Tell us about your cycle today part III

Luxman · 16-01-2022 04:55PM

Headed off for the Dublin mountains today, decided to have a go at Stocking Lane, started out ok but soon realised something was up approaching the Hell Fire entrance as there was a traffic jam , cars trying to get in. So that scuppered my plans for a PB, had a bit of the tail wind too. Continued on up towards Sally Gap but the amount of traffic there kind of took the solitude of the place away. Headed off Sally Gap into a very cold wind and first time to attempt Ballinascorney from that side. Tough climb. Saw at least 8 cyclists with their knees out!! Mine haven't been seen since October. I must be going soft. 111k, 1300m up.

Seth Brundle · 16-01-2022 06:48PM

With work and other commitments, I haven't been able to get out much so far in 2022. Had hoped to get out yesterday with a route planned, etc. but stuff to do at home ruled that out. Decided I'd complete the route this morning.

Headed off from Leixlip after 9 with the intention of climbing Ballinascorney and then on up to Sally Gap. About 7 or 8kms into the spin I was trying to recall if I packed my second bidon as I had intended and looked down and hadn't even packed the first one. If I turned for home to get them I figured then that the spin would take longer so I had hoped to get a bottle of Ballygowan in Ardclough - if the little shop there was open - if not then there wasn't really anywhere else along my route. Thankfully it was open and I got a 1L bottle which I put in my jacked pocket. This meant that I'd have something to wash down the two bananas in the back of my gilet.

Similar to Luxman's experience on Stocking Lane, there was a fair bit of traffic at the top McDonagh's Lane for people going to Slade Valley. The climb had woken the pain in my right knee.

I stopped for a break at the entrance to the firing range on Ballinascorney. At this point my knee was killing me but I convinced myself that there was no point to heading for home. Discovered then that one of my two bananas had been evicted from my pocket presumably by the large water bottle. Still I also had a back of jellies as a backup - I'd open these when I get to Sally Gap.

The trip from Kippure to Sally Gap was good. Tail wind and not cold at all. One dope in a Yaris gave me a borderline close pass along the way. A couple of kms further on he had stopped to take a photo. As I was getting into position (wasn't going to bother interacting with him about the pass) to overtake he hopped back into the car and started to move off. At this point, I had to slow down but he did the first 100m slowly meaning that the nice pace that I had been travelling at was scuppered (it probably would have been a short bit further on anyhow!). But really stupid driving - not malicious, just stupid.

There was a fair bit of traffic at Sally Gap including some kind of Nissan GTR club. As I was nearing the crossroads, the gardai passed me. Nice to see them patroling the area.

Travelling along the stretch around Lisheens towards the N81 I saw a woman stopped on her bike with a fella in a car right behind her. As I passed them, I felt that something didn't seem right with it so I turned back and just asked her if she was ok. Apparently he was with her and she thanked me. He gave me a thumbs up so whilst I was wrong, I'm glad I was.

The return trip from Sally Gap included climbing a few regular bits - Ballysmuttan, Blackrock Hill and Golden Hill as well as back up McDonagh's Lane which had even more cars on it. Heading up McDonagh's lane a car passed me. Twice I caught up with it as it was reversing downhill to somewhere which would let an oncoming car pass. Despite this clear lack of progress, the car behind me was anxious to get past me but I would not let them. Presumably because of the last oncoming car, the people behind me reached the summit about 30 seconds after me. Muppets!

The lane descending from the top of Slade had a load of muck on it left by a tractor. The surface wasn't great and with the likleihood of oncoming cars, i kept my speed to about 40km/h. At one point I saw a phesant in the middle of the lane. Knowing how stupid and unpredictable they can be I immediately started braking but by then my brakes would have been dirty and the greasy surface made it difficult. Thankfully it legged it into a gateway on the left. Straight away it came back out onto the road and started running downhill. I was catching up with it and really didn't want to have to jam on the anchors but was worried about what it would do. I shouted at it and thankfully it understood English (and bad language!) because it then decided to fly off (turn off sound for this video)...

https://youtu.be/7hfEopV60NQ

The rest of the trip home was uneventful but the pain in my knee was unreal. My overall speed was low for most of the spin as a direct result of it. I'll replace my SPD pedals and cleats with newer ones this week. I've a bike fitting session with Aidan Hammond in a few weeks also so hopefully then that will sort it all out.

