Is it safe to cycle home this evening...

Planet X · 17-11-2015 07:07PM

Plastik wrote: »

D1 to Shankill was ok at 4pm but from Shankill on to Bray was all over the place. As others have mentioned, the wind this evening is everywhere - head, tail, side all in the space of seconds. You've no way of preempting what it's going to do. A lot of debris from trees in the cycle lanes, wheelie bin in the middle of the Rock Road, other various random objects in strange places.

Enjoyed it though. Something satisfying about cycling in that weather. Probably not for the faint hearted or nervy cyclist though and if you're that way inclined best to take another way home.

Did you hare by me at Donnybrook lights in shorts?
About 4:20, white bike.

Chips Lovell · 17-11-2015 07:08PM

Managed it alright until I punctured 500m from home.

C3PO · 17-11-2015 07:09PM

Well that was the "ropiest" commute I've ever had .... Ballsbridge to Shankill with some really scary gusts .... got blown way off line on a couple of occasions! At least the wind was mainly helping me but swirling in all directions in the gusts. I'd give it a miss unless you're like some of the "real men" earlier in the thread!!

All My Stars Aligned · 17-11-2015 07:10PM

So your saying I shouldn't use the solid disk wheel tonight then, right???

well spoken man · 17-11-2015 07:10PM

Get the bus if u can....its violent out there...

Alanstrainor · 17-11-2015 07:11PM

Yeah feck that for a game of cowboys. Cycled from fairview southside across the Samuel beckett bridge and abandoned ship at Mount street/love Lane. It's beyond crazy out there and cars were passing extremely close all considered.

Despite my initial pravado I'd definitely find an alternate way home if at all possible.

Plastik · 17-11-2015 07:11PM

Planet X wrote: »

Did you hare by me at Donnybrook lights in shorts?
About 4:20, white bike.

Not sure I hared by anyone this evening TBH, but no, I went via Ballsbridge/Rock Road not Donnybrook/N11.

C3PO · 17-11-2015 07:12PM

Plastik wrote: »

D1 to Shankill was ok at 4pm but from Shankill on to Bray was all over the place. As others have mentioned, the wind this evening is everywhere - head, tail, side all in the space of seconds. You've no way of preempting what it's going to do. A lot of debris from trees in the cycle lanes, wheelie bin in the middle of the Rock Road, other various random objects in strange places.

Enjoyed it though. Something satisfying about cycling in that weather. Probably not for the faint hearted or nervy cyclist though and if you're that way inclined best to take another way home.

Nearly hit that wheelie bin myself!!

Beasty · 17-11-2015 07:12PM

Had to rescue a "Man of the Ras" on the way home this evening. Stopped when I saw him carrying his bike along the hard shoulder of the Old N1. Was going to advise him to HTFU but decided not to as he was pleading his smashed-up RD meant he had to walk. Now I don't want anyone to suggest his "mechanical" was in any way "self-inflicted":pac:

(I'm guessing he may well have caught something blowing into the drivetrain)

Beasty · 17-11-2015 07:14PM

Sustained winds are generally predictable. The problem tonight is the fact it's gusting so much meaning you need to have your wits about you pretty much all the time (and that's in the car!!!)

eeeee · 17-11-2015 07:19PM

It's the gusts that make it so shyte! Heavy headwinds are fine, miserable but fine. The gusts this evening just kept trying to take the wheel out from under me. They're not predictable. Was definitely looking for a few extra kilo's toady :pac:

On a side note the doors are banging at home even though all the windows are closed…:eek: Really not looking forward to going out again, two feet or not ugh!

fillup · 17-11-2015 07:21PM

Made it home in one piece.

I walked across East Link and it was still a tough job to stop the wind blowing the bike out of my hands and into the traffic.

I also walked some of the East Wall. It was too hairy to risk it.

Lots of sh1t and debris flying about.

One of the worst spins home in about 20 years of cycling in Dublin.

No shame in sitting this one out folks and to <snip>.

Alanbt · 17-11-2015 07:27PM

I made it home ok but some gusts were worrying. Approaching junctions or gaps between large buildings seemed to be the worst spots.
Cycle further than usual from the kerb if possible to avoid being thrown onto the path with a sudden gust

P_1 · 17-11-2015 07:29PM

Made it home today before it got bad, all the same was glad I was on the heavy pig bike in it rather than the light fancy one

Beasty · 17-11-2015 07:31PM

I've deleted a number of posts, but will be showing no further leniency to anyone posting any more abusive comments. Any questions PM me - do not respond to this warning in-thread

Utdfan20titles · 17-11-2015 07:31PM

fillup wrote: »

think i'll be dismounting going over the East Link this evening so - Thanks lads!

