Tell us about your new improved government regulations compliant cycle part II

godtabh

Gentle little spin around random boreens in Youghal. The garmin route features needs some refinement

dahat

120km with the club today with 900 elevation at 31.7km avg.

In a heap here now with some cramping near the end which does not bode well.or the W200 next week, a very easy week for me I think is in order.

Don't Chute!

70kms this morning into the city and back out through Stepaside. Saw a guy in a boards jersey around Blackrock college and gave a shout. Unfortunately won't be doing the Wicklow 200 next week due to being nowhere near ready for it and now finding out I've to work anyway. Preparing for next year starts now!

jamesd

114km spin today for Croi - Tour de lough Corrib.
Averaged 27.5 so happy with that.

Donal55

NamelessPhil wrote: »

I'm currently 413km into a 600km Audax, eating breakfast in Ballyconnel. Finishing time is 10pm today. I'll do it...

Giant Kudos to all those Audax riders who are on the last lap after completing almost 600km in less than 36 hours.
Credit where its due.

Fighting Tao

Tour of Louth 105k today. Headed out too strong 29k travelled in the first hour into a headwind. By 50k I was struggling. Met some great people along the way.

Distance 107.7k
Time 4:24:42
Avg Speed 24.4 kph
Elevation 628m

coddlesangers

Almost embarrassed to post my pre dinner 23kms with 500m climbed....heres the pretty route on relive hill climb efforts

Einstein?

I'd highly recommend anyone to check out the Tour of Louth next year! It's a really cool sportif event that I did for the first time today, well organized and well looked after.

As the name suggests it was a nice, and relatively fast-paced tour of County Louth.

I went full gas at the start and got dropped after 30 minutes by the breakaway, but then I jumped on a very cool train that was doing 30-35 kph/avg, strong but not sprinting the whole way, very good day on the saddle indeed.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1020638300

Colonel Panic

Work commute this morning and first time crossing the mess that is Westmorland St in its current Luas works configuration in the wet.

I am VERY lucky. Rear wheel slipped and I went into the barrier.

Somehow managed to stay upright. Skinned my knuckle and grazed my brake lever! I have never unclipped so fast!

Don't Chute!

Colonel Panic wrote: »

Work commute this morning and first time crossing the mess that is Westmorland St in its current Luas works configuration in the wet.

I am VERY lucky. Rear wheel slipped and I went into the barrier.

Somehow managed to stay upright. Skinned my knuckle and grazed my brake lever! I have never unclipped so fast!

Apt username!

secman

Sat. Up to ballyedmund and headed for castlebridge , wexford town, took left turn for curracloe, and back the meandering rolling coast road to Blackwater, Kilmuckridge, Ballygarrett, killenagh...home.
66km avg 29.3 kph tired legs

Sun
Lap around killenagh, Ballygarrett, Kilmuckridge, back to ballyedmund, left for road to Ferns and main road to Gorey. Down to courtown, Ballygarrett , killenagh and home.
77 km avg 27.3 kph

retalivity

Headed out from d8 to the mountains, sally gap, laragh, glendalough, wicklow gap, blessington and home. I havent done much more than 50k/2hrs in the saddle for a few months and i felt it today. Headwind the whole way to laragh was a killer and i was completely empty after the wicklow gap. Basically coasted home from there

110k in 4h48m, 1404m climbed

https://www.strava.com/activities/1022317047

NamelessPhil

Unknown Soldier wrote: »

Please tell me that you do ride your bike/train in between these epic spins? You just don't bother putting them on Strava?

Ahem, no! I do very little weekly training, about 75km a week just getting around, BUT, I have been riding at least one 200km (or longer) ride every month for the three and a half years. I'm never more than six weeks from another 200.

Anyway, here's a link to the full 600. I finished in time and in good shape. It bodes well for London - Edinburgh-London 1400km at the beginning of August.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1022234212/shareable_images/map_based?hl=en-US&v=1496664358

Colonel Panic

Don't Chute! wrote: »

Apt username!

