70 mile commute

Frosty McSnowballs

Howdy

I'm just looking for a bit of guidance and advice...pwetty pwease!

I am considering cycling to and from work 2/3 times a week. The total distance is just shy of 35 miles each way.

The route:- N11 Cabinteely to the Grand Canal, Naas Rd to N7 and exit at Naas, go by Toghers and on to Newbridge.

I presume the Grand Canal to Sallins would be no good on a road bike? Any opinions?

The kit:- Bog standard, entry level road bike. Paganini alu frame, carbon forks, normal pedals....no cleats. Tiagra gears, Plenty of lights, illuminous jacket and sexy helmet. Padded shorts, breathable top, gloves if needed. One water bottle...spare tubes.

The experience:- Not much! Casual commuter for 5 years. Regular 22 mile round trips...longest in one go was 40 miles. Timings for 11 miles, anywhere between 40 to 55 mins........through the city, traffic lights etc.

I'm bringing the bike in the car tomorrow and cycling home Thursday and back in Friday morning.....to start

I'd appreciate any hints, tips, cheats! Or a lift if anyone sees me on the N7!

givusapush

Head for rathfarmham/tallaght/citywest/onto n7/turn off at naas at da golf ball(exit naas north).go naas ring rd to da newbridge turn off.toughers/newbridge.note:n7 is a busy road.i find a lot of dirt/glass ect on it especially after raining.got a couple of punctures on it.sliced 1inch hole in tyres on 2 occassions.recommend good puncture resistant tyres.look up threads here for an idea on what people have.youl be grand then

CramCycle

Everything sounds good except the no cleats part, get cleats, or at least straps, it will make a huge difference.

No Pants

Anyway you could break it into parts, cycle half of it and maybe drive the other half or something. 70 miles a day from nothing sounds like a tall step up.

Frosty McSnowballs

givusapush wrote: »

Head for rathfarmham/tallaght/citywest/onto n7/turn off at naas at da golf ball(exit naas north).go naas ring rd to da newbridge turn off.toughers/newbridge.note:n7 is a busy road.i find a lot of dirt/glass ect on it especially after raining.got a couple of punctures on it.sliced 1inch hole in tyres on 2 occassions.recommend good puncture resistant tyres.look up threads here for an idea on what people have.youl be grand then

That route sounds ok, I'm wondering how much of an incline there is from start point to city west. I don't want to be too fcuked before I hit the N7 . I'm familiar with the N7, it doesn't look great to cycle on at all. Cheers man.

CramCycle wrote: »

Everything sounds good except the no cleats part, get cleats, or at least straps, it will make a huge difference.

I might drop it into a bike shop in Newbridge in the morning and see if the can put cleats on that day......and shoes I suppose . Danke!

No Pants wrote: »

Anyway you could break it into parts, cycle half of it and maybe drive the other half or something. 70 miles a day from nothing sounds like a tall step up.

I did think of that, problem is....where to park the car half way. I was thinking of Browns Barn or Avoca.......but tbh, I would be pissed off with myself for not going the whole way, I don't like being beaten!

ROK ON

I would not use the N7. Simply too stressful. Too much traffic at too high a speed.
Options:
1. Rathcoole - L2019 to Punchestown - L2023 to Two Mile House/The brown bear pub. Then straight to Newbridge.
2. Rathcole - Johnstown - Kill - Naas - Newbridge.
There is a road from Rathccole to Naas that runs parallel to the N7.
A good quiet road for cycling. I use it often.

If you can leave the car in work perhaps try driving in cycle home followed by cycle in drive home on alternate days.

There is a lad here - Serewyn - who cycles similar distance every day on a rural commute.
It is possible, just build up slowly.

Frosty McSnowballs

Cheers ROK ON!

I might try option 2, that parallel road tomorrow, The N7 looks like a head melter.

