Epic Update

It has been a great few weeks since restrictions were eased. The weather’s been good, the trails are mint and there have been loads of club spins and a few rounds of the League. All in all, there is a great buzz about the place J and dare we says it, its normal! Below you will see some updates on what has been going on (lots) and a bit of background on changes to the club league. If you have a view on any of the initiatives taken by the club this year including the running of the league, let us and the rest of the club know by posting up below.

Junior Section
The development of the junior section (take a bow Roo) is ongoing. As we gradually take in more junior riders (accompanied by their parents/guardians) we will be able to offer the different levels of riders spins that suits their respective abilities. Spins are generally on Sunday morning so keep an eye on the forum for details of where next week’s spin is or contact Roo directly.

Intro Spins
Gary has been leading the way on encouraging new members to join by running intro spins with great success – a few are already racing the league J. There is lots of interest out there and we need more of these spins to make sure that potential new members get a good sense of what we are about and the type of riding we do. If you are interested in helping out or running one of these spins, get in touch with Gary.

Membership
Between the resumption of spins, the development of the junior section and the start of the club league, we have 80 members this year, up from 63 last year, which is fantastic to see. If you are new to the club make sure to get out on a few spins. And on that note...

Spins
We have spins on Tuesday, Wednesday, League on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday Spins. As we get into the summer months people will be heading off for a break and the usual roster of spin leaders may not be around every week. We’ll post up a request for spin leaders every Sunday. If you are interested in running a spin, post it up giving date, time, meeting location and approximate duration. If you are a bit tentative about running a spin by yourself, don’t be afraid to ask for some help. It’s always good to have a leader / sweeper to keep the group together.

Club League
Aside from the changes to the course (thanks to Jon, Max and everyone who put in the hard graft) one of the big decisions that we took was to bring ebikes into the league. This decision was taken by the committee given that both old and new club members have these bikes and ebikes are a growing part of the scene. We discussed this with Coillte and they have no issue with ebikes so long as their riders are members of cycling Ireland with, at least, a limited competition licence – i.e. just like the rest of us. The same applies to ebikes on general club spins.
We discussed how best to include ebikes as part of the league and came to the following decisions:

1. Ebikes are a separate category so they are competing amongst themselves.
2. Ebikes start after everyone else.

In the first round, the Ebikes started together, just after the fastest riders. As you will see tomorrow, this start time has been pushed back by five minutes to give more separation between the riders. They also have their own handicaps (because not all ebikes are equal J).

Nice one Dave and the Committee.
The only thing I'd add is that we need a proper dig day or two to refresh some parts of the course.
We have some blown out corners on 3, big holes at the bottom of 2 and some vegetation getting in the way also in a few places.
I'm happy to organise on one of the Saturdays

Good man Dave nicely put .
I'm seeing great changes in the club. As a long time member I want to keep the old school values too . I feel the Ebike coming on the scene is hard to adjust to perhaps even bare with . I don't mind going for a spin with the lads and there is one Ebiker with us and they're chatting away while I'm murdering myself up Maulin not talking about anyone in particular @Terry mc donnagh. However I don't want to try race against them . When the red mist descends if anyone gets near you or passes you chase, you race that's it ... under your own power . I'm now feeling that having the Ebike in an mtb race is not working and perhaps giving our club a bad name and keeping folk away . The race numbers are down !
This for me , right now is not feeling good ...
I want to be progressive and inclusive, but I don't want to hear whispers of bad vibes . Please join in on the chat . I hope our club members on ebikes understand where I'm coming from.

Well put Roo, I have to agree.

Fair enough Roo. And thanks for trying.
I heard there was some people giving out.
Anyone want my license as I only got it for the league.
Maybe we should start up an ebike league and run it ourselves.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My other thought was that the ebikes go away at 6. They would all be finished by 645 and down in the pub by 7


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Based on the above, the key point is that ebikes are in a separate race already. No one on a non-ebike is competing with an ebike.

@ Terry, we can definitely try different start times / formats - this week the ebikes are off at 19:15. This means that they will be getting into Section 1 just behind Doris et al. on their first lap and finishing at around 19:48 (Around 8 minutes after everyone else).

