Co. Meath Roads + Darkness = Christmas Tree Man

chakattack

Planning on commuting through the winter from Summerhill Co. Meath to D15.

I'm inspired by blorg's pictures of night time cycling in Wicklow but I'm worried about the roads, lots of trucks from nearby quarries and the dangerous overtaking moves that can ensue.

Does anyone have experience of this road particularly during commuter traffic hours?

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/ireland/-dublin/562125214676312989

Next on to equipment...I'm going to go with two blackburn mars 4.0 1 watt lights. One on my saddlebag and one on a seat stay and two cheap led flashers in each net pouch on my backpack and I'll buy some sort of badass front light

I need a high viz jersey (and shorts?). I've been looking at this but it has no rear pockets. Any suggestions?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=9037

Spiritoftheseventies

All i can say is best of luck on your journey. Hope those roads are pot hole free!

Greyspoke

I'd suggest taking a good look at the OS map and try and figure out a route that keeps you off the main roads as far as possible, ie uses the smaller, "yellow" roads. It might turn out to be a bit longer but should be safer and more enjoyable. Ride the proposed route in daylight a few times to learn the state of the road - potholes etc. Also wear/carry as much/many lights and bright reflective gear as possible. You need to be very visible from behind and you need to be able to see the road ahead clearly (without blinding on coming motorists).

ROK ON

Its is a lovely cycle, best of luck. I have only done it one w/e so no idea as to how busy it gets on a commute run.

wotdef

Hope you are thinking of becoming Rastafarian. I used to cycle out to Dunboyne in the dark 20 odd years ago and it was scarey even then.

Barname

chakattack wrote: »

Planning on commuting through the winter from Summerhill Co. Meath to D15.

I'm inspired by blorg's pictures of night time cycling in Wicklow but I'm worried about the roads, lots of trucks from nearby quarries and the dangerous overtaking moves that can ensue.

Does anyone have experience of this road particularly during commuter traffic hours?

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/ireland/-dublin/562125214676312989

Next on to equipment...I'm going to go with two blackburn mars 4.0 1 watt lights. One on my saddlebag and one on a seat stay and two cheap led flashers in each net pouch on my backpack and I'll buy some sort of badass front light

I need a high viz jersey (and shorts?). I've been looking at this but it has no rear pockets. Any suggestions?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=9037

you are putting your life in others hands on that road M-F

Quarry trucks with mobiles in hand wobbling all over the place

margin can be rough and ridged not too many potholes

I only ride that road on sat and sun in the morning

sorry to be so negative

barney150

go for it, if your into swimming with sharks.
I know that road well. U must be crazy to try that spin at night.
Good luck if you do.

centre half

It's dodgy enough even driving that road

blorg

I cycle the Summerhill Road often enough myself (it is part of our club league race circuit) and I don't think it is quite as disasterous as the rest are saying... Certainly better than the N3 from the end of the dual carriageway to Navan, and I have done that in the dark often enough (it is not pleasant mind.) I have also done the road to Trim in the dark often enough and while I don't have a lot of experience of the Summerhill road specifically in the dark I would have thought it better than the Trim road. The quarry trucks are an issue, they are a bit of an ignorant breed.

Having said that you would want to be VERY lit up (I use 4 1/2 watt Smart LEDs and a Fenix TK11 on the front.) I have stopped using the Trim road when heading out that way and instead cross over it and use a road going through Kilmessan and this is much more pleasant in the dark. Something like this might be an alternative- certainly using the smaller roads is a lot better at night if you have the option.

kincsem

I know nothing about that road so can't help there.

When I went out on spins after work in the autumn I used these ankle reflectors.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=23571

The ankles move more than anything on the bike when viewed from the front or the back so might be spotted by a driver. From the side you will be more visible with wheel reflectors. Of course you need a good high vis jacket, and if carrying luggage that should have a hi-vis cover. Maybe some high vis stickers on the helmet make you easier to see if you are in a dip in the road.

I think those twinkling year lights are a waste of time. I would prefer to see a large red disk on all the time.

mloc123

I cycled dunboyne to summerhill quite a bit this summer, usually between 7-9pm... great road and pretty quiet imo

blorg

kincsem wrote: »

I think those twinkling year lights are a waste of time. I would prefer to see a large red disk on all the time.

I would strongly disagree with this, the modern high power flashers (like the 1/2 watt lights) are very effective. The only situation really they are a disadvantage is where you are cycling in a group, it is difficult to cycle behind someone with a strong flashing light... of course this only underlines their effectiveness! When cycling at night I tend not to go particularly heavy on reflective stuff but do go heavy on the lights- in particular out of the city I always get given a VERY wide berth by cars indeed.

Pickled Tranee

sounds like a pervert to me (no offense if you know him)

mloc123

Keep an eye out for these guys about 10k before Summerhill, gave me a fright today...

Húrin

bayviewclose wrote: »

All i can say is best of luck on your journey. Hope those roads are pot hole free!

Around Summerhill? Not a chance!

Greyspoke wrote: »

I'd suggest taking a good look at the OS map and try and figure out a route that keeps you off the main roads as far as possible, ie uses the smaller, "yellow" roads. It might turn out to be a bit longer but should be safer and more enjoyable. Ride the proposed route in daylight a few times to learn the state of the road - potholes etc. Also wear/carry as much/many lights and bright reflective gear as possible. You need to be very visible from behind and you need to be able to see the road ahead clearly (without blinding on coming motorists).

I disagree. I would suggest using the back roads as little as possible. Try to get onto the N3 or N4 as much as possible because those roads are illuminated.

Victor

Note construction work on the Dunboyne Western Bypass and at the railway station.

chakattack

Yeah they're scary alright...especially after dark

mloc123 wrote: »

Keep an eye out for these guys about 10k before Summerhill, gave me a fright today...

chakattack

Thanks everyone. I'll try to figure out a route on either main roads with a hard shoulder or small quiet roads and get myself setup with serious lights.

theclimber

+1 on the smarts blorg.

Greyspoke

Húrin wrote: »

Around Summerhill? Not a chance!


I disagree. I would suggest using the back roads as little as possible. Try to get onto the N3 or N4 as much as possible because those roads are illuminated.

The point about taking quieter/darker backroads is that if you're well lit up then you are the only bright thing in the darkness and will show up very clearly whereas if you ride on partially illuminated roads your presence tends not to be so obvious. Also, busier main roads mean not only more traffic passing you but also more traffic coming against you and if you drive yourself you will know how blinding it can be to drive against oncoming headlights - you tend to be far more concerned with staying to the left of the oncoming car than looking out for anything that might be on your inside, cyclist or pedestrian.