Tell us about your cycle today part III

silverharp · 08-08-2022 07:21AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119442574#Comment_119442574

we were thinking about it but hadnt checked the trains, next time we might do that

magicbastarder · 10-08-2022 10:30PM

passed a lad with race numbers on his bike, in ashbourne earlier (there had been racing on at the coolquay circuit) with a bottle of white wine in his jersy pocket.

soon after i passed a woman out cycling in a jersey which had the union jack printed on it, taking up the entire jersey. cyclists get enough stick on the roads without painting an almost literal target on you like that...

nigeldaniel · 11-08-2022 08:35AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119440320#Comment_119440320

100% agree with this.

positron · 11-08-2022 09:46AM

Saw some cyclists going thru Buncrana last week - followed by support cars. Must have been Donegal 333 / 555. At least one guy was doing 40-45kmph leaving Buncrana (ahead of me in my car), and if I got the route right, this is after already lapping Innishowen including Mamore Gap and still have hundreds of kms to go. Crazy strong riders.

patrickc · 13-08-2022 11:20AM

I bought a new Cannondale Supersix evo a couple of months ago, which had a few niggles. They are mostly ironed out now and i went for a 101km at 29.1 average this morning on my own as ever.

Happy enough with that I went Carlow-PortLaoise-Monastervin-towards Kildare- back to Athy and to Carlow.

magicbastarder · 14-08-2022 01:31PM

i did four laps of the coolquay circuit this morning for the laugh; basically simulating the race swords would put on monthly there. there was a strava segment for a single lap, so i've just created one for the four laps. strava is still calculating and adding riders i think, but i am currently sitting at 60th place out of 60 riders. i wish i could say that is because i stopped for a breather...

also, at one point i had a big sunburnty faced lad driving a van alongside me, shouting out the window at me in an eastern european accent. 'WHOAH MISTER! FIFTY! FIFTY KILOMETERS!'

i of course gave him a big cheery wave, but his speedo is way off. i was doing 37 i think.

retalivity · 14-08-2022 03:31PM

Did the tour of kildare this morning with only 2 gears. Rear derailleur cable snapped after about 6k and left me stuck in the smallest sprocket the whole way round. Thankfully it was mostly flat but there were a few climbs towards the end that were torture, weaving over and back the road and lads spinning past me wondering wtf am I at.

https://www.strava.com/activities/7636545423

secman · 14-08-2022 05:22PM

Club spin, out an hour earlier than normal. Gorey to Arklow, Woodenbridge and on to Rathdrum, up Rathdrum hill, out to the turn for Deputy's Pass. Left at bottom and out on to old N11 at Beehive. Back by old N11 to Jack Whites, Arklow and back to Gorey. 88km, 600 + meters and avg 32.4kph. 🔥 🥵

hesker · 14-08-2022 07:21PM

Out early this morning to avoid the worst of the heat for what has become an annual visit to the Wicklow mountains. Well known to many of you probably.

Starting and finishing in Glencree a figure of 8 loop through the Sally gap down to Laragh, back through Roundwood and Sally Gap again before looping west, then north and back to Glencree.

That last bit up The Wall and The Tough Bit segments really were bloody tough. Stunning scenery and some beautiful roads.

Daroxtar · 14-08-2022 08:39PM

Did a fantastic route today up around the Cooley's and Sleive Gullion. Unashamedly stole it off @Mercian Pro from a week or two ago.

I have a bit of a head cold and didn't fancy being pulled asunder on a fast club spin so a nice change of scenery was just the ticket. The weather was perfect apart from having a headwind that seemed to be in my face no matter which direction I turned. The roads were very quiet despite it being a sunny Sunday morning. There were a few sketchy descents and my childhood recollection of better tar across the border seem to be a long distant memory. By and large though, the surfaces were fine.

The scenery on the climbs up to Claremont Cairn and the Ring of Gullion was superb. The climb to Claremont was as tough as I expected but the Ring of Gullion caught me off guard. Garmin told me it was about 5km @5%. Was it F*#k!!! Constant ramps hitting well into double figures followed by little dips and more ramps, I seemed to be climbing nearly the whole time until the last km of a 9km loop!!

The head cold was really starting to take toll and legs were well shot by the time I got back up to Long Woman's Grave and the descent most of the way back to Carlingford was most appreciated.

I'll definitely be back there again, great cycling country altogether.

Just over 100km, just under 2000m climbing

https://strava.app.link/4LY5eh3Eusb

spudpicker2022 · 14-08-2022 09:54PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119473324#Comment_119473324

gullion is very deceiving!!! but worth it. Even the downhill part has a ~9% ramp thrown in and you can't really see it coming either so it's easy to be in teh wrong gear.

camlough mountain is another nice climb (for next day!). a smoother consistent climb too. it has barriers on both sides and if doing it i recommend ascending from the north side as decending that section could be tricky as the trees totally cover the light getting through in places and it could be slippy.

cracking spin though 👍

Large bottle small glass · 15-08-2022 01:25PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119472061#Comment_119472061

In the future you have a few options.

