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

Agent Smyth · 05-03-2017 1:39pm

Here's my cycle from the other day,

http://www.cyclist.co.uk/in-depth/760/andalusia-big-ride

Everything in the article re the cycling is exactly as he describes it except for the 2500mtrs of climbing, its only 2100 and the 15% section of the climb only lasts a couple of meters.

dahat · 05-03-2017 2:09pm

Awful weather this morning but still went out with 3 club mates. I actually enjoy spinning in **** weather as I seem to focus more in it.

Still getting used to the semi compact and while my cadence has dropped slightly I'm expecting it to increase again. I'm feeling really.good ahead of my first race next week. All systems go now.

80km at 28.8 AVG and a few efforts to liven it up.

smacl · 05-03-2017 4:57pm

No great weather this morning but better than forecast. 75k with 1k of climbing in the Wicklow hills with the Old Long Hill living up to its name. Third week going out with a group rather than solo, and enjoying the bit of company on these grey days. Short enough routes but tbh, the last couple of weekends I would have struggled to find the motivation for a solo spin so all good.

Fighting Tao · 05-03-2017 5:02pm

One word for it today....cold.

secman · 05-03-2017 5:10pm

Solo spin from house to ballyedmund, boolavogue and on to The Harrow. Rather than taking right turn over to Ferns, I went straight on which brings you to Enniscorthy, back main road to Ferns, and on to Gorey, ballycanew, killenagh and home. 70 km . Forgot to check the Avg, Garmin had me chasing and being chased by a virtual partner, hence I wasn't seeing the stats. A bit of a pain to be honest, have to check it later, it became a bit monotonous, stopped for a pit stop and hoped he would go away, but no he obviously stopped for one too

Very windy down here today, squalls and a real wet arse spin. Other than that it was grand.

secman · 06-03-2017 9:49pm

secman wrote: »

Forgot to check the Avg, Garmin had me chasing and being chased by a virtual partner, hence I wasn't seeing the stats. A bit of a pain to be honest, have to check it later, it became a bit monotonous.

Thanks to Google , found how to disable the virtual partner, don't remember enabling him though.

jaqian · 07-03-2017 8:41pm

Had a van give me the usual grief... blowing horns and shouting abuse. Then had a bottle of water squirted in my face as they overtook me at speed. We'll see how smug they are when the Guards come knocking.

daragh_ · 07-03-2017 10:02pm

I've put 35c slicks, mudguards, pannier rack and a bag on my Cross Bike. It now weighs a tonne.

I've been having my slowest ever commutes over the last few days and I'm really enjoying the enforced change of pace. This is going to sound very sad but I've been putting extra stuff in the bag just to see how much I can carry :-)

Zen0 · 07-03-2017 10:15pm

daragh_ wrote: »

I've put 35c slicks, mudguards, pannier rack and a bag on my Cross Bike. It now weighs a tonne.

I've been having my slowest ever commutes over the last few days and I'm really enjoying the enforced change of pace. This is going to sound very sad but I've been putting extra stuff in the bag just to see how much I can carry :-)

I've been doing something similarly sad, until last weekend, when I got my first broken spoke in years. I guess my wheels weren't designed to hit a big hole doing 50kmph down the Goatstown Road with a ton of weight right over the back wheel.

daragh_ · 07-03-2017 10:44pm

Zen0 wrote: »

I've been doing something similarly sad, until last weekend, when I got my first broken spoke in years. I guess my wheels weren't designed to hit a big hole doing 50kmph down the Goatstown Road with a ton of weight right over the back wheel.

Good point. Maybe I'll take out some of the extra bricks :-)

07Lapierre · 08-03-2017 12:46am

A guy in a 4x4 pull up beside me on my way home today. The passenger window was down and he said "Can I ask you a question?" I thought I was about to be asked something like "why do cyclists jump red lights?" Or "do any of you cyclists pay Road tax?" etc. But no, instead he asked "what make is your rear light?" When I told him it's a Hope District light, he said "great light!", gave me a thumbs up and drove on!

