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

loudymacloud · 23-01-2017 10:54AM

Chuchote wrote: »

Ah, but that probably takes you 15 minutes. My normal 16km takes me an hour and a quarter!

oh i wish, I would endure any amount of cold to go that fast

Fian · 23-01-2017 12:35PM

Tried a new route on Saturday. Left from dundrum through churchtown, turned left for Rathfarnham and out towards firhouse, into knocklyon park and cycled along it under the M50 and on as far as the old bawn road. Back onto roads then, along the tallaght bypass until i reached the road to lucan, off road cycle lanes along there until the canal, short spin along the canal then crossed over on the pedestrian bridge to grifeen valley park, through that park until lucan village. Then crossed the liffey and in towards dublin along the strawberry beds, into phoenix park, exited at the island bridge exit, over the river again and home via kilmainham, canal, ranelagh, churchtown, dundrum.

Really nice, gentle, easy cycle, just under 50 km, all flat. There are a few gates you need to dismount for, only about 5 or so. Wanted to scout it because I am planning a ride with a friend of mine who has not been on bike in years I guess. Surprising that you can manage so much "countryside" without even really leaving Dublin city.

My brother in law gave me his garmin edge 500, he has upgraded to 520. This was my first cycle using it. Surprised how useful it is, to be able to see at a glance so much information, some of which I didn't expect like temperature and grade.

Route is here if anyone would like to try it, though ride with gps didn't let me plot route through dodder riverbank park so it shows me going on road for that stretch (between km 8-10.)

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/18554633

magicbastarder · 23-01-2017 04:46PM

lovely afternoon out there.
is there a brewery out near kinsealy somewhere? not the first time i've smelt what smells like toasting hops on that road.

neris · 23-01-2017 04:55PM

magicbastarder wrote: »

lovely afternoon out there.
is there a brewery out near kinsealy somewhere? not the first time i've smelt what smells like toasting hops on that road.

could be Bewleys, they roast coffee in a factory not very far from kinsealy

Alanstrainor · 24-01-2017 11:10PM

There's a roundabout on my new commute, just between baldoyle and portmarnock which seems to have been paved with glass. Never before have a seen a road surface that was so slick. Yesterday evening cycling home in the dark my inner monologue said "Wow, I bet this is slippy as hell when it's cold..." front wheel slides out a fraction as I'm midway through the roundabout! Heart sank, and thankfully I didn't come off. Feckin' hell though it's bad.

Wishbone Ash · 25-01-2017 12:07AM

Alanstrainor wrote: »

There's a roundabout on my new commute, just between baldoyle and portmarnock which seems to have been paved with glass. Never before have a seen a road surface that was so slick. Yesterday evening cycling home in the dark my inner monologue said "Wow, I bet this is slippy as hell when it's cold..." front wheel slides out a fraction as I'm midway through the roundabout! Heart sank, and thankfully I didn't come off. Feckin' hell though it's bad.

I've had a couple of 'squeaky bum' moments on it also (northbound) but managed to remain upright. I just assumed I was unlucky and had hit an oil slick or something similar.

magicbastarder · 25-01-2017 08:45AM

i've been through there a couple of times without issue; the roundabout i'm always most nervous on - never have had any issues on the bike, but have had a couple in the car is the one on glasnevin avenue near the autobahn.

Parchment · 25-01-2017 09:06AM

On my commute this morning i was stopped at lights - i was the first bike. Guy on a hybrid rudely pulls around me and goes in front of me even banging off my pannier in the process, whatever its too early for this!

Anyway lights go green and off he goes pedaling like the clappers. Im right up behind him with a few pedals and i can safely overtake him (no cars) so i do and his face was priceless.I gave him a big smile. He was not happy to be overtaken by a bike with two fully loaded panniers let alone one cycled BY A WOMAN! I left him for dust then.