I'll bet I looked deadly flailing my legs and leaning against the Luas works fence!

terrydel

Did the Gran Fondo up North, enjoyed some aspects of it, hated others.
Firstly having a shocking nights sleep the night before didnt help and I just didnt really enjoy the ride the way I should have that. Didnt feel I had much pep in me at all.
The start from Stormont was an amazing site, a really iconic place to see thousands of cyclists moving off from.
But the route just didnt suit the sheer numberof people and the first few proper climbs (dree hill + one other?) the bunching up was a complete joke, loads of people unclipping/stopping/falling off. Im pretty good at holding the bike at almost a complete stop so was able to progress better than most but it was still painful and cost a serious amount of time. At the first feed stop we arrived to no food! Ridiculous for an event such as this. As usual I wasnt aware of the cut off point just up the road at 10.15 and ended up missing it by 3 minutes. Was a bit annoyed but to be honest wasnt enjoying the ride so that annoyance soon turned to happiness! But a cut off 3.15hrs & 70km into an event that was slowed down so much by the number of riders was in my opinion very harsh. Im sure 2000+must have been effected by it.
Second food stop was not much better, one small table serving coffee on a 5000 participant event is hilarious. Very little food beyond the energy crap from one of the sponsors. No cake, sandwiches or any real food. The two small sportives (cliffs of moher and lap de gaps) Ive done this year where a milion miles better in this regard.
The free jersey is nice and the medal is good quality and a nice souvenir.
Cycled too and from the hotel (7.5km e/w) and was aboslutely soaked on the way back after more or less avoiding rain all day! Typical!
Its a nice route but I wasnt blown away by it, I find Wicklow and Kerry far more scenic and appealing, but thats just personal opinion.
Im not sure Id go back, its a lot of money for one sportive with all the cost that goes with it.
They probably need to plan the route/starts better to sort out the bunching early on, and really need to address the shocking level of food at the feed zones.
Interested in others opinions.

Whyner

terrydel wrote: »

Did the Gran Fondo up North, enjoyed some aspects of it, hated others.
Firstly having a shocking nights sleep the night before didnt help and I just didnt really enjoy the ride the way I should have that. Didnt feel I had much pep in me at all.
The start from Stormont was an amazing site, a really iconic place to see thousands of cyclists moving off from.
But the route just didnt suit the sheer numberof people and the first few proper climbs (dree hill + one other?) the bunching up was a complete joke, loads of people unclipping/stopping/falling off. Im pretty good at holding the bike at almost a complete stop so was able to progress better than most but it was still painful and cost a serious amount of time. At the first feed stop we arrived to no food! Ridiculous for an event such as this. As usual I wasnt aware of the cut off point just up the road at 10.15 and ended up missing it by 3 minutes. Was a bit annoyed but to be honest wasnt enjoying the ride so that annoyance soon turned to happiness! But a cut off 3.15hrs & 70km into an event that was slowed down so much by the number of riders was in my opinion very harsh. Im sure 2000+must have been effected by it.
Second food stop was not much better, one small table serving coffee on a 5000 participant event is hilarious. Very little food beyond the energy crap from one of the sponsors. No cake, sandwiches or any real food. The two small sportives (cliffs of moher and lap de gaps) Ive done this year where a milion miles better in this regard.
The free jersey is nice and the medal is good quality and a nice souvenir.
Cycled too and from the hotel (7.5km e/w) and was aboslutely soaked on the way back after more or less avoiding rain all day! Typical!
Its a nice route but I wasnt blown away by it, I find Wicklow and Kerry far more scenic and appealing, but thats just personal opinion.
Im not sure Id go back, its a lot of money for one sportive with all the cost that goes with it.
They probably need to plan the route/starts better to sort out the bunching early on, and really need to address the shocking level of food at the feed zones.
Interested in others opinions.

That sounds fairly crap in fairness. I read about it and it sounded class. It's hard to imagine that you were just unlucky...

