Vintage Cycle - Laochra na Laoise II - Sunday September 14th

Brendan Hennessy

Hi all,

Dáithí BC and I want to get word out there that we're going to have a second go at Laochra na Laoise - a vintage event for vintage racing bike enthusiasts.

The date is Sunday the 14th of September, time 9am, the meeting venue is the Midway Food Court in Portlaoise. I'll post the two routes later, but
when your hear about climbs like "the Wolftrap" its got to be interesting!

As with the previous events this is an informal spin for cyclists with - or with an interest in - old racing bikes, woolly jerseys, rat-traps, down-tube levers and that sort of thing. You don't have to have an old bike (pre-87 steel, Alan or Vitus) to participate, but an effort is always appreciated. A great training run for anyone l'Eroica bound.

As a little teaser here's a pic of something I've been working on recently. No clues, name the builder:



Best wishes to all (and goodnight!)

Brendan

Daithi BC

I can guarantee that the weather will be better than last year!

Like last year, we're proposing two routes: the main route is 135km, but there is also a 70km route that follows the main route for the first 60km. We'll have a coffee and food stop at that point, so you don't have to make a decision on which route you want to do until then.

This is the 135km route:

Mapmyride: http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/464573224
Strava: http://www.strava.com/activities/167921700

I'll put up some details on the climbs later on this week.

imskilguy

Great to see this on again... however this year Bray Wheelers will be holding the Joe Loughman Randonnee on the same day so I won't be able to make it

Daithi BC

imskilguy wrote: »

Great to see this on again... however this year Bray Wheelers will be holding the Joe Loughman Randonnee on the same day so I won't be able to make it

That's a pity. Unfortunately, whenever we put it on, it's going to clash with something. Hope to see you down for LnL III in 2015.

Brendan Hennessy

imskilguy wrote: »

Great to see this on again... however this year Bray Wheelers will be holding the Joe Loughman Randonnee on the same day so I won't be able to make it

Sorry to hear that - kind regards to the Bray folk and best of luck for the Randonee,

Brendan

imskilguy

Brendan Hennessy wrote: »

Sorry to hear that - kind regards to the Bray folk and best of luck for the Randonee,

Brendan

Thanks Brendan and Daithi, I was disappointed not to do your one last year though (my username was eoghan84 but Ive forgotten the password and closed the email account), so if I get the brakes on my steel bike sorted, and now that I have a woolen SKIL jersey I might be there!

eeeee

Really tempted by the 135k, but scared of the hill-age on my old machine!
Does there be a good crowd at this? (ie will my lack of climbing abilities see me on my own for the day :eek: ), and is everyone on old bikes? Be great not to be the only one on a heavy old 10 speed for once!

Daithi BC

gadetra wrote: »

Really tempted by the 135k, but scared of the hill-age on my old machine!
Does there be a good crowd at this? (ie will my lack of climbing abilities see me on my own for the day :eek: ), and is everyone on old bikes? Be great not to be the only one on a heavy old 10 speed for once!

It'll be a small enough crowd, but it's very relaxed and we'll keep the group together as much as possible. It's more like a club spin, so we'll regroup at the bottom of the two big climbs. They look bad on the profile, but they're actually not that bad (he says, having never gone up either of them on a vintage bike).

Brendan Hennessy

Hi all,

Such was the interest in my little Laochra na Laoise teaser that I felt it just so urgent to put ye out of your misery! While the truth is I only got this finished today:



It's a 1968 (12 July to be exact) Jack Taylor Ladyback Tandem. A neighbour pin striped the frame for me and placed the decals and transfers. I had to get the "Reynolds" ones specially, a friend from the cycling club lacquered it.

I've tried to bring it back as far as possible to period correct parts. Some I had, others e-bay and other contacts. I was kind of inspired by a beautiful René Herse tandem from the 50's - these were randonneur bikes made for the Parisian market, all with beautiful components. There were special long distance competitions for these bikes, the rules of which stipulated they had mudguards and carriers - the carriers were skimpy ones put on the front - a bit of rule bending - and luckily I have one on the way.

Whether the kids come to Laochra na Laoise is another story, but those kid-back adapters work a treat. Please keep up the word of the event in your clubs,

Cheers, Brendan

Daithi BC

@Brendan - That looks fantastic. Hope you can get some pedals for the back before either of the kids joins you on it! Are you going to bring it to L'Eroica this year?

Brendan Hennessy

Daithi BC wrote: »

@Brendan - Hope you can get some pedals for the back before either of the kids joins you on it!?

Aah DBC, can't you see the kiddie pedals half way up the seat tube? My 4 year old did 10 miles on it yesterday. There's absolutely nothing better than when your daughter says to you "Daddy, this is the life"!

