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

retalivity

https://www.strava.com/activities/1044574123

Up to three rock via kellystown, then across and up to the viewpoint via cruagh. Seriously hot going up ticknock, flies everywhere. Brakes are shot so iffy descending...

38k, 750m up. Great way to shake out the effects of over-indulging at the weekend!

secman

Headed out to blessington this evening, did the little loop around Trooperstown back into blessington across bridge and back to manor kilbride, and back main road home. 47.6 km avg 26.6 kph. Tailwind out and headwind back.

Boscoirl

After work, decided to go for a quick spin, got to the end of the drive noticed tyre was soft, back up to pump it up, couldn't get air into it, think the valve wa gone, changed the wheel, and off I went.

I cycled from Nenagh into Limerick to my parents house ~45km 28kmph average (my quickest yet), the plan was to drive my mothers car home to give it a spin as they are away on holidays. But the feckin thing wouldn't start, so I had to jump on the bike and cycle home, it was 21:45 when I left so it began to get dark quickly, only had my cheap flashing lights I use for rainy days, so had very little visibility the last 20km home, averaged 22kmph as I couldn't see where I was going, luckily it's the old N7 road so it's wide with cycle lanes both side,

Chuchote

Very sorry for your loss, Koutoubia, and also for your row. Keep the wheels turning and the heart warm.

Alanstrainor

I was supposed to collect my new bike yesterday evening, called the shop in the morning and they said they'd have it ready. But when I got there, they said that the main guy who does the fittings wasn't actually in, so it'd be better to wait. Gah!

Cycle this morning was beautiful down the coast from Baldoyle to Fairview, a nice breeze pushing me along. I don't know how others feel about this, but the amount of cyclists cycling 2 abreast on segregated cycle lanes where there is no room to pass is too damn high! I had 2 groups come towards me today and only at the very last second did they yield. :mad:

smacl

Missed my early morning spin so took a slightly extended spin out towards Enniskerry and some of the back roads and lumpy bohereens around Barnaslingen / Murphys lane area. Tempted to take the bike up to the tower at the leadmines next time out, anyone know whether the tracks are handy enough on a CX bike? Was thinking of starting from here

Tar.Aldarion

Been more than a year since I was hit by a car but yesterday my bike was fixed and I tried it out, was quite anxious but took it for a small spin, you think every car will hit you! Arm was still pretty weak and it was sore but it was a lovely day for it!

PaulieC

smacl wrote: »

Missed my early morning spin so took a slightly extended spin out towards Enniskerry and some of the back roads and lumpy bohereens around Barnaslingen / Murphys lane area. Tempted to take the bike up to the tower at the leadmines next time out, anyone know whether the tracks are handy enough on a CX bike? Was thinking of starting from here

I doubt it would be much fun going up that path on the CX - it gets pretty rough after the initial section. You should be able to get to the tower via the paths in the forest which are wheelchair accessible. You can get to those by using that entrance and taking the immediate right or else enter from the car park a few hundred yards up the road. YMMV.

wanderer 22

smacl wrote: »

Missed my early morning spin so took a slightly extended spin out towards Enniskerry and some of the back roads and lumpy bohereens around Barnaslingen / Murphys lane area. Tempted to take the bike up to the tower at the leadmines next time out, anyone know whether the tracks are handy enough on a CX bike? Was thinking of starting from here

I've taken the cx bike from there to the tower, no problems

https://www.strava.com/activities/178263418

Alanstrainor

Tar.Aldarion wrote: »

Been more than a year since I was hit by a car but yesterday my bike was fixed and I tried it out, was quite anxious but took it for a small spin, you think every car will hit you! Arm was still pretty weak and it was sore but it was a lovely day for it!

Fair play to you! And best of luck!

Don't Chute!

Had my daughters graduation from creche this morning so took the rest of the day off and went for a spin. 70kms Greystones to Ringsend and back through Dalkey. Love being out on the bike when you are supposed to be in work! Forgot suncream though so got roasted.

Miklos

Nice evening grovel up Cruagh, Viewing point to Sally Gap, Lugalla, Sugar Loaf, Enniskerry and home.

Got a bizarre KOM from Enniskerry to Ranelagh because I was in a rush to get to Boojum before they closed. Made it with a few minutes to spare!

