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

magicbastarder · 19-02-2017 09:16PM

much damper than expected this morning; only 40k in NCD, felt like i was cycling through a clod for much of it. legs were not fully playing ball.

jon1981 · 19-02-2017 10:22PM

Club spin of 6 of us out this morning, out to Tara and back to Dublin. We looked like we were dragged through a ditch by the end, extremely mucky. Nothing too eventful beyond a couple of punctures.. led to very stiff legs by stopping and starting.

averaged 29.9kph over 98km, not bad given the small group and the wind.

Though the one thing that sticks in my mind is the amount of angry motorists, normally you get the odd car horn blowing on a spin but we must have been beeped at 10+ times with quite a concerning number of close passes. We are a respectful bunch and we single out when needs be... so i dunno... seems to be a growing hostility among motorists.

dahat · 19-02-2017 10:34PM

jon1981 wrote: »

Club spin of 6 of us out this morning, our to Tara and back. We looked like we were dragged through a ditch by the end, extremely mucky. Nothing too eventful beyond a couple of punctures.. led to very stiff legs by stopping and starting.

averaged 29.9kph over 98km, not bad given the small group and the wind.

Though the one thing that sticks in my mind is the amount of angry motorists, normally you get the odd car horn blowing on a spin but we must have been beeped at 10+ times with quite a concerning number of close passes. We are a respectful bunch and we single out when needs be... so i dunno... seems to be a growing hostility among motorists.

I'm starting to think the same but maybe it's the sheer volume of cyclists certain motorists meet on a Sunday that gets them wound up.

Kaisr Sose · 19-02-2017 10:49PM

Stepaside to Blessington and back. 69.8km on my heavy winter bike with Dynamo. Beautiful day. Three weeks off the bike (skiing)band noticed the drop in fitness. But working back from a long layoff due to injury so fitness is lower than normal.

https://www.strava.com/activities/872281068

Thanks to Unknown Soldier, without whom I would have had to cycle home on a flat (I could not pump up my rear wheel after a flat) and he had stopped to see if all was ok. He also gave me a spare tube as I had only one tube with me today Many, many thanks. I owe you one! Hope your own cycle was not impacted by your generosity!

Awesome Canyon (lighter than my Carbon), and brilliant camera set up. I will definitely be getting a mobius for the helmet and a fly 6 for peace of mind.

Kaisr Sose · 19-02-2017 10:56PM

dahat wrote: »

I'm starting to think the same but maybe it's the sheer volume of cyclists certain motorists meet on a Sunday that gets them wound up.

It's just down to a lack of respect and people not being prepared or wanting to slow down. It's nuts the number of close and senseless passes being undertaken. All for a perceived few seconds gained - seconds that mean nothing in real time but could be the difference between safety and injury. Had one towards the end of my spin and the car that did it knew they were going to have to stop for the lights at lambs cross 150m later, and still did it. No gain at all. Stupid!!

dahat · 19-02-2017 11:02PM

Kaisr Sose wrote: »

It's just down to a lack of respect and people not being prepared or wanting to slow down. It's nuts the number of close and senseless passes being undertaken. All for a perceived few seconds gained - seconds that mean nothing in real time but could be the difference between safety and injury. Had one towards the end of my spin and the car that did it knew they were going to have to stop for the lights at lambs cross 150m later, and still did it. No gain at all. Stupid!!

It's getting very dangerous out there and each time we head out it's a risk imo. Every spin has at least one close pass each time at this rate.

cyclocross! · 19-02-2017 11:05PM

Strange you should mention close passes. 8 of us out this morning heading from Clane to Sallins. Getting the cars behind us past when we could. No tailback. Some guy comes screaming up behind us revving engine and beeping the horn. Goes by on a solid white line after about 10 seconds. Aggressive pass but not particularly close. Half mile up the road cars suddenly stopped in middle of road. Our same friend had tried to overtake a jeep on a solid white line and hit another jeep, then hit a wall. Nobody hurt thank god but could not help a little smile to myself. Felt sorry for drivers of 2 jeeps.

