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

Fighting Tao wrote: »

Took a lovely quiet route once I got to Swords as far as Drogheda and then the old main road from Drogheda to Dundalk. I just reversed the route and used that to come back to Dublin.

Great route to Drogheda but you really should have headed out to Baltray and up the coast from there to Castlebellingham. A bit longer but a much more pleasant road than the R132. A detour out to Blackrock would also get you away from the traffic as you approached Dundalk.

I really enjoy heading north on R132 early mornings - it's mostly downhill as you have already paid for the pleasure by climbing Tullyesker as soon as you leave Drogheda. I prefer going north on R132 and coming back via coast road (Annagassan, Clogherhead, Baltray etc).

Deleted User wrote: »

... until I remembered on the way back the f'n water is still off so no proper shower for me ..... again. I'd say theres a few of us in the area drawing flies at this stage :pac:

Ah - that explains why our staff from the Drogheda/East Meath area have been looking shabby lately!

Went on the doss today, just like being back in school. I told the boss I had to go to the dentist and high tailed it out the gate at lunch. It felt great 😂

Went up Bohernabreena, Ballinascorney and down by the firing range and then up the Sally gap. Curiosity got the better of me and I turned towards Kippure to see just how bad the road surface is. Well to be blunt, it's an absolute fückin disgrace. Whoever sanctioned that and then oversaw it being left like that needs to be ran. I wouldn't mind but there's glorious new asphalt beside it so I just don't get what the hell they're at.

Anyway, today was not a day for giving out. I had a grand leisurely spin down to Laragh and a very tasty slice of cake and coffee. Then took a ramble up Shay Elliot and back down before going back up the Gap. I love descending but I also love climbing with a bit of tailwind. That long drag up to the crossroads was great today. Got my rhythm going and pretended to myself that I really could climb. Went full Pantani out of the saddle and on the drops at one stage when a slow moving SUV went past and I jumped in to the draft. Bald head, big ears, 5'8"... The similarities end there though

Went back over Ballinascorney and down to the car and clocked in for 101km with 1700m climbed in 4:21@24kmh. Brilliant day out.


https://www.strava.com/activities/1101172270

First big wind since the start of summer for my morning commute. I was killed cycling in. Average speed for me on my 15km commute would be over 30km/h usually, I was down to more like 22km/h. I could have pushed a tad harder, but I was already pushing hard as it was.

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I wasn't aware of that website , it's brilliant!!!

I must do one myself one of the days.

It's great for unique rides, you sync it to strava and you typically get an email from them about 30min after you upload your ride. I ignore Ones for club/local rides.

devonp wrote: »

headed out from work on one of my usual summer commute routes home,
left overshoes and mudguard at work(from this morning)
got up Cruagh to the viewing point where it was very dark (prob 6.15-6.30pm) and the heavens opened, really opened. waited 10-15 mins under a tree, seemed to lighten off , headed up the featherbeds towards Cunard turn-off, the rain (monsoon) started getting heavier , turned around and descended Stocking lane in full shiver mode through the rapids(slowly). one of my worst weather experiences on a bike(at least in winter you might expect and be prepared for the weather conditions)
pins and needles in feet and hands when i got home (of course the sun was out!!)
must plan better!!!
https://www.strava.com/activities/1103032670

Was up there last night at about same time. Got as far as junction where you turn left for Glencullen so cut our losses and cycled over to Lamb Doyles and had a few pints.

As we were coming down towards Glencullen I was amazed at the amount of people heading up in summer gear. I had the overshoes, rain jacket, mudguards and plenty of layers and I was still miserable.

and to make matters worse kitchen was closed in Lamb Doyles so no sausage and chips.

Alanstrainor wrote: »

More wind on my commute. Actually feeling fitter these days, can slog it out better on the new bike compared with the single speed. I nearly snot myself when I arrived at my destination. I went to clip out and my shoe wouldn't release (spd mtb style pedals/cleats). Managed to get the other foot out and down. Ended up having to remove my shoe to get off the bike!

One of the screws for the cleat had come loose, meaning the cleat was spinning when I was attempting to twist out. I've tightened the bejaysis out of them now, and added some tip-ex to the screw in a bid to bind them.

Buy some threadlock, tippex will just break down. Also don't over tighten them, threadlock and a normal amount of torque.

Or just get road pedals :pac: