilsheelan) between Clonmel and Carrick would be a great location for a trail center


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  • Registered Users Posts: 8,258 ✭✭✭Tenzor07


    rizzodun wrote: »
    Coillte had envisioned to have a few national centers throughout the country

    I'd say they are failing miserably on that one..

    Coillte make paper products... that's about all..


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,102 ✭✭✭mollser


    El Vino wrote: »
    Not close to Dublin but on the East of the country - I always think the woods south of the Suir river near Kilsheelan) between Clonmel and Carrick would be a great location for a trail center

    As would the windfarm on Croghan Mountain which is just west of Arklow. A good 300m to 400m vertical drop in various directions, infrastructure all in place for a great up lift service. I heard there were some vague plans to build something there, not sure if anything is moving on it.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,598 ✭✭✭rizzodun


    Tenzor07 wrote: »
    I'd say they are failing miserably on that one..

    Coillte make paper products... that's about all..

    Well, two under construction and work done in Ticknock and Ballyhoura, with Rebel MTB getting land to build in Cork, and I believe Galway MTB are getting a dedicated place to build also.

    Sure Coillte aren't the easiest to deal with and mountain biking isn't their main focus but its better than it was.


  • Registered Users Posts: 338 ✭✭Budawanny


    Any idea who the trail designer is for this one?


  • Registered Users Posts: 8,258 ✭✭✭Tenzor07


    Budawanny wrote: »
    Any idea who the trail designer is for this one?

    Thankfully not the same Coillte official who did Ticknock, Geordi LaForge!

    Niall Davis the boss of Biking.ie did the design I believe...


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,598 ✭✭✭rizzodun


    Tenzor07 wrote: »
    Thankfully not the same Coillte official who did Ticknock, Geordi LaForge!

    Niall Davis the boss of Biking.ie did the design I believe...

    Niall Davis is doing the Slieve Blooms. Not sure the trail designer for Coolaney.


  • Registered Users Posts: 8,258 ✭✭✭Tenzor07


    rizzodun wrote: »
    Niall Davis is doing the Slieve Blooms. Not sure the trail designer for Coolaney.

    I know that Northwest MTB club have a lot of involvement in that, i'm just hoping LaForge has nothing to do with it..


  • Registered Users Posts: 338 ✭✭Budawanny


    Cheers lads. I dont think Geordi will allowed design anything again.. Nialls pretty handy at trail design now.


  • Registered Users Posts: 686 ✭✭✭steamsey


    Curious as to what the issue with the Ticknock trails is? Not the biggest fan of the official trails myself but thought most people were happy with them...


  • Registered Users Posts: 338 ✭✭Budawanny


    there grand now really for what they are meant for, but they are an aweful long way removed from what they were originally.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 6,865 ✭✭✭prunudo


    Budawanny wrote: »
    there grand now really for what they are meant for, but they are an aweful long way removed from what they were originally.

    Having only been to Ticknock recently for the first time what were the trails like before?
    Like all trail centres I think if you mix up the offical trails and enduro trails then there's more than enough to keep you happy.


  • Registered Users Posts: 8,258 ✭✭✭Tenzor07


    steamsey wrote: »
    Curious as to what the issue with the Ticknock trails is? Not the biggest fan of the official trails myself but thought most people were happy with them...

    The original Ticknock trails were designed by a non-MTB'er coillte recreation manager.

    The newer designed lower trails are grand, bit more flow, they still need more signage to stop casual walkers from strolling along them in the summer.

    However, just look at what they've done at the GAP bike park, much better design, more flow and variation of trails for all abilities. All in a small hillside.

    The Ticknock trails are better than nothing I suppose.


  • Registered Users Posts: 474 ✭✭booooonzo


    Tenzor07 wrote: »
    Thankfully not the same Coillte official who did Ticknock, Geordi LaForge!

    Niall Davis the boss of Biking.ie did the design I believe...

    For Coolaney the trail designer for phase 1 is Hugh Clixby from clixby trail designs.

    Phase 2 that 500k has just been announced for will go to tender once the funding has been awarded.


  • Registered Users Posts: 8,258 ✭✭✭Tenzor07


    booooonzo wrote: »
    For Coolaney the trail designer for phase 1 is Hugh Clixby from clixby trail designs.

    Phase 2 that 500k has just been announced for will go to tender once the funding has been awarded.

    Looks like they do good work so: https://www.clixbys.co.uk/projects/2018/6/6/grizedale-mtb-trail-section


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,598 ✭✭✭rizzodun


    470385.PNG


  • Registered Users Posts: 2 BRENT EAGLE


    Anyone seen the latest photos on FB? Not looking very promising here...
    As these are only small sections of 76km network, I won't be writing the whole place off; but truly if its more of this tarmac looking walking trails then I think i'll stick to the east coast, Rostrevor, GAP etc. Clixby look like they build walking and service trails.


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,865 ✭✭✭prunudo


    https://www.facebook.com/1541297972788179/posts/2219195711665065/

    Look a bit tame alright, only time will tell.


  • Registered Users Posts: 569 ✭✭✭Peter T


    Its a pity. Good to get people out and build an interest but doesn't look to cater for the people looking for more challenging stuff. Time will tell I guess


  • Registered Users Posts: 686 ✭✭✭steamsey


    Their website has a map at the bottom that references black trails - I hope they are actually what people would consider black and not just blue with a few rocks thrown in:

    http://coolaneymtb.com/

    Reserving full judgement 'til it's open but the photos on FB really look disappointing. They talk about the tourist money this will bring in (and I hope it does) but I can't see experienced (foreign) riders coming here to ride on those trails. Are we trying to dumb this sport down or develop it?

    The beginner stuff is needed of course but where is the non beginner stuff?


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  • Registered Users Posts: 474 ✭✭booooonzo


    It's very good to get mountain bikers feedback lads, the trail builders are tagged in the facebook post.

    Maybe head over there and give your constructive feedback.

    The trails are not finished yet!


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