19-02-2017 11:06PM

3rd spin this week in Feb. Terrific mild weather. compared to the miserable weather of the last few years. Loads of cyclists out.
Was feeling fatigued so did a spin to enniskerry and looped back by Old conna in easy spin mode.

fcon · 19-02-2017 11:18PM

Not so much close pass but outright dangerous overtake for us on spin this morning. The driver was forced to come to a complete halt midway through overtaking our 10 person group due to another oncoming car they hadn't seen prior to the overtake. Luckily the other driver wasn't going that fast or could have ended much worse. You'd imagine that with the increase in cyclists on the road that drivers would have a greater awareness and so be better able to cope in that situation (for example checking to see if the road is clear prior to an overtake) however apparently it's not the case.

shaka · 19-02-2017 11:23PM

70 km Thursday in tough conditions, got a puncture.

Headed out for a planned 50 today but only got thirty, another puncture so headed home.

Spotted Hole for valve on rim has become jagged and is puncturing tubes, I'll have to do a bit of day and see can I rescue it..

Alanstrainor · 20-02-2017 01:05PM

Was off the bike for a week, as I had taken time off to work on the new house. Back in the saddle this morning for my Portmarnock to Fairview commute. I'm glad we're in real jersey and shorts weather, but the wind was killer. Was cursing it on the way in! Still not used to the coastal wind after a month of commuting!

MrMorooka · 20-02-2017 02:04PM

Something I'm a bit unsure of in my commute, how should I negotiate this turn?

I want to go from Heytesbury Street/New Bride St onto Kevin St and head towards SSG. Red is what I usually do- move to the right-turning lane, get in the bike box, then when the light turns green, dash across the junction before cars heading southbound start coming. It always feels a bit dodgy, what would you do to make this turn instead? It's the only part of my commute where I have to cross across incoming traffic so it makes me a bit nervous.

Alanstrainor · 20-02-2017 02:11PM

MrMorooka wrote: »

Something I'm a bit unsure of in my commute, how should I negotiate this turn?

I want to go from Heytesbury Street/New Bride St onto Kevin St and head towards SSG. Red is what I usually do- move to the right-turning lane, get in the bike box, then when the light turns green, dash across the junction before cars heading southbound start coming. It always feels a bit dodgy, what would you do to make this turn instead?

I used to take this route myself and would do the same as yourself. But never felt it was much of a dash, there was always plenty of time to make it across. Otherwise just move out into the junction and wait for a gap to make the turn. You'll have to move well into that junction, just because of the layout.

Bloggsie · 20-02-2017 02:25PM

secman wrote: »

Headed from house to Killenagh, ballycanew, Gorey, out old n11 to inch, Arklow and on up to Woodenbridge and out the Aughrim road for a bit. Stopped to have my home made banana jacks . Headed back to Woodenbridge, Arklow but took the left turn out to rock of Arklow, and back the coast road to Castletown, Tara hill, Ballymoney, courtown and back to Ballygarrett, Killenagh and home. 86 km Avg was 25.5 kph.
Never knew that a Jack Russell whose arse was barely 2 inches from the road surface could get up to 35 kph... I had to get nearer 40 kph to drop the bastard

yeah, they are persistent little backstards alright:)

Bloggsie · 20-02-2017 02:29PM

no spin this weekend but a huge number out on Saturday and Sunday around Maynooth. Good to see.

robyntmorton · 20-02-2017 02:38PM

Bloggsie wrote: »

no spin this weekend but a huge number out on Saturday and Sunday around Maynooth. Good to see.

I was one of the Sunday riders out of Maynooth, as there was a training spin for the Galway Cycle in April. There were enough of us in attendance to get three groups out on the road.

There were a few other groups out and about too. Always good to see.

Mercian Pro · 20-02-2017 08:06PM

Was with one of two McNally Swords groups that passed through Maynooth on the way to and from Celbridge. We had over 30 out and were not overly impressed with our regular coffee stop in Celbridge even though we staggered the timing. Anyone try the cafe in the Orchard Garden Centre? It's about a kilometre out the Dublin Road but I don't know what it's like for coffee, scones and bike parking. Any other recommendations in the area?