Mercian Pro

Absolutely glorious club spin this morning from Swords out to Slane mainly on back roads that were new to most of us. Excellent coffee and scones at Hugo's Farm Shop before more by-ways back to Swords. Enjoyed it so much that I did a Baldoyle to Fairview loop on the way home rather than heading in the airport road.
We are really lucky in the club to have a few generous guys who are prepared to share their detailed knowledge of the roads, lanes, potholes and delights of NCD, Meath and Kildare with the rest of us. Take a well deserved bow Wardie and Frank if you are reading this.

davycc

Tar.Aldarion wrote: »

Been more than a year since I was hit by a car but yesterday my bike was fixed and I tried it out, was quite anxious but took it for a small spin, you think every car will hit you! Arm was still pretty weak and it was sore but it was a lovely day for it!

Fair play to you for getting back out there!
The bike looks beautiful btw

Not my cycle to report, I've the the wee one down to one stabiliser !!!

Her mammy had her on her bike this evening wheeling her around on a big girls bike and we were pissing ourselves laughing at her little legs instinctively pumping away at invisible peddles as she was held up :pac:

This bodes well for a Tour de Back Garden vs her bitter rival max the dog in a few weeks , the Giro was carnage

positron

Picked up the bike yesterday evening after getting new bottom bracket fitted, and took the backroads (just 10k) and there was huge crash right in front of me.

Junction between Beamore rd & Beabeg rd south of Drogheda, I was coming from Platin towards the junction, no cars waiting to cross the road and there was a red Audi coming from Southgate towards Platin, I was just easing off the pedal and entering the junction, a silver VW Passat (I think) came flying in from the left (from Beamore Cross, heading to Naul direction) and failed to stop - he went straight across the path of the red Audi, Audi slamms into the passenger side rear door of the VW, which lifts the back of the car a bit, spins it around 180 degrees, and the car ends up facing on the Naul side of the road facing the opposite direction. I ran over expecting worse, but even though both cars were totally wrecked, but amazingly driver of the Audi and the two occupants of the VW both get out uninjured. Pretty shaken up but no cuts / bruises, thanks to all the airbags and modern engineering. Hung around for a while to call emergency etc for them and gave both parties my details just in case if they need witness etc - but it was pretty clear who was at fault there, unfortunate really.

Only after getting home myself I realised that I had a narrow escape. Silver Passat crossed the road about 10 meters ahead of me and I saw it land on my right - that is I had gone past the junction by the time I could stop the bike!! Could have been a lot worse.. This thought and that there was a Group 1 child seat in the Passat (although no child in the car at the time of the crash) - tiny bit unsettling to think how fickle everything is..

Seaswimmer

Decided to visit the in laws in Howth Sunday but suggested to the wife that we try and cycle over (about 26kms from Deansgrange)

Packed a picnic and headed off along Blackrock Park, Sandymount, Eastlink and then onto the cycle path at Clontarf. Stopped around Dollymount for a sandwich and reached Howth in good shape.

Plan was to take the Dart back but as the day was so nice I persuaded her to go back along the cycle path and we could divert to the Dart at any stage.

She was "definitely" getting the Dart at Clontarf but when we got there she was "definitely" getting the Dart at Sandymount.

Anyway she made it back home without the Dart for a total of 52kms, her longest ever.

Slightly sore a**e but otherwise perfect.

The cycle path really makes a difference for people like her who enjoy cycling but find mixing with traffic stressful..

Unknown Soldier

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Indeed it does and would be even lovelier if you ditched that awful bidon and got a black 500ml one (or two).

PS - well said on the 'battle' bit. Someone very close to me goes through the same battle on a regular basis.

I do have them, but they are for gels and stuff. I prefer the clear one for liquids.


Managed to knock out 103 odd KM on Sunday, while on a solo SASTR spin. That being a Stop And Smell the Roses spin. Just out enjoying myself, in a relentless sun. Big up to Lidl Cien Factor 50+ SpF for Kids, which kept me non-african-american.

Which was cool, as I have "autum brown" hair colouring.

It was a nice day out playing. https://www.strava.com/activities/1042708037

I have since however, upgraded the AS.

She's lovely!



OK so that was my much loved cat...
the upgrade...





I couldn't resist!

Plus I'm a lunatic

Wishbone Ash

Mercian Pro wrote: »

... Excellent coffee and scones at Hugo's Farm Shop ....

You neglected to tell them that Hugo had to remove the fabulous home made jam from you as you had gone through half a jar on your scone!

Mercian Pro wrote:

...We are really lucky in the club to have a few generous guys who are prepared to share their detailed knowledge of the roads, lanes, potholes and delights of NCD, Meath and Kildare with the rest of us. Take a well deserved bow Wardie and Frank if you are reading this.