I've snapped a cable only once out on the road, but before it goes the shifting goes to sh1te; that's your time to pick a gear and then stop moving rear derailleur.

If it goes snap you can dial in the high limit screw to maybe use a 14/15 rather than 11/12.

If the cable hasn't broken in shifter you can remove it and run it in reverse to pick whatever single gear you want; i.e. with cable head in rear derailleur and use clamp.

loyatemu · 15-08-2022 01:31PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119472061#Comment_119472061

I think we passed you early on, unless there was someone else trying to do the whole thing in their hardest gear. You still went around faster than me!

retalivity · 15-08-2022 02:16PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119475871#Comment_119475871

It probably was, don't think anyone else was as unlucky/stubborn/stupid as me!

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119475842#Comment_119475842

Yeah the shifting was dodgy starting off, thankfully it snapped when I was in the initial flat run out of Naas with the main group, so was motoring along in the highest gear. The first few climbs around Allen weren't too bad as they were generally short and gentle enough, just took a good run at them and powered through. From Ballitore onwards though, they started getting longer and steeper, that's when the grinding through and the weaving started!

Trekker09 · 15-08-2022 09:38PM

Did the Royal Canal greenway at the weekend, from Maynooth to Longford. Wild camped friday & saturday nights and caught the train back to Maynooth yesterday afternoon. Nice, but a tad underwhelmed with the lack of facilities. The heat was tough but bearable, though it was very quiet the whole weekend!

Special mention must go to Morans pub in Hill of Down. Extremely friendly, great atmosphere and James is a gent! He told me that I could have camped in the garden section and used the facilities there. All I'll say is that Saturday morning was tough getting on the bike again!

Seth Brundle · 24-08-2022 10:35PM

Went out with a few from the club for a midweek spin. The evening was nice but cooled down early enough. I brought a gilet for use after our usual stop in McEvoys in Hazelhatch but ended up needing it a third of the way into the spin - summer is nearing an end 😢

Within 1 km of us all starting out we had a dickhead in a 04D transit beeping and frantically waving at us to get out of his way as if we were delaying him getting a dying patient to a hospital. This was on the approach to the canal at Adamstown. Nonetheless, he had no difficulty in passing us (with a huge plume of black diesel smoke) so not sure what his hissy fit was about.

Just after the canal we had dickhead number 2 in an artic come up behind us beeping his horn at us. After he passed us (which again wasn't difficult for him) he braked tested us by slamming on the brakes before driving off.

Needless to say, we caught up with him at the next set of lights and apparently his anger was because the eight of us travelling in or around 30km/h weren't doing so on the adjacent cycle lane/footpath. 🙄

I really couldn't be arsed reporting either of them though.

Still, nice midweek group spin with a little tipple at the end. 58km with 320m at 29.9km/h - https://strava.app.link/MWxpOkxoLsb

ARX · 27-08-2022 08:23PM

Got a flat on the descent from Glencree to Enniskerry yesterday evening. Pulled in, turned the bike upside down, pulled off the rear wheel and then the flies descended. Hundreds of them. Mother of God, it was horrendous. Flies in my ears, on my face, all over my hands, my arms, my legs. Had to give up and walk down the road for what seemed like hours until I got to a slightly more open spot with a bit of a breeze where the flies were merely annoying rather than driving me demented. So I won't be going up in the hills of an evening without insect repellent for a few weeks!

patrickc · 28-08-2022 10:46PM

I had planned on a 200k this summer , my first.

I did 220km yesterday Carlow - midlands-Mullingar and back around with 1100m of up.

Tired legs today but well worth it.

wheelo01 · 28-08-2022 10:52PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119530602#Comment_119530602

I hear you!! I

climb VERY slowly (I'm 90+ kg) so the flies flock at certain points(the horse riding school on gunny hill, for instance) it is phenomenally annoying, but it makes the descent all the more worthwhile.

I went up ballinascorney and over by the army camp at Kippure yesterday, my legs had nothing, I was travelling between 4 and 14 kph on the hills, and every b@stard fly hitched a ride with me, I must have gained an extra kilo lol.

Very warm day, but I just love getting out.

https://www.strava.com/activities/7708672706

the reason the legs had nothing because of this one

https://www.strava.com/activities/7686367073

Nigzcurran · 29-08-2022 09:08AM

Sounds like a good day out, would you have done many stops in total?

Mundo7976 · 29-08-2022 09:55AM

Not bad for a big fella!

Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/2JoVY1XPSsb

patrickc · 29-08-2022 07:51PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119535927#Comment_119535927

Was that aimed at me?

