Stretches of road you have an irrational hatred of?

L'Enfer du Nord · 21-09-2014 8:25pm #1

Or only semi rational.

For me the road from Roundwood to Long Hill across Calary bog in Wicklow. I think it's a combination of poor road surface, predominately up hill but fragmented and undulating rather than a drag, not that scenic, short sharp descent at the end which is too straight and step for me to enjoy. From Roundwood or Laragh I'd rather cycle home over the Sally Gap even though it must be harder. The other road across Calary is a bit better but fairly busy.

So is there any stretch of road you hate for no obvious reason?

Darkglasses · 21-09-2014 8:31pm

I thoroughly despise the Duncannon line in Wexford, although that's entirely rational, nobody likes it. Very narrow and speeding motorists are very common.

Eamonnator · 21-09-2014 8:35pm

I have a hatred of so many stretches of road, most of them uphill, that it's a wonder, I get out on the bike, at all.

21-09-2014 8:48pm

Darkglasses wrote: »

I thoroughly despise the Duncannon line in Wexford, although that's entirely rational, nobody likes it. Very narrow and speeding motorists are very common.

I agree and i think the problem with it is that, although narrow, it is very straight for the most part and cars simply go too fast on it. Accidents are frequent enough on it too. Although living in the area I try to avoid it, except for crossing it.

Wishbone Ash · 21-09-2014 8:56pm

The N2 - Balrath to Finglas/Finglas to Balrath - long, straight, flat and boring especially with a headwind.

Raam · 21-09-2014 8:56pm

The last 10km home of any hard cycle.

funnights74 · 21-09-2014 9:09pm

The carrigrohane straight in Cork city well the last Km as you approach the anglers rest, it's dead flat and you can really motor along it but the quality of the surface is atrocious, the arenburg of Cork. It.s on a very busy stretch of road so there are cars flying by you anyway which adds to the danger. I don't know how no one has been hurt and it's come to the point now where I simply avoid it just to avoid being hurt.

smacl · 21-09-2014 9:09pm

Wow, two most hateds of mine already mentioned. I mostly choose Glenmacnass over Roundwood coming from Laragh, and coming from Duncannon to Dublin, I usually take the right at the Hollow pub and head Gusserane direction. I also prefer arriving to Rathfarnham from Sallygap direction rather than Enniskerry, which is I find as dull as dishwater.

Cianmcliam · 21-09-2014 9:14pm

The road from Newcastle to Rathnew in Wicklow is literally a pain in the posterior. The surface is a bone shaker, but there's a kilometer or so of nice smooth tarmac going through Blackditch just to remind you what you are missing.

Bikerbhoy · 21-09-2014 9:33pm

Stretch from Anamoe to Roundwood and secondly Laragh to Rathdrum jez it's pure ****e . . . .

detones · 21-09-2014 9:40pm

R132 past Blake's cross north bound. Hate it. I'd rather do a detour twice as long on mucky country lanes coming home than use it.

Unknown Soldier · 21-09-2014 9:43pm

A lot of the roads I did today. So bad, a gel bit on one of my gloves burst. I'm not faring too well either

I don't understand why we use so many different types of road surfaces/tar etc.

crosstownk · 21-09-2014 9:44pm

The Tallaght Bypass (N81) from the Spawell to the Jobstown Inn. Traffic lights, traffic, headwinds and slow drags. I hate it but I do it almost every spin. 8km of torture but once I get past it I'm happy out. The N81 from Brittas to Blessington (both ways) is another boring road but thankfully there are plenty of other options in that area.

Another road I despise is the road from Enniskerry up by The Scalp, Kilternan, etc. Draggy, crappy, boring.

The road from Naas to Kill which is relatively new and runs parallel with the N7 is, to say the least, unspectacular.

crosstownk · 21-09-2014 9:46pm

Unknown Soldier wrote: »

A lot of the roads I did today.

What are these roads do you speak of? I don't see today's spin on Strava

wanderer 22 · 21-09-2014 9:50pm

The 4km or so stretch from back of shankill to kilternan- steady uphill and almost always a headwind..also any part of the N11.

Unknown Soldier · 21-09-2014 9:59pm

crosstownk wrote: »

What are these roads do you speak of? I don't see today's spin on Strava

It's not up on Strava, just yet

Apparently you have 24 hours to do a Gran Fondo, so 5am rise for me in the morning

I went for the whole it is "easier to seek forgiveness than permission" thing btw

3pm Start but I did my best!

