MTB spin, Co. Wicklow/Dublin – Sun 20 May 2007

I decided to take a break from racing and miss the NPS # 4 race in Larne. Instead, I went on a 5 hour MTB spin in the Wicklow & Dublin hills. Dry trails and blue skies were the order of the day. Great riding, well done to all who attended, Craig, Philip R, Gar, Niall Q, James and teammate Mark. Good to get out on the bike again after all the racing. I was riding well, easily out of the river in Knockree In middle 1st, my goal is big 2nd by the time the worlds come around!!! There is a break from racing for a few weeks. I will do the Wicklow 200 touring event on June 10th (200km, I’ll do it on the Vertex), then NPS # 5 in Limerick the following weekend. Looking forward to it.

View to Lugagla.

NPS # 3, Carlingford, Co. Wicklow – Sun 13th May 2007

Back to Calringford for NPS # 3, venue for the K Capital Cup # 3 race a few weeks ago. I love this place, mega singletracks and incredible views. The weather turned this week, so there was potential for a slidery course. I swapped my 1.9” WTB tires for 2.3” monsters, just in case.
And WOW, what a choice. The course was different to the KCC#3 race, but still included the main ST to the bottom of the course. The tyres were soooo good, low pressure and mega grip, only 1 dab in the WHOLE race.
I was on great form, started well, dropped all the other Masters straight away, and caught and passed all the Experts (+1 min) by 2/3 way around the 2st lap.
I also caught and passed up to the 2nd Elite, so I was happy with that too! Gordon L was 2nd again, and he takes the overall. Former Elite John Mason was 3rd, just piping the excellent Dave Gill. Dave suffered with an irregular heart beat in the race, and 2nd would have been easy for him if it was not for this, well, next race maybe.
I am 2nd overall in the league now, with a race in hand, so all looks good.

Nice, technical course

Gordon Lucas leads the Master men overall

Report
mtbireland
Images
imbrc

NPS # 2, Ballinastoe, Co. Wicklow – Sun 6th May 2007

I took a break from racing last weekend and decided to miss the first round of the NPS. Best 5 out of 7 so I can drop a couple of rounds. I have also decided not to bump up to Elites. There will be very few Elites racing in the NPS this year, as they will all be away racing and trying to qualify for the Olympics. Instead, I have decided to stay in the very competitive Masters category, with the rest of the ol’ lads.
Round 2 is in nearby Ballinstoe woods, a venue I have been racing at since 1993! The course was very short, very dry, and very fast. Only 5 laps for the Masters, so it would be a short race.
I took it easy from the start, but got the holeshot into the first descent (‘RailBlazer’, built By Craig and I about 7 years ago, still amazing!). The rest of the Masters followed, but I had a good gap at the end of the descent, so I pushed hard to maintain the gap.
I increased the gap until the start of the 4th lap, I binned myself on a slow trail when I caught my pedal in a stump. I received large impact to my left knee, and I could barely turn the pedals on the main climb, middle X 1 vs big 4th for the other laps….ohhhh the pain!
I recovered and continued on the race, taking it a bit easier. I won comfortable, have a good dice with a couple of the experts. My main rival, Peter O’Farrell, snapped his rear mech hanger, so he was out. Well done to Gordon Lucas of Team WORC for taking an excellent 2nd place, Damo Mulcron took 3rd.

Flying through the BungHole, no damaged knee yet!

Report

mtbireland

Images
imbrc

Update from Canada

Just a quick update from the mother ship in Canada. Kevin Calhoun (Team manager and Rocky Sales Guy) sent some pics from a recent race and a recent trip to Mt. Tam.
Looks like the guys over there suffer with the mud too!

Mud, glorious mud

The main man, Kevin overlooking the Pacific

Gerry Brannigan Memorial Randonee - Sun 29th April 2007

Organized by Orwell wheels, myself, Mark, Phil Roche and Marks buddy Ian took part in the 120km randonee though the hills of Wicklow. Very nice day, excellent weather, and 120km in the hills was a nice days training.
I rode the course on my Vertex with Mavic Speedcity wheels, 700c with discs, very cool