Frank's knowledge of every boreen in Leinster never ceases to amaze me especially considering he doesn't use any GPS gadgets to plot routes etc.

secman

Usual mid week spin to Blessington, out main road and back through manor kilbride, Brittas and back main road home. Thought I was going to get drenched just about 3 km before Blessington, got very dark and started to spit huge drops of rain. Fortunately it passed over and remained dry for rest of spin. 45 km avg 27.7 kph as per Garmin.

ted1

Loving my commute 60km each day. Suns out, schools out , traffics down.

magicbastarder

i'm not going as far as you - 39km round trip - but am really enjoying it at the moment. only downside is the getting out of the shower and being covered in sweat again within a minute of towelling off.

68 lost souls

Took advantage last night of the longest day of the year and got out for an hour an change exploring the new neighborhood. Went up Bohernabreena in the hopes of avoiding a hill like Montpellier, plan was an hour in zone 2, realised that was a mistake but too late turn back and kept going. Hadnt looked at maps but assumed the road would bring me around to Military Road eventually which it did. Then back down by viewing point and Masseys to home. Need a lot of work both going up and down hills, think I might need new brake pads after the descent :pac:

Got home about half 9 and still bright

Rogue-Trooper

Unknown Soldier wrote: »

the upgrade...

Upgrade??

That shed doesn't look any different to me........ :P:pac::pac::pac:

Alanstrainor

Noticeably cooler coming in this morning. But I was glad of it, I was on holidays the last 2 weeks so I was trying to push it to get the fitness back! There was a bit of a headwind and a couple of commuter races were had too... well at least I was racing anyway:P

Hopefully collecting my new bike this evening, my third evening trying to get it so fingers crossed that all is well.

Miklos

Had a beautiful/brutal cycle yesterday afternoon, did an FTP test up Stocking Lane and set a new best. It's probably not the best road for doing one with the few little downhills on it, so hopefully could go even better on a steadier road.

Sarz91

Miklos wrote: »

Had a beautiful/brutal cycle yesterday afternoon, did an FTP test up Stocking Lane and set a new best. It's probably not the best road for doing one with the few little downhills on it, so hopefully could go even better on a steadier road.

Next time try the road running along side stocking lane up cruagh. Just after a small downhill there's a bridge. I use that as the starting point of my FTP tests. The only piece you've to slow down for is the junction by the first viewing point.

Miklos

Sarz91 wrote: »

Next time try the road running along side stocking lane up cruagh. Just after a small downhill there's a bridge. I use that as the starting point of my FTP tests. The only piece you've to slow down for is the junction by the first viewing point.

I had an abortive test that way last week, made the mistake of going left after the bridge up to Pine Forest which just isn't long enough. I'll give the other way a go next time.

LollipopJimmy

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Noticeably cooler coming in this morning. But I was glad of it, I was on holidays the last 2 weeks so I was trying to push it to get the fitness back! There was a bit of a headwind and a couple of commuter races were had too... well at least I was racing anyway:P

Hopefully collecting my new bike this evening, my third evening trying to get it so fingers crossed that all is well.

I do miss the commuter racing along the canal.

Fian

Cycled from work (city centre) out along the S2S cycleway, then on to Donaghmede and home via same route. A bit less than 35km. A bit of a headwind on the way back along the clontarf road and I was carrying a laptop and a google home smartspeaker (which is what i had to go to Donaghmede to collect for my brother.)

Made me realise how valuable padded cycling shorts are. I always wear them on longer weekend cycles but I don't wear them on my (7km) commute. So i wasn't wearing them yesterday. Was also using my hybrid rather than weekend road bike. I was sore by the time I got home. Blood sugar was also low, I had only a small lunch. I don't carry a water bidon on my hybrid and had not hydrated well before I left.

I was glad to get home, 35km took more out of me than a 100km weekend spin, and I was certainly glad to get out of the saddle. Sore and on the verge of bonking when I got into the house.

Turns out preparation is important! I really didn't expect this cycle to knock a feather out of me.

My wife has recently started coming on shorter cycles at the weekend with me - 40 to 60 km or so. In fact we went to howth not that long ago which was pretty similar to this route, a little longer maybe since we started from Blackrock rather than city centre. She uses my hybrid and has no cycling clothing. I hadn't appreciated how much more difficult that is than on my road bike.