Thanks all, I appreciate it.............except for 'no pants', ya big non believer ya!

tacklemore

You're crazy but I like your style!! That's one hell of a cycle commute

Plastik

That's a big commute to be doing three times a week. I've a simple 63km round trip and I only do it twice, or possibly three times if the weather plays ball. Don't underestimate how much it will take out of you on a daily basis.

NamelessPhil

The parallel road to the N7 is nice for a Saturday spin but it is unlit and the surface is quite mixed with a couple of nasty drags in places. You're going to need very good lights so that you can actually see the road not just be seen.

The time taken for your commute will be about 2 1/2 - 3 hours each way at first so bring some food, there's nothing worse than getting the bonk with 10 miles to go home. You could stop at a shop and refuel.

Frosty McSnowballs

tacklemore wrote: »

You're crazy but I like your style!! That's one hell of a cycle commute

Ha, il give it a shot anyway! See how I get on.....I might only do it once.

Plastik wrote: »

That's a big commute to be doing three times a week. I've a simple 63km round trip and I only do it twice, or possibly three times if the weather plays ball. Don't underestimate how much it will take out of you on a daily basis.

Yeah I agree. I think I will just try it once a week for a start. If I like it, il keep going.

I used to cycle 11 miles into work, gym session at lunch, then either cycle or run the 11 miles home. Not every day, sometimes once or three times a week.

I know I will be fcuked, my undercarriage will be raw...but my stupid brain will be happy!

Frosty McSnowballs

NamelessPhil wrote: »

The parallel road to the N7 is nice for a Saturday spin but it is unlit and the surface is quite mixed with a couple of nasty drags in places. You're going to need very good lights so that you can actually see the road not just be seen.

The time taken for your commute will be about 2 1/2 - 3 hours each way at first so bring some food, there's nothing worse than getting the bonk with 10 miles to go home. You could stop at a shop and refuel.

Ah, i better get a proper set of lights so. I just have ****ty €20 ones. Cheers.

I suppose porridge before starting? Il bring nuts or energy bars/gels for the ride.

Yeah I'm aiming for the 3 hr mark. I've told myself if I go over the 3 hrs, il be forced to do 20 Burpees to finish with. My legs will be jelly so I don't want to have to do that!

Bigus

I'd suggest, cabinteely, fox rock, green route past the grange golf club, over M50 at junction 12 knocklyon, on to scholars and old mill pub left up Aylesbury , straight through to killenarden/whitestown left onto tallaght bypass for 100 meters and right onto brand new surfaced road to either wilsons auctions or out through saggart and on past rathcoole, and you have the choice of going back roads to punchestown or back roads past Killeen golf golf etc, I cycle to mondello a few times and you can work out a good route to get to Toghers without being in the debris strewn hard shoulder and even perhaps a shorter distance

Most of these roads are very safe for cycling

Frosty McSnowballs

Bigus wrote: »

I'd suggest, cabinteely, fox rock, green route past the grange golf club, over M50 at junction 12 knocklyon, on to scholars and old mill pub left up Aylesbury , straight through to killenarden/whitestown left onto tallaght bypass for 100 meters and right onto brand new surfaced road to either wilsons auctions or out through saggart and on past rathcoole, and you have the choice of going back roads to punchestown or back roads past Killeen golf golf etc, I cycle to mondello a few times and you can work out a good route to get to Toghers without being in the debris strewn hard shoulder and even perhaps a shorter distance

Most of these roads are very safe for cycling

Thanks man! Il have to investigate further, there seems to be a few options.

I am in favour of using a road that is in decent condition.....somewhere!

Thanks again!

Bigus

Senor Fancy Pants wrote: »

Thanks man! Il have to investigate further, there seems to be a few options.

I am in favour of using a road that is in decent condition.....somewhere!

Thanks again!

It took a lot of google maps and local knowledge to work that one out. I hate cycling on busy dual carriage ways for numerous reasons,

zl1whqvjs75cdy

**** that, after a day in work the last thing I want is a three hour commute. But fair play. I would avoid the N7, its stressful in a car at rush hour I'd imagine you'd have some sort of mild stroke on a bike.

