MTB League Round 9 - The Mountain Stage (TDF)

Tuesday 16^th July saw round 9 of the Cuchulainn MTB league being contested, once again on the open mountain.  The course differed dramatically from previous weeks, the mountain stages of the Tour de France being the inspiration, straight up the Poc Fada, around the “Black Run”, down the “Roller Coaster”, down into Caraban and back up to the Dolman on the Poc Fada again.  A considerably shorter course than previous weeks at 5.7k but a stinger of a climb to start with, a technical fast descent on the “Roller Coaster” and a stinger of a climb to finish with.

For most, the direction of travel normally on the Poc Fada was down, riding up it was a new experience for some and the tropical weather and high evening temperatures that we’ve been enjoying over the recent period ensured that everyone was sweating profusely before turning off right towards the “Roller Coaster” and the descent to the river and Caraban.  Meave Baxter had set the course this week and she had commented on the route through the ferns to Caraban, little did we know that we’d have to “use the force” to be guided through them.  The ferns obscuring the view of the track made it more technical than it should have been, but enjoyable going by the amount of laughter that was heard when going through them.

The last part of the course, 1.3km of climb, very steep in places, technical and the grass seemed to absorb any forward momentum that you had managed to build up.  10 riders all hit this section of the course within 1 minute of each other, it was a pain game, some had to walk the initial climb, some rode, but all put in 100% effort.  The race for the finish was close, so close that only 41 seconds separated the first 3 riders and 5 minutes separated the top 10.  A very demanding course and on reflection a very enjoyable course, rounded off nicely with a BBQ at Meave and John’s house.  If Carlsberg did mountain bike races …..

As always, thanks have to go to this week’s timekeepers, John Loane and John Noone.

Results of Round 9

1^st – Gary Sheils
2^nd – Ed Lennox
3^rd – Michael Wilson

Fastest Rider

Gary Sheils – 28min 23 secs

Round 10 will be on Tuesday 23rd July @ 7pm, all visiting club riders and guests are welcome to compete as long as they hold a current (2013) Cycling Ireland Licence.