Jan and Klodi's Party Bus - part II **off topic discussion**

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

It's good to see that the new laws around cycling have not made a blind bit of difference. Still see the same clowns sailing through lights in the mornings.

Having said that, I still see cars going through the solid red for left turns at Merrion Gates. Sure why not?

As usual, the problem isn't more laws, it's more people out enforcing them.

Ah, but what about all the people who now have red spoke reflectors at the rear?

Is anyone else getting the Vintage Steel ads?

I'm blaming HarryBelafonte's morning post in the Images of Beauty thread.

Free bike lockers opened in 3 locations in Limerick city centre apparently, have to like that.



Free tools too

Came across this on Facebook, only one person I know would wear it.



http://teespring.com/reynolds-666

OldBean wrote: »

That's an amazing facility. Imagine that along the Dart line, Heuston and Connolly? And maybe even the Luas if they'd let bikes on.

Fair play to the powers that be for getting it in there.

/off topic; I'm heading down part of the N81 tomorrow, joining from Tallaght and on to about Blessington, and read on some forums (inc. here) and some blogs that it can be a bit nasty, but all posts are a bit old. Anyone have anything to chip in?

I'm also going to have a mate joining me for the first 20km who has never climbed anything on a bike before. The climb along Manor Kilbride/Mount Seskin compared to say, Howth on the village side? Longer but not as steep, according to Strava? I just want to be able reassure him the world isn't a terrible terrible place.

that road is generally fine. There is a stretch when you go out past jobstown which can be a bit hairy, there are barriers on each side of a narrow road and some pretty impatient drivers who like to overtake even though it is unsafe to do so. Blind bends there so there is the possibility that a car will come around and cause the car overtaking you to send you into the barrier to avoid a head on collision. Lots of young drivers in beat up cars around there.

That kind of sounds worse than it is, it is a stretch i feel uneasy on but not enough to deter me from cycling out there regularly. It is a short stretch and the rest of the road is pretty grand. To put it in context I don't really feel any more wary on that stretch than i do crossing the m50 roundabout between tallaght and templeogue.

You can avoid that stretch if you really want to by going our bohernabreena and then descending into Brittas village, but that involves a decent climb so if your friend would struggle with that you might prefer to just follow the n81.

Rest of the road is quite comfortable to cycle, there is a hard shoulder for alot of it and it is a decent wide road. Much more comfortable to cycle than e.g. the stillorgan dual carriageway.

edit: Oh and do yourself a favour, travel just beyond blessington and you will come to a nice view of a lake on your left hand side. Shortly after that you will see a left hand turn signposted the lake drive. Head out that for a while, it is a nice relaxed but scenic ride. After the second bridge you come into a village called valleymount with a pub you can stop in for a sandwich, though it tends to be unpredictable whether it will be open or not. If you are feeling energetic you can follow the road right around the lakes and back to blessington.

https://www.facebook.com/EvenFunnier****/videos/750020415107833/?__mref=message_bubble

Lol, my mate feigned a cramp at the start of the climb. Felt sorry for him, so ended up walking up a good bit of it with him. Let him go shortly after and on to Carlow.

Thought the N81 was going to be a bit worse. It's fast passing cars and trucks, but there's a good bit of room, and I'm comfortable sticking to the road.

Went on to that viewing point, was lovely. I hadn't seen the posts above so didn't stop into the pub. Starving at this stage.

If I ever win the Euromillions I'm getting a Rolo bike.

Just "because"

Qualitymark wrote: »

Can you get carbon wheels, carbon spokes, carbon tyres, a carbon saddle and carbon handlebars? Oh, and gears and chain?

Yes, yes, sort of, yes, yes, yes, sort of.

Qualitymark wrote: »

Really? Good heavens! You'll have to have lead weights in your skirt like a 1950s model to keep down on the ground!

Or ride like its the 1960's.

Ahem.