Frosty McSnowballs

Bigus wrote: »

It took a lot of google maps and local knowledge to work that one out. I hate cycling on busy dual carriage ways for numerous reasons,

The trucks freak me out, other than that I'm golden. Well, we will see after tomorrow

donkeyoaty0099 wrote: »

**** that, after a day in work the last thing I want is a three hour commute. But fair play. I would avoid the N7, its stressful in a car at rush hour I'd imagine you'd have some sort of mild stroke on a bike.

Yeah I hear ya barking big dog. I'm the same but fcuk it! Sure il give it a whirl! Il let yis know how I get on.....or keep an ear out on the news

pelevin

I think you're nuts . . .

but I admire your guts.

givusapush

Da n7 morning time is not that busy coming from dublin as apposed going northbound from naas say.its da only road that is lit up going that way.as said b4 you could go da back roads with not great surfaces and drags or n7 rathcoole to naas 30kph which is handy enough for some.

Misty May

Forget the shorts business at this time of year and get yourself a decent pair of winter training bottoms.... happy days

AstraMonti

I 've been doing Rathcoole-Cherrywood a couple of times a week, it's 30k each way. I would avoid n7 as well, it's not nice having cars passing you by at 120kms/h. I am going rathcoole-saggart-tallaght-rathfarnham - dundrum - sandyford and down to cherrywood from there.

HivemindXX

AstraMonti wrote: »

I 've been doing Rathcoole-Cherrywood a couple of times a week, it's 30k each way. I would avoid n7 as well, it's not nice having cars passing you by at 120kms/h. I am going rathcoole-saggart-tallaght-rathfarnham - dundrum - sandyford and down to cherrywood from there.

The main problem is the slip roads so you have cars passing you at high speed on the outside and the inside. I cycle from Inchicore to Naas on occasion and I use the parallel road as suggested. Some of it is lit and some isn't. I have a dynamo light similar to the one you see on the Dublin Bikes and I have no problem with visibility. A blinky light isn't going to cut it though, not for the Winter anyway.

I also commute from Inchicore to Cabinteely so I cover that leg too, although never the two together! On the way out from town I use the N11 since it is the easiest but on the way back in towards town it is pretty bad and I go through Stillorgan, Goatstown, Churchtown and then Orwell road which brings me to the canal near Crumlin.

Neither the Cabinteely or Naas legs have particularly tough hills but there are some fairly draggy bits, I certainly wouldn't say they were flat.

It seems like you are going out of your way though. Why not use Leopardstown Road, pass Marlay Park and then turn towards Naas from Tallaght rather than go all the way in to town? For example:
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3696743

This is 32 miles which is only 3 miles less than you said but I'd be enthusiastic to save any distance I could in your position.

equivariant

**** me! 70 miles is a lot 3 times a week. I do a measly 20 every day and I'm still tired at the end of the week even after 6 months of doing that consistently. Good luck.

+1 on getting cleats - huge difference. Also, surely you jest about shorts at this time of year!

The Ging and I

Its a bad time of year to start such a routine but its not imposable .
First thing to do is work on your cycle fitness. Along with that upgrade your equipment to include a good dynamo system.
Do a test run on a Sat or Sun no matter what the weather.

Frosty McSnowballs

Cheers lads, il have a proper look at the posts when I get home.

Too late for a practice run, the bike is in the car.....heh

kippy

How long will a 35 mile cycle take?