You're supposed to dismount on the East Link anyway, regardless of the weather!

retalivity · 17-11-2015 07:32PM

Decided to risk it and cycled from ballsbridge to kilmainham.pembroke rd and baggot st was crazy, guy in front of me fighting the bike to try and stay upright. On the canal was ok, stuck to the bike lane at a slow pace and didnt overtake many. Some of the junctions were pretty hairy.

Saw plenty of people step off the bikes as it was getting too dangerous. And there is debris everywhere

aquinn · 17-11-2015 07:34PM

Utdfan20titles wrote:

You're supposed to dismount on the East Link anyway, regardless of the weather!

Are you? Why is there a cycle path a few foot before and after barrier?

Utdfan20titles · 17-11-2015 07:38PM

aquinn wrote: »

Are you? Why is there a cycle path a few foot before and after barrier?

No idea.
Why is there a sign saying Cyclists must dismount when crossing bridge?

Plastik · 17-11-2015 07:40PM

The sign has no legal standing. Cycle at will.

/fact

flended12 · 17-11-2015 07:45PM

Cycled in to work (tallaght to city centre)
Homeward journey was nightmare. Strong winds are ****e but bearable. The gusts were disaster.

Out of safety got halfway home and got a lift rest of the way as tallaght is one of the windiest spots. Christ on a rickety proverbial bike!

godtabh · 17-11-2015 07:46PM

Lads if you havent already make alternative means of getting home. Saw some lad get blown in the a busy traffic lane from a bike path

Idleater · 17-11-2015 08:00PM

Got home safe and sound - directly west. Had a couple of drafters and the "single speed" probably wasn't the best choice today.

Hmmzis · 17-11-2015 08:02PM

The gusts were unpleasant, deffo not a night for deep sections. The worst bit was that they were all over the place and unpredictable. On my short 25min commute I got headwind, tailwind and crosswinds from both the left and right.

ImThatGuy · 17-11-2015 08:11PM

The wind wasn't the worst but the gusts were insane, nearly got fully stopped on the canal cycle lane and got blown out in front of a (thankfully) cautious jeep driver, even trying to put my foot down I was still getting pushed outwards. :eek:

ted1 · 17-11-2015 08:13PM

Should have cycled , yhe DART stopped at Dalkey then the misses came to collect me, then we got a puncture on killiney hill which I had to change I the dark and you need a PHD in physics to release the spate whee in the grand scenic. Did I mention that there was a 5 month old a 4 year old and a 6 year old all going mad in the car while I changed the wheel

Faith+1 · 17-11-2015 08:16PM

ted1 wrote: »

Should have cycled , yhe DART stopped at Dalkey then the misses came to collect me, then we got a puncture on killiney hill which I had to change I the dark and you need a PHD in physics to release the spate whee in the grand scenic. Did I mention that there was a 5 month old a 4 year old and a 6 year old all going mad in the car while I changed the wheel

Poor b*stard....

Kaisr Sose · 17-11-2015 08:16PM

Caution
Large tree down on Aylesbury road (snapped at base - some 60/80 cm thick!). Nothing hit but seriously large tree! Also large branch blocking Shrewsbury road. Avoid! Skilled as we are, if something falls we have no protection

That said, I enjoyed my cycle up to Stepaside. Nice and mild :-) Vicious wind from Beacon to Stillorgan Luas. Funnelled all the way down by the apts. Watch if you are coming along from Kilmacud! Pedestrians struggling to stand.

Debris everywhere on killgobbin and Enniskerry Rds. Stay out from the gutter/margin.

Rogue-Trooper · 17-11-2015 08:16PM

Rogue-Trooper wrote: »

Saw a guy on a hybrid blown sideways into a parked 4x4 on Grand Canal Street earlier. He recovered and then went on to cycle through a red light so I presume it was some sort of pre-karma thing.

Was on a Dublin bike earlier so had a weight advantage but will be venturing out shortly on the road bike to head home. It's a tail wind most of the way so hoping for a PB......

If it gets scary I'll call it a day but I'll suck it and see.

Made it home in one piece. As others have said, it's the side-winds you need to watch out for.

Ended up walking the bike when I left work until I was clear of the tall buildings as the wind-tunnel effect is mental. It was hard to stay upright at times. Once on the road it was mostly ok but you need your wits about you at open junctions where the gusts can catch you out. The tail wind from Clontarf to Sutton was fun and I stayed on the cycle path (except for the stupid road works obviously) as it was the sensible thing to do.

The big LED road sign at the turn for Baldoyle on the coast road (at The Elphin pub) has been blown over so that will give you an idea of the strength of the wind.

My advice would be to plan your journey. If you are mostly with the wind you should be ok. If you are side-on, forget it. If it's a headwind for you and you are up for some resistance training then go for it. Anyone that's nervy or unsure, play it safe and get the bus. Either way, take care and stay safe - there's no shame in walking your bike on a night like this.

Chips Lovell · 17-11-2015 08:18PM

There was a good few brave souls cycling without lights tonight.

Is it safe to cycle home this evening...

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