Tell us about your cycle today part III

Nigzcurran

positron wrote: »

That makes sense, you can stop early etc if weather turns - gives you more flexibility. Are campsites open now?

Not at the moment but one site owner we spoke to said we could pitch a tent in a corner of his field just so we are a bit more secure although there will be no facilities open

Got out for 50k last night. In keeping with my rare ability to mess up KOM attempts, I went for a long uphill one I hadn't done before as the wind was with me. I was 15 seconds ahead and nearly done when I managed to go the wrong way at a junction and the segment went dead.

Nice to get out though after a few midweek spins on the turbo due to the rain - 50 km with 700 climbing at 27.5kph.

positron

Wildly Boaring wrote: »

Yeah from Tullallen just go straight west.
Melifont over to Grangegeeth and keep going straight you'll hit the second highest point in Meath over in Rathbran.
If you want more hills head north to Sydan and over to Newtown nice climb and descent if you head on to Collon. Fairly downhill home then.

My mam is from that neck of the woods and I never ever realized the amount of hills up there until I headed on the bike.

Thanks for the tips (on what to avoid ). It looks like I made it as far as Grangegeeth and took L5603 to Slane. Approaching Bawn Hill / Grangeeeth I could see the windmills in the distance.



And this photo is from just around Hurcle hill (turning left coming out of Melifont abbey, over the bridge, up the hill and taking first right to Hurcle hill - dramatic approach to hurcle hill too - the hill blocks your field of vision and all you see is a road going straight up like a wall, reminded me of the south side of Mamore gap, but similarities ends in the optics thankfully, just a small hill really).

https://www.strava.com/activities/5351959527

Really tranquil part of the world too. I will be going back that way for sure.

rushfan

Headed out on Sat intending to do around 70km plus, ended up doing 91km but I suffered at the end as I had'nt brought any grub. Made up for it yesterday,106km around NCD. Stuck a Fulfil bar in the back pocket but it was just about enough. I'd say the road maintenance workers in Ballyboughal were sick of the sight of me, such was the amount of laps of the locality. Weatherwise, it was almost perfect apart from the stiff/blustery wind out by the coast.

70kms and about 900m, around Blessington lakes and over to Hollywood, Dunlavin and home, chain jumped on a bad bit of road and DI2 went into crash mode, first time that ever happened, lashed rain then, was nice to be out though

wheelo01

Another lovely day for it in the (sunny) south east, a few splashes of rain, but nothing to write home about.
48 km at 26ish kph, dont know what's happened to Strava, its not showing.
Lovely couple of days off work, bar the drive up and back to the Aviva for the vaccination.

went over the Wicklow gap to Laragh and up to Glenmacnass waterfall, then back down to Laragh for an a coffee and back over the gap again to get home, 113kms and 1440m climbed, good few around Laragh for a weekday,

MangleBadger

Did my first attempt at Kilmashogue. That is a spicy one. Jesus the end is a killer. Followed it up with a loop around the reservoir.

57km with 1022m of climbing.

https://strava.app.link/eq3grDb4zgb

magicbastarder

first time out in about ten days. first time out to bellewstown in at least six months; got 60km in, just shy of 800m climbing. lovely evening for it.

https://www.strava.com/activities/5362753715

Very nearly met my maker tonight. Just outside a village, I saw the nose of tractor peering out of a field. Eye balled the driver and he looked at me and then up the road but never looked back in my direction and went without checking. I had a feeling he was going to pull out in front of me and slammed on, swerved and just missed the prongs of his silage bailer as I went off into the ditch. Must have been in shock but once I realised I was ok, I got back on and cycled a few metres up the road when I heard a volley of abuse from the driver.

I'm normally pretty level headed but I lost it and turned around, jumped off the bike and had it out with him. He insisted it was my fault as I wasn't wearing a 'yellow jacket'. I had front and rear lights on despite the fact that it was incredibly bright and only 6.50pm. I think he was actually blinded by the sun. We spent about a minute roaring abuse at each other - he kept shouting about a yellow jacket.

I showed him the high vis gilet I keep in my pocket for evenings when the light is poor and explained that I thought it was pretty ****ty that he had nearly killed me and all he cared about was abusing me when I was happy to leave it go initially.