It even got a piece on the BBC news

terrydel

Whyner wrote: »

terrydel wrote: »

Did the Gran Fondo up North, enjoyed some aspects of it, hated others.
Firstly having a shocking nights sleep the night before didnt help and I just didnt really enjoy the ride the way I should have that. Didnt feel I had much pep in me at all.
The start from Stormont was an amazing site, a really iconic place to see thousands of cyclists moving off from.
But the route just didnt suit the sheer numberof people and the first few proper climbs (dree hill + one other?) the bunching up was a complete joke, loads of people unclipping/stopping/falling off. Im pretty good at holding the bike at almost a complete stop so was able to progress better than most but it was still painful and cost a serious amount of time. At the first feed stop we arrived to no food! Ridiculous for an event such as this. As usual I wasnt aware of the cut off point just up the road at 10.15 and ended up missing it by 3 minutes. Was a bit annoyed but to be honest wasnt enjoying the ride so that annoyance soon turned to happiness! But a cut off 3.15hrs & 70km into an event that was slowed down so much by the number of riders was in my opinion very harsh. Im sure 2000+must have been effected by it.
Second food stop was not much better, one small table serving coffee on a 5000 participant event is hilarious. Very little food beyond the energy crap from one of the sponsors. No cake, sandwiches or any real food. The two small sportives (cliffs of moher and lap de gaps) Ive done this year where a milion miles better in this regard.
The free jersey is nice and the medal is good quality and a nice souvenir.
Cycled too and from the hotel (7.5km e/w) and was aboslutely soaked on the way back after more or less avoiding rain all day! Typical!
Its a nice route but I wasnt blown away by it, I find Wicklow and Kerry far more scenic and appealing, but thats just personal opinion.
Im not sure Id go back, its a lot of money for one sportive with all the cost that goes with it.
They probably need to plan the route/starts better to sort out the bunching early on, and really need to address the shocking level of food at the feed zones.
Interested in others opinions.

That sounds fairly crap in fairness. I read about it and it sounded class. It's hard to imagine that you were just unlucky...

It even got a piece on the BBC news

Not really sure what you mean. Unlucky in what sense?

Whyner

As in the food was just cleared out and another batch hadn't arrived...

Whyner

87.7k and 981m of up. Didn't have the will power to round either up

Decent spin for me on Sat morning although I bailed on taking on Wicklow Gap due to time constraints and not being up for it

Did Ballinascorney for the first time and then headed up Shankhill Rd/Scurlocks Leap. Got held up just past Kilbride Camp,3 loose ponies wandering around. Followed them for 500m but they dropped me before the descent, clean pair of hooves and all that. Then had my first boards encounter with Devonp, did a few k with him until I failed to take the left over Ballysmuttan bridge. His spin was a beast!!! Decided to turn back, take the bridge and headed on to Hollywood on N81, back home via Ballymore. Washed the bike on Sun...

https://www.strava.com/activities/1018944552

Slow going but enjoyed the new routes

plodder

Gran Fondo cyclists left hungry for more

terrydel

Whyner wrote: »

As in the food was just cleared out and another batch hadn't arrived...

It was cleared out.

terrydel

plodder wrote: »

Gran Fondo cyclists left hungry for more

Same thing happened to me, a box of those bars came out and I asked for two (one for my brother) and was told I could only have one.
The excuse about riders taking more than they should is disgraceful and a classic of blaming the victim (I know in this case that word is a bit dramatic). Ive done loads of sportives and that never happens (people being greedy) so why is this one any different. Fact is it isnt, and hes blaming the riders rather than his company, who Im sure profitted hugely from this event. A prick in my view.
The food was a disgrace simple as, if the sponsor (named sports I think they are) hadnt supplied food there would have been basically none.

Eponymous

Sunday, did Sandycove to Howth and back. Over the head via an insane lump along Strand Road/Sheilmartin Road (I think). Strava says 23% but my Garmin paused as I was going so slowly! Once back on Fintan's road it was fairly easy going.

This was the first real test on my back since the injury at Christmas so it was really nice to get something like a decent ride and a half decent climb into my legs. Eyeing up Sally Gap next weekend!

http://strava.com/activities/1020411612/

Chuchote

Would be a lovely day for a cycle to the mountains; less so for the way back

http://ozonekites.com/info/windyty-wind-and-wave-forecasts/

wowy

terrydel wrote: »

