Slieve Bloom Way

This is another way marked trail I wanted to ride for a while now. This trail is known for the best views in the country. Although not suppose to be very bike friendly, I decided to give it a go  anyway.

Robert was the only person brave enough to try and ride it with me.

We set of almost as planned with only half an hour delay, we where on the bikes leaving the car park at 08:30. All was well, bit overcast and cold but generally good biking weather. I decided to run the bike in 115 mm mode to try how it feels.

There was a bit of a confusion at the start of a trail as to which way should we go, but between the map and Strava we where back on track in no time.



First climb was bit challenging but I couldn't believe how well the bike felt climbing in shorter suspension mode.

(I didn't think that a simple adjustment like that would make the bike feel so different, there was no need to lock the shock at all, and the power transfer from the crank to back wheel was awesome, especially that the back wheel was tracking rough enough trail.)

When we got to the top we got the first glimpse of the views.
Truly amazing. It's one of these views, that no camera can show you what it's really like.

Then it was time to start to Ridge of Capard. That was a bit challenging, with railway sleepers almost all the way to the top, it was a good time to practice manuals and bunny hops. The climb was well worth the effort, the views we where getting from the ridge where second to none.

When we reached the top, we where expecting a great downhill section, but it was a steep grassy descent, trail almost non existing. It got a bit better when we reached the forest. After that more fire road climbs and descents. Before we reached Monicknew, we had to push the bikes up a fairly steep climb.

Then some road climbing and a lovely descent to Kinnity. We stopped for lunch in Kinnity Castle, where lovely lady from the reception, kindly allowed us to bring the bikes all the way into the bar. After food, and much needed pint of black stuff we set off again. Sun was out and we met few people on the trails. Trails after the Kinnity are narrow, steep and very often have a barrier and stairs, so it's not an easy ride, but the manual skills practiced earlier, came fairly handy again. 

Climb from Cadamstown to Magherabane is a killer bureen trail, and is not for the faint hearted. After that my phone died, so no more pictures and Strava. But not much lost there really, after that it was mainly old farmers fields, fire roads, country tarmac roads, and thousand and one gates!  

Last descent and we where back in the car park. 

It was a long trip. Some outstanding views, some trails not suitable for biking but a good day on the bike all the same. Some challenging climbs, tricky descents and a good bit of fire roads. I can't wait until the trails around Kinnity are fully developed, looks like a place with lots of potential.

2016 Ticknock Blitz. My first over 20km XC race.

That was a hard race. 

It was lovely and dry all morning, but quite cold. My girls had a great time "racing" under 8, and under 10. Then after few hours it was my turn. Turnout was fantastic, there was over eighty of us "Baggy Shorts" and over forty "Super Pros". So it was a quite a crowd at the start line.

 

When Super Pros started, I looked around to see who I'm going to race with. It was pretty obvious, that the competition was strong. If I was to finish in top three, I'd had to be in a top form. Well I wasn't, and I never raced such a distance before. I decided that I start as strong as I can and then I'll see what I can do.

When the countdown was finished, I started from a third line, but before the first bend I was in the top three. I pushed as hard as I could and before long I was first!

It was a great feeling, to lead up on fist climb, and first two single tracks. When I reached the next climb, I knew I can't keep that up. Four or five people overtook me near the end of the second climb, and before we reached the next downhill section I was way behind the top three lads. Than I got stuck behind someone on the descent and there was no hope for me catching up with the leaders. I rode the trails fast and I could see that I was catching up at the descents, but my climbing wasn't fast enough to actually catch them. At the end of first lap I was tired, but when I saw my wife with the kids shouting "Daddy, Go!" and "You'r eight, well done!", I got an extra boost.

At the tarmac climb, I went to push on again on locked out suspension, and I started to feel the pain in my knees. I knew than it was the first sprint climb that was responsible. It was too much torque too fast. Clipless pedals surely are faster on the climbs but not great for your knees. I struggled thru the second lap, steady pace, and finished eight.

It was a tough race, but quite enjoyable. Looking back on Strava, my times confirm, that I did my best, and I'm really stoked to finish so high.

Official results form biking.ie

Link to Strava

Once again I'd like to thank Mad Elk Cycles for great support, Absolute Black, XfusionShox and of course Intense Cycles for fantastic products. Big Thank You to my wife Maria, my family, and friends for the help, support and encouragement. It really means a lot.

That's it for 2016 Blitz. I'm not sure yet which races I gonna train for next.