Nice to know I can be seen when it's dark!

magicbastarder · 08-03-2017 9:20am

first time cycling into work in about 12 years this morning. completely uneventful.

got beeped at twice cycling (on the road) up the leopardstown road. the cycle lane there is particularly laughable, it's insanely deeply dished at the driveways (the houses are below the level of the road so the driveways slope up to it).

19.7km, from beside DCU to leopardstown. newtownpark avenue was a little longer than i'd remembered.

Rogue-Trooper · 08-03-2017 12:32pm

Blue Fiesta actually 'nudged' me out of the way at speed this morning on North Strand (just at the top of the hill over the canal). Frightened the sh1te out of me. Was almost in the middle of the bus lane so had room to swerve left. I wouldn't mind but there was a bus in front of us so 5 seconds later he was stuck behind it when it pulled in.

Nice footage from both front and rear facing cameras which includes him driving the length of the bus lane on North Strand at 07.30. This is deffo one for Traffic Watch.

I'll include popcorn with the footage when I pass it to AGS................

Seaswimmer · 08-03-2017 12:46pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

first time cycling into work in about 12 years this morning. completely uneventful.

got beeped at twice cycling (on the road) up the leopardstown road. the cycle lane there is particularly laughable, it's insanely deeply dished at the driveways (the houses are below the level of the road so the driveways slope up to it).

19.7km, from beside DCU to leopardstown. newtownpark avenue was a little longer than i'd remembered.

out on the N11 proper the cycle lane used to be like that between Whites Cross and Foxrock church but they levelled it a few years ago so its now easy to cycle on.

Might be worth sending off a mail to DLR to see if they have any plans to do the same. I have always had responses when I emailed them about various cycle issues in DLR

you could try gosullivanatDLRCOCO.IE (change the at)

jalock20 · 08-03-2017 12:57pm

Lovely morning for the first time in about a week. Went about 200m down the road, narrowly hit a bump in the road which I usually avoid and suffered my second puncture in 3 spins. Two different wheels.

If it wasn't for the fact I have a turbo trainer for training I'd feel like throwing the bike over the ditch

Peak frustration!

PaulieC · 08-03-2017 12:59pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

got beeped at twice cycling (on the road) up the leopardstown road. the cycle lane there is particularly laughable, it's insanely deeply dished at the driveways (the houses are below the level of the road so the driveways slope up to it).

It's a complete joke, both ways. I always use the road instead, have never been beeped though.

magicbastarder wrote: »

19.7km, from beside DCU to leopardstown. newtownpark avenue was a little longer than i'd remembered.

A decent alternative (if you're looking for similar climb) is to go up Mount Merrion Avenue -> N11 -> Brewery Road. The cycles lanes that way are a lot better. It's maybe 2k shorter.

Seaswimmer · 08-03-2017 1:38pm

PaulieC wrote: »

It's a complete joke, both ways. I always use the road instead, have never been beeped though.

A decent alternative (if you're looking for similar climb) is to go up Mount Merrion Avenue -> N11 -> Brewery Road. The cycles lanes that way are a lot better. It's maybe 2k shorter.

or Booterstown Ave/South hill Ave/Grove Ave to come out on N11 further down.

Turning right to Brewery Road can be difficult as you have to cross a couple of lanes of traffic while going uphill. May need to use the lights.

Good luck on the new commute. let us know what route you finally decide on.

magicbastarder · 08-03-2017 2:41pm

PaulieC wrote: »

A decent alternative (if you're looking for similar climb) is to go up Mount Merrion Avenue -> N11 -> Brewery Road. The cycles lanes that way are a lot better. It's maybe 2k shorter.

cheers - only 200m shorter according to google maps.

Miklos · 08-03-2017 2:43pm

Properly nice day for a spin today! On an easy week so just doodled around the Park.

smacl · 08-03-2017 3:36pm

Fantastic weather out there today. Took a slightly extended lunch and went up to Ticknock via Kilmashogue lane and wood. Need to stick a cross tyre back on to the rear, slicks, gravel and steep gradients are no the ideal combo. Ran into NamelessPhil on the way back and had a natter and then made in back in time to snarf the last slice of stick toffee pudding the youngest made at the weekend. Not getting any thinner, not getting any better at hills, but enjoying life for all that!

magicbastarder · 08-03-2017 6:49pm

is the east link northbound always that bad in the evening?

