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

Wishbone Ash · 30-01-2017 07:52PM

Wet and windy ride in the Dublin/Wicklow mountains today between the school runs.

I even had my picture taken by a passing motorist going up the Wicklow Gap!

https://www.strava.com/activities/849535426

crosstownk · 30-01-2017 07:57PM

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Wet and windy ride in the Dublin/Wicklow mountains today between the school runs.

I even had my picture taken by a passing motorist going up the Wicklow Gap!

How did the motorist get the photo to you? I'm just curious....

triggermortis · 30-01-2017 08:05PM

Finished night shift this morning and got out for 60km around NCD. Skerries - Swords - Oldtown - Naul - Stamullen - Balbriggan - home. 2 hrs 15.
Hoped to clear the head a bit after hearing about a work colleague dying in a car crash in Cavan yesterday evening. Definitely helped. RIP Paddy.

Wishbone Ash · 30-01-2017 08:09PM

crosstownk wrote: »

How did the motorist get the photo to you? I'm just curious....

Ah sure everyone knows someone who knows me!

In reality a McNSCC member just happened to be passing!

secman · 31-01-2017 10:35PM

Not really a spin , but managed to get a go on an electric bike this evening. Bike weighs about 30 kg ! has a bosch battery on board, gets up to 25 kph very quickly, front ring only looks about 20 , felt weird, the owner said it maxes out at about 25 kph, trying to go any faster , and you feel the weight of the bike. Think it cost close to 3k, an ugly looking yoke though.

Thicas15 · 01-02-2017 11:01AM

So, having resigned myself to finding another bike what options do I have? I am now looking at either a GMC Denali Road Bike and possibly a Merax Finiss Aluminum 21 Speed 700C. What do you think of these choices? Has anyone got any experience of any of these bikes? Am I missing out on any?
https://www.bestadvisor.com/road-bikes

I will be using the bike for the daily commute (8 miles in total), plus weekend rides as I want to get fit and I've signed up to do the 3 peaks challenge in May.

All help and suggestions will be much appreciated.

Miklos · 01-02-2017 03:31PM

Two easy hours on the turbo watching the end of todays stage of the Dubai tour and finishing off 'Slaying The Badger'.

Wishbone Ash · 01-02-2017 03:48PM

Miklos wrote: »

... and finishing off 'Slaying The Badger'.

Great read. My favourite cycling book.

magicbastarder · 01-02-2017 06:53PM

coincidentally, i started it this morning.

T-Maxx · 01-02-2017 07:10PM

Miklos wrote:

... finishing off 'Slaying The Badger'.

Had to Google that.

Thought it was another term for 'spanking the monkey'.....

Miklos · 01-02-2017 07:13PM

T-Maxx wrote: »

Had to Google that.

Thought it was another term for 'spanking the monkey'.....

The auld bib shorts don't really facilitate it anyway.

Inquitus · 01-02-2017 07:34PM

Big German Shepherd causing mayhem on the old Belfast road between the 5 roads and Balbriggan, took a shining to me on the way back and accompanied me for 5km+ at 30kph, some staying power for a dog! Thankfully he seemed to be a nice German Shepherd, a lot of the ones you come across out on the bike seem more inclined to take lumps out of you rather than run alongside you, I couldn't get rid of him, was worried he'd knock me off the bike.

secman · 01-02-2017 07:43PM

Inquitus wrote: »

Big German causing mayhem.

Robert Forstemann ??

Luxman · 01-02-2017 08:03PM

Inquitus wrote: »

Big German Shepherd causing mayhem on the old Belfast road between the 5 roads and Balbriggan, took a shining to me on the way back and accompanied me for 5km+ at 30kph, some staying power for a dog! Thankfully he seemed to be a nice German Shepherd, a lot of the ones you come across out on the bike seem more inclined to take lumps out of you rather than run alongside you, I couldn't get rid of him, was worried he'd knock me off the bike.

I would be worried he wouldn't find his way home after the chase.

Inquitus · 01-02-2017 08:08PM

Luxman wrote: »

I would be worried he wouldn't find his way home after the chase.