I stopped for a coffee and scone, and separately a sandwich and a coke water etc

Total time was 8.32 moving time 7.46 AVE speed 28.2kph

It was enjoyable definitely

Seth Brundle · 05-09-2022 03:41PM

Did the Reservoir Dogs Sportive again yesterday. It was a great day out.

The biblical rain on Saturday night woke me around 4am and I didn't really sleep after that so I was tired before I even left home. Seven other clubmates turned up but one had to leave due to a mechanical (somehow forgot a skewer after packing the bike into his car). At the top of Ballinascorney, we had agreed that we'd wait for the few clubmates behind but three went on anyhow. Met @Mercian Pro while I was waiting (nice to meet you!). Anyhow, the four of us remaining headed on down Ballinascorney and on towards the Wall.

I had to stop as I headed up the Wall as I could feel my heart rate getting too much for me. A minute later, I went on. Despite my stop, I was still ahead of my three mates. Another wait for them at the top of Cunard and on we went to Sallygap. By then, one of the lads had nothing in his legs and it wasn't long after the stop that he decided to take the sensible option and head for home.

When we got to Roundwood, the three of us had grouped up with about four others and travelled along in single file towards Laragh. I seemed to lead for much of this. We managed a decent pace along this stretch and although Strava is telling me 35.5, I had been thinking we had an average of about 40km/h. Still 35 into a headwind isn't too bad given my tired legs. What I hadn't noticed until we got to Laragh was that my two remaining clubmates had dropped off somewhere along the way. they arrived in laragh a short time later.

Lunch was great. Being a non-butter eater, one of the ladies serving coffee offered (without me saying anything) to make me a ham & cheese sandwich without butter (on lovely soft bread!).

When I stepped out of the centre in Laragh, there were a few drops of rain but thankfully, it quickly stopped. Onwards we went amongst promises of sticking together.

Same as last year, I found the second half of the day fairly handy (if that's the word). I found that my two clubmates were going much slower that I could stay with and motored on ahead. I had been thinking that I'd pull in somewhere and wait but never did. The only time I stopped was just after I passed a group from Sandymount so that I could put my gilet back on. Seconds later, I was having to pass them again. I felt that I was flying along and whilst I passed a good few people, nobody was passing me. She must have put something into that sandwich! (obviously it was mostly the tailwind carrying me along!)

A quick stop at the second water stop to top up my water and take a leak and onwards I went.

At the finish line, I met my three other clubmates that dissapeared at Ballinascorney. Chatted briefly with them and they went home while I went for my burger. Eventually one of the others behind me arrived as I was leaving.

By the time I got home, I had eaten a few Cadbury's Boost bars, two cans of Pepsi and a few sweets, muffins and whatever else - I was sick of sugary crap. I tend not to eat that stuff and always seem to regret it after. Still I'm sure it (and the numerous bananas) helped me diring the day.

Despite the midweek forecasts of loads of rain and 40km/h winds, the weather was great. Not too hot or cold. I only noticed last night that the tan lines on my arms have freshened up again.

A great day out even if I spent most of it solo. Great organisation yet again from Blessington CC.

https://www.strava.com/activities/7753776537

Luxman · 05-09-2022 08:38PM

I'd say the boot was full with those Strava trophies Seth, kudos!!

Luxman · 06-09-2022 01:22PM

I knew the weather forecast was a bit hit and miss today and after 60km without any rain my luck ran out descending from Garristown towards the N2, it can be a fast enough run down and I cycled right into a huge shower, so much water came down so quickly the road disappeared under a torrent of water. Lucky I knew the surface but visibility was pretty blurry for most of it. Got down safe and decided better to limp home wet and warm)ish) rather than stop and wait for the rain to pass. Wasn't really that cold.

Wildly Boaring · 07-09-2022 09:27AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119579069#Comment_119579069

Yeah I've gone Garristown to N2 in a thunder shower before.

It's poorly drained I reckon, streams across the road on a couple of the descents.

Mercian Pro · 07-09-2022 11:26AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119574831#Comment_119574831

Nice meeting up with you too Seth Brundle. Was talking to Darokstar before the start and that was the last I saw of him as he was in flying form. I mainly did the Dog in the company of one other clubmate although we hitched a lift from a Balrothery group between Roundwood and Laragh. Because of all the ups and downs, very few groups seemed to form or stay together unlike flatter sportives. A great event and a testing course really well managed by the Reservoir Cogs. Nice to chat again with the main man, Corker1, before and after the ride. Here's to next year.

magicbastarder · 07-09-2022 04:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119582911#Comment_119582911

you mean the road which drops down past the industrial estate in ashbourne, or the one which brings you out just south of the snailbox?

Luxman · 07-09-2022 05:06PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119585394#Comment_119585394

Just south of the Snailbox, its very poorly drained to be sure, at the dip it was like cycling into a lake

magicbastarder · 07-09-2022 11:18PM

Cheers, handy to know as I find myself on that road on occasion.

Tell us about your cycle today part III

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