New cyclist, tough challenge set

Chuchote

Alerium wrote: »

Also can anyone please recommend a phone mount (for bike) for an iPhone 7 4.7inch screen?

Got this for my birthday http://getfinn.com/en/ and it works astonishingly well.

Alerium wrote: »

I went into Duff Cycles today in Omni and had a look around. I ended up getting a quotation for the Giant Contend 2 in white, a helmet, lock, lights and I upgraded the tyres also. All in all, the total came to €900 which I'm happy with. I placed a deposit on the bike in XL as I'm 6ft4 and it should be in the shop in a week or so. The staff member was very knowledgeable and friendly and it was an excellent experience overall. So props to them.

I will now bring the quotation to work and have them deduct tax and deduct my pay etc so I can physically get the bike.

Few pics of some of the bikes there attached. The blue one is a medium/large Contend 2.

Verra nice.

lissard

Good luck with the new toy, many hours of fun ahead ;-)

Alerium

iwillhtfu wrote: »

These https://www.quadlockcase.com/collections/iphone-7 Are the dogs danglies when it comes to phone mounts but they're pricey.

Strava on the phone will be accurate more times than not with regard to speed distance traveled it's when you get into wooded areas it may struggle. I have found that using the phone seems to throw up more issues which you don't notice till you upload a ride and see straight lines on places it's lost signal.

As for the calories forget about any of them being accurate you may aswell guess yourself as that is more or less what they all do. I wouldn't be to concerned about calories get yourself a HRM which will probably need to be bluetooth if using your phone and you can measure improvement through perceived exertion.

If you're investing in a garmin I'd go for the 520 I have nearly all of them at this point 200 up to the 920xt and the 520 is the best do it all model that you won't really need to upgrade from. The maps on the 800 upwards can be useful but to be honest more times than not a few notes on your hand or stem and google maps on the phone for unknown bits. I can't recall the last time I uploaded a gpx file and followed it.

The new bike looks sweet it'l be a joy on your spin I'd imagine. Good luck and don't forget a good set of lights and don't leave it out anywhere unless you're sitting on it.

That mount looks very good but it's a little too expensive if I'm honest. Thanks for posting though. As for the Garmin, I had a look at the models a couple days ago and the 520 is the one I'd go for, but just not yet. I'd like to get a good 6-9 months of cycling under the belt and see if further investment is worth it. I'm certainly giving it a serious go and hope to cycle at least 50km each weekend, as my weekdays are packed with either work, gym or exam study for work. Hopefully as the days get longer I'll have more daylight so I can be out until half 10 and replace a few weekday gym cardio sessions with cycling.

For directions, I assume Google Maps is the best? It basically cover the whole country and is constantly updated.

Alerium

Chuchote wrote: »

Got this for my birthday http://getfinn.com/en/ and it works astonishingly well.

That actually pretty much does the job. I'll probably order that. Free shipping too!

And thanks!

Alerium

lissard wrote: »

Good luck with the new toy, many hours of fun ahead ;-)

Thank you!

Jimoslimos

Alerium wrote: »

For directions, I assume Google Maps is the best? It basically cover the whole country and is constantly updated.

More often than the roads are!

Until you get a mount do what I do and just keep the phone in a back pocket. You can also (although some may frown on this) hook up headphones to keep you notified of directions as well as distance/time/avg speed. Will save battery by not having the screen on all the time. GPS on modern phones (with GPS + GLONASS) is very good, I've never had any problems. So you don't need to fork out for a Garmin just yet.

Lovely bike btw, just bear in mind your ass will be sore after the first few rides, even short ones. It passes quick enough.

diomed

My thoughts on this is it would be best to do it Galway to Dublin in early June. You could set out very early in the morning (bright anytime after 4 am).

A couple of things to make it much easier is to only set off is there is a wind from the west forecast, the stronger the better.
Get a track pump to pump the bike tyres to about 100 psi (or whatever is the max on the sidewall). Tyres pumped hard roll much easier, and you go faster.
You should have done training spins of 100 kms or more. A problem not mentioned is you need to get your hands and wrists used to long distances, and especially your neck muscles. You can't get this in a gym.

magicbastarder

I never go near the max on the sidewall. That works if the roads are all lovely and smooth, but for comfort over a ride of that length I'd stay under 100.

Jimoslimos

magicbastarder wrote: »

I never go near the max on the sidewall. That works if the roads are all lovely and smooth, but for comfort over a ride of that length I'd stay under 100.

I'd agree that comfort is probably more important for a long ride (and max pressures are only suitable for glass-smooth surface, not bumpy Irish roads).

However the OP is heavy (90kg), although perfectly normal for his height. I'd be inclined to start off higher (110 psi on a 25mm) and drop down until you find a balance between comfort/speed and avoiding pinch flats.

Alerium

Thank you for your suggestions gentlemen/ladies. I've taken note of each opinion and will consider them all when making my final decision. I think for a beginner like myself it's extremely important to get the form and the saddle height correct to avoid as much back/wrist/neck etc pain as possible, although some pain is inevitable.

Depending on how training and cycles go over the next 8-12 weeks, I will decide whether this will be a 1 day job or split between Sat and Sun with an overnight stay in Tullamore or anywhere halfway?

I will certainly keep posting in this thread with progress re bike and preparation.

Thanks again!

