Cycling to Tullamore

Johnnio13

Question for club and distance cyclists:

I am enjoying the new road bike and I thinking of cycling down to Tullamore from Dublin on Saturday morning alone.
The furthest cycled to date is 60k and this is twice that distance.
The forecast is ok (below). Am I nuts to attempt this without doing longer runs first? And if any of you have done it would you recommend it? (risk v reward)


dry start in the east but cloudy with rain developing in the southwest. The rain will become widespread by afternoon with persistent and heavy falls in western and northwestern areas where there will be a risk of localised flooding. It will be a cold day for the northern half of the country with highs of only 7 to 9 degrees but milder conditions will gradually push up from the southwest and afternoon highs across the southern half of the country will be between 12 and 14 degrees. Winds will be light to moderate southerly at first but veering southwesterly and becoming strong along southern and southwestern coasts.

Planet X

Nuts.
The weather is going to be very bad. Wait till it passes.

not yet

What about getting back ?

Your all giddy at the moment with a new bike, just chill, there will be better conditions ahead for a ride like that..

petethedrummer

Do it. Bring your phone and money for a taxi. What is the worst that can happen?

not yet

petethedrummer wrote: »

Do it. Bring your phone and money for a taxi. What is the worst that can happen?

30km wind in his face, over an inch of rain can will happen

thelawman

It's rain, you're not made of sugar, you won't melt. get on the bike and ride

cdaly_

Head out to finglas on Sunday morning instead for 100k with Audax Ireland. A good step-up distance with some experienced company...

OleRodrigo

Go for it. You're not too far from a train station at any point. No hills to speak of. Wind and rain are often fun, especially if it's mild.

More importantly, think of all the kudos on strava.

" Animal "
" Savage riding there "
" You're a machine "
" Horse of a man.."

etc etc..:)

petethedrummer

not yet wrote: »

30km wind in his face, over an inch of rain can will happen

It will be a journey of self discovery....

But seriously, the OP should get the bus/train to Tullamore and cycle back instead... no point wasting 30km/h of wind assistance.

smacl

Johnnio13 wrote: »

The furthest cycled to date is 60k and this is twice that distance. The forecast is ok

Some questions;

Distance aside, what is your experience of cycling in heavy winds and rain? Looking at the met long range wind forecasts, you'd be dealing with moderate to heavy cross winds, which can be a bit dodgy if you're not used to them. Rain is less of an issue if you have proper winter gear. Personally, I don't trust the forecast much more than a day in advance, so don't assume it won't change.

Have you a route planned, and if so how sheltered is it from the elements and heavier traffic? Cycling on roads you don't know for a first long solo spin in bad weather wouldn't be clever, nor would cycling on busy roads with heavy cross winds.

If it all goes pear shaped about half way in, what's your plan to make it to your destination?

Am I nuts to attempt this without doing longer runs first? And if any of you have done it would you recommend it? (risk v reward)

I wouldn't say you're exactly nuts, but it requires some planning. I did a ~170k solo spin up from south Wexford on the Winter solstice last year with wind and rain and thoroughly enjoyed it, but it was a route I knew well and I was well prepared.

Personally, I'd tend to advice against it unless you're very confident of being able handle the conditions. For a first long winter spin, maybe try one of the introductory audax ones first.

Johnnio13

Distance aside, what is your experience of cycling in heavy winds and rain?
Commute 5 days a week albeit on a heavier MTB. So heavy winds and rain aren't usually an issue apart from slower wetter commutes.
Looking at the met long range wind forecasts, you'd be dealing with moderate to heavy cross winds, which can be a bit dodgy if you're not used to them.
Good point. Last Sunday mornings Meath run was a bit hairy in places. with the X-winds. Luckily traffic was light to non-existent.

Rain is less of an issue if you have proper winter gear. Personally, I don't trust the forecast much more than a day in advance, so don't assume it won't change.
Have rain gear but think Planet X may be right. Wait until the spring and the legs are a bit more exposed to distance.

Have you a route planned, and if so how sheltered is it from the elements and heavier traffic? Cycling on roads you don't know for a first long solo spin in bad weather wouldn't be clever, nor would cycling on busy roads with heavy cross winds.
The route planned was via Maynooth, Kilcock on to Edenderry, Daingan and Tullamore. A recce via car would prob be a good idea in advance.

