Tell us about your cycle today part III

nigeldaniel

Managed just 2km this morning... too much fog and mist so turned back! I will switch to the mountain bike for the rest of the year. Better [wider] tyres and more grip.

Seth Brundle

Having not been on a bike since Thursday, my withdrawal symptoms were there all weekend and I decided I'd head out today on my hybrid with it's 40C tyres which would be more content in this weather than my 25mm road bike tyres. As it turned out, the roads that I travelled on were absolutely fine to cycle on

Headed from Leixlip over to Hazelhatch and made my way along the Grand Canal to Ponsonby Bridge (on the Straffan/Kill road) and back a few times. Loads of birds about: several swans, a dozen or so herons, two buzzards, little grebes, moorhens & coots.

Although it was bitterly cold, I didn't feel that cold apart from my nose. I wore an old pair of shoe covers over my runners while on the flat pedals and my feet were grand. Base layer, jersey, jacket and gilet meant that I felt nice and warm without getting sweaty. My only clothing let-down was my Lidl winter gloves - I keep meaning to replace the gloves - but my hands weren't too bad today thankfully.

Didn't see one other person on a bike but given the cold it's not really surprising. After about 5km from home, frost had already formed anywhere facing into the cold air, I had to remove my glasses every so often because condensation on the outside was freezing. Frost had quite evidently formed on my groin area and I could feel the leg muscles in that area getting slightly sore from the cold.

Popped into the Cliff at Lyons cafe for a well deserved coffee and danish. My crumbs attracted the attention from a pied wagtail, two robins (which kinda surprised me as robins are very territorial) and a cock blackbird while two greenfinches pecked away in the nearby grass (I havenn't seen a greenfinch in several years).

All in all, it was lovely out. Bitterly cold but with proper clothing I dind't really notice it!

42km @ a leisurely 22.6km/h - https://www.strava.com/activities/8239532820

smacl

Also out on the hybrid over lunch today as it is currently wearing the ice tyres. Headed up to Massey's wood but trees down over my two favourite paths limited the options a bit. Roads were mostly fine apart for the road from Cruagh lane to the entry to Massey's wood which was thoroughly iced over. Front fork on the old hybrid is banjaxed so while very little distance was covered a decent bit of exercise was had and a wakeup call as to how crap my off road skills have become. Hopefully get out again tomorrow.

magicbastarder

got out today for my second 32km spin this week, after a month off the bike. not exactly a marathon, but i was surprised i hadn't lost more form.

magicbastarder

there must be some tractor rally on in dublin today? i passed dozens on the road, including some in convoy of the same make and model; e.g. half a dozen john deere tractors, same colour and model, not far from the five roads.

it may have been intended to be friendly, but thanks a **** bunch to the lad who gave a blast of the horn as he passed me. my ear was ringing for a couple of minutes afterwards.

dinneenp

First spin in almost 4 months. 62km cycle with my local club, average speed 25.1kmph but I struggled after 45km and let myself be dropped. While it's almost a relief to be dropped so that you can go at your own pace, part of my brain knows you're better off staying with the group if you can- shelter, less drag etc.

Despite playing astro football one or twice a week, a Christmas of eating chocolate & drinking, coupled with lack of any cycling time, made it a tough cycle. Still felt a sense of achievement upon finishing & happy I got up and out (after getting into the habit in 22 of not getting up for the Sunday club spins).

It rained heavily towards the end but I didn't mind as I was well dressed for it.

I had planned on signing up for a 200km solo cycle in April (https://eventmaster.ie/event/orp5ik3tLm) but having second thoughts now.

dinneenp

Club spin again yesterday, 60km (58.5 when I got back to the car but cycled the extra 1.5km to hit a round 60, presume many do this....), average just over 25 kmph. Found it easier than last weekend (see above), still slightly tough in the last 10km. I'm happy with myself that I've gone out 2 Sundays in a row & intend to keep it up; will take time to build my cycling fitness back up especially as it's dark early so opportunities are limited.

I saw the forecast for my area yesterday morning and assumed I wouldn't get out. Had nothing ready or charged from the night before and the rear shifter on my bike is not working.

Weather was actually lovely so headed out with no Garmin, two working gears (stuck three from the bottom of the cassette), 16 per cent on my battery phone.

It was like playing a round of golf with just a driver and a six iron. Picked a relatively flat route, but that's relative in Cork.

Anyway, tough going on the knees but not that bad and made it up all the hills with plenty of momentum. Recorded to Strava on phone and battery lasted two thirds of the way before dying.

Strava actually kept recording until I recharged the phone an hour and 20 minutes after I got home but somehow took my washing of the bike, washing of myself, some hoovering and building of a fort in the living room into account to give me a miserly 18.9kph for 62kph with 380m up. Based on how my knees feel now, I was much, much quicker than that and got a good a workout as I have in a while.

loyatemu

you can trim the activity in Strava to get rid of the extra 1h20m at the end.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120119026#Comment_120119026

I guessed there was a way of doing that alright but didn't get the time. I might have a look into it.