Eventually, he saw sense and apologised, but only after I took a photo of the tractor reg and threatened to report him. I'm not going to bother as I could tell in the end that he was pretty shook when I told him that had I not been so aware he'd have been peeling me off the road.

I dropped my bottle twice on the remainder of the cycle as I was shaking so much, but managed 50k with 600 climbing at 31kph. And I'm still alive.

Nigzcurran

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Very nearly met my maker tonight. Just outside a village, I saw the nose of tractor peering out of a field. Eye balled the driver and he looked at me and then up the road but never looked back in my direction and went without checking. I had a feeling he was going to pull out in front of me and slammed on, swerved and just missed the prongs of his silage bailer as I went off into the ditch. Must have been in shock but once I realised I was ok, I got back on and cycled a few metres up the road when I heard a volley of abuse from the driver.

I'm normally pretty level headed but I lost it and turned around, jumped off the bike and had it out with him. He insisted it was my fault as I wasn't wearing a 'yellow jacket'. I had front and rear lights on despite the fact that it was incredibly bright and only 6.50pm. I think he was actually blinded by the sun. We spent about a minute roaring abuse at each other - he kept shouting about a yellow jacket.

I showed him the high vis gilet I keep in my pocket for evenings when the light is poor and explained that I thought it was pretty ****ty that he had nearly killed me and all he cared about was abusing me when I was happy to leave it go initially.

Eventually, he saw sense and apologised, but only after I took a photo of the tractor reg and threatened to report him. I'm not going to bother as I could tell in the end that he was pretty shook when I told him that had I not been so aware he'd have been peeling me off the road.

I dropped my bottle twice on the remainder of the cycle as I was shaking so much, but managed 50k with 600 climbing at 31kph. And I'm still alive.

Jesus that sounds horrendous, glad your ok and glad the dope saw sense in the end

Mundo7976

Deleted User wrote: »

Very nearly met my maker tonight. Just outside a village, I saw the nose of tractor peering out of a field. Eye balled the driver and he looked at me and then up the road but never looked back in my direction and went without checking. I had a feeling he was going to pull out in front of me and slammed on, swerved and just missed the prongs of his silage bailer as I went off into the ditch. Must have been in shock but once I realised I was ok, I got back on and cycled a few metres up the road when I heard a volley of abuse from the driver.

I'm normally pretty level headed but I lost it and turned around, jumped off the bike and had it out with him. He insisted it was my fault as I wasn't wearing a 'yellow jacket'. I had front and rear lights on despite the fact that it was incredibly bright and only 6.50pm. I think he was actually blinded by the sun. We spent about a minute roaring abuse at each other - he kept shouting about a yellow jacket.

I showed him the high vis gilet I keep in my pocket for evenings when the light is poor and explained that I thought it was pretty ****ty that he had nearly killed me and all he cared about was abusing me when I was happy to leave it go initially.

Eventually, he saw sense and apologised, but only after I took a photo of the tractor reg and threatened to report him. I'm not going to bother as I could tell in the end that he was pretty shook when I told him that had I not been so aware he'd have been peeling me off the road.

I dropped my bottle twice on the remainder of the cycle as I was shaking so much, but managed 50k with 600 climbing at 31kph. And I'm still alive.

He must have been listening to the FCI too much! https://www.stickybottle.com/latest-news/irish-farm-group-reminds-cyclists-of-their-responsibilities-to-tractors-large-vehicles/
Glad you're ok.

Mundo7976

Mundo7976 wrote: »

He must have been listening to the FCI too much! https://www.stickybottle.com/latest-news/irish-farm-group-reminds-cyclists-of-their-responsibilities-to-tractors-large-vehicles/
Glad you're ok.

Bit of noise needs to be made about that, I'm lucky I've not had anything but positive interactions with tractors in recent times, but the age of the lads driving them is a bit unnerving. The last thing those young lads need to have drummed into them is everyone else needs to watch out for you.

positron

Fair play avoiding getting skewered by the tractor dancinpants!!