As ever, and this applies to everyone participating in the league, everyone should give riders plenty of notice if you are going to pass and be polite :-)

As long as the e bikes are'nt mixing it up on course with us mere human powered rider's I don't mind them racing around.I don't understand why you'd want to ride one.But I feel that in years to come it'll all be e-bikes and enduro/downhill.

Well your not racing against the ebikes so get that notion out of your head. Maybe Doris has a chance.

any experienced rider knows not to chase a faster bike regardless of the bike. That’s like saying that the lad on a light hard tail has a big advantage over that heavy full suss. But if the bike tears past you regardless of what it’s made of you should know how to react.

On the bad name for the club. I think two riders did the first race on ebikes and already the club has a bad name. Surely not.
Someone has been spreading rumours about that for sure.

I doubt I’ll make this Thursday as once again im too busy at work.

But I sincerely hope that I can come and do a few laps sometime soon.

It’s a fun league and the people are what makes it not the bikes they are riding.

Would you give out if I rode it on a high nelly and was really slow? Or if I arrived on a 26er.

It’s the riders that make the league not the bikes they ride and they should all embrace change.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I see no problem with e bike times move on change happens, can not be stuck in the past or i would still be on a my first 3 wheelers

More than happy to let the committe decide on issue format

Think i heard all this before re 29ers same old rubbish

Spin or race of the year is the next one your doing not what you have done

News to me that the club is club is getting a bad name or there is secret whispering going on,if there is please speak up

Terry

Forgot to say thanks Dave for update and appreciate the time the committe is putting in keeping the club up and running in these changed times and for the future

Thanks dave and committee! Good to see a bit of life back in the forum, regular spins and the league back in action.
Ah the e bikes will always divide opinion. I have no issue with them if they are in their own category and not taking away my precious points! It's no fun when someone passes you in a race, and at speed when your nearly going backwards, but most people pass me like that, so I'm well used to it ha ha. Part of the craic of the league is having the banter at the end too, so it would be a shame if club members were excluded from this, and the delight of chatting to me

Sent from my POT-LX1 using Tapatalk

I've no issue with ebikes. The more the merrier!

Sent from my ELE-L09 using Tapatalk

No issue with ebikes. Start them together and have separate top 10.



Sent from my RMX2063 using Tapatalk

It's good to hear all the different opinions on e-bikes either on spins or racing . I think the club is being very progressive letting them race in their own cat. They are a big part of the MTB scene now and it's only going to get bigger !
Sone people are very anti e-bike and I honestly don't know why because they are great fun and having done a race on one now I can tell you it's not as easy as you would think if you're flat out .
I would love to see e-bike club spins in the future and run some myself if possible . Hopefully it won't divide the club too much and good luck to the moaners outside Epic !
Cheers
Phil

It has been a great few weeks since restrictions were eased. The weather’s been good, the trails are mint and there have been loads of club spins and a few rounds of the League. All in all, there is a great buzz about the place J and dare we says it, its normal! Below you will see some updates on what has been going on (lots) and a bit of background on changes to the club league. If you have a view on any of the initiatives taken by the club this year including the running of the league, let us and the rest of the club know by posting up below.

Junior Section
The development of the junior section (take a bow Roo) is ongoing. As we gradually take in more junior riders (accompanied by their parents/guardians) we will be able to offer the different levels of riders spins that suits their respective abilities. Spins are generally on Sunday morning so keep an eye on the forum for details of where next week’s spin is or contact Roo directly.

Intro Spins
Gary has been leading the way on encouraging new members to join by running intro spins with great success – a few are already racing the league J. There is lots of interest out there and we need more of these spins to make sure that potential new members get a good sense of what we are about and the type of riding we do. If you are interested in helping out or running one of these spins, get in touch with Gary.

Membership
Between the resumption of spins, the development of the junior section and the start of the club league, we have 80 members this year, up from 63 last year, which is fantastic to see. If you are new to the club make sure to get out on a few spins. And on that note...

