Archive for category Marathon

‘Da Cooley Thriller’ MTB XC Marathon report

Sep 25

Posted by irishxcmtb in Marathon, News | No Comments

Saturday 19th September 2009 saw the annual Cooley Thriller MTB marathon take place, being run by host club Dundalk’s Cuchulainn CC. The Cooley Mountains providing the back drop once again for this year’s race. A fantastic field of over 150 competitors turned up on the day, including World Superbike motorbike racer Jonathan Rea (laying 4th in the World Superbike Championships), attempting either the short course of 21k or the full 45k route which took riders on a complete traverse of the Cooley Mountains, taking in some of the Táin Trail and forest tracks to some roller coaster natural single trails once navigated by the bold Cuchulainn himself .

The riders all headed off at 10am sharp, in somewhat damp and misty conditions. But the sun was to shine for the latter half of the race which started behind the lead car on a neutralised start up through Carlingford village to the start of Slieve Foy forest where the race began in earnest. A quick blast along the side of the mountain over forest gravel and singletrack trails saw the riders quickly descend towards Omeath village before starting an arduous road climb to the top of Black Mountain above Ravensdale for the full race and half way up before splitting off towards Windy Gap and the return leg for the shorter course. For the next few hours, as the skies began to clear, riders then wound their way through misty mountain trails, over bog, boulder strewn fields and cart tracks, across rivers and through forests before reaching Golyin Pass in the shadow of Slieve Foy and a spectacular downhill descent back into Carlingford village.

The first place riders in the full marathon event saw the first four Elite men coming in, in under 3hours with Robin Seymour (WORC) ahead of Niall Davis (All Mountain Experience), from Aidan McDonald (Bikepure)who after a calculated start, powered him way up through the field into third position followed by Ray O’Shaughnessy who took the lead briefly, at the half way mark !! For the rest, that pleasure would take just a little while longer !! Ciara MacManus took the top spot in Elite women category placing 24th overall in a time of 3hrs37mins., ahead of 2nd place Elite woman Jackie O’Hagan (MADMTB). Biker Rea finished the event in 5 hours and 17 mins and was placed 100th. The last quartet of T. Sulliván, Ciaran Sulliván, Loraine Creane and James Prenty were to finish in a time of 6:55. Big thank you to all the course Marshals and course markers and Carlingford Sailing Club for there facilities.

CuChulainn present: ‘Da Cooley Thriller’ 2009 !

Aug 28

Posted by irishxcmtb in Announcement, Marathon | No Comments

Update: Here is the the GPS route of the course.

Yes its back, ‘Da Cooley Thriller’ is about to pedal off once more on Saturday 19th, September 2009. Set in the Cooley Mountains just outside Carlingford, Co. Louth the route, approx. 45kmm, will take riders on a complete traverse of the Cooley Mountains, taking in some of the Táin Trail and forest tracks to some roller coaster natural single trails once navigated by the bold Cuchulainn himself. Starting in the village with a mass start.

Carlingford is very simple to find coming from North, South or West.

Directions

1. From the South & West

Make your way to the M1, driving North and take exit 18 and following the directions

fro the R173 to Carlingford. Once you get onto this road its roughly 18km to the turn

for Carlingford at Millgrange, take the left run here and this will bring you into

Carlingford Village.

When you arrive at the village, pass the Four Seasons hotel on your left, and take the

right immediately after this down to the Sailing Club which is down the end of this road

on your left.

2. From the North

Make your way to Newry, following the signs for Dublin following the A2. When you get

the centre of Newry, follow the signs for Omeath / Carlingford R173, you will take a left

along the quay in front of the Quays shopping centre. Follow this road down, taking a

left at the end, this brings you onto the R173, it’s a straight road from here to

Carlingford

When you arrive at the village, pass the Castle on your left, and take the left

immediately before the Four Seasons Hotel, after this drive down to the Sailing Club

which is down the end of this road on your left.

3. Parking

There is plenty of parking available in the Carlingford Sailing Club.

Also, plenty of parking in Carlingford Village

4. Registration

Sign-on is at Carlingford Sailing Club and is open on Friday evening from 7pm –

8pm and on Saturday morning from 8am – 9.00am

You will need your Cycling Ireland licence for registration and if not you will need to

pay the one day license fee (€15.00)

IF YOU DO NOT BRING YOUR CI LICENCE YOU WILL HAVE PAY €15 FOR THE ONE DAY LICENCE.

5. XC ‘Thriller’ Event Timetable

Friday 21st

7pm – 8pm Race Registration/Sign-on

Saturday 22nd

8am Race Registration Opens

9.00 am Registration closes

9.40 am Race Briefing

9.50 am All bikers to go to the start line in the village

10:00 am Race Start (Very Sharp)

There is one mass start only.

2pm onwards finish at King John’s Castle, Carlingford

3.30 pm Food, and Prize Giving at the sailing Club (when final finisher arrives – respect !!)

Showers available at the sailing club.

6. Course Map

The GPS map of the course will be available as a google map on our race page www.dundalkcycling.com in the coming weeks

Long Course 45k approx. (11k on surfaced road)

Short/Sport Course 21k (7k on surfaced road)

We are using a single lap once again this year, the full course is approx. 45km long at this stage and should be pretty fast flowing. They will be a shorter option (17k) for those riders that just want to take part but feel the 45k loop a wee bit too long.

The race itself peddles off at 10am with all riders starting in a mass start. Once around the Church in Carlingford there will be no bottle necks as it is a long forest fire track to start with.
Along the way you’ll peddle on/up/over/down/through/across and along The Táin Trail, The Devil’s Elbow, Black Run, Roller Coaster, Quad Tracks, Ray’s Loop (do it this time folks !!) Castles, Aidans Canyon, Skull Alley, CLEC Route, Goylin Pass, Black Ski Run, Convent Lane, the Crown awaits……………..Home Sweet Home !!!!