I have huge amount of respect (ehmm.. out of fear) for tractors after a brown trouser moment while riding the motorbike - one moment I am beautifully leaning into this corner, and the next second I am staring this wall of a tractor just meters ahead and barely moving. Shudders!!

Another time, a tractor approached the road from the left, sees me coming up on the road, breaks hard and in the process dumps a loader full of water one me - I think it was water anyway, but I had my goretex gear on, so I just kept riding until it dried up.

Both incidents happened on N51 (Drogheda-Slane). Seeing fresh tractor tyre marks on the road is like seeing fresh elephant droppings on a forest trail.

smacl

Scary one today. Got taken out of it by an SUV entering the roundabout at Stocking lane but through some fluke managed to stay upright as I was going at a good lick. The driver stopped and she apologised profusely, talking about a fly in the car distracting her. I left it at that and reckon she was even more shook up than I was. Got back on the bike and had another brief wobble before realising the front wheel and handlebars were no longer facing the same direction. Took it easy for the last bit home and pretty pleased getting in the door feeling that a bullet had just been dodged.

Had gone up cross country through Tibradden and Cruagh wood before coming out to the viewing point. To of Cruagh road is being resurfaced currently so I'd advise avoiding. I asked was it ok to go through and was told I could but the still sticky tar turned my Gravel King tyres in Gravel King Plus, the plus being the extra gravel that became attached. Will clean them and give the bike a bit of TLC this evening. Brake cables may also have become a bit stretched A beer may also be called for.

wheelo01

I feel like a bit of a fraud with not having a close call to report - thankfully!!

Beautiful morning for it, got out for 55 km at 27.7 kph. Shorts and short sleeve top weather.
Drimnagh to Tallaght, up the N81 to Blessington and back again.


https://strava.app.link/GFx12dYpBgb

Nigzcurran

No close call for me, except I nearly lost my sanity enroute to Adare but managed to get here eventually after about 10 hours of non stop rain, in the tent now and feeling ok, managed 220kms today so only have 80kms to do tomorrow so hopefully I’m not too sore when I wake

NamelessPhil

Nigzcurran wrote: »

No close call for me, except I nearly lost my sanity enroute to Adare but managed to get here eventually after about 10 hours of non stop rain, in the tent now and feeling ok, managed 220kms today so only have 80kms to do tomorrow so hopefully I’m not too sore when I wake

Fair play! Take it handy for the last 80km. You will probably feel stiff but it mightn't kick in properly until Friday evening. I hope the weather is kind to you.

[Deleted User]

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Bit of noise needs to be made about that, I'm lucky I've not had anything but positive interactions with tractors in recent times, but the age of the lads driving them is a bit unnerving. The last thing those young lads need to have drummed into them is everyone else needs to watch out for you.

I think you are over reacting and making it another them versus us argument that fuels so much “hate” between cyclists and other road users. Everyone needs to do their bit and watch out for each other.

There is merit to their campaign of being extra vigilant around agricultural and heavy vehicles. I saw a very close one yesterday, I was at the end of my cycle so taking my time behind a young lad on a bike, artic lorry in front of us and a 6 axle huge mobile crane in front of him. Both myself and the young lad saw these two rigs take a left hand turn slowly but with clear difficulty so should have been obvious to give them extra space. Both indicated left immediately after turning left, I eased off but the clown in front passed both up the inside, very lucky the crane driver saw him as he was trying to do 10 things at once to take the turn, if he hadn’t the young lad had zero chance.

Nigzcurran

Nigzcurran wrote: »

No close call for me, except I nearly lost my sanity enroute to Adare but managed to get here eventually after about 10 hours of non stop rain, in the tent now and feeling ok, managed 220kms today so only have 80kms to do tomorrow so hopefully I’m not too sore when I wake

Great work. Good luck for the last 80

positron

Nigzcurran wrote: »

No close call for me, except I nearly lost my sanity enroute to Adare but managed to get here eventually after about 10 hours of non stop rain, in the tent now and feeling ok, managed 220kms today so only have 80kms to do tomorrow so hopefully I’m not too sore when I wake

Wow, 220k with panniers, that's amazing! And yeah, it always buckets down on your first really long ride. It can only get better from here on!

fat bloke

Weepsie wrote: »

I'm back on the turbo after smashing my hand into the teeth of a crankset when removing a pedal.