When I finally got home, it seems that my recent order from Galibier had been wrongly delivered to a neighbour ten doors up (who coincidentally has the same unusual surname). They also threw in a free headband - yaay. I'll have to head out again tomorrow to try my new threads out.

103km @ 23.7km/h with 1504m - https://www.strava.com/activities/6533250127

magicbastarder · 16-01-2022 07:05PM

Nearly 24km/h with that much climbing is hardly slow!

beggars_bush · 16-01-2022 07:15PM

95km at 26.9kph. Lovely morning for it

Luxman · 16-01-2022 08:35PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118485541#Comment_118485541

Was there a change in your setup that led to the knee pain? Or is it an old injury? I wouldnt last an hour with knee pain which I had last year. Ain’t nice and detracts hugely from the fun

CianRyan · 16-01-2022 08:56PM

I used to suffer terrible with knee pain, I changed my cleats to a mid foot position which helped, seems to be quite trendy now. Still get a numb foot after about 90 minutes though which is really annoying.

I do plan on getting a full bike fit but I know my frame is too big for me so what ever is recommended will definitely start with a new bike...

Not much from me this week, two Zwift spins between nappies and settling. The difference a good night makes is shocking.

beggars_bush · 16-01-2022 09:11PM

Knee pain often caused by poor leg movement when pedalling.

Get on a turbo trainer and put a full length mirror in front and you'll soon see if you throw out the knee on each pedal.

Need to adjust cleats, or saddle height or position from handle bars

Proper bike fit is the best money you will spend

Seth Brundle · 16-01-2022 10:01PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118486014#Comment_118486014

Nothing has changed apart from my age. There is a fair bit of movement allowed by my cleats when in the pedal which is why I will swap them for the spare set in my shed. At least then I'll know if it is that.

16-01-2022 11:41PM

Are your feet ok in general Seth? Reason I ask is I have go to see a podiatrist later this week on recommendation by my GP. I do have a knee issue but I also have issues with plantar fasciitis on the left foot and some Achilles tendonitis on both which I've left go for ages. As a result she reckons the knee issue is being caused by the issues lower down.

On the bike it's just my knee really or if I get out of the saddle for extended periods the Achilles but walking in general I have a multitude of issues. Just thought I'd put it out there.

Nothing changed on the bike for me either, if anything I was cycling less in the last 6 - 8 months and walking more.

Seth Brundle · 16-01-2022 11:51PM

I had sudden weird achilles or calf issues last year in each leg/foot but at separate times. Physio, GP and Rheumatoid consultant all have different opinions.

16-01-2022 11:58PM

I'm getting the works according to the lady I spoke with on the phone in the podiatrists aka a bio mechanical exam. I know myself my left foot has a more pronounced roll to it so that causing knee pain for me wouldn't be a surprise.

McGrath5 · 17-01-2022 01:48PM

Nice 48k spin out to Howth on Saturday afternoon. It was pretty quiet on the coastal cycle route all the way out to Howth, was going to go around the scenic route but decided not as I had ran a park run that morning and my legs were feeling tired. Forgotten how mental it is to be on a bike going through Fairview.

Seth Brundle · 17-01-2022 02:22PM

Forgotten how mental it is to be on a bike going through Fairview.

Drivers in Fairview...

NBar · 18-01-2022 08:14PM

First day out on bike after getting that poxy Covid bug over Xmas, went on a nice flat route and almost home when a motorist turning right across my path decided to take me out, sore and damaged bike so that's the end of plans to get my km's back up again

CianRyan · 18-01-2022 09:02PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118496523#Comment_118496523

Bollocks! Are you alright?

Did you get all of their details?

My mother in law got taken out of it about 3/4 years ago, only settled for the price to replace the bike and injuries late last year.