CantGetNoSleep

I'd say you'd get a good bit more in than 50km over a weekend after you're first trip or two. I'm fairly new to this and easily get two 40/45km spins in after work if i manage to leave early.

diomed

Perhaps for comfort you should fit the widest tyre you can i.e not a 23 mm.

Wishbone Ash

Apart from wind, no one has really mentioned weather.

OP - if you are selecting a specific date in advance, you need to be mentally prepared for a wet ride. Not everyone can sustain 8/10/12 hours in the rain. Cold shouldn't be a big problem in summer but, even then,it can be hard to stay warm when you're soaked to the skin.

Carawaystick

I was just going to post that on a long cycle you will start to feel a bit down at some stage
Stopping, eating some food, slowing and relaxing will help get you through, and train your self to deal with this.

If it's going to be wet, I'd definitely try get a front mudguard, it'll keep your feet drier and warmer than without.

Lidl/Aldi have decent cycling offers for trackpumps/gloves/tops/bibtights now and again

Chuchote

I've recently discovered Dunnes Stores' natural-no-added-fruit khefir, and it makes a wonderfully refreshing and energising drink mid-cycle. Dunnes also do pineapple juice, which lets you drink more if you add it to water.

JMcL

Chuchote wrote: »

Got this for my birthday http://getfinn.com/en/ and it works astonishingly well.

Second this. Simple solution that'll fit most phones. I've ridden over those really nasty screw down speed bumps repeatedly at around 30km/h (there was a reason for this - not just a masochistic streak) and the phone never budged.

JMcL

Alerium wrote: »

For directions, I assume Google Maps is the best? It basically cover the whole country and is constantly updated.

Check out Maps.ME as well. Based on OpensStreetMap which tends to cover cycling routes better and has offline navigation if that's an issue. You can always use both

Alerium

JMcL wrote: »

Second this. Simple solution that'll fit most phones. I've ridden over those really nasty screw down speed bumps repeatedly at around 30km/h (there was a reason for this - not just a masochistic streak) and the phone never budged.

I've ordered one! ðŸ‘

Alerium

Bit of an update: should be collecting the bike and equipment sometime next week (probably Thursday) so i will post pics once collected. Then the proper training can begin.

py

I did something similar about 3 years ago without a whole lot of training, though it wasn't a solo ride. I did Dublin to Galway, I can PM you the route if you like. Iirc, I went from irregular commutes to one time 30Km, 50Km and 80Km rides before doing the full 200Km. Eat regularly (set a recurring alarm on your phone or GPS as a reminder to eat) and pace yourself.

Alerium

py wrote: »

I did something similar about 3 years ago without a whole lot of training, though it wasn't a solo ride. I did Dublin to Galway, I can PM you the route if you like. Iirc, I went from irregular commutes to one time 30Km, 50Km and 80Km rides before doing the full 200Km. Eat regularly (set a recurring alarm on your phone or GPS as a reminder to eat) and pace yourself.

If you don't mind, would you pm me the route? Thanks

Alerium

JMcL wrote: »

Second this. Simple solution that'll fit most phones. I've ridden over those really nasty screw down speed bumps repeatedly at around 30km/h (there was a reason for this - not just a masochistic streak) and the phone never budged.

I know I wrote below that I ordered it but when I click to pay by PayPal, it says there is a problem. Has anyone used the other method? There isn't a way of just entering your card number etc. Is this dodgy asking for a BIC etc?

Thanks

lissard

I have to say I wouldn't be a fan of putting a smartphone mount on my handlebars. Smartphones are fragile and if the mount fails you are down a phone which is a pretty expensive fail. Why not just record the ride with the phone in your pocket, it's a lot more secure. If you need directions, stop and look them up. Also if you have the phone on the handlebars with it on you'll burn through he battery in no time.

Alerium

lissard wrote: »

I have to say I wouldn't be a fan of putting a smartphone mount on my handlebars. Smartphones are fragile and if the mount fails you are down a phone which is a pretty expensive fail. Why not just record the ride with the phone in your pocket, it's a lot more secure. If you need directions, stop and look them up. Also if you have the phone on the handlebars with it on you'll burn through he battery in no time.

I understand where you're coming from but I have a sturdy case and a screen protector on my phone. It's more about directions rather than recording the cycle. After I get used to routes, I won't even need a phone for directions.

I am yet to fully decide the route I'm going to take. I'm pretty certain my first stop will be a 15/20 min break in Kilcock, about 20km into the journey. In the next few weeks, once I decide on the route, my friend and I will drive the route to Galway, just to get an idea of the roads, towns, rest stops etc. Plus I've never been to Galway, so it's an excuse to take a trip to the Wesht.

Alerium

Does anyone use a GoPro when cycling? Any vids? I was thinking of getting one and attaching it to the handlebar.

07Lapierre

Yeah I use one. Tend to use it when I'm abroad..

https://youtu.be/ys3oHzBnanw

Alerium

I have pretty much decided the route I'm going to take. The date is still not certain, although it will be in July.

In the route below, Maynooth is 1st but I'll be starting from somewhere in Dublin about 20km from Maynooth. I plan on stopping for 5-10 mins at each town to grab something to eat and have a short break.

The route:
http://imgur.com/KNWbE88

The Google Maps route:
http://tinyurl.com/k29s64q

P.S - I have no idea how to embed pictures or maps to the post. Mods you can edit if you wish. Thanks