Spins
We have spins on Tuesday, Wednesday, League on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday Spins. As we get into the summer months people will be heading off for a break and the usual roster of spin leaders may not be around every week. We’ll post up a request for spin leaders every Sunday. If you are interested in running a spin, post it up giving date, time, meeting location and approximate duration. If you are a bit tentative about running a spin by yourself, don’t be afraid to ask for some help. It’s always good to have a leader / sweeper to keep the group together.

Club League
Aside from the changes to the course (thanks to Jon, Max and everyone who put in the hard graft) one of the big decisions that we took was to bring ebikes into the league. This decision was taken by the committee given that both old and new club members have these bikes and ebikes are a growing part of the scene. We discussed this with Coillte and they have no issue with ebikes so long as their riders are members of cycling Ireland with, at least, a limited competition licence – i.e. just like the rest of us. The same applies to ebikes on general club spins.
We discussed how best to include ebikes as part of the league and came to the following decisions:

1. Ebikes are a separate category so they are competing amongst themselves.
2. Ebikes start after everyone else.

In the first round, the Ebikes started together, just after the fastest riders. As you will see tomorrow, this start time has been pushed back by five minutes to give more separation between the riders. They also have their own handicaps (because not all ebikes are equal J).

Nice one Dave and the Committee.
The only thing I'd add is that we need a proper dig day or two to refresh some parts of the course.
We have some blown out corners on 3, big holes at the bottom of 2 and some vegetation getting in the way also in a few places.
I'm happy to organise on one of the Saturdays

Good man Dave nicely put .
I'm seeing great changes in the club. As a long time member I want to keep the old school values too . I feel the Ebike coming on the scene is hard to adjust to perhaps even bare with . I don't mind going for a spin with the lads and there is one Ebiker with us and they're chatting away while I'm murdering myself up Maulin not talking about anyone in particular @Terry mc donnagh. However I don't want to try race against them . When the red mist descends if anyone gets near you or passes you chase, you race that's it ... under your own power . I'm now feeling that having the Ebike in an mtb race is not working and perhaps giving our club a bad name and keeping folk away . The race numbers are down !
This for me , right now is not feeling good ...
I want to be progressive and inclusive, but I don't want to hear whispers of bad vibes . Please join in on the chat . I hope our club members on ebikes understand where I'm coming from.

Well put Roo, I have to agree.

Fair enough Roo. And thanks for trying.
I heard there was some people giving out.
Anyone want my license as I only got it for the league.
Maybe we should start up an ebike league and run it ourselves.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My other thought was that the ebikes go away at 6. They would all be finished by 645 and down in the pub by 7


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Based on the above, the key point is that ebikes are in a separate race already. No one on a non-ebike is competing with an ebike.

@ Terry, we can definitely try different start times / formats - this week the ebikes are off at 19:15. This means that they will be getting into Section 1 just behind Doris et al. on their first lap and finishing at around 19:48 (Around 8 minutes after everyone else).

As ever, and this applies to everyone participating in the league, everyone should give riders plenty of notice if you are going to pass and be polite :-)

As long as the e bikes are'nt mixing it up on course with us mere human powered rider's I don't mind them racing around.I don't understand why you'd want to ride one.But I feel that in years to come it'll all be e-bikes and enduro/downhill.

Well your not racing against the ebikes so get that notion out of your head. Maybe Doris has a chance.

any experienced rider knows not to chase a faster bike regardless of the bike. That’s like saying that the lad on a light hard tail has a big advantage over that heavy full suss. But if the bike tears past you regardless of what it’s made of you should know how to react.

On the bad name for the club. I think two riders did the first race on ebikes and already the club has a bad name. Surely not.
Someone has been spreading rumours about that for sure.

I doubt I’ll make this Thursday as once again im too busy at work.

But I sincerely hope that I can come and do a few laps sometime soon.

It’s a fun league and the people are what makes it not the bikes they are riding.

Would you give out if I rode it on a high nelly and was really slow? Or if I arrived on a 26er.

