League Format
We race on Thursday evenings regardless of the conditions (looking back on last yearâs notes there was one horrible wet evening and two damp races, the rest were run in warm, sunny and dusty conditions). Letâs hope we get more of the same this year.
The best 14/17 rounds count towards the final tally of points so there are 3 rounds that you can drop and still be in contention of winning. In terms of doing well, turning up as often as you can is the key. Firstly, you are constantly accumulating points and secondly you are getting faster (a combination of improved fitness, technical ability and knowledge of the course).
Hill Climb (April 14th â 18.30)
Race start location: https://goo.gl/maps/qVWoAwMPRfP2.
Notes: Bonus point for all competitors
Parking: Lamb Doyles / Marley Park (if it is open late) or the carpark at Kilmashogue Forest. Do not park on the road around the start â there is no space)
We start the season with a hill climb. This is a climb from the M50 bridge at the bottom of Kilmashogue, up the road and then onto the fireroad all the way to the Wicklow Way. We get a good turnout for this every year as it's a great way to see where you stand after the winter and catch up with people that you wonât have seen in a while. This year Iâll be giving bonus point to all competitors. Once the race is over (Wining time last year was 13.54, average time was 18.20) we go for a social spin around the trails. Given that the Ticknock Enduro is just finished there are plenty of trails in excellent condition
Club Course (April 21st â July 28th)
Race start location: https://goo.gl/maps/xwnqqFN3dbz.
Notes: Standard points for all races
Parking: Palmers (The Golden Ball). Parking up at the race course is limited and risky (there are always a few thefts from cars during the year)
After the hill climb we move to the club course for fifteen races. If you want to get a good feel for what the club races are about (mainly having the craic) check out Maxâs video from 2011 https://vimeo.com/28118722 . These races are handicapped and the handicaps are set each week. This ensure that the racing is competitive and, as people improve, you are racing with people of similar abilities. It takes a few races to see what level people are at so bear with us. For those of you who raced last year, most will be given the same start time as you had for round six last year. There may be a few exceptions to this, including myself, who will be given slightly more challenging start times!
Point-to-Point (Mid â end August)
Race start location: Lamb Doyles
Notes: Bonus point for all competitors
Parking: Lamb Doyles
The last race of the season is held in August. This is provisionally scheduled for the latter half of August. The race proper starts at the bottom of Ticknock road (Meet at Lamb Doyles). The course follows the âTuesday Loopâ which is a XC training loop the club does on a Tuesday. Iâll post a link to the course on Strava in a few weeks time but, regardless of whether you are a member of the club or not, you should come out a do a few of these. There will be bonus points for all competitors who complete the race.
We race on Thursday evenings regardless of the conditions (looking back on last yearâs notes there was one horrible wet evening and two damp races, the rest were run in warm, sunny and dusty conditions). Letâs hope we get more of the same this year.
The best 14/17 rounds count towards the final tally of points so there are 3 rounds that you can drop and still be in contention of winning. In terms of doing well, turning up as often as you can is the key. Firstly, you are constantly accumulating points and secondly you are getting faster (a combination of improved fitness, technical ability and knowledge of the course).
Hill Climb (April 14th â 18.30)
Race start location: https://goo.gl/maps/qVWoAwMPRfP2.
Notes: Bonus point for all competitors
Parking: Lamb Doyles / Marley Park (if it is open late) or the carpark at Kilmashogue Forest. Do not park on the road around the start â there is no space)
We start the season with a hill climb. This is a climb from the M50 bridge at the bottom of Kilmashogue, up the road and then onto the fireroad all the way to the Wicklow Way. We get a good turnout for this every year as it's a great way to see where you stand after the winter and catch up with people that you wonât have seen in a while. This year Iâll be giving bonus point to all competitors. Once the race is over (Wining time last year was 13.54, average time was 18.20) we go for a social spin around the trails. Given that the Ticknock Enduro is just finished there are plenty of trails in excellent condition
Club Course (April 21st â July 28th)
Race start location: https://goo.gl/maps/xwnqqFN3dbz.
Notes: Standard points for all races
Parking: Palmers (The Golden Ball). Parking up at the race course is limited and risky (there are always a few thefts from cars during the year)
After the hill climb we move to the club course for fifteen races. If you want to get a good feel for what the club races are about (mainly having the craic) check out Maxâs video from 2011 https://vimeo.com/28118722 . These races are handicapped and the handicaps are set each week. This ensure that the racing is competitive and, as people improve, you are racing with people of similar abilities. It takes a few races to see what level people are at so bear with us. For those of you who raced last year, most will be given the same start time as you had for round six last year. There may be a few exceptions to this, including myself, who will be given slightly more challenging start times!
Point-to-Point (Mid â end August)
Race start location: Lamb Doyles
Notes: Bonus point for all competitors
Parking: Lamb Doyles
The last race of the season is held in August. This is provisionally scheduled for the latter half of August. The race proper starts at the bottom of Ticknock road (Meet at Lamb Doyles). The course follows the âTuesday Loopâ which is a XC training loop the club does on a Tuesday. Iâll post a link to the course on Strava in a few weeks time but, regardless of whether you are a member of the club or not, you should come out a do a few of these. There will be bonus points for all competitors who complete the race.
