As I left Kildare on Saturday morning it was Baltic to say the least but I was looking forward to another good race weekend and also getting my new Fox 40's from James! Arriving in convoy with Damo the roads were covered in a film of ice which was sure to make things interesting! After walking the track for an hour, so that the elements had a chance to get above 0 and hopefully the middle section would change from a skating rink to something rideable.We got ready and headed for the start.

A great turnout from flow including our youngest and newest member Ben kennedy, we endevoured to learn what was in fairness a track that did need to be learned. Concentrating on the top section for the first half of the day I for 1 was still getting confused about what bus stop had what exit? But Tom and I came to the conclusion that we were jusy getting old and senile! Everyone seemed to be flying by the time the afternoon session came but at 4.00 I called it a day as I was bollixed! 

Sunday morning I was up at the crack of dawn to get ready and head off on the 1hr 20min journey to Cloon. It was snowing everywhere south of Dublin on the N7 so after a quick phonecall to Hitler he confirmed that it was more like sleat up near the track and racing would not be in danger. It was bitterly cold, with a piercing wind cutting through the forest! The only benificery was the man in the coffee van selling a record number of mocas all day - I hope there were no tax men racing! 

2 runs to warm up before racing and I think I was riding worse than ever. But, I wasn't the only 1 not feeling it - Tom had a dose of vertigo and couldn't mustar up any sort of interest and Damo landed in a tree at the end section leaving himself lame and of course THICK! but, there certainly was a great sense of team for some reason and advice and encouragement was in abundance. 

Racing

 
U14 
I didn't know him before racing and during the day on Saturday Tom pointed out this young gun riding on Toms hardtail. He was a pinner - the next thing I knew he was standing on the podium with a flow jersey on!! After watching Ben Kennedy over the weekend he looks a real natural on the bike and when he gets his Giant Glory up and running he really could be the new U14 whiz kid this year. Welcome on board, it won't be long before you have a nickname Blondie! 

U16 
"Oh Danny Boy The Lights The Lights Are Shining" younger members probably haven't a clue about them lyrics but anyway Dan was on fire. 2 savage runs he just looked amazing. I don't know what more to say just keep it up. No 1 again and it looks like he'll be hard to beat this season. Turtle Bert had a brutal run by his standards in the 1st run but made amends in his second run going 7 secs quicker, putting him into 3rd. He nearly fooled us all by telling us he got the second spot but its going to be some battle between himself and Cam this year! 

Junior 
Smelly kelly - the taller he gets the quicker he gets. A serious effort and I'm delighted for him. Just remember IN ORDER TO FINISH A RACE RUN YOUR BIKE HAS TO PASS THE LINE - ha ha ha! On his second run the long string of misery lost his bike in a 360 attempt lol off the last rock drop and then exited the forest like a distressed baby girraffe skuttling across the line knowing that he had lost someting, his bike. The Stoner was a little stoned and new he could do alot better but it was that sort of track 1 mistake and you lose 5 secs. Stoner for podium in Moneyscalp. 

Senior 
The Big Durty Garda was in action for the first time this year and oh how his ass looked out of the saddle. His long hair chopped off as a result of giving head lice to half the garda reserve in Templemore he hadn't lost any of his flair on the bike. Putting in a great time of 1.32 I hope he gets out abit more this year! 

Masters 
After going into the hotseat for 30 seconds after his first run Damo "hitler" Duggan was not a happy camper - growling at the timing people not believing his time of 1.28 - Kevin "hitman" Moran came down and passed him out, Oh I did laugh. I could see Hitler internally going to explode while on the other side of me The Hitman had a wry smile he knew he was back in the groove after his injuries! After the second run Damo was left in 4th with only .5 of a second separatng the first 4. Kev couldn't improve in his second run but put in a respectable time only 3 seconds behind Damo. 

Supervet 
Well what can I say. I rode Tom all weekend or shoud I say I rode with Tom all weekend and it had the same effect on him as it had on me! Killed out and not enough energy to race. His first run looked similar to that of an elephant on jet skis and then he didn't bother doining his second as his period had started and he didn't feel in the mood! Peter on the other hand after a poor 1st run really impressed me as he went up the hill for his second run knowing what he had to do and fair fucking play to him he pulled it out of the bag. 7 seconds quicker he ended up on the podium in 3rd - Well done Peter. Its just a pity about your Del Boy efforts selling stuff off the bonnet of the jeep. Classic traveller stuff I always thought you smelt of burning sticks! 

Sport 
Well I came to this berm right and .................................................. ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh............................. shite!!!!!!!! 

Elite 
"Guess whos back, Shadys Back" Good man Seanan - A cracking time of 1.12 fastest time of the day its great to see! Long may it continue. David Keenans best mate was disgusted not only by Davids behavior in the night club but also by the fact that he spent a full run not clipped in and still put in a 1.16. Some day soon everything will fall into place and Karl will be in the no1 spot! 

Funniest Moment 
The Hardy Bucks from Galway doing Freeride moves on the 1st section! Galway Freeride Rules!

Thanks to AJ for this report.