16/02/2012

Riders :- Selwyn, Coops, Paul, Will, Foxdale, Cam, Seamus, Birchy and Skippy

The ride started at the Colby pub (which was serving Cobra curry?) turning left at the church the climbing started our way illuminated by Skippy's teeth grinning (he loves a climb), the sheep/cow trail was a good warm up with the added benefit of the briars exfoliating you as you rode.

A short road ride brought us to the bottom of the Earystane greenlane, Cam had a flat here which gave us a breather, who'd have thought that changing an inner tube could be such a good spectator sport, the watching crowd giving him a creditable 7.5 out of 10. Once mended it was up again the sound of gears being changed drowned out by Skippy's chuckling (he was loving it).

In the plantation visibility diminished, quite fast it became so bad that Seamus took the wrong turn, like lambs to the slaughter we all followed on a track that soon became impossible to ride on, Seamus found middle earth. In one of the peat bogs he was swallowed up and spat back out (a booming voice from Manannans Cloak "It's not your time, not while the 6 nations is on). At the gate Seamus held his hand up and took the blame for the route, we all agreed it was his fault and not to do it again.

We were now in Cringle Great Park, another climb (Skippy was now delirious). Paul came off for the third time, doing an excellent Jack Bauer like roll in the heather (due to the 3 off's and you're out rule he is now banned from the next ride).

At last a bit of downhill at Cronk-ny-Arrey-Laa, sadly visibilty was now zero, I took a close look at the fauna, face planting in the only gorse bush surrounded by heather. At the top of the Sloc we decided it would be safer to stay on the road back to Colby (yeah right) a fast ride back with Coops thinking he was in the circus doing the wall of death on a sharp right turn and later a car driver who probably did some Chinese writing in his pants.

We all arrived back at the pub where some of us sampled a guest beer 'Roosters Leg Horn' – recommended.

Short note - Selwyn missed Wednesdays Archallagan ride as he went to South Barrule and rode with a group he didn't recognise by mistake!

Foxdale

09/02/2012

Riders :- Cam, Selwyn, Coops, Bolty, Gav, Foxdale, Paul and John

I rode in from Foxdale, the air was thick with smoke from the open fires, people burning papers from the recent witch trials I suspect.
Tonight's ride started from the NSC after a little wait we decided to head off, two no shows Barry due to the tooth fairy visiting him today (a brave little soldier) and Stevio due to either a small amount of dampness or he was going over Harry Rednapps tax return.
The ride was eventful if only because it was uneventful, Gav and Bolty behaved themselves though, this was mainly due to them being separated going up Trollaby.
At the top we went up Nab Farm lane stopping at the summit so Bolty could ring his trader about the price of gold. Down the Millennium Way and onto Bluebell Lane where Coops pulled a fast one obscuring my view of the large puddle at the bottom I parted it like the Red Sea.
A quick blast on the railway lines to 7 gates then upto Archie where we introduced Selwyn to the joys of riding through trees with poor visibilty due to the fog. At the carpark I headed back to Foxdale leaving the others to ride back to Douglas
A pretty uneventful ride, good job it stayed reasonably dry or we could have got wet......A special mention to Gav for doing well on his first ride out without stablizers

