MADMTB are proud to announce a our leg of the 2017 XC NPS, which we will be hosting in Ticknock.
We received a lot of positive feedback on last year’s course so we will try emulate that again this year.
Trail description:
The start/finish is in the same location as 2016, so it’s a sprint off the line to thin the bunch then into a quick decent followed by a short fire road climb through the feed/tech zone. Make a sharp right into Tom’s trail for a short breather before you start the climb up towards Kilmashogue.
Up the fire road to the next trail centre section (Eurosceptic). Detour onto an old double-track to break up the single-track before re-joining the smooth climb. Keep climbing up to the junction where you exit the forest out onto the rugged open mountain.
Don’t be distracted by the stunner of a view down to Dublin bay, your attention is needed ahead to negotiate the rocky trail as you climb at a mellow grade towards the highest point of the day at the Fairy Castle walking trail crossing.
Across the junction, you’re onto a challenger of a decent, a heather-lined trail over granite boulders and outcrops. For any chance at maintaining your speed, line choice is critical – the obvious line isn’t always the fastest!
As the forest looms in your sightline, get ready for a fast, bermed transition from descending into climbing – a brief climb is followed by a short, fast descent. Brake hard for a right turn off the main trail, down a couple of machine tracks and into the start of a single-track climb. Sharp right, back into descent mode, fast huck over the rock – you did put a couple extra psi into your tyres, didn’t you?
Leaving the open mountain behind you for this lap, you’re back into the forest, down the machine track, over the hump entrance into the fall-line trail. Roll the slab-to-root – it’s the faster line! Tight turns through the trees (XC-width bars are recommended!), negotiate the gnarliest root on the mountain, then drop out onto the end of the Euroskeptic trail.
Sharp left at the exit then get gobbled-up by the Trench of Terror and unceremoniously spat out onto the Kilmashogue fire road then off down the King’s Highway. Keep it lit all the way along the top of the bank – stay focused as you carve your way down and into the forest.
Watch for the straight-but-techy line into this section, or take the rooty option to the right. Manoeuvre your way through the trees, tight turns, a sharp descent, followed by dropping out onto Goober’s Heart Attack for a short, sharp climb.
Sharp left back into the forest, which opens out into another passing opportunity – pay attention – this may be your last chance to pass before the fire road sprint finish!
Surf the bus stops and humps before dropping down into the Start/Finish straight.
Nice job, you just beat the mountain.
But the mountain hates being trumped, and it isn’t finished with you yet.
Deep breath, go fight another lap, or two, or three….
Preview Video
Race Day Schedule
- 09:00 – Sign on opens
- 10:00 – Under 6s fun race
- 10:15 – Under 8s
- 10:30 – Under 10s
- 10:45 – Under 12s
- 11:10 – Prize giving for U8s, U10s and U12s
- 12:00 – Under 16s, Senior 4 men, Senior 2 women, Under 14s
- 13:30 – Prize giving for U14s, U16s, S2 women and S4 men
- 14:00 – Senior 1 men, Juniors, Senior 1 women, Senior 2 men, Senior 3 men
- 15:45 – Prize giving for S1, S2 and S3 men, Juniors and S1 women
Practice times for the main course
- 09:00 – 11:45
- 13:15 – 13:45
NO PRACTICE IS ALLOWED ON COURSE WHEN ANY RACING IS IN PROGRESS
The venue will be open from 8:45am on Sunday 4 June 2017.
Practice time will also be available from 2pm on Saturday afternoon.
Note: Saturday Practice is at riders own risk as there will be no first aid assistance on site for this time.
Registration now open:
Keep an eye on our Facebook event page for updates.
Sponsors
Marshals
This is an important showcase for our club so if any members can spare the day to help marshal the event, please sign up here: http://madmtb.com/forum/index.php?topic=741.0
Parking
Please note the overflow parking and the road in upper Ticknock is a one-way system.
Please do NOT double park and block fire-road access as these may be used for emergency vehicles.