Moflojo · 20-02-2017 08:27PM

MrMorooka wrote: »

Something I'm a bit unsure of in my commute, how should I negotiate this turn?

I want to go from Heytesbury Street/New Bride St onto Kevin St and head towards SSG. Red is what I usually do- move to the right-turning lane, get in the bike box, then when the light turns green, dash across the junction before cars heading southbound start coming. It always feels a bit dodgy, what would you do to make this turn instead? It's the only part of my commute where I have to cross across incoming traffic so it makes me a bit nervous.

Hi MrMorooka, in my opinion you're better off carrying out a 'Hook Turn' to get onto Kevin Street. First stage is the green line, then wait for the light to turn green for the Kevin Street traffic, then proceed along the yellow line. Some more info on Hook Turns here: https://cyclingtips.com/2009/05/the-hook-turn/

Wishbone Ash · 20-02-2017 08:30PM

Mercian Pro wrote: »

Was with one of two McNally Swords groups that passed through Maynooth on the way to and from Celbridge. We had over 30 out and were not overly impressed with our regular coffee stop in Celbridge even though we staggered the timing...

That's what you get for slacking. Pedal harder next time. :P

I thought it was fine with quick service (but I suppose I was 2nd in the queue!).

dahat · 20-02-2017 08:35PM

The scariest experience I have ever had today on my way home from work.

I live quite close to where I work, less than 2.5km but it's quite a steep climb and a very fast descent as well en route home. Coming home and at the fastest part of it with speed at 45-50km a car roars past and takes a sharp left not 9 feet in front of me...Nearly shat myself n hammered on the brakes coming extremely close to hitting the car. Scary few seconds that seemed to go forever.

I'm convinced that being a regular club cyclist aided my reactions at that speed n not head into mass panic mode. At least I know the brakes on my 7yr old Giant Roam 2 are working A1.

veganrun · 20-02-2017 08:38PM

Went to cycle to work today. First bike I went to rent wouldn't unlock from the stand. Tried to cancel the rental via the app, wouldn't work. Tried to return the bike via the app, wouldn't work. Had to call up the helpline to get them to cancel it. Went to take another bike, wouldn't unlock either. Same story, had to phone the helpdesk again, must have wasted about 10-15 minutes with all of this. Walked to another stand, got a bike from there. It went well apart from one of the pedal's and arms wobbling and feeling like it was going to fall off.

secman · 20-02-2017 08:42PM

Mercian Pro wrote: »

Was with one of two McNally Swords groups that passed through Maynooth on the way to and from Celbridge. We had over 30 out and were not overly impressed with our regular coffee stop in Celbridge even though we staggered the timing. Anyone try the cafe in the Orchard Garden Centre? It's about a kilometre out the Dublin Road but I don't know what it's like for coffee, scones and bike parking. Any other recommendations in the area?

Not a practical place to be honest as you have to meander through a very expensive shop to get to cafe/ coffee shop. Don't think the management would like a sweaty bunch with bikes meandering through the expensive shop . It's a pity as food etc is grand and there is an outdoor seating area beside the garden centre that would do fine for cyclists and bikes, if they had a separate entrance into garden centre. But it is designed for footfall to go through the expensive shop..... Did I mention expensive

Mercian Pro · 20-02-2017 08:47PM

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

That's what you get for slacking. Pedal harder next time. :P

I thought it was fine with quick service (but I suppose I was 2nd in the queue!).

I think it's called Athgoe Hill on Strava but it's probably been a while since you were there

Afraid it is isn't up to our usual high standards IMHO and it didn't get a single vote in last year's poll.

Wishbone Ash · 20-02-2017 08:54PM

Mercian Pro wrote: »

I think it's called Athgoe Hill on Strava but it's probably been a while since you were there ...

As a super domestique, I have to stay with my captain.

