Anyone involved in freestyle, rodeo, play boating or whatever you want to call it will know or know of Moe Kelleher.
Arguably the best freestyle paddler to have emerged from this fair Isle. I say arguably only because his brothers Len and Louis might argue.
Moe has returned from his summer exploits Stateside and being the decent skin that he is provided some content to help me and all the rest of ye Helix.
He’s put together a deadly video with some advice etc..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5UooyG984s
The coolest thing is Moe has also used this segment of video to improve his own technique.
Big thanks to Moe and congrats to all his sponsors you’ve backed a great ambassador for the sport.
On the personal front I’ve done in my shoulder again. I jarred an old MTB injury doing a combat roll at the bottom of the Dargle falls a couple of weeks ago so it will be another while before I can get back to boating.
With the summer we had I have to confess I’ve only been in the playboat once but the same can’t be said for my creeker.
Summer Boating
The last few months have produced some cracking creeking and I managed to get a run down my favorite stretch of river in Wicklow, the Source of the Liffey.
For a stretch that’s usually hard to get running I got a run in July, August and again early September.
It’s a super stretch of ditch boating with no worries of trees in the river. Its hard on gear and swimmers and can get pretty exposed in winter but if your up to paddling grade 4 – 5 and have a tight group it’s well worth seeking out.
Pic's (loan of boat and cag) courtesy of Colm Healy. Thanks man !
This is the day I frazzled my video camera. On our way home Colm Patisson and I ran the Shankhill river from the bridge down. Short but sweet. I'm laughing as I cocked up my line. We where a bit late to get anything above the bridge with enough water on it. Footage is a bit crap but it give an idea of the river.
A couple of weeks ago I also attended a good friends Wedding up in Letterfrack.
It was a fabulous shindig and I’d like to thank Richie and Jo Jo Kilfeather for asking me along. Best wishes for your future guys.
Before I traveled up for the wedding I got a call from Jimmy Fitzpatrick he said seeing as we where in the vicinity we should bring the bikes and have a go at Croagh Patrick.
An epic experience was had. If Mtb not your bag stop reading and see ya next time.
Everybody needs a Jimmy !
Due to deadly wedding I starting drinking at 1 pm Friday finished drinking at 5am Saturday.
Jimmy Fitz gets me up at 9am and drives us up to Croagh Patrick.
Arrive put bike on back and start humping to the top. ( Jimmy disappears off into the distance). I'm at deaths door with hangover and now drinking all the water I can get my hands on.
After humping my way up beyond the col I hit the final 45 degree scree slopes. I have about 80 percent of mountain behind me but mind and body are done.
Out of the cloud appears Jimmy. He had got bored waiting at top and came back down to carry my bike. He's some man for one man and in my opinion "everybody needs a Jimmy"
I’m now walking like a man nearing the summit at some oxygen deprived altitude and Jimmy quickly disappears back into the haze with my bike on his shoulders making me feel pretty useless but thankful.
Finally the summit.
At this stage I reckon all the alcohol has been sweat ed out of me.
On the way up in between vast moments of feeling sorry for myself there was the occasional thought of "how the f*ck am I going to cycle down that"
Well the time had come.
Jimmy and peter where on Santa cruise V-10's so I let them out front (like I'd have had a choice) and the madness began.
I had 4 varying degrees of "off's" in the first 300 yards.
My learning curve for riding down 45 degree scree slopes was fast.
Rounded another bend snow board style and to my horror 50 odd pilgrims appear in the mist spread out across the track. I'm off again with an audience.
Finally catch up with the guys at the col. Steep stuff done but fast stuff ahead.
My arms are pumped my wrists limp.
Jimmy and peter take off again.
I wait and watch hoping some strength will return to my fore arms. They streak away into the distance Jimmy styles it all the way. Peter bin's it big half way down having chosen a difficult line but springs back onto his steed. He's ok.
I finally take off. Very quickly I'm wishing I had more suspension travel than the six inches on my bike.
It was full on but worse my arm's were weakening again. So much so It was difficult to brake no mind hold on.
I was nearing the bottom but the arms where gone. My hands merely resting on the bars no ability to brake or steer remained. My only way to stop was to bin it.
I lay the bike over and rolled off the back through the rocks. My body armour saved me from everything but one bruise on my hip. Feeling very jammy I decided my day was done. I was at the sheep gate and the majority of the mountain was behind me. I walked the rest.
The previous days drinking had taken it's toll, I was absolutely bollixed but inside I was smiling.
Jimmy and Peter where near finished changing by the time I rolled into the carpark. I was not bothered even on a good day I would never have kept up with them two lunatics.
Apparently we got a mention on the Ray Darcy show a couple of days later. Some punter text ed in about 3 crazy lads on bikes on Croagh Patrick.
You have to laugh though the punter who text in was probably walking it in his bare feet. ( and they call us crazy )
Drove back to Dublin using a combination of hands and knees to steer and stopped for a lot for coffee.
It's full on and in reality I should have been on a downhill bike. Probably should have got a little more sleep and been a bit more sober to have really enjoyed it.
Peter myself and Jimmy a couple of minutes before the mayhem