Wishbone Ash · 08-03-2017 7:08pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

is the east link northbound always that bad in the evening?

Was there a bridge lift before you arrived?

EDIT: Probably as a result of the large protest march earlier

magicbastarder · 08-03-2017 8:04pm

aha, that'd make sense so. didn't see the bridge lift.

Fighting Tao · 08-03-2017 9:11pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

is the east link northbound always that bad in the evening?

Normally I get across it from work in 15-20 minutes driving. Today it took 45. It's frustrating sitting in traffic.

secman · 08-03-2017 11:32pm

Kilnamanagh to Tallaght bypass and across to Lucan village .... that should read Down to Lucan and back Up to Tallaght... lovely night for a night spin ..first one in maybe 15 years !

PaulieC · 09-03-2017 3:19pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

is the east link northbound always that bad in the evening?

It depends on a number of things. Yesterday, it seems like it was caused by protests in town. Oftentimes, it's a concert in the Point. If you're not already, you should cut through Irishtown and Ringsend which brings you out at the bridge without having to deal with the traffic on Sean Moore Road and especially the stretch from the roundabout to the tool plaza.

Seaswimmer · 09-03-2017 3:36pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

is the east link northbound always that bad in the evening?

I go the opposite way crossing about 5.30 everyday. It always seems busy going south to north the way you go.

As someone suggested taking the short cut by turning right at Ringsend Church is probably your best bet or alternatively go left at the roundabout at end of Sean Moore Road down Pigeon House Road and out through the gap in the wall beyond the toll plaza.

magicbastarder · 09-03-2017 3:50pm

cheers, i was wondering about that, i did see what looked like pedestrian or bike access there. seems a lot more sane than sitting behind large flatbed trucks on a narrow road.

Fighting Tao · 10-03-2017 8:22am

Another alternative to east link road is to turn into the estate on Sean Moore Rd and cycle though Irishtown park coming out near the east link. It's much more enjoyable.

Chuchote · 11-03-2017 11:34am

Fighting Tao wrote: »

Another alternative to east link road is to turn into the estate on Sean Moore Rd and cycle though Irishtown park coming out near the east link. It's much more enjoyable.

It is - except for the fact that the local hobby seems to be glass-smashing, if you look at the surface of the paths through the park.

Fighting Tao · 11-03-2017 12:16pm

Chuchote wrote: »

It is - except for the fact that the local hobby seems to be glass-smashing, if you look at the surface of the paths through the park.

I haven't encountered a problem on the main route from east link (by the flats) through to the estate on Sean Moore road. I have on some of the path just outside the perimeter fence between Irishtown and Pigeon House rd.

retalivity · 11-03-2017 4:37pm

First ton of the year this morning, dublin city centre out to carbury and back via straffan, clane, allenwood, carbury, kilshanroe, ???? , Kilcock, leixlip, the park.

Bit of rain in dublin both leaving and coming back, but out in the country it was grand. Only the Lovely smell of rain and slurry to accompany me for large parts of it. Got lost on some backroads between carbury and kilcock, but got a nice look at the countryside, and the heaps upon heaps of nice houses going up in the middle of nowhere.

Strava acting the bollix again, cut out a few times then gave up completely in castleknock in the way home. 109km in 4h45 by their reckoning, probably closer to 115km when i add the rest

https://www.strava.com/activities/895966770

dahat · 11-03-2017 5:13pm

Openers on the turbo on prep for my first A4 race tomorrow....

Pretty nervous at this point but this is quite normal for me just hoping all goes well tomorrow.

nilhg · 11-03-2017 9:27pm

First proper long one of the season today, down to the Blooms, the Cut, Wolftrap, Wolftrap from Lackarhoe, back over the Cut and home.

The plan was miles in the legs/hours in the saddle, wasn't too worried about speed, felt well enough all through so happy enough, one bonus was I was expecting to have to do it solo but one of my clubmates came along which made the time go by a bit quicker.