There's a great youtube video about the Taylor Brothers - from memory it's called "The Bike Brothers - Jack, Ken and Norman Taylor". About 20 minutes of bike building joy.

Any other pics of bikes and riders participating in Laochra na Laoise?

Brendan

The tax man

My theme for the day....

Brendan Hennessy

So Taxman,

Are you going to be Vanderarden or Anderson?

Brendan

The tax man

I'd have to pick Anderson, Vanderarden was Kelly's arch nemesis back in the day so I never liked him.

The Ging and I

Brendan, love the JT, the most comfortable tandem I ever used. Almost got one built (when you could).
July 12.... should it not be painted another colour ?
Not sure if I can make it as your on the day after "dying cow 200"
Have to see how motivated I am to welly to Laoise on the day.
Either way, have fun.

Daithi BC

This is my steed for the day. Photo taken at the 2013 Anjou Vélo Vintage (the building in the background is, sadly, not my summer cottage).

https://www.flickr.com/photos/126799718@N06/14906685965/in/set-72157646013919868

eeeee

I'm out of this as I can't get down in time for the roll out.

Here is a pic of my main man, all clean and happy, I will imagine him here!

Daithi BC

gadetra wrote: »

I'm out of this as I can't get down in time for the roll out.

Here is a pic of my main man, all clean and happy, I will imagine him here!

Lovely bike! Where are you based? There might be someone who is able to give you a lift over to Portlaoise.

Doc07

Daithi BC wrote: »

Lovely bike! Where are you based? There might be someone who is able to give you a lift over to Portlaoise.

If I can source a lend of a vintage/old bike I would go work depending. I can take 2 bikes on my car rack so if I'm going can give you a lift if you're near southside/south inner city. I'll post on this thread if I'm going in the next week or so.

eeeee

South Dublin. I am running out of excuses now! I might be in Longford though, so definitely won't get to it from there. I should know by Saturday evening anyway. The thoughts of said hills also puts the fear of jebus into me!
Doc7 I would lend you one of mine but they're not rolling bar Henri

Brendan Hennessy

Gadetra, there's already two coming from Longford so that's no excuse!

Doc 07 - I could possibly help you out with a lend for the day,

Brendan

eeeee

Brendan Hennessy wrote: »

Gadetra, there's already two coming from Longford so that's no excuse!

Doc 07 - I could possibly help you out with a lend for the day,

Brendan

Wasn't sure if I was gonna have to head down but the mother is coming out after a minor op on the Saturday so I will be on tea and toast duty on Sunday I'm afraid It was supposed to be on Tuesday, she was called in, prepped etc from 8 that morning then…told at half 2 that evening that there were no beds head on home! :eek: madness:

Count me in for the next one though

sarge10

Hey Brendan,

looking forward to this. Although anytime we are both on a vintage spin it's gonna rain. Ha ha! not this time hopefully....we can't be that unlucky. Hope to have the '58 Raleigh Lenton Grand Prix finished for the event. It will be it's first outing after two years waiting for the rebuild. If all else fails I've enough steel to fall back on!

Daithi BC

Course preview, part 1

I thought I'd put up a few previews of the course to whet your appetites and show that it's not as bad as the profile suggests.

From the start in Portlaoise, we get a nice 10km warmup as we cycle over to Timahoe, the site of one of the best preserved round towers in Ireland. From there we turn onto back roads up to the bottom of the first climb (http://www.strava.com/segments/1803063) at 20km. There's a shock at the bottom of this, with 200m at 12%, but after that it settles into a series of flats and 5-8% ramps.

There's a great view of the countryside from the top, and then we descend back into Timahoe on a nice wide road. A left turn in Timahoe brings us to the legendary Mur de Pike (http://www.strava.com/segments/2478259) - 600m at 11% average but from then until the food stop in Mountrath, there's a 25km flat section to recover and dream about coffee and cake.

Brendan Hennessy

gadetra wrote: »

Wasn't sure if I was gonna have to head down but the mother is coming out after a minor op on the Saturday so I will be on tea and toast duty on Sunday I'm afraid

Sorry to hear that Gadetra - wishing her well post op. Brendan

Brendan Hennessy

Daithi BC wrote: »

Course preview, part 1

to whet your appetites ... There's a shock at the bottom of this, with 200m at 12%, but after that it settles into a series of flats and 5-8% ramps.... a
left turn in Timahoe brings us to the legendary Mur de Pike - 600m at 11% average ...

And to think I've committed myself to riding this:

Daithi BC

Brendan Hennessy wrote: »

And to think I've committed myself to riding this

That's a beaut, though I hope the bottle of wine last longer in the holder this time!

What gearing do you have on it?