Unknown Soldier · 20-02-2017 10:20PM

Kaisr Sose wrote: »

Stepaside to Blessington and back. 69.8km on my heavy winter bike with Dynamo. Beautiful day. Three weeks off the bike (skiing)band noticed the drop in fitness. But working back from a long layoff due to injury so fitness is lower than normal.

https://www.strava.com/activities/872281068

Thanks to Unknown Soldier, without whom I would have had to cycle home on a flat (I could not pump up my rear wheel after a flat) and he had stopped to see if all was ok. He also gave me a spare tube as I had only one tube with me today Many, many thanks. I owe you one! Hope your own cycle was not impacted by your generosity!

Awesome Canyon (lighter than my Carbon), and brilliant camera set up. I will definitely be getting a mobius for the helmet and a fly 6 for peace of mind.

You're grand! 'Twas nice to meet you. Glad you managed to finish your whole spin. Mine wasn't inconvenienced, I was just tootling around local hills.
When I am doing that, I am close enough to home to not need a pump or tube tbh.
'Tis a light Canyon for Aluminum to, your new bike! You know you want it

As for the cameras, I made a little video for you this evening, from my commute this morning.

They are worth the money, my death will be in full HD.

The editing isn't great, don't want to give a lot away, and I'm not a great film maker by any means! (the slow mo stuff was quite cool though)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nP0cY-Jo6_A

Kaisr Sose · 20-02-2017 10:47PM

Thanks for the video Unknown Soldiee. Great picture and the editing is slicker than that Gatorskin tyre that would not come off yesterday...:)

As soon as the video played I was wondering if I could recognise the road (I have a good memory for places)...Follows by WOW, that's beside where I grew up, literally just a few houses from the roundabout heading toward the other roundabout you mentioned yesterday. Uncanny.

Terrible driving by the motorist...it's common at that junction. No reason for it but sums up the disconnect between some drivers and other road users. It's a long road back to getting motorists to think outside the steel shell they feel so safe in.

Dying to get to work...that was never me...Work to live a nice life surrounded by nice shiny bikes (maybe even a Canyon or two)

Glad you were not left holding the wrong end of the stick after our chance meeting....it was a great day to be out! Need to clear the Genesis, your uber lite weight Canyon was spotless.

Parchment · 21-02-2017 09:40AM

Lets just say there are various articles of my clothing drying on radiators around the office....

Parchment · 21-02-2017 09:42AM

secman wrote: »

Headed from house to Killenagh, ballycanew, Gorey, out old n11 to inch, Arklow and on up to Woodenbridge and out the Aughrim road for a bit. Stopped to have my home made banana jacks . Headed back to Woodenbridge, Arklow but took the left turn out to rock of Arklow, and back the coast road to Castletown, Tara hill, Ballymoney, courtown and back to Ballygarrett, Killenagh and home. 86 km Avg was 25.5 kph.
Never knew that a Jack Russell whose arse was barely 2 inches from the road surface could get up to 35 kph... I had to get nearer 40 kph to drop the bastard

I was chased on a disused road, down a huge hill by my own jack russell......she kept with me for most of the hill. She was actually gaining on me most of the time.

Lunatics!!

Bloggsie · 21-02-2017 02:05PM

Mercian Pro wrote: »

Was with one of two McNally Swords groups that passed through Maynooth on the way to and from Celbridge. We had over 30 out and were not overly impressed with our regular coffee stop in Celbridge even though we staggered the timing. Anyone try the cafe in the Orchard Garden Centre? It's about a kilometre out the Dublin Road but I don't know what it's like for coffee, scones and bike parking. Any other recommendations in the area?

there is always a good smattering of cyclists in Tanseys in Maynooth and theres another place around the corner (cant think of its name just before the Manor Mills shopping centre) that gets good numbers each weekend

Bloggsie · 21-02-2017 02:16PM

ladies & gentlemen, to the natural born genius who jumped the redlight on Burgh Quay @ the Rosie Hackett yesterday just after 17.30, thank you for "courteous response" to my pointing at the redlight.
I truly wish that you dont end up as a bonnet ornament but from our albeit brief interaction, I feel it is an inevitable fact that we will be reading about you, thinking that how sad is that, another cyclist has been hurt/killed by a motorist when you are cycling in an irresponsible manner that probably lead to the incident.

Rant over.

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

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