160km, 1500m

https://www.strava.com/activities/896012105

secman · 11-03-2017 10:30pm

Headed from house to Killenagh, ballycanew, left turn to Ballyedmund and on to Castlebridge towards wexford town, left turn on to coast road to curracloe, Blackwater, kilmuckridge and home.
65 km Avg 26.7 on garmin... strava always says a tad lower.
Sadly no sun at all today in sunny southeast !

positron · 12-03-2017 1:16pm

Went out on my first long ride ever, and came with great appreciation for cycling and why so many do it - Drogheda-Julianstown-Duleek and back the same way, only 30 kms or so and I was probably the slowest thing going on the road with Strava showing an average speed of around 21.2kmph, I dont' care, I loved it - so beautiful out there even with the wind pushing me back and cars flying by (which I am not used to, I am on a motorbike most of the time and I am used to overtaking rather than being overtaken), it's just so nice to get out and get so much fresh air before traffic picks up.

robyntmorton · 12-03-2017 1:35pm

Yesterday - Out with the Galway Cycle group on a training spin. Planned 90km turned into an actual 95 ish, due to having to move the turn around point.

The run out of Maynooth to Kilcock and on to the Enfield bypass was simple enough. I, and the bike felt much better than the previous attempt at it. From there we took a tun off to Johnstown Bridge and on to Carbury in order to make the extra distance. The road out felt horrible, a very up and down affair, coinciding with my turn at the front (something I am not used to, being more of a solo cyclist. I had to be reminded to keep my line and my pace constant, which I found difficult without the visual cues from being behind someone. I got used to it though). The road back from Carbury seemed much easier though.

The rest stop in Mother Hubbards (km 51) was most welcome and a chance for respite and refuelling before getting back out on the road to our turn around point in Kinnegad, before heading back towards Enfield, Kilcock, and into Maynooth.

Unfortunately, on the climb back into Enfield my legs decided that they had suffered enough and gave out on me, tossing me out of the back of the group, and despite much encouragement from the more experienced riders it was the support bus for me for a few minutes to recover before getting back onboard at the regroup in Kilcock to ride in the final few km.

84 km for the day, with an avg speed of 24.5 km/h. Slightly disappointed that I couldn't hold on up that hill, but c'est la vie. Next time I'll get it.

barrier86 · 12-03-2017 6:07pm

40k. South city, coast road, round Howth and back. First cycle of the year and first time in my bike in about 5 months. Onwards ans upwards from here, I hope.

Boscoirl · 12-03-2017 6:22pm

97km today, killer wind the last 20km, would normally stuck a bit on at the end to break the 100, but I was empty,

Mercian Pro · 12-03-2017 8:38pm

Got a bit carried away this morning on the Haul d'Naul sportif. Somehow found myself in the up lane of the lead group after coming out of Rush. Didn't play cute like a good few others and took my turn at the sharp end just before we hit a hill. Lasted a few minutes but promptly shot out the back once I rolled over.
Luckily I was able to team up with two guys from West Clare and Clontarf and we managed to stay ahead of anyone behind without ever seeing the lead group again. Got back to Swords in a good time by working well together and very pleased with my 30.3kph average.
A good start to the sportif season, well organised and a fair bit raised for DSI. Next up the Tour de Foothills or the SERC 3 Peaks.

dahat · 12-03-2017 8:45pm

Ras Luimni today, A4 debut with 137 lads hammering around narrow roads was always going to be hairy and plenty crashes one which looked serious, hope all is ok with the lad in question

Spent KMS 40-52 maybe in a two breakaway just a bit up the road and had a ball, headwinds and crosswinds were no help at all. Finished maybe top 50 but had nothing left last 1km.

62km at 37.9km average and a normalized power of 323 watts, unsure.