Did the Gran Fondo up North, enjoyed some aspects of it, hated others.
Firstly having a shocking nights sleep the night before didnt help and I just didnt really enjoy the ride the way I should have that. Didnt feel I had much pep in me at all.
The start from Stormont was an amazing site, a really iconic place to see thousands of cyclists moving off from.
But the route just didnt suit the sheer numberof people and the first few proper climbs (dree hill + one other?) the bunching up was a complete joke, loads of people unclipping/stopping/falling off. Im pretty good at holding the bike at almost a complete stop so was able to progress better than most but it was still painful and cost a serious amount of time. At the first feed stop we arrived to no food! Ridiculous for an event such as this. As usual I wasnt aware of the cut off point just up the road at 10.15 and ended up missing it by 3 minutes. Was a bit annoyed but to be honest wasnt enjoying the ride so that annoyance soon turned to happiness! But a cut off 3.15hrs & 70km into an event that was slowed down so much by the number of riders was in my opinion very harsh. Im sure 2000+must have been effected by it.
Second food stop was not much better, one small table serving coffee on a 5000 participant event is hilarious. Very little food beyond the energy crap from one of the sponsors. No cake, sandwiches or any real food. The two small sportives (cliffs of moher and lap de gaps) Ive done this year where a milion miles better in this regard.
The free jersey is nice and the medal is good quality and a nice souvenir.
Cycled too and from the hotel (7.5km e/w) and was aboslutely soaked on the way back after more or less avoiding rain all day! Typical!
Its a nice route but I wasnt blown away by it, I find Wicklow and Kerry far more scenic and appealing, but thats just personal opinion.
Im not sure Id go back, its a lot of money for one sportive with all the cost that goes with it.
They probably need to plan the route/starts better to sort out the bunching early on, and really need to address the shocking level of food at the feed zones.
Interested in others opinions.

I've done it for the last 3 years. In 2015, they had the same issues with food as this year (as in, they had barely any). Last year they seemed to have upped their game, and they had plenty of food at the first stop (including sandwiches), and then at the 2nd stop they even had a van from one of the sponsors giving out small tubs of fresh mash potatoes. They also had an extra water stop at the top of Spelga dam (albeit it was a lot hotter last year). This year, though, was very poor, I'd say even worse than 2015. The food after was also pretty disappointing - thankfully there were food vans so I was able to buy a pizza. Little cutbacks were annoying - last year the food voucher entitled riders to food and 2 beers, this year was down to 1 beer. It's the same price as last year, but we got so much less for our money this year.

Stormont was a nice scenic spot to start from and finish into, but other than that I thought it was badly-managed - it was difficult to get in and out from for registration, and it was all much too spread out (having to walk through a water-logged forest trail from the finish line to the food etc was no help to the new cleats I put on last week). My GF and a friend came to meet me at the end, and it was a nightmare for them to even get out of the Estate afterwards.

Dree Hill was a pain in that crowd - people trying to clip back on in the centre of the narrow road. I was in a big batch that were forced to put a foot down and we all had to walk up the last 300m or so.

Agreed re. the cut-off, thought it was very harsh, especially considering how long it took to get out of the city and then delays up Dree Hill.

At £65 plus other costs, I think I've had my fill.

terrydel

wowy wrote: »

terrydel wrote: »

Did the Gran Fondo up North, enjoyed some aspects of it, hated others.
Firstly having a shocking nights sleep the night before didnt help and I just didnt really enjoy the ride the way I should have that. Didnt feel I had much pep in me at all.
The start from Stormont was an amazing site, a really iconic place to see thousands of cyclists moving off from.
But the route just didnt suit the sheer numberof people and the first few proper climbs (dree hill + one other?) the bunching up was a complete joke, loads of people unclipping/stopping/falling off. Im pretty good at holding the bike at almost a complete stop so was able to progress better than most but it was still painful and cost a serious amount of time. At the first feed stop we arrived to no food! Ridiculous for an event such as this. As usual I wasnt aware of the cut off point just up the road at 10.15 and ended up missing it by 3 minutes. Was a bit annoyed but to be honest wasnt enjoying the ride so that annoyance soon turned to happiness! But a cut off 3.15hrs & 70km into an event that was slowed down so much by the number of riders was in my opinion very harsh. Im sure 2000+must have been effected by it.
Second food stop was not much better, one small table serving coffee on a 5000 participant event is hilarious. Very little food beyond the energy crap from one of the sponsors. No cake, sandwiches or any real food. The two small sportives (cliffs of moher and lap de gaps) Ive done this year where a milion miles better in this regard.
The free jersey is nice and the medal is good quality and a nice souvenir.
Cycled too and from the hotel (7.5km e/w) and was aboslutely soaked on the way back after more or less avoiding rain all day! Typical!
Its a nice route but I wasnt blown away by it, I find Wicklow and Kerry far more scenic and appealing, but thats just personal opinion.
Im not sure Id go back, its a lot of money for one sportive with all the cost that goes with it.
They probably need to plan the route/starts better to sort out the bunching early on, and really need to address the shocking level of food at the feed zones.
Interested in others opinions.

