Trails and Access
2012 Offroad Commission AGM Schedule and Agenda
07 months ago
The 2012 Offroad Commission AGM takes place on Saturday October 6th at Taylors Three Rock, Rathfarnham, Dublin. The schedule for the day is as follows:
- Morning – Casual spin around Three Rock
- 2pm – soup and sandwiches for hungry bikers
- 3pm – Offroad Commission AGM
- 4:30pm – 2012 prize-giving ceremony
You’ll find the full agenda here, including Commission nominations and motions.
Upcoming MBLA (TCL) Courses
08 months ago
Cycling Ireland is delighted to introduce to you the NEW Mountain Bike Leaders Awards (MBLA) Scheme. 2012 will see Cycling Ireland offer a New Leadership Qualification in Mountain Biking in the form of a NEW Trail Cycle Leader (TCL) Award. Please find below details of upcoming Trail Cycle Leader Course (TCL);
Cycling Ireland MBLA Trail Cycle Leader (TCL) Courses
Roundwood, Co. Wicklow
Date: 20th and 21st of October 2012
Venue: Roundwood Parish Centre, Roundwood, Co. Wicklow
Saturday and Sunday: 9am to 7pm
Tutor: Tarja Owens
Roundwood, Co. Wickow
Date: 10th and 11th of November 2012
Venue: Roundwood Parish Centre, Roundwood, Co. Wicklow
Saturday and Sunday: 9am to 7pm
Tutor: Tarja Owens
Newcastle Co. Down
Date: 10th and 11th of November
Venue: Meelmore Lodge, 52 Trassey Rd, Newcastle, BT33 0QB
Saturday and Sunday: 9am to 7pm
Tutor: Ian Bailey
MTB Rendezvous 2012 – Cancelled
08 months ago
Bad news from the organisers of the MTB Rendezvous:
We are in the unfortunate position of announcing the cancellation of the MTB Rendezvous 2012, due to take place in Knockree Youth Hostel this coming Sunday, 23rdSeptember.
We have received tremendous support for this new format of socialising on a bike, which encompasses all the good things about cycling. Both from the cycling industry in Ireland, the many individuals and cycling clubs looking to participate to the local businesses who welcome cyclist through their doors every weekend.
Unfortunately the success of this novel idea has been its down fall and has brought concerns from the forestry state body Coillte regarding access to their lands and the byelaws covering this. Due to these concerns we will not be continuing with the Rendezvous.
As organisers of the Rendezvous, our sole objective was to provide a social lunch for all who arrived at Knockree by which ever means they wished. It has never been to organise the routes anyone cycled.
Keen cyclist as we are, we are not members of any Cycling Ireland club, nor was this a competitive event. However the threat hanging over future Cycling Ireland events on Coillte land has been too great. We respect Coillte’s concerns and the byelaws governing their forests and access and do not want to jeopardise any future MTB events with the possibility of substantial numbers of cyclists on their land.
So I would ask all cyclists to do what you do every Sunday and enjoy your biking in designated trails. Thank you again for the interest you have shown in Rendezvous.
Safe riding.
MTB Rendezvous – Important Notice
08 months ago
With regard to the MTB Rendezvous planned for Sunday 23rd September 2012, Cycling Ireland would like to advise riders that this is a not a Cycling Ireland sanctioned event and no permit has been issued by Coillte for the event.
Riders are advised that cycling on the Wicklow Way or Dublin Way is not permitted, and cycling is only permitted on designated cycle routes on Coillte property or with appropriate permit.
In conjunction with the official Coillte MTB trails, there is some great and very scenic cycling on the roads leading to Knockree, so riders are reminded to plan ahead and ensure they do not violate any bye-laws or cycle on lands not designated or permitted for the purpose.
Riders are reminded to review the Coillte Offroad Cycling Strategy (alternately see extract below):
Coillte retain the right not to permit events organised by clubs whose members choose to ignore directions set down by Coillte on use of designated areas only for cycling or who have demonstrated a lack of respect for the resource made available to them or who have not adhered to the conditions of previous permits issued.
Byelaws were introduced in 2009 under the 1989 Forestry Act to govern use of the lands and it prohibited certain activities. The byelaws were introduced as a management tool to help with reducing the level of safety issues from the inappropriate use of trails and roads, to manage conflict between different visitor groups to Coillte lands and to control unauthorised activities that can cause nuisance, environmental damage or be a source of risk to other users and employees.
