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Tell us about your new improved government regulations compliant cycle part II
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Went on the doss today, just like being back in school. I told the boss I had to go to the dentist and high tailed it out the gate at lunch. It felt great 😂
Went up Bohernabreena, Ballinascorney and down by the firing range and then up the Sally gap. Curiosity got the better of me and I turned towards Kippure to see just how bad the road surface is. Well to be blunt, it's an absolute fückin disgrace. Whoever sanctioned that and then oversaw it being left like that needs to be ran. I wouldn't mind but there's glorious new asphalt beside it so I just don't get what the hell they're at.
Anyway, today was not a day for giving out. I had a grand leisurely spin down to Laragh and a very tasty slice of cake and coffee. Then took a ramble up Shay Elliot and back down before going back up the Gap. I love descending but I also love climbing with a bit of tailwind. That long drag up to the crossroads was great today. Got my rhythm going and pretended to myself that I really could climb. Went full Pantani out of the saddle and on the drops at one stage when a slow moving SUV went past and I jumped in to the draft. Bald head, big ears, 5'8"... The similarities end there though
Went back over Ballinascorney and down to the car and clocked in for 101km with 1700m climbed in 4:21@24kmh. Brilliant day out.
https://www.strava.com/activities/11011722700 -
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Attempted Drogheda - Buncrana today.
I have been kinda preparing for this since the idea came into my head in early June. At that time I could only ride 30k comfortably, 50k at a push, so 210k was a bit of an audax (audacious) to me personally. Training was simple enough. I slowly increase my Sunday morning rides slowly and the longest I could manage (barely) was around 110k, most of the rides were around 80k.
I set off early from Drogheda, and Google navigation took me over Hill of Rath road to get to Collon. I think there are better roads that that - Hill of Rath road is neither flat, nor good surfaced. Gave up on Google navigation after that and went with the route I know (N2, A5). And it rained non-stop. I kept going but didn't even make to Castleblaney before everything went wrong. Rear wheel puncture. I have only been riding 3 months and I have never had a puncture all this time, but I was kinda prepared - tyre levers, puncture patch kit, two spare tubes. On N2, raining hard, trucks flying by doing 100kmph, no shelter what so ever for miles ahead, I had no choice but to sort it out in that rain - absolute hell!! Anyway, wheel out, new tube in, tyre back on, pumped up - valve looks funny but holding pressure. Luckily a gentleman pulled over to see if I was okay. Turns out he's from Buncrana, where I am heading! He offered to drop me to Castleblaney or to nearest garage etc, but thick brained that I am said I will be alright. He takes off, I decided to pump up the tyre a bit more - and now the core is gone from the valve! WTF?!! I am starting to shake from cold at this stage. Right, new tube out, inflated old tube, found the tiny hole, tried my best to patch it but I was sure it wasn't going to work as rain kept pelting down and there was no shelter and nothing dry anywhere to wipe the tube dry. Tube goes back on tyre, pumped up and... tip of the valve missing. Now it dawns on me that while I bought all the stuff, I just don't have the knack to pump up the tyre, and I am wrecking the flimpsy presta valve every time I try. I decide to walk to Castleblaney, but I am shaking so much I can't get the wheel back in. I was in a right bind. Luckily, another man pulls over, checks if I am okay. By some miracle, he's also from Buncrana!!!! We load up the bike into the van, pop the heating on, hit the road, and find the bike shop in Monaghan. He offered to drive me right to Buncrana even, absolute gentleman and life saver! Thanks Davis!!
Bike gets a new tube at Monaghan (again super nice folks there), rain clears a bit and I am all warmed up and I hit the road again. This time everything went well. Stopped at Kellys Inn for a bite to eat and practically camped there for an hour until Mrs & kids caught up with me. Somewhat dry and back on road again, but only to get soaked by more rain. Over and again. By the time I got past Derry and made to Burnfoot, I was starting to hit the wall, thighs threatening to cramp etc. Just a few kms from my destination, I had to stop and top up with a Lucozade (works well, good to know as this will be useful for DCM), and picked up some strength and pedaled up the final hill that cars go up on 1st gear. Happy that I did this, although I wish it didn't rain so much, or knew how to use a portable pump correctly!!
