Forest users throng the DMP pavillion
Yesterday evening, the DMP held a public presentation at Ticknock, Dublin to outline their plans for permanent, waymarked mountainbike trails in the area. A large number of mtbers, walkers and locals turned out for the unveiling of the plans. The trails, designed by Coillte Recreation Manager Daithi DeForge, are intended to provide a facility for the large number of mountainbikers in the area as well as reduce potential conflicts on heavily-trafficked existing trails.
Mark Cromie of MAD and Sean Herlihy of Cycling Ireland are clearly delighted by the proposals.
The initial routes will comprise a figure-of-eight loop taking in Ticknock car park, the aerials and over to the Ballyedmonduff side of the mountain. There will be approximately 7.5km of trail in total, incorporating singletrack and forest road sections.
Coillte is putting the plan out to tender with companies who expressed an interest earlier in the year. The aggressive schedule will see this first phase completed by the end of October 2010.
One issue of concern for the locals which arose at the presentation was the parking of cars outside the forest entrance at Ticknock. This can cause obstruction and inconvenience for local residents. Coillte are investigating potential solutions but in the meantime we urge mtbers using the forest to park elsewhere (e.g. local pub car parks) and cycle the short distance up to the trailhead.
Daithi deForge explains the plans to members of Ireland's Premier Mountainbiking Club
The Dublin Mountain Partnership (DMP) announced their latest recruits last week, including a new mountain bike ranger role. The DMP is charged with both promoting and protecting the area, and the rangers are the public face of the group. Biking.ie’s Niall Davis has been selected as the first Mountain Bike Ranger in Ireland and is really looking forward to getting involved this summer. You can read more about the DMP on their website, or in the Sunday Business Post which featured the story over the weekend.
Attention Mountain Bikers,
The Dublin Mountains partnership is extending its volunteer ranger programme to encompass mountain biking. This is an important step for the Dublin Mountains Partnership and gives us the opportunity to be involved in helping to manage recreation through out the Dublin Mountains.
From a mountain biking perspective it is important that we get involved and help influence how recreation activities are managed going forward. We would like to encourage any mountain bikers who uses the area and would be interested in getting involved and giving something back to contact the DMP. Below is the official press release and website address.
The Offroad Commission