I've done it for the last 3 years. In 2015, they had the same issues with food as this year (as in, they had barely any). Last year they seemed to have upped their game, and they had plenty of food at the first stop (including sandwiches), and then at the 2nd stop they even had a van from one of the sponsors giving out small tubs of fresh mash potatoes. They also had an extra water stop at the top of Spelga dam (albeit it was a lot hotter last year). This year, though, was very poor, I'd say even worse than 2015. The food after was also pretty disappointing - thankfully there were food vans so I was able to buy a pizza. Little cutbacks were annoying - last year the food voucher entitled riders to food and 2 beers, this year was down to 1 beer. It's the same price as last year, but we got so much less for our money this year.

Stormont was a nice scenic spot to start from and finish into, but other than that I thought it was badly-managed - it was difficult to get in and out from for registration, and it was all much too spread out (having to walk through a water-logged forest trail from the finish line to the food etc was no help to the new cleats I put on last week). My GF and a friend came to meet me at the end, and it was a nightmare for them to even get out of the Estate afterwards.

Dree Hill was a pain in that crowd - people trying to clip back on in the centre of the narrow road. I was in a big batch that were forced to put a foot down and we all had to walk up the last 300m or so.

Agreed re. the cut-off, thought it was very harsh, especially considering how long it took to get out of the city and then delays up Dree Hill.

At £65 plus other costs, I think I've had my fill.

Food afterwards wasnt great but at least there was some, at that stage Im just happy to eat. 1 beer plenty for me, dont really drink to be honest and its a gesture more than anything so no complaints there. but yeah, youre right if the price has stayed the same and what you get goes down, thats not ideal.
The cutoff for me was the worst thing, incredibly tight I felt especially given the crowds up those hills. I know its agreed with authorities beforehand, but anyone who has cycled a sportive surely could have foreseen that bunching up given the numbers and the narrowness of those hill roads. I'd love to see the numbers who missed it, id guess it was considerable, maybe 2000 or so?
I finished 154km in under 6 hours so I aint slow, so if it caught me out it deffo caught out loads of people who under normal circumstances would easily have made it.
Agree, I dont think Id go again, whole thing cost me a bomb (lots of it not the fault of organisers in fairness), parking, hotel etc.
Enjoyed the occasion and the spirit and volunteerism but not keen to go back.

Annie get your Run

Got soaked to the skin yesterday evening on the bike home, opened the curtains this morning to see nothing had changed, had a fleeting 2 second thought about getting the bus and then threw on the gear and headed off on the bike. Even in the pouring rain it's still far nicer option (for me) than public transport. Only spotted a few other hardy's though! Here's hoping the runners dry before I leave for another soaking this evening!!

Rogue-Trooper

Annie get your Run wrote: »

Even in the pouring rain it's still far nicer option (for me) than public transport.

It's better than ALL other options! :P

Annie get your Run wrote: »

Here's hoping the runners dry before I leave for another soaking this evening!!

Stuff them with crumpled up newspaper - it will soak up the moisture. You may need to change the newspaper a couple of times during the day (I really miss the free Metro newspaper for this purpose!). You could also look into a pair of overshoes for the wet days.

Another top tip is keep a spare pair of socks in work as pulling on cold wet socks is nasty when it's home time!

cdaly_

Sandals in wet weather dry out in no time. No soggy socks either...

P_1

An enjoyable enough 35k out to register for the Wicklow. Did have some trepidation about the N11 after reading the close pass thread but ironically the only grief I got was from two lovely gents deciding to buzz by me on their carbon monstrosities and full kit and roar at me as I was slowing down trying to filter to turn right up Belgard road.

Maybe it's because I wasn't wearing lycra? :rolleyes:

https://www.relive.cc/view/1029490405