How Soon Is Now

Jesus Christ why is commuting in Dublin so bloody shite!? I don't know about the rest of the country but there all bloody savages whether your on the bus the luas or cycling everyone is a prick.

This morning Tallaght was like a bloody ice rink the cycle lanes especially so I just took it handy do you think people around you would do the same ha oh of course not! Took me an extra half hour to get into work in town I don't know how many times I had to jump off the road and just walk on the path for a while because vehicle's where driving in on top of me. It obviously got a lot worse as I got into the city centre with all the buses and trucks joining in.

Also did I miss something? Do we get some kind of prize for breaking red lights or what's the crack? Why are so many cyclists breaking red light after red light on very busy streets? Why are lads flying down very steep hills that lead right into traffic when the roads are so messy?

I love cycling and the freedom and enjoyment I can get heading out for the day but Jesus I hate commuting and I cant see a way it can be made any better unfortunately. Wish I could work from home haha :-)

JMcL

Had to go to the office today and it "looked" ok outside - no frost and the internet connected weather station round the corner told me it was around 3 degrees

If I'd known at 8:30 what I knew at 9:30, the bike would have stayed at home. Whatever about the air temp, ground temp was certainly sub-zero. Black ice everywhere and more fool me I took the backroad I usually take to avoid muppetry on the Waterford ring road, which looked fine at the start but after 500m and round a couple of bends turned into a skating rink. It was a case of tiptoe along keeping the bike in a straight line and try to join up the patches of loose gravel. 30km/h NW headwind to add to the fun.

The trip back in the afternoon was way more pleasant. The ice had melted and the wind had for once stayed in the same direction and strengthened a bit, so gave me a nice push home

wheelo01

I managed to get out both Tuesday and Thursday, same route.

Just an hour both days, 24 km at about 25 kph. As I went out at midday or so, most of the ice was gone, but there were a few surprises in shadowed streets.

Quite cool out but thankfully the right gear helps. Thank God the wind and rain has died down.

First two of the year, hopefully many, many more to go.

smacl

Ice tyres on the bike and down with the flu for the last couple of weeks, typical! Hopefully make it out over the weekend.

dahat

First decent day weather wise for weeks & the shaft snaps on my crankset 45km from home so had to sit for an hour for a lift. Got cold so walked on a hit to me the Mrs so cleats likely need binning as well.

magicbastarder

ultegra?

MangleBadger

Zwift is getting ultra realistic these days. First time getting a puncture on an indoor spin. I guess that is another reason for me to invest in a wheel off trainer.

dahat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120175350#Comment_120175350

Yep, 6800 maybe 5/6 years old.

Seth Brundle

^^^ you're simply putting down too much power!

dahat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120183844#Comment_120183844

#wattbombs

Gerry

This makes me nervous of the 6800 on my bike. its around same age.

magicbastarder

i've never seen that failure before with ultegra, i'd been wondering what you'd meant by 'shaft'.

dahat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120184199#Comment_120184199

Lucky I was seated doing low rpm stuff rather than full gas sprint at the time

dahat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120184180#Comment_120184180

Freak incident I’d say as I’ve a 5800 crank on my turbo bike since 2014 ish with no issues.

You could pop it out & inspect if worried?

dahat

if that’s aimed at me it was in September but honestly never checked that part just the chainrings.

magicbastarder

i don't think i've seen my shaft since i assembled the bike three or four years ago.

wheelo01

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120184935#Comment_120184935

All this talk of shafts just puts me in the gutter and want to talk crudely 🤣🤣

Anyhow, I got out for an hour earlier, by jeepers the wind was a bit of a fecker.

So much so that the chapelizod bypass that normally takes me 5.30 or 5.40 got done in 4.40.

It's quite gusty again this evening, so if anyone is commuting in the morning, be careful!

magicbastarder

first time in months in shorts today, and no overshoes. 12C out. buzzard count of 3.

a chap in a 15 year old golf overtook me with probably less than a foot to spare at one point, which was somewhat energising.

a little while later, a chap in another golf passed; nothing remarkable about the pass, but it was a dirty white golf and someone had written 'CHEATER' across his rear bumper. i wonder if he knew it was there...

smacl

Very little cycling this Winter so took the spin up Cruagh to Johnny Foxes at lunch. Jaysus but the extra Winter poundage let me know it was there, huffing and puffing where I'd normally be grand. Lack of shape and evil little side wind left be about 20% slower than my times last year. Some work to be done but glad to have made it out.

First longish one in a while for me. Been mostly stuck on the trainer for various reasons. Was out before 7am and did the first hour in darkness. On the winter bike which has seen better days but still enjoyed it. Roads were dry and most of the muck and crap that was there for the past few months has dried out and disappeared. Definitely more than a hint of spring in the air. Had tonsillitis last week and just finished a course of antibiotics so started feeling the legs after about 70k. Home and hosed before 10am with 83km and over 900m climbing @ 29.3kph in the bag. Hoping to get out again on Monday all going well.