Brendan Hennessy

Hi all,

It's presently 48 x 17 & a 15 freewheel. I read somewhere that I should possibly go for a 46 x 20 freewheel for the undulating course such as ours or l'Eroica. Any thoughts or advice (other than not doing it on a single speed!)?


Regards,

Brendan

Yarisbob

Provisionally count me in Brendan.. ! I am only a few weeks on the bike so 70k will be fine !

I'll have my 87' Peugeot 531pro with me. I had to get another poster to put pics up for me !

It will be some sight all the Vintage bikes. Fare play to you and Dathai for getting this up and running !

Daithi BC

Yarisbob wrote: »

Provisionally count me in Brendan.. ! I am only a few weeks on the bike so 70k will be fine !

Great - look forward to meeting you.

The tax man

If I don't get the finger out I'll be arriving down with a box of parts and a frame.

Brendan Hennessy

Great stuff lads,

I love those 531 Peugeots but particularly the 753 ones ridden by the ANC Halfords team in '87.



I remember reading they were quite heavy though the one pictured is apparently under 10kg. I do have a near complete 1982 Centenary Peugeot with aero tubing and all that if anyone is interested?

That photo also offers a gratuitous moment to return to our vintage expo for the Giro d'Italia - the blog attached gave a great write-up.

http://bestandbrightestdublin.wordpress.com/2014/05/05/giro-ditalia-beautiful-bikes/

Best wishes, Brendan

Yarisbob

Nice write up there Brendan and some real nice eye candy ...!

I dont know what I have let myself in for now... I have a deeply unhealthy interest in Vintage and Classic bikes and I'm only on the road a few weeks...! You can spot them a mile off. A modern to me now is just a black bike with stickers on the wheels. They all look the same.

Met a fella last night on the road with a Harry Quinn 531 touring bike as far as I could make out. I'm guessing at 80's as the 531 decal was the same typeface as my own but in green... She had large flange hubs with Mavic rims, Silver with black decals. He had just bought her a few weeks ago and like me hes just getting started. No camera or phone with me of course ... Typical.

Daithi BC

Course preview, part 2

Once we leave Mountrath, there are two options. The 70km heads back for Portlaoise, but the 135km turns west and up into the Slieve Blooms. The first big climb of the day is the Wolftrap. This is 5km at an average of 5.5%, but that includes a few downhill sections! If it's a clear day, there are great views out over the midlands from the top, and then it's a newly resurfaced sinewy descent down into Kinnitty.

From there we turn back east and skirt around the Slieve Blooms before turning right at Clonaslee to go over the Cut. This is more straightforward than the Wolftrap - 8km at an almost uniform 4%. Once you're over the top of this, it's more or less downhill all the way home, with a few short drags just to provide a final test for your legs.

Deadon

Hi Brendan ,a friend told me about this cycle,I'm renewing a couple of old 1970 bikes at moment , and would love to have them ready in time for this spin , is it just a matter of turning up on morning of the spin or do we need to register beforehand ...haven't peddled an old steel in 30 years ,but would love to give it a bash ...regards Dec

Brendan Hennessy

Hi Dec,

Fair play to your friend and anyone else letting others know about the event. It's an informal spin so no registration or money required. Just a coming together of folk with an interest in old racing bikes. Dáithí has laid out the route and the spirit of it is a club spin with no one left behind - but we do expect people to have some miles under their belts.

You'll have to put up some pics of your bikes of course!

Best wishes, Brendan

Brendan Hennessy

The tax man wrote: »

If I don't get the finger out I'll be arriving down with a box of parts and a frame.

Well tax man, is it going to be a box of parts or are you making progress?

Brendan

Deadon

Excellent Brendan ,I'll try get photos up during week but as a new member to boards there maybe a cooling off period befor I can upload photos ....as regards the miles under the belt we do a spin of 60k plus most weekends , but on flashy look like the pros bikes ,ha ha at nearly 50 yrs old ...so this will be 1st time doing a cycle on a real bike ...the bikes I've renovated ar Carlton's and a replica Harry hall from late 70s ...looking forward and hopefully we can make it down ...cheers dec

sarge10

Taxman that's a nice looking Shimano 105 Golden Arrow groupset you have there. I notice in your photo you don't have the shift levers. I have a pair of them. If you need them let me know.

Brendan, I got your message, thanks! I'm just waiting for the white leather handlebar tape to arrive next week to complete the '58 Lenton Grand Prix. I'll email you the photo when it's taped up. It will be all original apart from the tape. It's going out for a test ride tomorrow so hopefully it will ride as good as it looks.

The tax man

Brendan Hennessy wrote: »

Well tax man, is it going to be a box of parts or are you making progress?