This byelaw is now in place on a substantial part of the estate and defines that cycling is not allowed except in areas and on routes designated for cycling.The use of byelaws to restrict the act of using a bicycle on a part of the lands deemed unsuitable is just one part of a number of measures to manage and encourage responsible behaviour. The byelaw (as it relates to cycling) will remain in place and the issues highlighted will be addressed through this strategy.
Failure by cyclists and others to comply with officially posted notices or instructions will result in removal of permissions and permits.
Leinster Leader – 4 Sept 2012
18 months ago
Lenister Leader 4 Sept 2012
Astroturf pitches & BMX track planned for outskirts of Naas
PLANS are afoot to develop astroturf pitches and a BMX bike track on a greenfield site outside Naas.
A four-and-a-half acre plot at the IDA Business Park at Blessington Road (behind the AIB building) has been earmarked as the location for the development.
The planning application, made in the name of Conor Carruthers, is for five pitches of 600 square metres, a two-storey clubhouse occupying 361 square metres as well as a BMX track measuring some 340 metres.
It also embraces a smaller BMX clubhouse, floodlighting and 129 car park spaces.
The application was prepared by Naas-based consulting engineer Conor Furey.
The Vacant Site in Naas.
The Leader was unable to make contact with Mr. Carruthers and it is not clear how much the project will cost or the potential for job creation.
The IDA has already indicated it has no objection to the plan provided it meets regulatory requirements such as planning permission.
A traffic report compiled as part of the application indicates that the junction which serves the area can deal with the additional traffic.
The report used traffic flows for a similar facility at Red Lane, Newbridge, for comparison.
“The junction arrangements to access the site can operate satisfactorily in accommodating the levels and types of traffic likely to be generated by the development,” the report says.
The report also notes that the access road to the business park ends in a cul de sac adjacent to the site and “this could form part of a possible future Naas link road.”
It further suggests that levels of car ownership will not fluctuate significantly so traffic growth will be limited.
Submissions about the plan can be made by September 24 and Naas Town Council is expected to decide on the application by October 15.
- Paul O’Meara
Story published HERE.
Ballyhoura Outdoor Recreation Course
09 months ago
by Morgan
in Trails and Access
The Ballyhoura FAS Outdoor Course which is currently accepting applications and due to start in late September 2012. Ballyhoura Outdoor Recreation Course is a challenging 40 week full time course that provides participants with expert tuition to develop the skills, knowledge and qualifications necessary to gain employment in the outdoor adventure sector. Based in Kilfinane, Co. Limerick, a typical day sees participants mountain biking the Ballyhoura trails, hill walking in the Galtees or kayaking on Lough Gur or the Lower Shannon. The course is run by Ballyhoura Development Ltd in association with FAS.
To qualify for the course, participants must have an interest in sport and an ambition to work in the outdoors. Applicants should be aged over 18 years.
Find more information on Facebook or check out the blog or website below:
http://www.facebook.com/BallyhouraOutdoorRecreation
http://ballyhouraoutdoorrec.blogspot.com/
http://ballyhoura.wordpress.com/2012/08/02/ballyhoura-outdoor-recreation-course-fetac-level-5/
For more information or to apply, contact Anisa Moynihan, Ballyhoura Development Ltd. Tel.: 063-91730 or email: amoynihan@ballyhoura.org or contact your local FAS office.
“Helping the Hills” Conference
09 months ago
by Morgan
in Trails and Access
Good morning off-roaders!
I probably don’t need to tell you that Ireland has tremendous potential for walking, cycling and other outdoor recreation activities, and that wise management is required to deliver quality recreation experiences and long-term benefit.
Many of Ireland’s mountains are suffering the effects of erosion, whether through increased recreational activity or natural processes, or indeed a combination of these. As these areas have a high conservation value, it’s important to respond appropriately.
Helping the Hills is a conference on the management of upland paths, hosted by Mountaineering Ireland and taking place at Glendalough, Co. Wicklow on Thursday 13th – Friday 14th September.
The programme incorporates presentations, workshops and site visits. The conference will be jointly opened by Minister Jimmy Deenihan TD, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and Minister Alex Attwood MLA, Minister for the Environment (NI). We have a strong line-up of speakers, ready to share the lessons from their work in the management of recreation and upland paths.
This event should be of interest and value to those involved in the promotion, funding and management of outdoor recreation, local authorities, land managers, participants in outdoor recreation and all those with an interest in the sustainable management of upland areas.
Conference fee is just €80, for full programme and online booking, go to www.helpingthehills.ie.
