MTB Rendezvous 23rd September

[DavidC]

I had a call from John Pennefather last night. John is one of the pioneers of Irish mountain biking and used to race at the highest level in Ireland and beyond. I think he was one of the founders of MAD. Anyway he is putting together a big social spin on 23rd September involving all the clubs in the Leinster region. Seems you can do whatever spin you like but everyone finishes up in the same place at 12noon for a big sociable feed. If anyone is interested post here and when we have a rough idea of numbers I suggest we hook up with one of the Dublin/Wicklow clubs and tag along with them, they'll know all the good trails to get us to the rendezvous.

The event launches officially next week but here's a preview of the info...

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Calling ALL Mountain Bikers………..

The biggest mountain bike ride of your life, the mother and father of all Sunday Spins, the social spin
of the year is coming to the Dublin and Wicklow hills near you.

Whether you’re a………

newbie, demi legend or God Father of mountain biking, trail head hero, Sunday socialite or club champion, skinny, ripped, short, tall, round or getting rounder, young and sprackly or reliving your youth, ride a Townsend garden gate or Scott Scale 0, tyre whisperer, tubeless is your only man, or just plain old round and black, downhill demon, single track glider, or holy shit that’s a big hill, soft tail, hard tail, hard on, all mountain, gravity, 29er, 26er, 650B, high nelly, jump bike, 3 x 9, 2 x 9, 2 x 10, 1 x 1, 1 x 10, 1 x 11, flats, spd’s, riser bars or bar ends, baggie’s, lycra, retro track suit or jeans and lumberjack shirt

If you’re any of the above or just love to ride your mountain bike and take in the giant playground
we’ve been blessed to have on our door step, this spin is for you.

Hook up with your club or your regular cycling buddies and join us for

MTB Rendezvous 2012

Whether your super fit and can ride 2, 3 or 4 mountains, or happy just to ride Ticknock or Balinastoe, don’t miss this ride.
Start anywhere you want, anytime you like, ride any distance your legs will take you and meet up, in Knockree Youth Hostel at 12:00 to be fed and watered along with hundreds of other likeminded mountain bikers. ALL FOR FREE!!!

When is it: 23rd September 2012

What time is it: Rendezvous at 12:00

Where is it? Knockree Youth Hostel, Knockree Valley, Co. Wicklow

Where is that: It will be signposted from Enniskerry and Glencree road.Nestled in the valley between Enniskerry , Glencree, Cloon wood, Crone
Wood.

How far is that: 6km from Enniskerry and Djouce forest, 12km from Ticknock and Balinastoe

Where do I start from: Anywhere you like. Ride out from any distance you are comfortable with,
one two or ten mountains, offroad all the way or on the road only. Any way
that suits you.

What time do I start: Anytime you like

What time do I finish: As it says on the tin, Rendezvous at 12:00. You’re fed and watered, have the craic with other mountain bikers and free to cycle home any time you like.

Who is riding this: MAD, Epic MTB, IMBRC, Team WORC, Racing 795, Rocky Mountain, to name but a few clubs and anyone else who rides a mountain bike.

You do not have to be in a club to do this. The more the merrier.

Where do I register: You Don’t. This is a social spin. You can ride out with your club or cycling buddies and Rendezvous at 12:00 in Knockree Youth Hostel for food and drink, ALL FOR FREE.

Check out MTB Rendezvous / facebook for further updates…………………..

See you all there

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[Rudolf]

Deadly!

[DavidT]

Excellent
Might need tips on a route, but I'd imagine that'll be on FB.

[DavidC]

Don't forget this folks https://www.facebook.com/bikerendezvous
Who's going? We'll need to get ourselves organised and decide on a route.

[BrianM]

Ill be along, anyone got an idea on a route? Looking on Google earth, all i recognize in the area is Ballinastoe

[DavidF]

http://app.strava.com/rides/2930433

[Rudolf]

Ok I had a look on the map and the Rendevous is close to Enniskerry. Unfortunatly I wont be able to ride any single track so I cant lead you around Djouce. looks like Djouce is the closest option to get to the venue and back.

DC is leading the spin I think, but here is a idea for a nice spin. Park in Enniskery and ride up to Djouce (15 min spin) do 1.5 hours of trail riding and headback over the road back to enniskery then to the hostel. This will be a lengthy spin and after the Rendevous you just roll back down to the car.

Option 2. Park in Ballinastoe do a lap and a half. Then drive to Enniskerry park the car and ride up to the Rendevous

Cycling the Wicklow Way in opsite direction to get to the hostel from Roundwood/Ballinastoe/Djouce will be alot of railway sleepers and hike a bike.

Djouce is always good even when it rains.
Ballinastoe is sign posted, not very exciting but still a good spin and for all abilities.

Just getting the discussion started so let me know what you think.

[DavidC]

I would agree re Wicklow way, too many sleepers. Djouce definitely looks like the best option. I'll give you a shout tomorrow for a chat.

[DavidC]

OK, Rudolf and I have put our heads together and here's the plan for Sunday:

Park in Enniskerry to be on the bike for 9am
9am to 9:30 - Enniskerry to Djouce (5km, A to B on map http://goo.gl/maps/aXniY)
9:30 to 11:30 - 2 hour spin around Djouce.
11:30 to 12 noon - Djouce to Knockree Youth Hostel and Rendezvous lunch (5.2km, B to C)
After lunch, Knockree to Enniskerry (5.3km, C to D) and home

Nice sociable pace throughout.

[DavidT]

Just need to get out of work and I'm on for this!