That aside...an example of a badly laid road would be from Blessington into Naas, on the Naas side. It's like there was a good road and someone tarmaced over it with flakey tar.

on_the_nickel · 21-09-2014 10:31pm

The road between Riverstick and Belgooly on the main Cork-Kinsale road. Very busy road with a few tight bends, hidden dips, and a lot of impatient drivers.

Actually, that's not illogical at all.

OldBean · 21-09-2014 10:36pm

Not a stretch, just the junction coming from Brunswick Street on to Stoneybatter, Arbour Hill and Blackhall Place. One of the most frustrating streets to turn on to or cross.

Then the crossover from Clontarf Road to the cycle path, and further on, getting back to the road, then getting back to the cycle path.

And finally the kissing gates along the canals.

Apart from that, it's usually a hill I've decided to climb, and therefore my own fault.

meisce · 21-09-2014 10:44pm

colm18 wrote:

The 4km or so stretch from back of shankill to kilternan- steady uphill and almost always a headwind..also any part of the N11.

Ballychorus road.

neris · 21-09-2014 10:46pm

does cycle lane/roadway count? sutton to clontarf cycleway I despise.

L'Enfer du Nord · 21-09-2014 10:57pm

neris wrote: »

does cycle lane/roadway count? sutton to clontarf cycleway I despise.

In theory hating a cycle path is particularly irrational so yeah...

Of course in practice...

L'Enfer du Nord · 21-09-2014 11:03pm

crosstownk wrote: »

The Tallaght Bypass (N81) from the Spawell to the Jobstown Inn. Traffic lights, traffic, headwinds and slow drags. I hate it but I do it almost every spin. 8km of torture but once I get past it I'm happy out. The N81 from Brittas to Blessington (both ways) is another boring road but thankfully there are plenty of other options in that area.

Have you considered this

crosstownk wrote: »

Another road I despise is the road from Enniskerry up by The Scalp, Kilternan, etc. Draggy, crappy, boring.

Totally irrational ('cause I love that stretch)

At least the bit on the lower road from Enniskerry as far as the petrol station. Smooth, constant slope, serpentine bends, Deciduous trees whats not to like? Generally it's the last hill on the way home for me too.

ROK ON · 21-09-2014 11:10pm

http://www.strava.com/segments/4586187

I hate this. It's a handy climb with a nice view out over Kenmare Bay - but I have always hated and suffered on this climb. I mean it's a piece of pish - but I have a hang up about it. I usually do it on the way to the Healy Pass which is longer and steeper - but I always enjoy the Healy Pass even when pushing hard on it. This one I hate - even when saving myself for a push on the Healy I always seem to go into the red very easily here.
Doesn't help that the road from Kenmare out to the base of the climb is horrible.

Oh, and I also hate it the other way too.
I would rather go up Stocking Lane or Three Rock anyway of the week before going up Carriganain.

greenmat · 21-09-2014 11:11pm

Pinnock hill in Swords heading south. Normally it's at the end of a hard spin for me, I hate it with a passion. As for hills has to be Ardcath, used in McNally Swords Club League. Never do well on it.

hallo dare · 21-09-2014 11:12pm

The N52, Mullingar to Dundalk road! Aaaaaaaaaaggggggghhhhhhh!!!

Garzard · 21-09-2014 11:54pm

I've many, but these particular three always come to mind:

Having to cycle up the Knocklyon Road in the Southerly direction. Uphill, too narrow, in poor condition and too many ramps. https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.2900164,-6.3110463,3a,75y,181.95h,77.75t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s4IpJntLTaY7DeLflrFYEmA!2e0

The Ballycullen Road from the Firhouse Road direction eg. from the junction next to Morton's. Takes too much energy to run / cycle up despite it being in pretty decent condition in comparison to the Knocklyon Road.
https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.2864917,-6.331164,3a,75y,166.82h,86.71t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1ss9eOju_qQHw5ObxXp2qYKQ!2e0

Last but not least - this particular little stretch when cycling from SG direction. Always run out of energy on this spot. https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.1996739,-6.2959882,1408m/data=!3m1!1e3

Wishbone Ash · 22-09-2014 12:26am

crosstownk wrote: »

...Another road I despise is the road from Enniskerry up by The Scalp, Kilternan, etc. Draggy, crappy, boring....

That's a grand stretch of road. The Scalp especially could hardly be described as boring?

a148pro · 22-09-2014 2:07am

OldBean wrote: »

Then the crossover from Clontarf Road to the cycle path, and further on, getting back to the road, then getting back to the cycle path.

