Round 1 of the XC Development Series was a huge success with 165 riders turning up to give it a shot in the snow at Ballinastoe. Round 2 takes place on March 7th in Ballyhoura, Co. Cork. You can find full details at www.irishxcmtb.com.

As part of his continuing support of the XC Development race series, Niall Davis from Biking.ie will be taking two groups of five riders out for a pre-lap (or part thereof, due to the length of the lap) of the Ballyhoura race circuit on the morning of the race. The aim of the pre-lap is to help the riders get through their first race with some hints and tips. The prizes go to the first 10 riders to contact them via the form on www.biking.ie. And don’t forget there is also a prize for the winner of the Sports B race to receive a private training day with Biking.ie!

Attention Mountain Bikers,

The Dublin Mountains partnership is extending its volunteer ranger programme to encompass mountain biking. This is an important step for the Dublin Mountains Partnership and gives us the opportunity to be involved in helping to manage recreation through out the Dublin Mountains.

From a mountain biking perspective it is important that we get involved and help influence how recreation activities are managed going forward. We would like to encourage any mountain bikers who uses the area and would be interested in getting involved and giving something back to contact the DMP.  Below is the official press release and website address.

The Offroad Commission

A three-race series of XC races, sponsored by WheelWorx, is being organised this spring by Richie Byrne and the Offroad Commssion. This will be a great way for new riders to get an introduction to XC racing and they’re open to Sports, Women and Youth riders. The three rounds are:

• February 21st – Ballinastoe, Co. Wicklow
• March 7th – Ballyhoura, Co. Limerick
• March 21st – Derroura, Co. Galway

For further information check out http://www.irishxcmtb.com

To set the process in motion MTB riders of any discipline who are interested and have the ambition to achieve Eilte level and represent Ireland at major championships should complete the form below and email it to Bev Chamberlain (bev@cyclingireland.ie).

http://www.cyclingireland.ie

MTB XC-DH Development Application Form

Online Sign-On
An Online Sign-On form for the event is now available. We encourage all participating riders to pre-register for the event here. Please enter your details and pay your entry fee on the day. This will greatly speed-up sign on before the race.
Online Registration Form

Short Track XC
In addition to the championship race there will also be a Short Track XC race earlier in the day.
This race will be on a modified course (no dismounts required!) providing an exciting race for riders and spectators alike.
It will be suitable for mountainbikers of all abilities, and cyclocross riders who do not qualify for the Championship event are also welcome to enter.

Event Website
For all event details, please visit:
http://sites.google.com/site/irishcxchamps

The Irish Cyclocross National Championship has been rescheduled for the 7th of February 2010. The original event was postponed due to extreme weather conditions.

Check out the new event information website for further details of the race.

The event website is now online, providing all the rules, news and a list of all the riders who have registered so far.

European and French Championships MTB Masters

From Greg May, Dublin City University Cycling Club:

Folks,

With great regret I have to announce that we will be cancelling the National Cyclocross Championships this coming weekend. A provisional date has been set as the 31st of January in the same location, however this is provisional to the park letting us use their facilities again. A second date of the 7th of February is also being looked at as a fall back.

As we all know weather conditions have deteriorated and it has made it near impossible for public and private transport for many of us throughout the country and the county. Many riders have been in personal contact letting me know that they would not be able to travel to the race due to the weather.

A decision made between the organisation committee, Off Road Commission, and College of Commissars to postpone the event today in light of conditions and a similar decision in the UK, and as we want to promote this race to all CI riders we needed to make this decision.

However the clouds do have a silver lining. If anyone is interested in riding the course in what can only be described as pristine cyclocross conditions, I would invite you to join me at the sign on area at 11am on Sunday morning. Plan is to do a few laps, then retire for coffee and cake. No licence required. I’ll be wearing DCU kit and looking eager.

Yours in sport,

Greg May, Dublin City University Cycling Club

The Mountainbiking Association of Dublin are celebrating our 20th Anniversary with something a bit special. It all started in 1989 with a spin from the Yellow House, and over the years the Sunday Spin has become famous in mountainbiking circles. At one time or another most mountainbikers have been on a M.A.D. Sunday spin, many of whom went on to form clubs of their own. And so to mark our 20th year we are going back to where it all began.

Due to the weather at the moment we’re shortening the spin. On Sunday January 3rd 2010 we’re going to ride to Fairy Castle, meeting at the Yellow House pub in Rathfarnham at 9:45am, leaving at 10:00am. All are welcome, but you must be self sufficient, and a member of a club.

We are meeting up in Lamb Doyles for tea/sambos after the spin, whatever time that may be.

Conor Conneff.
MAD Club Chairman

From MAD Photos