His face will cheer me up for the day!

helimachoptor · 25-01-2017 09:16AM

Parchment wrote: »

On my commute this morning i was stopped at lights - i was the first bike. Guy on a hybrid rudely pulls around me and goes in front of me even banging off my pannier in the process, whatever its too early for this!

Anyway lights go green and off he goes pedaling like the clappers. Im right up behind him with a few pedals and i can safely overtake him (no cars) so i do and his face was priceless.I gave him a big smile. He was not happy to be overtaken by a bike with two fully loaded panniers let alone one cycled BY A WOMAN! I left him for dust then.

His face will cheer me up for the day!

I see a lady on an electric bike most days, the frustration from so many lads as she sails by is hilarious.

I see another guy frequently enough, he cycles a fixie and on stretches where there's few lights etc he normally sits up straight and puts his hands in his pockets or is txting.

Well yesterday he took a spill after he hit a mini pot hole and couldnt correct in time.

Luckily he was fine, he'll be using the handlebars for the next while id say

OhThatsGreasy · 25-01-2017 10:33AM

Newbie to cycling. Out for a short spin on Sunday morning last. Got a puncture about 5 mins from home. Had all the necessary bits to replace tube etc. but being a novice, I was struggling. Big shout out and thanks to the guy (Simon) who stopped, changed the tube and let me off with a light lecture

smacl · 25-01-2017 02:10PM

Lunch time spin had planned a few local laps taking in the bottom of Cruagh, but by the second lap wasn't feeling the love, probably down to a combination of still having the knobbly tyres on, stiff wind, and of course being in lousy shape. Change of plan and headed out to Massey's wood for a circuit there that was absolutely glorious. Lack of rain over the past couple of weeks has left the ground reasonably firm which combined with a cool winter sun made for ideal conditions. Still slow off road and wimping out on big roots, but loving it all the same. Had planned on taking the knobblies off this evening, but may leave them on until the weekend.

Seanmk1 · 25-01-2017 08:00PM

That roundabout is lethal. I saw a bad spill there a couple of weeks ago. Chap looked really sore.

neris · 25-01-2017 10:29PM

Alanstrainor wrote: »

There's a roundabout on my new commute, just between baldoyle and portmarnock which seems to have been paved with glass. Never before have a seen a road surface that was so slick. Yesterday evening cycling home in the dark my inner monologue said "Wow, I bet this is slippy as hell when it's cold..." front wheel slides out a fraction as I'm midway through the roundabout! Heart sank, and thankfully I didn't come off. Feckin' hell though it's bad.

is that roundabout coming out of baldoyle? or the painted one at portmarnock?

Alanstrainor · 25-01-2017 10:56PM

neris wrote: »

is that roundabout coming out of baldoyle? or the painted one at portmarnock?

Sorry, the one coming out of Baldoyle. I've had a similar experience every time crossing it. Definitely sketchy.

triggermortis · 26-01-2017 10:56AM

Wasn't sure whether to head out today or not as the wind looks brutal, but I have the day off. Had a talk to myself and got dressed. Pumped tyres, and as I screwed the front valve back in, it came off in my hand!
Sod this. Tea and toast and tv today then!

Annie get your Run · 26-01-2017 11:00AM

triggermortis wrote: »

Wasn't sure whether to head out today or not as the wind looks brutal, but I have the day off. Had a talk to myself and got dressed. Pumped tyres, and as I screwed the front valve back in, it came off in my hand!
Sod this. Tea and toast and tv today then!

Good decision! Yesterday's wind was mental, battled the whole way into work. Had the benefit of a tail wind on the way home but some ferocious side gusts which were a bit scary! Will have to put rocks in my bag to avoid being blown over in future

Parchment · 26-01-2017 11:14AM

Todays wind was really bad on the commute - i actually went onto an empty foot path for some of it as i was getting blown all over the place on the road.

I will have the body of a god soon from cycling against this wind!

Sweet Science · 26-01-2017 12:27PM

For the 1st time in my life i pedalled forward and went backwords on the commute this morning.

