Advice for Dublin beginner.

ProudDUB

Recently moved to the Sutton area. When in my car, I see people biking it along the coast road path/bike trail pretty much all the way to Dollymount, then into Clontarf and Fairview. So I have decided to take the plunge and get a bike too to get my fat a$$ into shape. But I have some questions first.

1. I see a lot of walkers/joggers on the coastal foot paths too. Is it a free for all between dog walkers and joggers, or are there dedicated cycle lanes too?

2. Best places in North Co Dublin to shop for a bike and the gear?

3. What should I be looking for in a bike as a first time buyer? What things should I be focusing on in the shops, and what questions should I be asking?

4. What brands should I be looking at, and what kind of money would I be looking at for a decent bike to get started? I hurt my back last Spring. I am ok now, but I have no idea how well the back will react to me being on a bike. I am reluctant to shell out big bucks initially just in case it proves to be a bad idea for my back. So ideally, I want to get nothing too fancy at first, and I can upgrade later if need be.

Thanks for any advice/tips.

Cookie_Monster

1. I see a lot of walkers/joggers on the coastal foot paths too. Is it a free for all between dog walkers and joggers, or are there dedicated cycle lanes too?

there are dedicated cycle paths, they're just always full of idiot pedestrians. I would normally advocate you just use the road but the surface there is so terrible you are better off on the cycle track.

awec

I cycle that path often, it's a nice enough journey. In good weather you'll have plenty of walkers but to be totally honest they are only really an issue when you get close to Clontarf. Other times you can easily avoid them. When you get close to Clontarf don't be afraid to shout at pedestrians to watch themselves.

By "dedicated cycle track", there is a line painted down the middle of the path and a picture of a bicycle on the side nearest the road.

As Cookie Monster said the road surface isn't great, it's not tarmac, it's like concrete or something. Pretty bumpy.

BrianHenryIE

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

there are dedicated cycle paths, they're just always full of idiot pedestrians. I would normally advocate you just use the road but the surface there is so terrible you are better off on the cycle track.

So true. It's such a good surface, I've hit 50kmph in Clontarf before. Other days, I scream at mothers pushing buggies in the bike lane, while there's a footpath right beside it. The road is concrete and uncomfortable.

I'd suggest buying a secondhand racer. First, I bought a new hybrid for €650. It was great, yeah, but by the time it was eventually stolen, I'd realised that the wind is the worst part of cycling. I ended up with a racer from adverts.ie for €300 that is much better to cycle than the hybrid ever was.

Borrow a bike from a friend and get a feel for the route/your back before diving in. I can get from Sutton to town in 25 minutes.

If you think I'm wrong, let me know why and I'll show you the light.

Lusk Doyle

ProudDUB wrote: »

1. I see a lot of walkers/joggers on the coastal foot paths too. Is it a free for all between dog walkers and joggers, or are there dedicated cycle lanes too?

There are "dedicated" cycle lanes but be alert when approaching pedestrians, runners, etc and don't be afraid to use your outside voice!

ProudDUB wrote: »

2. Best places in North Co Dublin to shop for a bike and the gear?

Nearest to you is The Bike Hub in Howth. Also nearby are Richies in Swords Plaza and Humphries in Finglas.

ProudDUB wrote: »

3. What should I be looking for in a bike as a first time buyer? What things should I be focusing on in the shops, and what questions should I be asking?

Any of the above will guide you so just go in and have a chat with them. They are all very helpful.

ProudDUB wrote: »

4. What brands should I be looking at, and what kind of money would I be looking at for a decent bike to get started? I hurt my back last Spring. I am ok now, but I have no idea how well the back will react to me being on a bike. I am reluctant to shell out big bucks initially just in case it proves to be a bad idea for my back. So ideally, I want to get nothing too fancy at first, and I can upgrade later if need be.

Thanks for any advice/tips.

As above in #3.

Seaswimmer

brian.henry wrote: »

So true. It's such a good surface, I've hit 50kmph in Clontarf before. Other days, I scream at mothers pushing buggies in the bike lane, while there's a footpath right beside it. The road is concrete and uncomfortable.

Go you!!! Anyone doing 50km along that cycle track in close proximity to kids/mothers/buggies/pedestrians is irresponsible.

I am sure they appreciated the screaming. They probably thought...

"Wow, cycling looks enjoyable and relaxing. I must do that with my kids"

maybe you should cycle elsewhere or buy a bell..

Lumen

Seaswimmer wrote: »

Go you!!! Anyone doing 50km along that cycle track in close proximity to kids/mothers/buggies/pedestrians is irresponsible.

I am sure they appreciated the screaming. They probably thought...

"Wow, cycling looks enjoyable and relaxing. I must do that with my kids"

maybe you should cycle elsewhere or buy a bell..

Other days. The screaming and the zooming are distinct activities.

hardCopy

I would recommend a bell also, but it's not loud enough for everyone.

There is no adjacent footpath through Clontarf, anyone walking on the cycle track is just irresponsible and acting the bollix.

Raam

You will love commuting along there. I started out with the intention of cycling to work one or two days a week. Straight away I turned that into every single day of the week. That was over six years ago.

Just do one thing for me, when you have a headwind, stick the bike in an easier gear and spin your legs faster. There are always folk pushing mongo gears going nowhere into headwinds. There is usually a headwind one way or the other.

ProudDUB

Thanks for all the replies folks.

What is the difference between a racer and a hybrid racer?

Any nice person out there care to give me a cheat sheet break down on the various categories of bikes out there...features, styles, price points etc etc. I want to don't look like a total ignoramus when I go into the shop. Also don't want to be taken for a ride (har har har) by an shady sales person who takes advantage of my lack knowledge, and sells me something that is not appropriate for my specific needs, fitness level (non existent) and body type.

