The race we have all been waiting for is here and its the Second round of the Irish Gravity Enduro in Ticknock Co.Dublin Ireland.
As I have previously mentioned in my first impression of the Irish gravity Enduro Rd 1 in ballinastoe wood I gave an example of what enduro is and how it works - should get the hang of how it goes if you read that......This is my local stomping ground and local to many other Irish mtbers as its on the door step of Dublin city and within 25 minutes of my doorstep I can be at the summit riding some of Dublin's finest trails. This hopefully will be the closest riding adreniline hot spot for all of Dublins mountain biking comunity for good while more :) and hopefully the Irish goverment/Coilte will realise in how valuble outdoor recreation is and how much prosperity it can bring in for the economy/community and see it being improved upon.
So I have been really looking forward to this ever since I got signed up as is everyone else as its really a savage racing location, even got a bit of an adreniline rush from signing up as there was so little entrys left. I saw a notification on the gravity enduro Facebook page that there was 50 entrys left and thought that would give me some time to get online registration done but later that day I heard or read that there was only 20 places left so was pretty anxious to get it done. Got er done anyways thankfully as in just a few hours it was all full. So now all I had to do was train,have fun and wait!
Saturday : Practice day
Saturday was sign on and practice day,since I got a late leaving time out onto the course in the first round in ballinastoe I was quite Inclined to get up to sign on early and get a good and early start time. As usual the crowds had gathered early which led to a late time for hitting the stages on race day.Anyway I got signed up after 40 minutes waiting in the sun then I set off up to stage one to practice.
After a fun days practicing with some of the ballyhoura guys Leah maunsell and Cieran maunsell. I picked my lines and sessioned bits when I felt they where needed! All the stages where mint,very technically challenging in there ways and very fast downhill oriented, I say a bit more pedaling might of suited me hehehe. Having fell twice while practicing on stages I new it was best to play most of the trails safe and smooth to get through the day ! The day ended well with tuning my fork and shock a bit better to my weight and trying out a good few new stuff since the last enduro in Ballinastoe,I got Al in the Bike Rack to sort me out with a single ring and a more rigid trail shoes which I had no fault with them what so ever. Did not drop the chain all day on the rough trails and I felt more in tune with the bike with the stiffer soled shoes. Later in the day I sacrificed my school tour money to do an emergency fast cycle down to carrickmines 15 minutes before halfords closed to get a cheapy Continental baron for the front then to clean the bike to get er race ready for the morning !
Stage 1 : This stage started off at the start of the new euro services hard pack trail then off to a real nice steep loamy trail then onto another steep section which I made slight mistake coming over the wall,slid over some roots and managed to lodge my leg under my saddle which was the most time consuming mistake of the day.The trail continued down fast flowing single track which I managed to get all my lines very smooth thankfully.
Stage 2 : This stage was a fun stage,with in a couple of pedal stroke you where riding some technical rooty sections,I had it dialed from Saturday so was confident with it and it felt smother and faster on race run. There was a real mix of trail styles on this stage for sure! All went good for the whole stage.
Stage 3: Three was a favourite for some as it had to offer fast rocky lose trails,this stage for sure put a smile to your scared face !
Sunday : Race day
As usual I woke up early with excitement/jiters all set for racing. Made funny notes on Saturday night for the handlebars,fresh rubber to keep up right,grips and shoes to power the single ring up to the stages and down the 5 sweet stages
My wave start was for 11:44 which was a late leaving as some pro riders and top ten in each Category got where probably on there 3rd stage by now which meant the trail could become cut up when I finally get to ride them ! I rode the course with fellow club members Al maxwell and Trish doyle for the day which was great company.
Stage 1 : This stage started off at the start of the new euro services hard pack trail then off to a real nice steep loamy trail then onto another steep section which I made slight mistake coming over the wall,slid over some roots and managed to lodge my leg under my saddle which was the most time consuming mistake of the day.The trail continued down fast flowing single track which I managed to get all my lines very smooth thankfully.
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| Stage 1 ( Cycle action photography ) |
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| Stage 2 ( cycle action photography ) |
Stage 2 : This stage was a fun stage,with in a couple of pedal stroke you where riding some technical rooty sections,I had it dialed from Saturday so was confident with it and it felt smother and faster on race run. There was a real mix of trail styles on this stage for sure! All went good for the whole stage.
Stage 3: Three was a favourite for some as it had to offer fast rocky lose trails,this stage for sure put a smile to your scared face !
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| Granite rock slaps S3 (Picture thanks to Action pictures Ireland) |
Stage 4 : For me this put a big grin to my face as I reached the top of the fire road with excitement ready to get a even bigger grin once I entered the new grassy steep corridor through the gorse - (I say Niall had some fun with his new Husqvarna toys with that section) I had a couple of mistakes through out this stage which I was not to happy with but sure that happens.....Still managed to but a big grin on me from head to toe.
Stage 5 : Yesss it was all down hill from here! This stage did the first half of metro 1 (coilte trail) then cut down into a fast forest down to Race village !
Well what can I say Niall Davis and the Biking.ie crew put up an astonishing event yet again,thoroughly enjoyed the weekends riding and racing on my home trails. I placed 14th out of an ever growing category of 23 riders in 14-18 Cat and 200th out of 326 finishers. Still a bit of work to be done to get up to speed especially on the downs.
Stage 5 : Yesss it was all down hill from here! This stage did the first half of metro 1 (coilte trail) then cut down into a fast forest down to Race village !
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| "If in doubt foot out" or 'foot out flat out" maybe I'll be flat out another time :) |
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| Gravity BC members in force ! |