El Vino

I know a couple of people who do this distance but only 1 leg per day, drive in, cycle home, cycle in then drive home. Another guy gets the train in and cycles home 3 days a week even in snow.
EV

lennymc

i do a regular 105 km commute, and as a few people say, it can be quite tiring. I would do it twice a week, sometimes 3 times a week, but it does take a toll. Some tips from my experience:
- if you need to carry anything, get a rack and pannier but its better to leave stuff in work so you dont have to carry anything you dont need
- Get very good lights (i have ebay cree lights for the dark rural roads) and some back up lights - just in case
- Get good winter cycling bib tights, shoe covers, gloves, top, for cycling in winter. It can get very very cold on the way home!
- Bring food on the bike. Gels, bananas, bars, whatever you normally use. At some stage you will need them.
- Make sure you have either enough mechanical skills to get you out of a hole if something breaks, or, someone who is willing to drive to pick you up.
- Bring at least two tubes, pump, multitool
- Make sure your bike is in good nick, chain is not work, cables are good, tyres are good, brakes are good
- Make sure you are alert to other drivers early in the morning. Some of them are complete pr1cks who will not give any room to cyclists.
- Let someone know what time you expect to be home at (and dont be overly ambitous with your estimate)
- If you have someone to cycle with, it wil make it easier
- When its frosty, windy and cold, It can be really hard to get out of bed two hours before you normally do, just so you can get your cycling fix.
- People will think you are nuts when you speak to them and casually drop in that you cycled in from your house.

enjoy it

Seweryn

lennymc wrote: »

i do a regular 105 km commute, and as a few people say, it can be quite tiring. I would do it twice a week, sometimes 3 times a week, but it does take a toll. Some tips from my experience...

Well said Lenny, not much to add really...

I only do about 54km as minimum to, say, (sometimes, if I feel well and fresh) 80-ish km per day with the longer return spin, but I normally do it five days per week almost every week all year round for the last two years.

Regarding the fuel, I never take any food or drink on the bike, but I eat a lot during my working day. But then I am only 1-2.5 h on the bike each way.

Make sure your bike is in top condition and serviced regularly (I do a small lube service every 1-2 days). As an example, I had a puncture today, but managed to get to work just by pumping up the tyre, as I did not want to do the repair on the road (waiting for a new pair of gloves, and the current one is two layer solution for the cold, so hard to put back on).

The right gear (clothing, lights, etc.) make all the difference to your comfort, so it is worth investing in it, however the biggest improvement to my commute ever was the saddle bag (I know I posted that photo before ) that replaced a back pack that I only used for few weeks since started.

Good luck and once you get through the winter, you will love your commute spins in the spring. I actually quite enjoy riding in the dark in the middle of no-where.

pelevin

Seweryn wrote: »

Well said Lenny, not much to add really...

I only do about 54km as minimum to, say, (sometimes, if I feel well and fresh) 80-ish km per day with the longer return spin, but I normally do it five days per week almost every week all year round for the last two years.

Regarding the fuel, I never take any food or drink on the bike, but I eat a lot during my working day. But then I am only 1-2.5 h on the bike each way.

Make sure your bike is in top condition and serviced regularly (I do a small lube service every 1-2 days). As an example, I had a puncture today, but managed to get to work just by pumping up the tyre, as I did not want to do the repair on the road (waiting for a new pair of gloves, and the current one is two layer solution for the cold, so hard to put back on).

The right gear (clothing, lights, etc.) make all the difference to your comfort, so it is worth investing in it, however the biggest improvement to my commute ever was the saddle bag (I know I posted that photo before ) that replaced a back pack that I only used for few weeks since started.

Good luck and once you get through the winter, you will love your commute spins in the spring. I actually quite enjoy riding in the dark in the middle of no-where.

What's that saddle-bag you've there - looks a great option.

Seweryn

pelevin wrote: »

What's that saddle-bag you've there - looks a great option.

This one.

Frosty McSnowballs

I'm alive!

I ended up going the back roads.

Newbridge, Naas, Johnstown, Kill, Rathcoole, Tallaght, Templeogue, Rathgar, Rathmines, Blackrock and home.

Just over 36 miles in 2:46.....I'm happy enough with that. Especially since I did a 5k jog at lunch too, then an hour in the gym when I got home.

I need to get better lights!

Roadtoad

Senor Fancy Pants wrote: »

I'm alive!