Only time I've ever hit a car was my fault.

NBar · 18-01-2022 10:59PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118496730#Comment_118496730

yeah thanks I got everything and 2 witnesses and reported to Gardai at local station, making a statement tomorrow after I see my GP. Had enough near misses as the behavior of drivers has got worse never mind their driving skills. Getting bike checked out as well doesn't look bad but will find out as don't see why I should be at a loss

CianRyan · 19-01-2022 02:03AM

Most important thing is you're alright and yes, you definitely should not be out of pocket.

What's the bike material? Steel and aluminum can hold up well but carbon can be tricky to diagnose after a crash.

beggars_bush · 19-01-2022 03:13PM

I'd write off the bike and demand a new replacement along with all equipment on it.

get your receipts together

NBar · 19-01-2022 06:51PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118497921#Comment_118497921

alu frame carbon fork, shoulder and arm is sore seen my doctor today

NBar · 19-01-2022 06:53PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118500122#Comment_118500122

Don't want what I don't need Don't want to write my bike off as love it and its only my winter/bad weather bike, will see what their insurance say, at present bike shop giving it the once over, but if bike ruined yes I will

magicbastarder · 19-01-2022 08:30PM

all that given, don't forget even a good bike is loose change for an insurance company. often in the 'new bumper on an old micra' territory (i say this cos my sister was the rear ender in a situation like this where a garage quoted 1.5k if it was a private repair or 4k if the insurance company was paying).

NBar · 19-01-2022 10:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118502008#Comment_118502008

keeping all that in mind cause initial report is a list of parts damaged and labour is going to be expensive so will see

magicbastarder · 19-01-2022 11:30PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118485075#Comment_118485075

https://twitter.com/GardaTraffic/status/1483770208993034242

stevencn88 · 19-01-2022 11:46PM

Wonder if there was enough complaints about iligally parked cars around.....let's say churches for example....would they issue FCPNs?

Nigzcurran · 20-01-2022 09:37PM

Or schools!

beggars_bush · 21-01-2022 12:30AM

68km this evening at 29.3kph. 433m gain.

Should have got another 20km in, but somebody called over just as I was cycling out the driveway

smacl · 22-01-2022 07:10PM

First 100k of the year for me today taking in various bits of Kildare and South Wicklow, including Saggart, Kilcullen and Blessington. Bit of a slog and I really struggled to find any kind of pace. I'd also managed to add a couple of what I though were l-roads to my Garmin route which ended up being locked gates to private roads so had a bit unintended random exploring and head scratching. Garmin also died at one point though seems to have continued to record, I really need to either get new specs or something with a bigger screen as couldn't suss what it was saying. 101k with 1k of up at 19kph and way tireder than I should be for such a modest effort.

stevencn88 · 22-01-2022 09:20PM

Did my first 100k of the year today with 1330m up. I was 2km short so a few laps of the estate get me over the mark. Sun splitting the sky down at sea level but up military road you could hardly see 100m with the cloud.

22-01-2022 09:59PM

Planned 100k today, doing a route I know anticlockwise, but somehow got myself confused and it ended up at 89k.

Started out early so first 45 minutes in darkness. Before I'd left the city, I suffered the worst close pass I've ever experienced on a bike.

Traffic island ahead with just enough room for a car and a lad in a white van overtook me at about 80kp while I passed through it. Frightening experience. Knew he was going to keep coming for me so braced myself and gritted the teeth but he flew past with inches to spare.

Outside of that, a lovely dry ride in mild enough conditions. Did 89k with just short of 1000m climbing at 30.3kph. Didn't feel like January.

magicbastarder · 23-01-2022 02:33PM

Completely uneventful cycle today except at one point I was cycling past the Facebook data centre at the back of clonee, where they've built a completely tokenistic cycle path for a few hundred metres. A pedestrian on the footpath stared very directly at me and quite theatrically pointed at the cycle path I wasn't using. I just had to wonder why even the f****** pedestrians are at it too. There were no cars around.

Tell us about your cycle today part III

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