He was there on the way out and had headed a good bit north, when he stopped chasing me he was more or less back where I first saw him, I tried to help a driver to get him into the boot of his car so he could take him somewhere safe but nothing doing, and German Shepherds aren't dogs you want to argue with. I would have been much happier not having him running alongside me but nothing seemed to get rid of him, except exhaustion in the end.

iwillhtfu · 01-02-2017 08:37PM

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Wet and windy ride in the Dublin/Wicklow mountains today between the school runs. L]

That's some spin.

Also you must have been cutting it fine with the school run

Alanstrainor · 02-02-2017 03:05PM

Finding the commute tough at the minute, the weather the last 2 weeks has been atrocious. Rather than battle the wind down the coast from Portmarnock this morning I took the Malahide road. Not a bad stretch once you avoid the cycle lanes that appear and disappear at random. The wind and rain really had me questioning my sanity though! Not looking forward to the return journey.

smacl · 02-02-2017 03:47PM

Thicas15 wrote: »

So, having resigned myself to finding another bike what options do I have? I am now looking at either a GMC Denali Road Bike and possibly a Merax Finiss Aluminum 21 Speed 700C. What do you think of these choices?

Pretty rough looking bikes with cheap components which are likely to be a source of frustration on a regular commute. On a very tight budget, I'd be more inclined to shop around for a reasonable 2nd hand bike, or a single speed if you're commute doesn't involve hills. Looking for a new road bike for €200-€300 is likely going to leave you with a piece of junk. Lowest new price half way decent bike is probably the Decathlon Triban, XL available for €333 at the moment which is great value if your a tall bloke, other options at €398 which is still great value.

terrydel · 02-02-2017 04:46PM

Delgany-Newtown Mount Kennedy-Roundwood-Laragh out and back.
Decided to head over at 9, aiming to be on the road at 10. My better half lived in Delgany before we moved in together last July, so its a route I know well and like. Weather was shocking on the way over so was contemplating just turning round. But got there and checked the rainfall radar and it looked like it might pass in an hour or so, so I got a coffee and cake in the Firehouse bakery, parked up in their carpark and waited it out. By 10:45 it was starting to look like clearing so I was on the road for 11. Went up over the aptly-named slaughter hill (one of those hills that never, ever feels easy) and down into Roundwodd and then onto Laragh. It was windy as expected, but bar a few small spots of rain, I got lucky with the weather overall. It wasnt cold but in those damp conditions it always feels a bit colder than it is to me.
Managed 52.7km at at an average of 26.1 kmph, so a touch over 2 hours, with 582 of climbing. I dont think I was averaging these times this time last year so there has deffo been improvement. Didnt even feel that great today, after a busy and stressful week gone, I was feeling tired and not overly enthused.
Last weekday cycle for a while as I start a new job Monday, now thats a far worse thought than cycling in today´s weather

micar · 02-02-2017 08:36PM

Very tough cycle to work....N11 from town to cherrywood.

From donnybrook church it was a nightmare. Cycling into the wind all the way.

Had some fella behind drafting off me, swapped around after a while and swapped again. Both glad for some respite.

Coming home was a doddle. Wind so strong but on my back the whole way. But got more soaked than this morning

A crosswind caught me out on the corner of lower lesson St and St Stephens green.

So tempted to drive tomorrow.

josip · 02-02-2017 10:46PM

Left Dun Laoghaire at 4:30 this evening and came over the hill to Shankill.
Definitely the worst day of the year, but this afternoon was payback time for this morning's tailwind

About 80% of Desmond's windspeed last year I think (at that time of the day)

Alanstrainor · 02-02-2017 11:12PM

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Finding the commute tough at the minute, the weather the last 2 weeks has been atrocious. Rather than battle the wind down the coast from Portmarnock this morning I took the Malahide road. Not a bad stretch once you avoid the cycle lanes that appear and disappear at random. The wind and rain really had me questioning my sanity though! Not looking forward to the return journey.

I was feeling adventurous, or mad, and took the coast road at 5pm from Fairview to Baldoyle. My first time attempting to do so when the flood defenses (sand bags etc) were in place! Was forced onto the road almost immediately as a result and stayed there for the duration. The view to the cycle lane was insane as it was completely flooded at points.

Since the route curves around with the north Dublin coast line I had a mixture of conditions, wind in my face, to my back and worst of all to the side. Was almost going to give up when I was taking gusts to my right. I felt the bike could leave the ground. But I had come so far and battled on.