It’s the riders that make the league not the bikes they ride and they should all embrace change.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I see no problem with e bike times move on change happens, can not be stuck in the past or i would still be on a my first 3 wheelers

More than happy to let the committe decide on issue format

Think i heard all this before re 29ers same old rubbish

Spin or race of the year is the next one your doing not what you have done

News to me that the club is club is getting a bad name or there is secret whispering going on,if there is please speak up

Terry

Forgot to say thanks Dave for update and appreciate the time the committe is putting in keeping the club up and running in these changed times and for the future

Thanks dave and committee! Good to see a bit of life back in the forum, regular spins and the league back in action.
Ah the e bikes will always divide opinion. I have no issue with them if they are in their own category and not taking away my precious points! It's no fun when someone passes you in a race, and at speed when your nearly going backwards, but most people pass me like that, so I'm well used to it ha ha. Part of the craic of the league is having the banter at the end too, so it would be a shame if club members were excluded from this, and the delight of chatting to me

Sent from my POT-LX1 using Tapatalk

I've no issue with ebikes. The more the merrier!

Sent from my ELE-L09 using Tapatalk

No issue with ebikes. Start them together and have separate top 10.



Sent from my RMX2063 using Tapatalk

It's good to hear all the different opinions on e-bikes either on spins or racing . I think the club is being very progressive letting them race in their own cat. They are a big part of the MTB scene now and it's only going to get bigger !
Sone people are very anti e-bike and I honestly don't know why because they are great fun and having done a race on one now I can tell you it's not as easy as you would think if you're flat out .
I would love to see e-bike club spins in the future and run some myself if possible . Hopefully it won't divide the club too much and good luck to the moaners outside Epic !
Cheers
Phil

It has been a great few weeks since restrictions were eased. The weather’s been good, the trails are mint and there have been loads of club spins and a few rounds of the League. All in all, there is a great buzz about the place J and dare we says it, its normal! Below you will see some updates on what has been going on (lots) and a bit of background on changes to the club league. If you have a view on any of the initiatives taken by the club this year including the running of the league, let us and the rest of the club know by posting up below.

Junior Section
The development of the junior section (take a bow Roo) is ongoing. As we gradually take in more junior riders (accompanied by their parents/guardians) we will be able to offer the different levels of riders spins that suits their respective abilities. Spins are generally on Sunday morning so keep an eye on the forum for details of where next week’s spin is or contact Roo directly.

Intro Spins
Gary has been leading the way on encouraging new members to join by running intro spins with great success – a few are already racing the league J. There is lots of interest out there and we need more of these spins to make sure that potential new members get a good sense of what we are about and the type of riding we do. If you are interested in helping out or running one of these spins, get in touch with Gary.

Membership
Between the resumption of spins, the development of the junior section and the start of the club league, we have 80 members this year, up from 63 last year, which is fantastic to see. If you are new to the club make sure to get out on a few spins. And on that note...

Spins
We have spins on Tuesday, Wednesday, League on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday Spins. As we get into the summer months people will be heading off for a break and the usual roster of spin leaders may not be around every week. We’ll post up a request for spin leaders every Sunday. If you are interested in running a spin, post it up giving date, time, meeting location and approximate duration. If you are a bit tentative about running a spin by yourself, don’t be afraid to ask for some help. It’s always good to have a leader / sweeper to keep the group together.

Club League
Aside from the changes to the course (thanks to Jon, Max and everyone who put in the hard graft) one of the big decisions that we took was to bring ebikes into the league. This decision was taken by the committee given that both old and new club members have these bikes and ebikes are a growing part of the scene. We discussed this with Coillte and they have no issue with ebikes so long as their riders are members of cycling Ireland with, at least, a limited competition licence – i.e. just like the rest of us. The same applies to ebikes on general club spins.
We discussed how best to include ebikes as part of the league and came to the following decisions:

1. Ebikes are a separate category so they are competing amongst themselves.
2. Ebikes start after everyone else.

In the first round, the Ebikes started together, just after the fastest riders. As you will see tomorrow, this start time has been pushed back by five minutes to give more separation between the riders. They also have their own handicaps (because not all ebikes are equal J).

