Epic MTB Kilmashogue Hillclimb // race report

Racing is great! Hillclimb racing is even better! So, needless to say how much fun I had this evening! But let's go from the start: this race was a club race run by Epic MTB and the destination was the "feared"  Kilmashogue Lane. When I seen the date and I realized I'm off work, there was no other option but sign up and race this evening.

The race went from the M50 bridge (the bottom of the Kilmashogue Lane) up on the tarmac road and then we turned off the road onto the fire road that leads all the way over to Threerock. The finish line was at the WW trail junction. This is a 3,4 km long climb with 280 m of total elevation gain and the steepest gradient is 18%. So, it is a long enough and heavy enough climb indeed. Simply perfect for a race like this. :)

The course

I cycled out of course and met few of the lads at the carpark at the bottom of Threerock. We have decided to climb up nearly as far as the Lower Carpark as a warm up and rolled down on the other side towards the Kilmashogue Lane. By the time we got there the place was absolutely packed. Big crowd of mountain bikers from many different clubs were ready to hit the climb. It was brilliant to see that many out!

Ready! Go! Off we went! We had a mass start that worked out pretty well for me. Riding in a group kept me motivated better and also helped me to pace myself. The main goal was not to go too hard too early 'cause normally that's where I make mistakes. I managed to keep that plan and it payed off later indeed. I got up on the tarmac section nice and quick and started to push a bit more on the fire road. I had a bit of a gap to work with and luckily I mamaged to keep it all the way to the top. 

I felt great on the bike and had a great race I have to say. Finished 7th (out of more than 50 riders) with 14 minutes and 10 seconds race time. I'm delighted with this result, happy, happy, happy! :) 

Rolling home after the race. Nice & easy :)

After the race I went for a short spin around Threerock and then cycled back home. Was brilliant to be out on the bike, was even better to be able to race on this lovely evening. Thanks a lot for organizing the race, I'm still buzzing after the torcherous climb!  

29er // Got me thinking!

Well, we all know the whole story about the 29er MTB revolution and there's nothing that hasn't been said about them already. So, I rather not get into all the pros and cons here 'cause I'm sure everyone who follows mountain biking heard it enough. :)

But there is a lot more important question that got me thinking. How good a 29er XC machine can be for short riders such as myself? Most of the people out there would say it straight away: it's not the best, only works well for tall lads! But there's another group of people as well who are happily get along with the bigger wheels and they are only 5'5" just like me! :)

I've been riding normal 26" mountain bikes in the last 15 years and didn't even bother to pay attention to all this fuss about 29ers. Up until now! Seems like they are really working for so many riders and the design & geometry also got better and better over the last few years. 

So, I can't deny it: I am very curious and would love to try a 29er XC bike! I never thought I'd say this but it's true, I want to give it a go!  

Well said!

Time to enjoy some uphill! :)

This afternoon I wanted to do something different: didn't feel like to go for a MTB spin and didn't want to do all the usual route on the road bike either. So, what to do? Pick a shortish route with the most possible climb on the way. Sounds great! 

After I finished my babysitting duty for the afternoon I got my gear ready and off I went. Now, this was the first time this year when the weather was really nice. I mean REALLY NICE! Warm with a bit of wind, dry roads, blue sky! The kind of afternoon that needs to be spent on the bike. :)

As I said before: the plan was to get some good road climbing done by the time I get back home. So I did most of the climbs between the Viewing Pint and Stepaside: Stocking Lane, Kilmashogue Lane, Threerock and over to Stepaside.

The Stocking Lane and the Threerock climb was absolutely great, felt very good and really enjoyed myself. But on the Kilmashogue Lane I had some trouble to deal with the single 38T ring on the front, but still liked it though. With this route I ended up havin' a bit less than 2 hours long spin with the distance of 44 km and the total elevation gain of 1027 m. And as a bonus I managed to pick up a big bunch of PRs on the way. Happy days! :)

After the spin: tired but happy :)

What can I say about todays spin? It was a perfect reminder why I love to ride on the road every now and then: it's fast and smooth. Really enjoyed myself on the bike today, loved the route and the first real taste of the spring was lovely. Kneewarmers and armwarmers but I pulled them off pretty much straight away. Brilliant!

Today's spin was as intense as it can get with my current shape but in the same time it was very relaxing: got my head cleared and enjoyed some of my favourite tunes as well. Pure fun! :)

But the best part was when I got home my little son Rhys joined me and checked out what is this whole bike business is all about! :)

Future cyclist in making :)

What can I say? I just simply love the coast!

I prefer riding on hills, big heavy climbs and steep trails what makes me happy on the bike. But every now and then I have a spin along the coast and every time I do, it reminds me how much I love the coast on the bike. 

Bull Island bridge

There is something about it, I just don't know what. Maybe everything. Love the smell, the noise of the waves, the breeze that's coming from the sea. Just simply everything! 

Portmarnock

This could sound a bit cheesy I know, but to a cyclist who is coming from a landlocked country these things are still special. They are special to me anyway. So I'm keep ceasing the moment everytime I'm riding my bike on the coast roads! :)

Use what you have!

Just a quick snapshot of my way of using the family/team/holiday car on it's limits. I have no shed or garden of my own so I need to work with what I have: storing the bike, toolbox, equipment and when needed the trusted Fabia Estate turns into a workshop! Class! :)

Bike, food & all the rest // Brilliant Easter weekend

This has been great: there was plenty of time to do everything that I wanted to do during this year's Easter weekend. Riding my bike, havin' serious amount of lovely food and resting as much as you can rest with a 10 months old in the house. :)

Nice view: Powerscourt Waterfall and the still snowy mountains in the background

The longish MTB spin that I've done was simply one of the best in a long time. Don't go to Djouce very often but any time I do I need to realize that the place is the BEST around Dublin with no doubt! I cycled out, got some of the best trails tested out after the recent snowfall and when I finished I cycled back home. Weather was nice and sunny, the trails were in a decent condition (some of them were surpisingly dry) & got to listen to some of my favourite tunes along the way. Is there anything else I could wish for?! There is: an über-giga-mega-monster size chocolate Easter Egg! Luckily I got one but the "relationship" didn't last too long...

R.I.P. Easter Egg, was lovely to know you! :)

There is one more day off tomorrow I have. That means one more XC spin up in the mountains. Great stuff! It has been a lovely Easter weekend indeed: managed to spend time with my family, managed to ride my bike and also managed to enjoy myself during the last few days. :)