Takca · 12-03-2017 9:01pm

Over the Christmas during a moment of drunken weakness, me and some friends decided to do a 21km charity cycle(its been about 15 years since I cycled and I've at least 4 stone I should loose). After a few weeks trying to prepare myself Today was the day, I lined up feeling quiet out of place on my hybrid, it was a time trial format so off we went one by one. About 9km in and I run over a grate on the road, immediately I'm running on a flat on the front ;-( , 10+ minutes later everybody has passed me and I've replaced my tube with a spare, I'm off again(with the new tube bulging out through a split in the tire). I caught up on a handfull of people and about 2.5km from the end a second flat. That was the end of the day for me, back in the support vehicle.

I intend to keep cycling so I'll have to go back soon and redo the damn thing.

https://www.strava.com/activities/897221263

coddlesangers · 12-03-2017 9:40pm

So 36km today, but possibly the best 36km I've ever done as it came only 40 days after my partial menisectomy. Chuffed.

https://www.strava.com/activities/897480781/shareable_images/map_based?hl=en-US&v=1489330070

secman · 12-03-2017 9:42pm

Headed to ballygarret, up coast road to Courtown, Ballymoney, around Tara hill and on to Castletown. Out on to main road at inch and headed for Gorey. Just before Gorey, left Turn back to Ballymoney, courtown, ballygarret heading towards Kilmuckridge and turned for home. A meandering route hugging coast, trying to avoid the wind , a westerly I think, nice to see the sun again in sunny southeast

.
62km avg 24 kph.

grouchyman · 12-03-2017 9:57pm

Normally do my bit of cycling on the flat, but this weekend I was in Kildare so Yesterday I got the opportunity with the help of two brothers to do a bit of cycling around the blessington lakes. So starting in Kilteel up the Lamb Doyle's across the Blessington road to Manor Kilbride then onto Lacken, Hollywood, Blessington and baco to Kilteel via Glendeer, Eadstown and the old Kill pits. 64 km in four and a half hours. I have to confess I walked up about the last 100m of the Lamb Doyle's and coming home on the last leg just past PDM. I had to get off and walk the last five or six hundred yards. But I don't care as was definitely the toughest bit of cycling I've done to date.

secman · 12-03-2017 11:52pm

grouchyman wrote: »

Normally do my bit of cycling on the flat, but this weekend I was in Kildare so Yesterday I got the opportunity with the help of two brothers to do a bit of cycling around the blessington lakes. So starting in Kilteel up the Lamb Doyle's across the Blessington road to Manor Kilbride then onto Lacken, Hollywood, Blessington and baco to Kilteel via Glendeer, Eadstown and the old Kill pits. 64 km in four and a half hours. I have to confess I walked up about the last 100m of the Lamb Doyle's and coming home on the last leg just past PDM. I had to get off and walk the last five or six hundred yards. But I don't care as was definitely the toughest bit of cycling I've done to date.

It's a lovely spin around back of the lakes, with meandering roads, sharp drags, beautiful scenery, good for the soul:)

Somedude9 · 13-03-2017 12:37am

secman wrote: »

It's a lovely spin around back of the lakes, with meandering roads, sharp drags, beautiful scenery, good for the soul:)

That's a tough road, it fairly kicked my arse at the weekend.

Wishbone Ash · 13-03-2017 1:34am

secman wrote: »

It's a lovely spin around back of the lakes, with meandering roads, sharp drags, beautiful scenery, good for the soul:)

I'd have to disagree - it's soul destroying. Whatever it is, that road just sucks the life out of me. I only do it when it is part of a sportive or when someone else has organised it. It's a route I'd never voluntarily take.

smacl · 13-03-2017 8:26am

90k with the regular crew yesterday. Six of us started out, then we dropped to five and were somehow up to eight by the time we got to Laragh. Blowy enough over the Sally gap coming home and a spectacular squall on the last leg made it plenty challenging. Bit of sunshine too, and great to see a few more hours of daylight available to cycle in.

smacl · 13-03-2017 8:30am

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I'd have to disagree - it's soul destroying. Whatever it is, that road just sucks the life out of me. I only do it when it is part of a sportive or when someone else has organised it. It's a route I'd never voluntarily take.

More of a road for a plodder like myself than someone trying to keep a decent pace. Got passed by nilhg on it a couple of times on the Reservoir dog last year. Real tortoise and hare stuff, though the hare made it home long before the tortoise on that day.

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

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