Foxdale

02/02/2012

Riders :- Seamus, Coops, Gav, Birchy, Cam, Skippy, Selwyn and Foxdale

We met at The Farmers Arms St John's for tonight's ride, after admiring the cleanliness of Seamus's bike (he must be using a new product Muck on) and quick glance at the map Coops had brought for tonights ride...a planned route what could go wrong?
Heading North through Tynwald and up to the Staarvey the first casualty of the night Cam had to duck out with his free hub sticking, we carried on up the Staarvey with Gav playing pick a gear any gear. At the top it was a right turn through the kissing gate (no man love took place though) and down to Laurel Bank on to the road and the first left so Coops with the map could tick off another gate in his 'I-spy book of gates', we then took the correct turn, second left up the side of Vaaish plantation. Casualty number two Selwyn's chain snapped twice forcing him to duck out....Two down and the sound of Banjo's in the hills were worrying.
A good climb that brought us back onto the Staarvey Rd where we discussed who released the better version of Wild Horses, Susan Boyle or The Rolling Stones?
After a short road ride a right turn onto Mannanins Chair, which was interesting with frozen ice (is there any other kind of ice), the first signs of freehubs starting to freeze began to appear with Birchy's sticking luckily Skippy was on hand to relieve himself to sort it out.
Down to Barregarrow crossroads where Birchy's Hub was sticking again, sadly Skippy was empty so Birchy had to sort himself out.........
.........Mountain Bike riding top tip 23c, 'when somebody has to add a warm liquid to free the freehub and then spin it to work it in it is best not to stand behind the said wheel', unless you're Bear Grylls.
We then rode down Cooil Dharry, Gav decided to throw himself off here in honour of his missing side kick Bolty who is resting his legs for the 2014 End 2 End.
At the bottom it was along the coast road to the bridge, were Skippy left us due to jockey wheels freezing, 3 down, I'm sure I heard a pig squealing.
A sharp left up the farm track and back onto the road back to the Staarvey, Birchy's free hub started playing up again, at this point we were all hanging on to what we had got in case we needed for ourselves, luckily a man called Horse came to his rescue.
What was left of us set off home with stuck free hubs and gears stuck in the granny ring
A very cold but enjoyable ride with plenty of laughs.

Foxdale

19/01/2012

Riders :- Seamus, Coops, Gav, Bolty, Cam, Paul and Foxdale

The ride started at the Cat With No Tail, Skippy was there waiting to wave us off unable to ride due to contracting some French disease whilst skiing there. We set off towards the Clypse reservoir with the noise of teeth chattering only drowned out by Bolty's ticking free hub on the bling machine.
A quick rest at the gate then off up Honey Hill, Seamus the mountain goat was first to the top with 'P' Bolty close behind, the chill was long gone at the top of the hill. A good down hill track down the side of Conrhenny which was a good laugh till we realised we had to ride back up the other side of the bank. Once in the plantation we went through the trees and back onto the fire track.
Gav was feeling the cold and wishing he was in his company car, soon after an unprovoked attack on our fine men in uniform happened Bolty trying to squeeze Gavs brake lever somehow he managed to get his gold velour riding top caught on his bars brought them both off. Out of Conrhenny and onto one the best tracks 'Baroose' with Coops flying down like a man being chased by the paparazzi, at the bottom left onto a farm track that gave you bramble lash every now and again, then the road to the plough track.
At the top of it we took a left to look at a metal gate so Coops could tick it off in his 'I-spy book of metal gates' we turned round due to the track going nowhere and road to the Enomona Road back to the bottom bit of the Honey Hill track and back to the carpark .

Foxdale

05/01/2012

Riders :- Coops, Pete, Seamus, Bolty, John and Foxdale

We met at the NSC car park and set off once Bolty had got dressed and shown of his blinged wheels, gold hubs and nipples which produce a nice noise (similar to a fag packet and clothes peg through you spokes, though a bit dearer). Bolty hasn't been out for 6 years and it showed, missing the gap in traffic to get out off the NSC.
Regrouping on the railway line we rode on up to Trollaby Lane where we met John, Pete had another comedy moment falling over whilst walking over the stile. At the top of Trollaby Lane it was onto Nab Farm Lane then up the hill to the bottom of Cronk Breck, Seamus adopted the Roche weave to make sure no one could pass, although the King of Bling had a good try considering he hadn't been out for such a long time (he should be classed as a newbie).
It was then onto the single track which passed without incident, down the Millennium Way and the first puncture of the night, Coops and his skinny rubber choice failing him, it was the perfect place to have it though...not, no shelter from the wind and the rain after giving him non stop abuse it was down Bluebell Lane and back onto the railway line to go to the Seven Gate trail, sadly the second puncture arrived this time Seamus, luckily he had an air cartridge for a speedy repair, 15 to 20 minutes later once we had figured out how it worked and took the piss out of Seamus it was too late to go onto Seven Gates so we headed back home, I went back to Foxdale as I had the key for the gate and the rest went back to the NSC..................or so I thought, I posted the GPS on the Loaghtan facebook page, Coops' wife has seen it yet he is not home, he did mention the Railway with Seamus for a pint, I should feel bad but he deserves it for having that puncture in the coldest, windiest place LOL :-)

Foxdale

01/12/2011

Riders – Pete, Bazaar, Coops, Gadge, Seamus, Will, Cam, Foxdale, Birchy and Selwyn