Nice one Dave and the Committee.
The only thing I'd add is that we need a proper dig day or two to refresh some parts of the course.
We have some blown out corners on 3, big holes at the bottom of 2 and some vegetation getting in the way also in a few places.
I'm happy to organise on one of the Saturdays

Good man Dave nicely put .
I'm seeing great changes in the club. As a long time member I want to keep the old school values too . I feel the Ebike coming on the scene is hard to adjust to perhaps even bare with . I don't mind going for a spin with the lads and there is one Ebiker with us and they're chatting away while I'm murdering myself up Maulin not talking about anyone in particular @Terry mc donnagh. However I don't want to try race against them . When the red mist descends if anyone gets near you or passes you chase, you race that's it ... under your own power . I'm now feeling that having the Ebike in an mtb race is not working and perhaps giving our club a bad name and keeping folk away . The race numbers are down !
This for me , right now is not feeling good ...
I want to be progressive and inclusive, but I don't want to hear whispers of bad vibes . Please join in on the chat . I hope our club members on ebikes understand where I'm coming from.

Well put Roo, I have to agree.

Fair enough Roo. And thanks for trying.
I heard there was some people giving out.
Anyone want my license as I only got it for the league.
Maybe we should start up an ebike league and run it ourselves.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My other thought was that the ebikes go away at 6. They would all be finished by 645 and down in the pub by 7


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Based on the above, the key point is that ebikes are in a separate race already. No one on a non-ebike is competing with an ebike.

@ Terry, we can definitely try different start times / formats - this week the ebikes are off at 19:15. This means that they will be getting into Section 1 just behind Doris et al. on their first lap and finishing at around 19:48 (Around 8 minutes after everyone else).

As ever, and this applies to everyone participating in the league, everyone should give riders plenty of notice if you are going to pass and be polite :-)

As long as the e bikes are'nt mixing it up on course with us mere human powered rider's I don't mind them racing around.I don't understand why you'd want to ride one.But I feel that in years to come it'll all be e-bikes and enduro/downhill.

Well your not racing against the ebikes so get that notion out of your head. Maybe Doris has a chance.

any experienced rider knows not to chase a faster bike regardless of the bike. That’s like saying that the lad on a light hard tail has a big advantage over that heavy full suss. But if the bike tears past you regardless of what it’s made of you should know how to react.

On the bad name for the club. I think two riders did the first race on ebikes and already the club has a bad name. Surely not.
Someone has been spreading rumours about that for sure.

I doubt I’ll make this Thursday as once again im too busy at work.

But I sincerely hope that I can come and do a few laps sometime soon.

It’s a fun league and the people are what makes it not the bikes they are riding.

Would you give out if I rode it on a high nelly and was really slow? Or if I arrived on a 26er.

It’s the riders that make the league not the bikes they ride and they should all embrace change.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I see no problem with e bike times move on change happens, can not be stuck in the past or i would still be on a my first 3 wheelers

More than happy to let the committe decide on issue format

Think i heard all this before re 29ers same old rubbish

Spin or race of the year is the next one your doing not what you have done

News to me that the club is club is getting a bad name or there is secret whispering going on,if there is please speak up

Terry

Forgot to say thanks Dave for update and appreciate the time the committe is putting in keeping the club up and running in these changed times and for the future

Thanks dave and committee! Good to see a bit of life back in the forum, regular spins and the league back in action.
Ah the e bikes will always divide opinion. I have no issue with them if they are in their own category and not taking away my precious points! It's no fun when someone passes you in a race, and at speed when your nearly going backwards, but most people pass me like that, so I'm well used to it ha ha. Part of the craic of the league is having the banter at the end too, so it would be a shame if club members were excluded from this, and the delight of chatting to me

Sent from my POT-LX1 using Tapatalk

I've no issue with ebikes. The more the merrier!

Sent from my ELE-L09 using Tapatalk

No issue with ebikes. Start them together and have separate top 10.



Sent from my RMX2063 using Tapatalk

It's good to hear all the different opinions on e-bikes either on spins or racing . I think the club is being very progressive letting them race in their own cat. They are a big part of the MTB scene now and it's only going to get bigger !
Sone people are very anti e-bike and I honestly don't know why because they are great fun and having done a race on one now I can tell you it's not as easy as you would think if you're flat out .
I would love to see e-bike club spins in the future and run some myself if possible . Hopefully it won't divide the club too much and good luck to the moaners outside Epic !
Cheers
Phil