We look forward to seeing some of you in Glendalough!
Regards
Helen Lawless
Hillwalking, Access & Conservation Officer
Mountaineering Ireland
Nominations for Offroad Commission members
09 months ago
Please note there are various positions on the Cycling Ireland Offroad Commission up for nomination.
Nominations must be received by the Offroad Commission by Saturday 29th September at 1:00pm, any nominations received after this date/time will not be accepted.
Nominators and nominees must hold a current Cycling Ireland licence.
Vacant positions for nomination:
Morgan O’Connell (current chairman) and Fergal Kilkenny (current secretary) will be retiring from their respective positions in October.
Sean Herlihy (Access Officer) retired from his position during 2012.
Ciara MacManus (XC Development rep.) retired from her position during 2012.
Morgan, Sean, Ciara and Fergal are thanked for their dedication, efforts and work during their tenure and have brought about significant change, promotion and improvement to many aspects of the sport.
Positions up for re-election as follows:
- Orla Baxter (Commission member)
- Alison Murphy (BMX rep.)
Members who currently do not require re-election:
- Natalie O’Carroll (DH Development rep.)
- Aine Conneff (Treasurer)
- Richard Thornhill (DH co-ordinator)
To nominate a person for election to the Offroad Commission, please send an email to offroad.commission@gmail.com with the subject “Offroad Commission nomination” Nominations must be received by the Offroad Commission by Saturday 29th September at 1:00pm, any nominations received after this date/time will not be accepted.
You must be present at the AGM to propose your nomination or have a representative to act on your behalf.
Here is an example of a motion:
” I [Joe Bloggs] CI Licence number: [] would like to nominate [John Doe] for the position of [insert proposed role/responsibility here]”
Request for motions for 2012 Offroad AGM
29 months ago
Motions are now being accepted for the 2012 Offroad AGM, any Cycling Ireland members wishing to submit a motion for the upcoming Offroad AGM must do so by email.
Please submit your motions via e-mail to offroad.commission@gmail.com with the subject “2012 Offroad AGM motion”
The date of the Offroad AGM is Saturday 6th October, and will likely be held in in Taylor’s pub Rathfarnham, all details will be confirmed in due course.
Motions must be received by the Offroad Commission by Saturday 29th September at 1:00pm, any motions received after this date/time will not be accepted.
Submitting a motion to the AGM is your opportunity to influence how offroad cycling in Ireland is administered.
Any successful motions relating to changes to Technical Regulations or formal Operating Procedures of Cycling Ireland have to be approved by the Board of Cycling Ireland.
You MUST include your Cycling Ireland licence number and your full name.
Here is an example of a motion:
” I <Joe Bloggs> CI Licence number: <12OV123> propose the following changes..etc….. ”
DANGER: 3Rock “rockdropper” threatens safety of cyclists
09 months ago
by Fergal
in Trails and Access
There have recently been many reports by recreational users of Ticknock/3Rock mountain of very dangerous incidences happening on a daily basis (sometimes several times in the same day)w here a person (or persons) have repeatedly been dragging huge sections of branches, boulders and rocks onto paths used by cyclists, walkers, hill-runners etc..
These obstacles are often placed on blind corners, trail-exits or hidden in grass with the sole intent to severely injure people.
Recent activity has included the person smashing glass and covering it in leaves, just after a series of boulders so that if riders fall from their bike, they could badly cut themselves on the glass hidden in the leaves in the path which they would fall.
This is a very dangerous situation and all recreational users need to be aware of this threat, and keep a very close eye out for the person(s) who is/are deliberately and recklessly endangering their well-being and safety.
People are advised to keep an eye out for a silver Mazda 626 which at least one of the offenders is known to drive, if you see this car, be particularly wary of hidden obstacles, smashed glass etc.. on the trail leading up by the red corrugated shed (known as “Tom’s”) and all trail sections leading up to, and extending up further from the Kilmashogue fireroad.
Several mountainbikers have been injured in the past few months as a result of these obstacles so please be very careful and wary as this is proving to be a very difficult situation to resolve.
It has been noted that someone has appealed to this person(s) nature to stop his/their
activities by placing posters (appealing for this activity to stop ) in the area where most of the safety-threat is taking place, hopefully this may help the situation.
You are not advised to confront the individual(s), but to take photos of the issue and report it to the Stepaside Garda station (01-6665700), as this is viewed as a criminal activity where persons are deliberately attempting to inflict harm upon innocent users of the forests.