Ouch! - Easily done and sore as fcuk!

I had a fast spin with my trio of merry pedalers, about 100k at nearly 33kph - out to Dunlavin again and back the N81 and small lake. But I came home in a foul mood because of a number of angry motorist interactions - beeping and shouting because.... well just because!
For no fcukin reason at all only that we were on the road. That we simply existed at all. That we were present. We were single file and moving along nicely. It does make you question if it's worth the bother and risk at all. . Buy an SUV, join a gym, toast marshmallows as the world goes up in flames.

smacl

fat bloke wrote: »

I had a fast spin with my trio of merry pedalers, about 100k at nearly 33kph - out to Dunlavin again and back the N81 and small lake. But I came home in a foul mood because of a number of angry motorist interactions - beeping and shouting because.... well just because!
For no fcukin reason at all only that we were on the road. That we simply existed at all. That we were present. We were single file and moving along nicely. It does make you question if it's worth the bother and risk at all. . Buy an SUV, join a gym, toast marshmallows as the world goes up in flames.

It's the main reason I favour l-roads and gravel, very little traffic and the stress that goes with it. It is not even the risk so much as the aggro. Outside of exercise I cycle to unwind and destress, interactions with narky road users are most definitely not part of the agenda.

Wildly Boaring

smacl wrote: »

It's the main reason I favour l-roads and gravel, very little traffic and the stress that goes with it. It is not even the risk so much as the aggro. Outside of exercise I cycle to unwind and destress, interactions with narky road users are most definitely not part of the agenda.

Amen
I seek out the peace and quiet.
I carry a phone in the back pocket. Stick on strava leaving the house and don't look at it till i get home. No head unit or other tech.

Got beeped at by a white van man as i left home on Tuesday for existing, had me pissed off for 20 mins. Far rather a few potholes

fat bloke

Yeah, I hear ye.
For years our spins were always early early Saturday morning and over the gaps, so the roads are quiet. Very few interactions with traffic. Our midweek spin is a new introduction and it's a different beast altogether. Heading out of Dublin at 4.30 with traffic building and impatience rising.

DaveyDave

Got a puncture going to work. Struggled to get the tyre back on when wet then it was the worst time to find out the valve was too short to get a pump on so I was stranded. Had to call my sister who then needed her car jump started and we got stuck in rotten traffic so I was an hour late for work.

Third ride on a set of Pirelli Cinturato Velo tyres which are supposed to be more puncture resistance than Gatorskins and 4 Seasons. Whatever punctured the tyre was insignificant as it fell off while wiping dirt off the tyre to find it. I'm putting it down to bad luck but not too impressed that something minor already got through. I just hope I don't regret spending €85 on them...

Nigzcurran

Tent was a nightmare, might as well have slept in the rain! The 80kms today were tough enough and involved a serious amount of climbing but the sun came out and gave me a nice tan and I am now sitting down about to scoff a big Mammy dinner!

Mayo_fan

Mayo_fan wrote: »

I think you are over reacting and making it another them versus us argument that fuels so much “hate” between cyclists and other road users. Everyone needs to do their bit and watch out for each other.

Wasn't my intention, far from it and I'd very much agree with you but I felt there was a bit of that going on with their statement tbf. It was a bit hamfisted. A better approach might have been to maybe do a joint one in conjunction with a cycling advocacy group and the likes of the AA/RSA and highlight the concerns and difficulties of all road users around farm machinery.

I did hear someone from the FCI I think it was on local radio the other morning and she did a far better job of articulating her points and concerns than what was put out in the statement and certainly gave me a better understanding of views and concerns of the drivers and what they have to contend with and cyclists were not their only worry based on what she was saying.

at1withmyself

Don't normally post in here but pretty sure I was riding in the opposite direction of Eddie Dunbar today, not positive but very like him and on roads I met him before, anyone know if he's racing somewhere or in Ireland? Pinarello and Castelli Kit. Oh and completed my first 100 for 220!

IrishLad90

Is there a decent cycle route from Dublin that bypasses Navan