The ride started at Ginger Hall, we head along the road to the Skye Hill trail, a good chance to get warmed up and to introduce Selwyn to mountain biking, climbing does seem easier in the dark. We rested at the first gate (base camp 1 for Selwyn) after a quick breather and slagging Will off for choosing this route for a first timer, we set off again two further rests (base camp 2 and 3 for Selwyn) were needed and it was decided it would be best to separate Will and Selwyn for the rest of the ride.
At the top it was a case of picking your rut and hoping for the best, at base camp 4 rest stop a puddle was drawing our attention and Barry couldn't resist to see if it was rideable, he managed this with aplomb whilst whooping with delight he failed to notice the second puddle and sank up to his hubs. The next comedy moment courtesy of Bazaar (aka Barry Chuckle) yet again hitting the mud bath and nearly going over the bars, the descent was never going to end well with riders falling off all over the place, Birchy having the pick off the crop going over the bars whilst Coops burst out laughing at his misfortune.
After a short rest and riding through a puddle that was like Loch Lomond it was on to the next descent which was greasy. Pete did well arriving at the bottom minus a pedal and Selwyn losing his mudguard after going over the bars. Barry tried to show sympathy but failed and made no attempt to suppress his laughter. The final descent was fun with the smell of disc brakes and Selwyn's blocks filling the night air (once he managed to stop).
Then back to Ginger Hall and home......Will and Selwyn's car journey was probably done in silence.

Foxdale
P.s. Well done Selwyn

Riders – Skippy, Stevie O, Seamus, Coops, Sinbad and Foxdale – Misfits Raymond, Westy, Steve, Serena, Polite Connor, Mike

The ride started at Marown School, after several routes were discussed it was decided that Serena should decide the route being the only girl out tonight (apart from Stevie O) there were eleven and a half of us out 5 Loaghtans, 6 misfits and 1 hobbit ( that's all the Stevie O insults out of the way).
Serena wanted to do Archie to get out of the rain, so we went along the lines to the Seven gates track (deja vu from last week). Coops was trying a new combo Tractor tyre on the front 1.8 on the rear, he has more rubber than Max Mosley.
The ride up 7 gates was uneventful Mike remembering its easier to ride up hill with your chain on. Arriving at Archie we couldn't decide which trail to take, Seamus took the lead at first, taking the 2nd track on the left through to the fire track, then Stevie O took over within the blink of an eye we had lost the trail (I lied about the insults) he did an admirable job of pretending to know where he was going, it must be hard for the Hobbit with the trees appearing so big, a bonsai plantation would be better.
Onto the trail with the ruined tholtan, Mike must have really liked it deciding to come off in it for a rest, just before we got back onto the fire track Seamus acquired a twig, the branch took some moving from his rear wheel, the log was dispensed with.
Seamus then took lead again finding a track that took us in a complete circle to were we had come in, Sinbads silence spoke volumes, we then went onto search for the new trail with the bridges, although a bit spongy at the moment once bedded in it will be a excellent trail, it was up the hill to the car park where Skippy's hunger pangs dictated that it was time to head back

Foxdale

16/11/2011

Riders :- Bazaar, Foxdale, Coops, Skippy – 2 misfits Juan and Mike

I rode in from the urban sprawl that is Foxdale the smell of coal fires in the air meaning winter isn't far away.
We set off from the NSC down the railway line to Union Mills, a short break was needed by Skippy realising he was overdressed for the occasion, after taking a layer off and Bazaar checking his compact to make sure his lippy was alright, we carried on up Trollaby. Then onto Nab Lane which is on the right not the left as Coops shouted nearly causing the first crash of the night. After the climb it was down the Millennium Way, Skippy nearly coming off due to choosing the wrong line and Bazaar not letting him move across.
At the bottom of the way we discussed the chosen charities for the 'Longest Day Event' the wrong ones may have been chosen with Bazaars on going arse problem, with the air getting harder to breath we headed down Bluebell Lane back to the Railway lines to 5,6,7,8, gates track, we were determined to count them just to see how many there actually are. Mike made a schoolboy error and discovered that it is impossible to ride up hill when your chain isn't on.
At the top it was into Archie taking the second trail on the left through the Tholtan ruin and up the hill, I was leading and got away with pretending I knew where I was going, I left the lads to descend down Eairy Kelly as I headed back to Foxdale.....An enjoyable ride that was surprisingly dry