Raam

None of the bike shops mentioned by Lusk Doyle will take you for a ride.

justo

I've been cycling this track pretty consistently since 1997. More recently (the last 3 years) I use it to commute to work 4 to 5 days a week. I actually find the weekends to be the worst time for walkers/ pram pushers/ bad cyclists. Most of the time there is a good respect for the demarcations on the track to show where cyclists should be and non cyclists should be.

I agree that a second hand racer is the best start. City Cycles in Fairview are good for second hand bikes.

I had a back injury that was/ is helped and strengthened by cycling and this may be the same for you.

I was trying to find a link I had to different bike types but I can't find it. In the meantime this link is worth reading as you try to locate yourself on the cycling spectrum. http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/oct/24/bike-snobs-guide-cycling-tribes

For what it's worth, I'd recommend an audax steel frame as the slight difference in an audax frame geometry is more comfortable than the racer geometry. Most cyclists don't race, yet they ride uncomfortable racing bikes.

Enjoy the cycling.

Tonyandthewhale

ProudDUB wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies folks.

What is the difference between a racer and a hybrid racer?

Racers (also refered to as 'road' bikes) have drop handle-bars. Hybrids are similar to road bikes in that they they have smooth 700c tyres (hopefully) no suspension and are designed for use on the road but they use mountain bike still flat or riser bars.

reallyunique

Everybody has mentioned great ideas about bikes (please don't buy a racer though 'cos I hate them. That way even if it turns out you don't like the bike at least someone will be happy ) and have spoken eloquently of the fauna prowling the cycle-path so I won't bother adding my 2c.

My only suggestion is to try looking for bike shops near where you work. It's not that they'll be better shops but if you buy from one near your house you have to go home to get service, leaving you without transport. I find that shops can do a lot if you leave it in first thing and collect in the evening so buying from a place near your job can make sense. Of course, if you only ride in a little loop at weekends then nearer home might be best.

NeedMoreGears

I cycle that track most days I'm working in Dublin. It's a great facility and it's flat.

There aren't really all that many people/dogs on the cycle track ; the footpath and cycle track are only separated by a white line in places so it can look like there are more pedestrians on it than there actually are

None of the shops mentioned will make you feel like an ignoramus. My experience of all three is that they are very helpful and will try hard to get a bike that suits what you want to do.

Don't forget a decent set of lights for the winter and you might also consider padded bib tights - yes you'll feel like you look a bit stupid in them. That's cos you will - same as everyone else - after a while (as in the second day) you just won't care. You'll be too busy enjoying the spin along the coast.

BrianHenryIE

Seaswimmer wrote: »

Go you!!! Anyone doing 50km along that cycle track in close proximity to kids/mothers/buggies/pedestrians is irresponsible.

I am sure they appreciated the screaming. They probably thought...

"Wow, cycling looks enjoyable and relaxing. I must do that with my kids"

maybe you should cycle elsewhere or buy a bell..

No, the pedestrians are irresponsible for walking in it when there is a footpath right beside it and a huge grass verge and then another footpath. It can't be viewed any differently than walking on the road when there's a footpath beside the road.

I lived in Clontarf for a long time and still use the path when commuting. I think it would be unreasonable for me to cycle on the road when there is a bike path provided, though you probably don't see anything wrong with that. The cars should drive somewhere else, yes?

Seaswimmer

brian.henry wrote: »

No, the pedestrians are irresponsible for walking in it when there is a footpath right beside it and a huge grass verge and then another footpath. It can't be viewed any differently than walking on the road when there's a footpath beside the road.

I lived in Clontarf for a long time and still use the path when commuting. I think it would be unreasonable for me to cycle on the road when there is a bike path provided, though you probably don't see anything wrong with that. The cars should drive somewhere else, yes?

In an ideal world everyone would obey all the rules all of the time. I absolutely agree that pedestrians are irresponsible for walking in it. however that dosent excuse someone flying past them at 50km/h and screaming..
Also as a quick trawl through any of the cycle path threads on here will show, large numbers of cyclists are "unreasonable" every day by not using cycle paths where provided.

To drag the thread back on topic my piece of advice to the new cyclist would be...

Just because there is a cycle lane there dont feel pressure to use it if you feel unsafe or if it is otherwise unsuitable for the trip you are trying to make..

monument

brian.henry wrote: »

So true. It's such a good surface, I've hit 50kmph in Clontarf before. Other days, I scream at mothers pushing buggies in the bike lane, while there's a footpath right beside it. The road is concrete and uncomfortable.

I'd suggest buying a secondhand racer. First, I bought a new hybrid for €650. It was great, yeah, but by the time it was eventually stolen, I'd realised that the wind is the worst part of cycling. I ended up with a racer from adverts.ie for €300 that is much better to cycle than the hybrid ever was.

Borrow a bike from a friend and get a feel for the route/your back before diving in. I can get from Sutton to town in 25 minutes.

If you think I'm wrong, let me know why and I'll show you the light.

brian.henry wrote: »

No, the pedestrians are irresponsible for walking in it when there is a footpath right beside it and a huge grass verge and then another footpath. It can't be viewed any differently than walking on the road when there's a footpath beside the road.

I lived in Clontarf for a long time and still use the path when commuting. I think it would be unreasonable for me to cycle on the road when there is a bike path provided, though you probably don't see anything wrong with that. The cars should drive somewhere else, yes?

If you're doing 50km/h it would be perfectly reasonable to use the road.

Doing 40-50km/h on that path when there's people around would be madness.

Given it's high interaction with footpaths crossing it, poor turns, the lack of sight lines at times, and the proximity to green play areas and footpaths the design speed is likely nowhere near 50km/h.

By best international standards it's a poorly designed track -- saved mostly by the lack of major road junctions.