Brendan

Still in a box I'm afraid.:o
Hope to have a few days off work beforehand to stick it all together. August has been a bad month for me and cycling,sort of fell out of love with each other.

sarge10 wrote: »

Taxman that's a nice looking Shimano 105 Golden Arrow groupset you have there. I notice in your photo you don't have the shift levers. I have a pair of them. If you need them let me know.

Only the crankset is 105,never used btw. The rest is Shimano 600 arabesque and there are some levers hidden in bubble wrap in the picture. Thanks for the offer though.;)

Brendan Hennessy

[QUOTE August has been a bad month for me and cycling,sort of fell out of love with each other.[/QUOTE]

Aaagh Tax Man, that's bad. Was it the cycling, was it the bikes, or was it the world around you?

I took a few days out myself recently and wandered off to the Sheep's Head. So I loaded up my old Mercian with panniers to make myself feel like a touring cyclist. It's the one my club mates call 'the garden gate', though they don't complain much when they're riding behind me in the rain. First I thought 'oh God, the peninsula is so short I'll have it ridden before lunch'. Then I thought 'why not take it slow?'.

So taking in as many diversions as I could I rode around the north cycle way and didn't get to my digs till 7pm. I did about 30 miles, and even walked out to the lighthouse and beyond. Strava must have been baffled.

The next morning I left the panniers behind and rode over the highest road - the Goat's path, on the way to which I took the photo below. Once done, I loaded up again and took the most scenic route back to Bantry and to the car. The battery was flat.

Back to falling out of love. I was describing the trip to a friend recently and talked about the long winding paths, the secret glen, the light house and the solitude. Then I was about to wax lyrical about some other highlight and had to stop myself from saying 'we had a great trip'. My Mercian and me.

The tax man

Brendan Hennessy wrote: »

Aaagh Tax Man, that's bad. Was it the cycling, was it the bikes, or was it the world around you?

Just did too much over the summer with the good weather. Couldn't get near the bike at the start of August due to work and then the legs just turned to ****e. Getting back into it slowly.

Brendan Hennessy

Doc07 wrote: »

If I can source a lend of a vintage/old bike I would go work depending. I can take 2 bikes on my car rack so if I'm going can give you a lift if you're near southside/south inner city. I'll post on this thread if I'm going in the next week or so.

Hi Doc 07,

One for you perhaps, a Peugeot PH12 Centennial edition:



More info on these here: http://simplicityvintagecycles.com/2012/05/16/1982-peugeot-centennial-edition-ph12-rejuvenation/

I think mine even has the original tyres!

Best wishes,

Brendan

Doc07

Brendan, it would be an honour. I'm in the advanced stages of planning permission. I hope to be able to confirm this weekend.
Sorry for silly question but would I be able to put my own pedals and bottle cages on the bike?

Yarisbob

Brendan Hennessy wrote: »

Hi Doc 07,

One for you perhaps, a Peugeot PH12 Centennial edition:

Now that is nice... ! Just class....!

A fella Ive run into has a 1983 Peugeot PX-10 DU .. He showed a brave bit of enthusiasm for this cycle... I'll keep the pressure on and see if he will bite...!

Daithi BC

Yarisbob wrote: »

A fella Ive run into has a 1983 Peugeot PX-10 DU .. He showed a brave bit of enthusiasm for this cycle... I'll keep the pressure on and see if he will bite...!

Excellent - the more the merrier!

Brendan Hennessy

Doc07 wrote: »

Brendan, it would be an honour. I'm in the advanced stages of planning permission. I hope to be able to confirm this weekend.
Sorry for silly question but would I be able to put my own pedals and bottle cages on the bike?

Heh Doc

If the planning doesn't work out there's always bord pleanala! No problem about pedals and bottle - have to get some tyres too - I don't think the originals will hold out.

Great pic of Sarge's Raleigh Lenton Grand Prix coming up soon,

Brendan

Daithi BC

I don't like to tempt fate, but the forecast for the whole week and the weekend is for the dry weather to continue. It will be a bit strange doing a vintage event in Ireland in the dry.

imskilguy

Hi Brendan and Daithi,
How much does it cost to enter this and get the sandwiches etc!
Thanks

Eamonnator

Sandwiches?? I'm expecting wine and cheese!!

Daithi BC

imskilguy wrote: »

Hi Brendan and Daithi,
How much does it cost to enter this and get the sandwiches etc!
Thanks

There's no charge to enter. We're treating it as a club ride, so we ask that you bring enough food, water and spares to get you round. We're going to stop after 60km of the ride for a food stop, where there'll be tea, coffee and hot and cold food available. There's a shop attached, so you can buy bottles of water to refill bidons as well.

Eamonnator wrote: »

Sandwiches?? I'm expecting wine and cheese!!

The place we're stopping probably sells wine (and definitely cheese). We might have to cycle slowly to get there for licencing hours on a Sunday!