Made it home to Portmarnock in one piece, but I think I should have followed my earlier reasoning and avoided the coast!

secman · 02-02-2017 11:28PM

terrydel wrote: »

Last weekday cycle for a while as I start a new job Monday, now thats a far worse thought than cycling in today´s weather

Best of luck in the new job .

cdaly_ · 03-02-2017 12:20PM

Alanstrainor wrote: »

I was feeling adventurous, or mad, and took the coast road at 5pm from Fairview to Baldoyle. My first time attempting to do so when the flood defenses (sand bags etc) were in place! Was forced onto the road almost immediately as a result and stayed there for the duration. The view to the cycle lane was insane as it was completely flooded at points.

Since the route curves around with the north Dublin coast line I had a mixture of conditions, wind in my face, to my back and worst of all to the side. Was almost going to give up when I was taking gusts to my right. I felt the bike could leave the ground. But I had come so far and battled on.

Made it home to Portmarnock in one piece, but I think I should have followed my earlier reasoning and avoided the coast!

I took the Howth road through Raheny yesterday. Much easier than the coast road in these conditions.

Parchment · 03-02-2017 02:11PM

Nice commute today - no wind/rain.

Shout out to the nice lady cyclist who helped me pick up a bike that was blown over in Dublin city yesterday, it was chained to a signpost but when it fell it was out on the road and cars were driving around it - it was going to get run over. I decided (high heels and all) to try to get it up but the lock kept getting stuck. We got it upright after a few goes! The weather was crazy yesterday in Dublin!

rushfan · 03-02-2017 02:41PM

Enjoyable 66km spin this morning. FCC guys out cleaning the rubbish on the R129 which was great to see. No wind, but got caught in the rain at Dardistown and had to put the rain jacket on. Same again tmrw hopefully.

dahat · 03-02-2017 03:17PM

Day off work today and some unexpected dry weather so took out the Summer bike before she goes for some upgrading g next week, Power Meter & 52 36....

Did a set of VO2 max intervals on the turbo last night but felt good so did a warm up and two reps of Hillview to Golf Club, a 4.4km drag of 3% and came within 4 secs of a PB on the first one, slightly slower next time up but this tells me I'm going ok for this time of year...

Finished up with 48km at 29 AVG and 504 of up....

terrydel · 03-02-2017 03:42PM

secman wrote: »

Best of luck in the new job .

Cheers mate, much appreciated.

Unknown Soldier · 03-02-2017 09:07PM

secman wrote: »

Best of luck in the new job .

Seconded! Hope it works out well for you, terrydel.

My cycling into work today and home wasn't the best.

I AM NEVER USING THE SELF SERVICE DELI COUNTER IN WALKINSTOWN SUPERVALU EVER AGAIN.

Not so much Delhi Belly as cycling with that Fish called Ella. She's a Salmon, I believe.

Not really a good day all round tbh.

Still... I did manage the short version of my commute into, and home from work, about 10km each way and 21.3 for the day. Which isn't really 10km each way, mathematically.

So far 45km for Feb and with a bit of luck I'll be able to head out in the morning! If me hoop allows it

[edit-my packet of hoola hoops (barbecue flavour) just fell all over the floor, why are the Gods doing this to me?]

Daroxtar · 04-02-2017 03:04PM

First crack at the hills this year. Planned on going over the Gap to Laragh and back again. Went up Stocking Lane at a relatively easy pace. No point blowing the head gasket on the first spin up of the year (and all the Zwift in the world doesn't prepare you for the first km uphill on a frosty morning

) Cold but bright and dry. Round past the viewing point and started to notice some icy patches on the road. As I went over the Featherbeds there was more and more icy patches and the descent towards the Glencree turn was downright nasty in spots so I made the decision not to push my luck and turned down toward Enniskerry. That's a cold descent.
Then went on towards Bray, Shankill and up the N11 before turning up to Leopardstown, over by Lamb Doyles and on back to Tallaght where I had a slightly expensive but very tasty gourmet sausage roll and coffee in the Cycle Superstore cafe.

60km, 743m climbing, average temperature 2 degrees.
https://www.strava.com/activities/854708037

Footnote, the new club jacket and shorts were the bomb!!

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

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