Tell us about your cycle today part III

It was ok yesterday but if they were working with heavy equipment on the closed section, getting by on a bike could be an issue. The actual works I saw yesterday are on the lower part of the road, after the reservoir and before Footee Tallaght. You can circumvent them by taking Ballymaice Lane or alternatively if you don't mind a small detour and a bit of light gravel, going down Allagour road and around the reservoirs is a lovely diversion, or alternatively Allagour road, Glassamucky, Bohernabreena would also work.

Anyone know if Cruagh road is ok for bikes as it is also marked as closed?

Short spin out by Bahernabreena and up the rather steep gravel path at the back of Glenasmole and back by the reservoirs and home via the Dodder. Headwind on the way out left me knackered before the gravel climb which I ended up beaten by and pushing the bike up the steeper bits. Found the descent a bit too sketchy as well so pleased enough to get back to flat paved ground.

Coming down the hill at Firhouse with the wind at my back for a change felt a wobble and heard an almighty bang. New rear Schwalbe G-One R Pro Super Race ripped at the seam leading to a blowout. Didn't really have anything I could use as a tyre boot and then remembered someone on here using a crisp packet. Found a gel wrapper which I folded double and tried that. Managed to kill one tube in the process of replacing the tyre but just about made it home on the second with minimal pressure, keeping all my weight on my feet and speed down. Will add a proper tyre boot to the saddle bag next time (wrappers don't really do the job, see below at end of the journey!) and won't be using this model of tyre ever again. Looks very much like a manufacturing fault and a dangerous one at that, I'll be getting on to Schwalbe.

Very few, about 250k at a guess. Pretty certain it is a manufacturing fault. I was lucky in that it was the rear tyre as I was doing about 40kph at the time and the front going would have meant a likely spill. Also lucky I wasn't in the middle of nowhere off road. Ordering up replacements for front as well as damaged rear tyre as I have zero confidence in it. Could be a one off but could also be an issue with a batch of them.

Also out yesterday lunch, incredibly mild so also ended up taking off the wind-stopper, leaving base layer and short sleeve jersey. Garmin battery died about 5k in but no harm as it was pleasant just taking in the sunshine and admiring the scenery along the Dodder. Lovely brisk tail wind coming home so I missed the Garmin for that bit ;)