Really hard to cross, there's road bike sized rutting on the route, every time you're on it you just think who the feck designed this? Then you've got the bins on the actual cycle lane further up, the steps cut into it...

neris wrote: »

does cycle lane/roadway count? sutton to clontarf cycleway I despise.

Apart from the inconvenient break mentioned above this has to be the nicest cycle in Dublin, no?

Gasco · 22-09-2014 8:12am

colm18 wrote: »

also any part of the N11.

Totally agree, especially the suburban sections - however, I particularly dislike the South to North section through the Glen of the Downs.

I also dislike any section of road that WW county council have recently resurfaced.

triggermortis · 22-09-2014 8:22am

I always hated the N2 between Carrick and Blayney as the road surface was terrible, in fact most of the N2 between Ardee and Monaghan Town was woeful

Ranjo · 22-09-2014 8:23am

Brennanstown rd from Cabinteely towards Foxrock in Dublin.

The uphill section is steep, extremely narrow and dark.

The council recently did a full sweep to fix the terrible surface and the water drainage problem, so one point back there.

There is a section of it which becomes a small stream after a decent dose of rain.

mossym · 22-09-2014 8:46am

ROK ON wrote: »

http://www.strava.com/segments/4586187

I hate this. It's a handy climb with a nice view out over Kenmare Bay - but I have always hated and suffered on this climb. I mean it's a piece of pish - but I have a hang up about it. I usually do it on the way to the Healy Pass which is longer and steeper - but I always enjoy the Healy Pass even when pushing hard on it. This one I hate - even when saving myself for a push on the Healy I always seem to go into the red very easily here.
Doesn't help that the road from Kenmare out to the base of the climb is horrible.

Oh, and I also hate it the other way too.
I would rather go up Stocking Lane or Three Rock anyway of the week before going up Carriganain.

know this one well, done it a couple of times recently, last one as part of the lost sheep HIM. absolutely hated it the first time i did it, actually didn't find it too bad the last time. i think it's the fact you know the real climb in healy is on the way and you just want to get this over but it goes on and on..

Brian? · 22-09-2014 8:52am

a148pro wrote: »

Apart from the inconvenient break mentioned above this has to be the nicest cycle in Dublin, no?

I think any hatred of this stretch is completely rational. It's full of pedestrians, too narrow and dangerous.

ford2600 · 22-09-2014 8:53am

mossym wrote: »

know this one well, done it a couple of times recently, last one as part of the lost sheep HIM. absolutely hated it the first time i did it, actually didn't find it too bad the last time. i think it's the fact you know the real climb in healy is on the way and you just want to get this over but it goes on and on..

I'm bewildered, it's one of my favourite stretches of road in country. The climb and the descent into Laragh

dermabrasion · 22-09-2014 8:59am

Poggio- back into Enniskerry from Powerscourt. Hate it, loathe it, bilious contempt for it.
Legs always jelly coming onto it. Usually trying to catch goat-like club mates while being chased by a white van.

thejaguar · 22-09-2014 9:40am

The little road behind Marlay Park beside the M50 - no matter which way I am going there's a headwind.
At the start or end of a cycle when I get on that road I feel like I'm cycling in sand - doesn't matter which direction. I hate it.

mossym · 22-09-2014 9:46am

ford2600 wrote: »

I'm bewildered, it's one of my favourite stretches of road in country. The climb and the descent into Laragh

well the thread title does say irrational..:)

first time i did it this year was wet and misty, did the ROK on the saturday, a long run on the sunday, and the kenmare/healy/caha/kenmare loop on the monday, so heading up it legs were still cold and stiff and i hated it...

set the tone, although i did enjoy it last time out, it's a smashing descent though

manwithaplan · 22-09-2014 10:01am

detones wrote: »

R132 past Blake's cross north bound. Hate it. I'd rather do a detour twice as long on mucky country lanes coming home than use it.

Agreed but I use it a lot for longer intervals. It's quiet enough, flattish and there's nothing to interrupt your effort for 12k or so. I just about put up with the crappy surface and the complete lack of anything to look at.

manwithaplan · 22-09-2014 10:06am

greenmat wrote: »

Pinnock hill in Swords heading south. Normally it's at the end of a hard spin for me, I hate it with a passion. As for hills has to be Ardcath, used in McNally Swords Club League. Never do well on it.

I always avoid Pinnock Hill by heading through Feltrim. And I am also useless on Ardcath - I am still in mourning for the loss of the Nag's Head to the league.

quozl · 22-09-2014 10:46am

The climb on the Old Military road between the Glencree junction and the featherbeds.
http://www.strava.com/segments/7052767

2 km of draggy ****e that always looks like it's just about to end but is nothing but false flat after false flat. And always comes at the end of some long climby cycle so your legs are wrecked and it's the only thing between you and the lovely down-hill to home.

