MTB end of Season Bash!

[brianwilson]

There will be a MTB trip on Saturday 9th November to the Cooley's.

The plan is to base ourselves at Lumpers Pub and cycle the Tain way(not technical), I have a local guide arranged. The cycle should last 2-3 hours but there will be options to cut it shorter if the appeal of Lumpers pub is too much for some.

Lumpers pub will provide us with a bike wash,showers,changing facilities,food,and drink.

I have arranged a bus that will take 15 along with a trailer for the bikes. There will be an opportunity to link up and dropped off by the bus in Newcastle and Dromara.

The Bus will leave Dromara at 12pm and return to Dromara 8pm.

The cost of the Bus is £5 per person with the remainder being subsidised by the MTB budget.

£5 payment secures spot.

[barryvankellett]

Not to be missed!

[brianwilson]

I have 13 confirmed for Saturday;
B Wilson,Paul Mawhirt,Mike Barton,Gibson Chambers,Zac Hanna,Aidy Booth,Lisa Millar,Robert Davison,John Shanks,Paddy Harrower,Bryce Hetherington,and Mr+Mrs Irish Champion.

There are 2 remaining seats on the bus.All Welcome.

Bus leaves Newcastle at 11.00
Drumaness 11.30
Dromara. 12.00

We will be back in Dromara for 8.00pm

Bring your own sheet to protect your bike.

[barryvankellett]

End Of Season Bash Report...

Well, I can only report on the goings on at the back of the group as I kicked back and decided to take it super easy... Season end and all that.
Everything went like clockwork, apart from Bryce and all his grand talk about riding over to Dromara/Drumaness/spa/Take yer pick of locations... the rover came hurtling into Drumaness on two wheels with the bike on the roof, as me and the Mrs sat waiting on the bus to arrive.
At least he made it.

After a brief stop in Dromara to pick up the majority of riders, we were all off on our way into the unknown. Trail leader for the day was Michael Wilson from Cuchulain CC, and he led the merry bunch of us off into the wilderness on a fireroad up to the top of the mountain. Apparently Mawhirt was teasing the pace early on up the hill to see if he could break Zako before we got to any descents, Bryce was overtaking the trail leader, Gibson was calling him all the names of the day, Booth was inquiring as to who had brought the jaffa cakes, Zak was searching for a new PR on avg heart rate for a strava upload and Brian was wondering what he had let himself in for.

Meanwhile at the back of the group, me and the wife swept up all the stragglers and made sure they all made it up the hill fine, very considerate of us! Onwards and Downwards... on some of the most amazing trails I have had the pleasure of riding. Open mountain side with dramatic views all round, fast swoopy and grippy trails. Some lovely rocky sections to start with too.

I might have fallen in a peaty water bog. But nobody seen it so it didnt happen.

Paddy had a super over the bars trying to avoid a muddy puddle, and instead aiming for a ditch. Unfortunately his wheel was pringled and he had to nurse it down the mountain for the last half hour. Even worse for him was that he did it right in front of me so now everyone knows! Lisa and Niamh both were raking down the trails and having a ball, neither really having much experience of such terrain.

Eventually down to the pub at the end of the day and with failing light and dropping temperatures - it was off for a quick shower and a bike wash and inside for a slap up feed and to listen to more of Bryces lies.

I think the night might have gone on for some beyond the drop off at Square one, but I shall leave it up to those involved to tell that tale.

Many thanks to those involved in organising it. Looking forward to 2014's event already!


988763_3576076456244_1347750188_n by barry_kellett99, on Flickr


1456690_3598915989679_1093703606_n by barry_kellett99, on Flickr


960058_3598939230260_820793457_n by barry_kellett99, on Flickr

Thanks to zak for those last two "almost action" photos!

[paddyh]

Thanks Mr Kellett ... at least it got 10.5 on a 'marks out of 10' scale ... as you said after the event sometimes it better to get muddy on the bike and not to roll in it!! Good excuse to get to the pub for a pint earlier than the rest. Brilliant day despite the bike. Thanks to Brian for organising.

Only 'problem' is I will have to ride it again and try to show Andrea the route we followed ... tough life!