.....Especially since I did a 5k jog at lunch too, then an hour in the gym when I got home.....!

A ha! An ironman candidate. Wrong forum.

Actually the n7 is not so bad, we who must get used to it. Care at the slip roads is the big deal. I would say safer, if not as pleasent as the twisties.

Frosty McSnowballs

Roadtoad wrote: »

A ha! An ironman candidate. Wrong forum.

Actually the n7 is not so bad, we who must get used to it. Care at the slip roads is the big deal. I would say safer, if not as pleasent as the twisties.

Yeah il give the N7 a shot next time. I encountered a few subtle inclines that knocked the bollox out of me for some reason.

I got to Ballsbridge and a few people passed me out, I was like "fcuk these fcukers" and I put the boot down and pumped those crazy legs and passed them all out.....and got nailed with a red light then.

It was grand, I didn't push myself, I just took it handy.

Im presuming that time was ok or a noob.

G-Man

Did you get cleats..

I would hate to try them out on such a serious journey. I know first time I had them they took a lot of getting used to.

Frosty McSnowballs

G-Man wrote: »

Did you get cleats..

I would hate to try them out on such a serious journey. I know first time I had them they took a lot of getting used to.

Ha no!

I have a strap on the right pedal and I just used 2 cable ties as a strap on the left pedal.

I got trousers and a base layer top in Aldimtoday though.

endacl

Anybody mention pants yet? The fancier the better. Once your pants are fancy enough, distances don't matter!

Padded of course. And a change of username to Señor Padded Pants. All the good advice has been taken by others. That's all I could come up with.

Frosty McSnowballs

endacl wrote: »

Anybody mention pants yet? The fancier the better. Once your pants are fancy enough, distances don't matter!

Padded of course. And a change of username to Señor Padded Pants. All the good advice has been taken by others. That's all I could come up with.

Ha, that's pretty good......maybe I will do that!

:pac:

CramCycle

Senor Fancy Pants wrote: »

I just used 2 cable ties as a strap on the left pedal.

Cable ties, is there nothing they cannot fix on a bike.

endacl

CramCycle wrote: »

Cable ties, is there nothing they cannot fix on a bike.

Except cables.

:pac:

lennymc

CramCycle wrote: »

Cable ties, is there nothing they cannot fix on a bike.

punctures.

Alek

CramCycle wrote: »

Cable ties, is there nothing they cannot fix on a bike.

It goes much, much further than the bike.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3039906/

cdaly_

lennymc wrote: »

CramCycle wrote:

Cable ties, is there nothing they cannot fix on a bike.

punctures.

Oh yeah?...

No Pants

El Vino wrote: »

only 1 leg per day

For 70 miles, I would use both legs.

Frosty McSnowballs

Cycled back in this morning....took 3:20!

I was tired!

rollingscone

As in 112km in 3:20?

What's that 28kph average? That's pretty decent.

Frosty McSnowballs

rollingscone wrote: »

As in 112km in 3:20?

What's that 28kph average? That's pretty decent.

Jesus no! 60km.........is that bad?

thebouldwhacker

You won't win any races this week but no, not bad at all. Tired 60km done in 3:20 is good so long as you keep it up.
A wise man once said 'cycling never gets easier, you just go faster' keep it up.

rollingscone

18kph average isn't too bad either, but you'll probably pick up the pace fairly quickly once you get used to the route (and the clipless pedals)

No Pants

That Carradice SQR Tour Bag, how much does it hold? I'd need to bring a laptop and a change of clothes. I try to leave the really bulky stuff in work.

Seweryn

No Pants wrote: »

That Carradice SQR Tour Bag, how much does it hold? I'd need to bring a laptop and a change of clothes. I try to leave the really bulky stuff in work.

What kind of laptop? Just tried my own small one, does not fit. Do you need to carry it with you rather than leave it alone at work?
The bag holds about 16 litres and is 18cm wide x 37cm high x 20cm deep.