Foxdale

18/10/2011

Riders :- Coops, Bazaar, Skippy, Seamus and Foxdale

Tuesday Night from St Johns (I think Skippy got his days mixed up, the Chippy van is there on Wednesdays).
Skippy was the route master and decided on going up Barnell, you could tell by the silence it was a good choice. We set off on the Patrick Road to Barnell, the climb up Barnell seems easier in the dark, we were all like boil in the bags by the time we got to the top having overdressed for the cold conditions.
At the top Seamus got out his home made rocket fuel cake (a creditable 2nd in the single speed bake off) we all approved of his effort.
The next climb courtesy of Skippy was up the babies heads which wasn't too bad with a strong wind behind us, at the top it was a case of pick your rut and stay in it, then down Slieau Whallian which was enjoyable but bloody cold in the water, at the bottom we went along the lines to head up Seven gates (the race was on to get to the gates with the theory being the one who opens the gates gets a longer rest). It was decided at the top to go down the Cornelly track......or should that be cow shit slide; at the bottom Coops and Seamus head east on the railway line with a strong wind behind them (this could have been due to the cake). Skippy, Bazaar and I went West back to St Johns...............After this ride I think we will all need new pads!

Foxdale

04/10/2011

Riders :- Stevio, Coops, Gadge, Sinbad, Cam, Pete, John & Foxdale

Tuesday night ride from Crosby playing fields, I set off from the urban sprawl that is Foxdale rode through Kionslieu and Archie then down Eairy Kelly to meet the rest of the Loaghtans for tonight's ride (Sinbad, Gadge, Coops, Pete, Cam, John and Stevio). Upon arrival at Crosby I thought I must have missed them as there was no one present, I rode over to the BMX track to ask the kids playing if they had seen some mountain bikers as I got closer I realised they were big Kids (Loaghtans). We set off along the railway lines towards the Cornelly mines track, we then headed up the track to Archallagan.
At the gate we had a quick discussion as to which route to take then set off on one that was not discussed, up the outside carefully round the big puddle and back into the trees to go through the old cottage, Stevio led the way; after getting lost a couple of times we arrived on the firetrack with Gadge asking "where's the old cottage?" that we just rode through. We went back in the trees again with Stevio leading again after getting lost a couple of more times (can you see a theme happening) we arrived on the Firetrack further round, John decided to head home at this point suffering from hypothermia, heart and breathing problems, dizziness and cramp (Coops was troubled by wind) we didn't let this dampen the mood and set off in search of more trails. We found a really really good one that Sinbad loved, especially as it brought us back to were we had just come from!

We then found one more trail passing the South Barrule riders. I headed off back to the metropolis of Foxdale the rest headed down Eairy Kelly and back to the playing fields. I saw some lights in the distance and rode up Rhen Shent to catch the South Barrule ride then headed home.

Foxdale

21/08/2011

Riders – Johnny G , Foxdale, Cat & Seamus

The ride started at 10ish from the Colby clock, I rode in from the gated community of Foxdale, Seamus rode the furthest in from Union Mills arriving slightly late due to various wind changes (meteorological kind) Johnny came in from Port Erin setting of at 9:59 for the 10 o'clock start, Cat had the least distance to ride from Ballabeg but as she has the shortest legs its all relative.
We set off up Colby Glen Rd heading towards Cringle at a slowish pace which pleased me and Cat who was nursing a hangover, we arrived at Cringle at the gate on the Ronague Rd.
Once in after a breather, I could sense Seamus, Cat and I were hoping that Johnny would choose the track on the right unfortunately he chose left so up it was riding Cringle in reverse, the roots were troublesome at times Cat doing some dismounts that a Russian Olympic athlete would have been proud of, we came out of Cringle at the picnic area to head over to the pipeline Cat peeled off here her hangover getting the better of her. Riding down the pipeline we passed a few riders training for the E2E; at the bottom Seamus had a mechanical cracking the rear derailleur, Seamus could have the only full susser in the single speed championships in Ireland, a temporary repair with cable ties got us on the way again.

We decided to head for the Ard Jerkyll tearooms on the way there Johnny got 'Robert the Bruce' syndrome attempting to ride up a steep bit of track but at the fourth try gave up and headed for the tearooms we were clean and dry till we went down Rhen Shent, arriving at the tearooms Seamus and I had the strawberry cheesecake and cream Johnny went for the Scone.

Foxdale