CLUB NOTES

Post date: Oct 13, 2010 6:49:22 PM

As most of the regular readers of this column would know, the Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Park is near Ardpatrick in County Limerick( about 70min. drive from Youghal ). The Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trail Network is the largest trail network of its kind in Ireland and provides many options for off-road cycling in the mountains. Forest road climbs lead you into tight twisty single-track with loads of ups and downs, tight turns and technical rocky bits. The trails range from the moderate 6 kilometre Greenwood loop to the demanding Castlepook loop, over 50 kilometres in length! Tough forest road climbs are rewarded with sweeping fast descents guaranteed to leave you smiling! . The trail system, designed by one of the world leaders in the sport, is an exciting network constructed to give a challenging and rewarding ride. Each of the loops will present riders with a combination of narrow single-track and boardwalk sections and also has sections of forest road climbs over short and long distances. The trails are laid out in 5 loops with each loop leading onto the next. The loops are way marked in one direction – just pick the colour of the loop you want to ride and follow the arrows. There is more information out on the trails at the start of each loop. Facilities at the trail head include map boards, car parking, toilets, showers and bike wash facilities. Trail friendly accommodation, bike rental and good food are available locally. The Car park opens from 8am-9pm (Mon-Fri) and 8am - 8pm (Sat-Sun). There is a Parking fee of €5 per car but there is no entry fee to any of the Mountain Bike Trails. The showers and bike wash facilities are available at a cost of €2. More details are available at www.ballyhouramtb.com.

The Loop taken by the club on the day was the Garrane Loop ( 35km ). The Garrane Loop is a more technical and physically demanding version of the Mountrussell Loop and ventures westwards from Waypoint 3 taking in some long and fast single-track descents as well as some long and demanding climbs on forest roads, tracks and single-track trails. The single-track found on this Loop is technical in places with numerous very tight turns, steep descents and features such as small rock steps, exposed roots and elevated timber boardwalks. Trail surfaces vary a lot including loose gravel, rocks, mud and water and can be very uneven and extremely narrow with encroaching vegetation, boulders and trees. This loop features numerous long climbs and takes in areas of high ground that can be exposed to bad weather. A great trail for the fit and daring.

For us, the day was quite mild, a little bit foggy here and there but it was nice and slippery for going hard around those hairpin bends and jumps. We set off up the trail and climbed well through the woods before we reached our first downhill section and our first casualty. Brian, who was only back on the bike for the first time in 4 weeks decided to go rolle polle olle into a thorny bush ravine. No damage to the bike so we rolled and jumped further on down the trail to the sounding of yeee haa. After the recovery period up a 12% fire trail climb, we were at it again on the downhill section where this time it was the turn of the dare devil himself, Mr. Munster TOOL, to take his christening fall. Well, it was more like a bit of trouble over a right of way with a tree. Again, no damage to the bike so we swiftly carried on. It was my turn next when I tried to pull a hand brake turn on the slippery board walks with my front wheel. Not very advisable! And a soar rear end to prove it. Third time lucky for me though as again, there was no damage to the bike. Now you are probably wondering about the other guys? Did they have any falls? Well All I can say about Wayne and the Greengrocer is that we lost count of the fantastic acrobatic spills they had. I never knew that Wayne was such a fine Gymnast, especially his graceful 360 degree flips. And John? Well, No comment!

So six of us tackled the white loop and five of us just about conquered it but the man of the day was the birthday boy Mark, who showed us all how to ride hard on the downhill’s and take is easy on the climbs. He was the only one who didn’t fall but was also the only one to damage his bike, well just a little anyway! All in all, it was a great and exciting day out and we all can’t wait to get back there for a bit more acrobatic fun from us all the next day.

The Sunday Spin – Sunday 10^th October

With the mad group gone to Limerick, two more groups gathered at Moby Dicks last Sunday morning for the usual club spins. A group of 4 gathered at 9.00am and took in the one of the clubs most favorite spins down to Garryvoe, Cloyne, East Ferry, Midleton, Killeagh and home to Youghal for a comfortable 50km spin. A nice winter warm up for the lads with usual chat and banter on the way.

A second group of 7 gathered at 10.00am and took in another club favorite spin up to Knockanore via Glendine. From there they rode to Tallow and returned home the main road to Youghal with a challenging 40km completed.

KEITH PHELAN FUNDRAISING CYCLE

On Sunday the 17^th October 2010, Youghal C.C. will participate in a fundraising cycle in aid of local lad, Keith Phelan. The Phelan family, from Raheen Park, Youghal, has launched a campaign to raise funds to send their 11 year old son, Keith, who suffers from Cerebral Palsy, for an operation in Germany, in the hope that it will improve their son’s quality of life.