If it all goes pear shaped about half way in, what's your plan to make it to your destination?
The missus will be in Tullamore with the car (and child). If things go tits up I find shelter and call it in.


I wouldn't say you're exactly nuts, but it requires some planning. I did a ~170k solo spin up from south Wexford on the Winter solstice last year with wind and rain and thoroughly enjoyed it, but it was a route I knew well and I was well prepared.

Personally, I'd tend to advice against it unless you're very confident of being able handle the conditions. For a first long winter spin, maybe try one of the introductory audax ones first.

Thanks all, appreciate the feedback. I'll hold off for now. No point doing it and not enjoying it or not making it.

Johnnio13

petethedrummer wrote: »

Do it. Bring your phone and money for a taxi. What is the worst that can happen?

I like your Dr Pepper swagger!

Johnnio13

OleRodrigo wrote: »

Go for it. You're not too far from a train station at any point. No hills to speak of. Wind and rain are often fun, especially if it's mild.

More importantly, think of all the kudos on strava.

" Animal "
" Savage riding there "
" You're a machine "
" Horse of a man.."

etc etc..:)

Don't use Strava. But will if those are the kinda compliments one can aim for.

ladder in me tights

Ive done this a good few times over the years - the route I go is along the Canal cycle lane to Lucan - Celbridge - Clane - Prosperous - Edenderry - tullamore
Maybe have a cuppa in the Garage in Edenderry that will give you something to look forward to and sure its only 35K to Tullamore from there and its flat as a pancake so its just a slight headwind you have to deal with.
Forecast early to mid morning looks good and those roads are usually quiet most of the morning apart from the Peat lorries around Allenwood

irishrover99

The weather forecast you gave for Saturday doesn't look that bad compared to what the rest of the winter will be like if you keep increasing the amount you cycle. Days done out out on the bike in bad weather feel very rewarding when you get home. Just watch the crosswinds and you'll be fine

Bloggsie

Johnnio13 wrote: »

Question for club and distance cyclists:

I am enjoying the new road bike and I thinking of cycling down to Tullamore from Dublin on Saturday morning alone.
The furthest cycled to date is 60k and this is twice that distance.
The forecast is ok (below). Am I nuts to attempt this without doing longer runs first? And if any of you have done it would you recommend it? (risk v reward)


dry start in the east but cloudy with rain developing in the southwest. The rain will become widespread by afternoon with persistent and heavy falls in western and northwestern areas where there will be a risk of localised flooding. It will be a cold day for the northern half of the country with highs of only 7 to 9 degrees but milder conditions will gradually push up from the southwest and afternoon highs across the southern half of the country will be between 12 and 14 degrees. Winds will be light to moderate southerly at first but veering southwesterly and becoming strong along southern and southwestern coasts.

do it, once you have you got the clothing sorted, its not fun being out in the pishing rain getting soaked with 5 or 50kms to go!

Have a good breakfast before you go, stuff some food in your pockets, along with cash & your fone in a zip lock bag.

Let us know how you get on!

good luck

ILIKEFOOD

Did the 160 tour of meath this summer - lashed rain the whole way through, really only managed with the support of volunteers and fellow cyclists. It was great of course to finish it, but if the weather is as bad as it's meant to be I'd leave it to another day. I doubt I'll be going out in weather like that again anytime soon.

mattdi22le

I'm relatively new to cycling as well, live in Lucan and cycled this route a while back, just do it man !! Carb the night before have porridge and banana that morning, prepare for the worst kinda weather/punctures etc, and get on your bike and go.

There's 90 year old's going up croagh patrick in the pissing rain in there bare feet.......

Don't know if that has any relevance just thought I'd throw it in haha,

Wishbone Ash

smacl wrote: »

.. but it requires some planning....

It also important not to over-think it. It's only wind and rain. A couple of pit stops and he'll be fine.

CamperMan

petethedrummer wrote: »

It will be a journey of self discovery....

But seriously, the OP should get the bus/train to Tullamore and cycle back instead... no point wasting 30km/h of wind assistance.

nothing wrong with a bit of headwind, builds up the leg muscles

godtabh

Its a straight forward cycle. I did it once recently (and then on to athlone)

https://www.strava.com/activities/369367587

More or less flat. Decent roads but country roads. You would want decent weather for it

Johnnio13

I didn't do it in the end. Chickened out.
I'll join one of the audux rides before attempting this I think,

Thanks Godtabh for the map. Good to see the break down.