The poggio as already mentioned is also pretty annoying. Basically anything that is right at the end of the way home from a long day's climbing in Wicklow.

mossym · 22-09-2014 10:50am

reading the thread, how the guys around dublin go cycling at all is beyond me, seems to be a huge number of roads people hate up there

preston johnny · 22-09-2014 11:23am

on_the_nickel wrote: »

The road between Riverstick and Belgooly on the main Cork-Kinsale road. Very busy road with a few tight bends, hidden dips, and a lot of impatient drivers.

Actually, that's not illogical at all.

+ 1

A bloody nightmare, I avoid it at all costs.

dragratchet · 22-09-2014 11:34am

the last 1.5 km to stepaside village from enniskerry direction.. not a fan of the scalp road either.. they both look (and are) harmless enough but after 100km in your legs you could just do without them. not a fan of ballychorus road from shankhill direction for the same reasons..

cjt156 · 22-09-2014 12:12pm

I don't get this. So you don't like the hills that get you to and from the hills you like to cycle?

I live in Shankill so anything around Enniskerry/Stepaside/Ballycorus
is my downhill freewheel home.

daragh_ · 22-09-2014 12:14pm

Funny how many of my favourite bits of road are popping up here. I always enjoy the stretch from Roundwood to Old Long Hill and Ballychorus is an excellent drag for getting the blood flowing.

I tend to avoid sharp descents unless I can get a good sense of the road ahead. Coming down at Bohernabreena always gives me the fear - I would climb it 3 times rather than go down it once.

crosstownk · 22-09-2014 12:16pm

L'Enfer du Nord wrote: »

Have you considered this

Totally irrational ('cause I love that stretch)

At least the bit on the lower road from Enniskerry as far as the petrol station. Smooth, constant slope, serpentine bends, Deciduous trees whats not to like? Generally it's the last hill on the way home for me too.

Firhouse road is much of a muchness although less traffic. I've often contemplated taking that option. I must give it a go.

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

That's a grand stretch of road. The Scalp especially could hardly be described as boring?

From Enniskerry to the filling station is not too bad but after that I just don't like it yes, I agree, it's totally irrational. I can't explain it, tbh. On the other hand, I love going up the Embankment. I'm obviously a confused individual

mickydcork · 22-09-2014 12:27pm

Dundrum Road!

And I cycle it every day.

The traffic is always at a standstill so I scoot up the inside. This leads to regular near misses and lucky escapes.

I'm not sure what else I can do, apart from slowing down (psychologically hard to do when you are commuting to work) or going out of my way to take an alternative route.

Hate this road! They need to make it one way and put in a proper bike lane.

PrismES · 22-09-2014 12:29pm

Orwell Park Road and Highfield Road both in Rathgar, not irrational just terrible surface, shakes me to the bones.

Micilin Muc · 22-09-2014 1:18pm

Barton Road East in South Dublin approaching the roundabout behind Nutgrove. 99.9% of motorists turning left will overtake and pull in on top of you regardless of how you're indicating. 99.9% of motorists coming from Ballinteer won't see you on the roundabout either.

It's actually rational hatred now that I think of it.

cdaly_ · 22-09-2014 1:20pm

mickydcork wrote: »

Dundrum Road!

And I cycle it every day.

The traffic is always at a standstill so I scoot up the inside. This leads to regular near misses and lucky escapes.

I'm not sure what else I can do, apart from slowing down (psychologically hard to do when you are commuting to work) or going out of my way to take an alternative route.

Hate this road! They need to make it one way and put in a proper bike lane.

Overtake on the outside. Less opportunity for near misses, just pedestrians leaping out or cars turning to try the other route...

ckeego · 22-09-2014 2:04pm

The climb to Luggala from the Roundwood road..Ball breaker, false flats and whilst it can be a gorgeous view down to the lake, you can see the pain coming in the climb to the Sally Gap.

The Rock road.. Full of patchwork BS repairs, sunken drains in the cycle paths on both sides-if I didn't know better, it looks as if the Artillery had a range practice on it.. Very difficult to understand how the authorities wish to embrace cycling when you see a road like that.

Plus one on the general comments on the Roundwood Kilmacanogue stretch- even if it's from the safety aspect.. A lot of cars drive it like it is Mondello-pity as it's a great surface

Stretches of road you have an irrational hatred of?

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