Chuchote · 26-01-2017 12:30PM

Parchment wrote: »

Todays wind was really bad on the commute - i actually went onto an empty foot path for some of it as i was getting blown all over the place on the road.

I will have the body of a god soon from cycling against this wind!

This one?

Pigeon Reaper · 26-01-2017 12:57PM

Just remember as bad as a cycle in the wind is it's not this bad.

Man cycles 500km in the wrong direction

cjt156 · 26-01-2017 02:12PM

I remember walking home from my teenage job as a lounge-boy in the Silver Tassie pub on the N11 (_might_ have been a lock-in type situation). A bloke doing his utmost to stay upright on an 80's 5 speed passes.

"Here, pal; how far to Milltown?

"About 5 miles" I reply, and then point back the way he came "THAT way"

"Ahhhh, bo11ocks..." and turns the bike around...

Mercian Pro · 26-01-2017 02:24PM

triggermortis wrote: »

Wasn't sure whether to head out today or not as the wind looks brutal, but I have the day off. Had a talk to myself and got dressed. Pumped tyres, and as I screwed the front valve back in, it came off in my hand!
Sod this. Tea and toast and tv today then!

Just in from a club spin from Swords to Maynooth and back. It wasn't too bad as it was a side wind most of the time and the hedgerows are still fairly intact. Having a few broad backs in the group helped too

Luxman · 26-01-2017 02:30PM

I managed to avg 16kph between malahide and portmarnock today. For 3k!! And I did have my head down and ar*e up for some aero advantage. Mental wind. Going up and down Howth was "interesting"

Luxman · 26-01-2017 02:31PM

Mercian Pro wrote: »

Just in from a club spin from Swords to Maynooth and back. It wasn't too bad as it was a side wind most of the time and the hedgerows are still fairly intact. Having a few broad backs in the group helped too

Broad backs is so much less offensive than "fat barsteward". Must remember that one

MB Lacey · 26-01-2017 02:44PM

triggermortis wrote: »

Wasn't sure whether to head out today or not as the wind looks brutal, but I have the day off. Had a talk to myself and got dressed. Pumped tyres, and as I screwed the front valve back in, it came off in my hand!
Sod this. Tea and toast and tv today then!

Fate definitely on your side there :P Felt like I'd been in a fight by the time I cycled into work, it was very gusty. Lots of cyclists getting off their bikes to walk.

timmy_mallet · 26-01-2017 02:52PM

15km commute took about 20% longer this morning with that wind. Peddled to a standstill in Sandyford Ind. Estate heading right into the wind, mother of jaysus, forced me to unclip.
Usually avoid the bike lane on Leopardstown Rd, as its like a fairground ride, but had to do it today for fear of that crosswind.
I suppose the upside is I can have a go at few Strava segments on the way home...:)

Wishbone Ash · 26-01-2017 09:34PM

Mercian Pro wrote: »

Just in from a club spin from Swords to Maynooth and back. It wasn't too bad as it was a side wind most of the time and the hedgerows are still fairly intact. Having a few broad backs in the group helped too

Pity the poor souls that had to tuck in behind you - not much shelter to be had there!

(I had to do the walk of shame for a bit crossing The Featherbeds and again at Lough Bray yesterday - worst crosswinds I've ever experienced on a bike. I just couldn't keep the bike on the road. Walking was even difficult - at one stage the bike was blown up to a horizontal position while I was still holding onto the bars).

magicbastarder · 26-01-2017 09:46PM

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Walking was even difficult - i've got a super, super light sexy bike

FYP

OleRodrigo · 26-01-2017 10:00PM

One of the toughest commutes in a while today. Straight into that southerly for 20km on the fixie.

Nice on the way home though

Inquitus · 26-01-2017 10:21PM

T'was a tad breezy out there this evening, Swords -> Malahide -> Howth was hard work into a Gale, on the flip side, barely had to touch the pedals on the way home!

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

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