TLDR; Overall about 180 kms in little over 7 hours. Parts of N2 not good, too many close passes. A5 relatively better. Humbled by the most kind, generous and decent folks that comes to your help when you most need it! That's really the highlight of this trip!
Photos:
Aughnacloy
Area of Spectacular Natural Beauty - Sperrins.. somewhere before Strabane.
View over Lough Swilly is worth all the effort
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Attempted Drogheda - Buncrana today.
I have been kinda preparing for this since the idea came into my head in early June. At that time I could only ride 30k comfortably, 50k at a push, so 210k was a bit of an audax (audacious) to me personally. Training was simple enough. I slowly increase my Sunday morning rides slowly and the longest I could manage (barely) was around 110k, most of the rides were around 80k.
I set off early from Drogheda, and Google navigation took me over Hill of Rath road to get to Collon. I think there are better roads that that - Hill of Rath road is neither flat, nor good surfaced. Gave up on Google navigation after that and went with the route I know (N2, A5). And it rained non-stop. I kept going but didn't even make to Castleblaney before everything went wrong. Rear wheel puncture. I have only been riding 3 months and I have never had a puncture all this time, but I was kinda prepared - tyre levers, puncture patch kit, two spare tubes. On N2, raining hard, trucks flying by doing 100kmph, no shelter what so ever for miles ahead, I had no choice but to sort it out in that rain - absolute hell!! Anyway, wheel out, new tube in, tyre back on, pumped up - valve looks funny but holding pressure. Luckily a gentleman pulled over to see if I was okay. Turns out he's from Buncrana, where I am heading! He offered to drop me to Castleblaney or to nearest garage etc, but thick brained that I am said I will be alright. He takes off, I decided to pump up the tyre a bit more - and now the core is gone from the valve! WTF?!! I am starting to shake from cold at this stage. Right, new tube out, inflated old tube, found the tiny hole, tried my best to patch it but I was sure it wasn't going to work as rain kept pelting down and there was no shelter and nothing dry anywhere to wipe the tube dry. Tube goes back on tyre, pumped up and... tip of the valve missing. Now it dawns on me that while I bought all the stuff, I just don't have the knack to pump up the tyre, and I am wrecking the flimpsy presta valve every time I try. I decide to walk to Castleblaney, but I am shaking so much I can't get the wheel back in. I was in a right bind. Luckily, another man pulls over, checks if I am okay. By some miracle, he's also from Buncrana!!!! We load up the bike into the van, pop the heating on, hit the road, and find the bike shop in Monaghan. He offered to drive me right to Buncrana even, absolute gentleman and life saver! Thanks Davis!!
Bike gets a new tube at Monaghan (again super nice folks there), rain clears a bit and I am all warmed up and I hit the road again. This time everything went well. Stopped at Kellys Inn for a bite to eat and practically camped there for an hour until Mrs & kids caught up with me. Somewhat dry and back on road again, but only to get soaked by more rain. Over and again. By the time I got past Derry and made to Burnfoot, I was starting to hit the wall, thighs threatening to cramp etc. Just a few kms from my destination, I had to stop and top up with a Lucozade (works well, good to know as this will be useful for DCM), and picked up some strength and pedaled up the final hill that cars go up on 1st gear. Happy that I did this, although I wish it didn't rain so much, or knew how to use a portable pump correctly!!
TLDR; Overall about 180 kms in little over 7 hours. Parts of N2 not good, too many close passes. A5 relatively better. Humbled by the most kind, generous and decent folks that comes to your help when you most need it! That's really the highlight of this trip!
Fair play to you for sticking it out. You planning on cycling back
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Jez positron you're inspiring to say the least. I'd be at a similar place to your 30km - 50km self at the minute. Have my 1st attempt at 100km on Sunday at the Meath Heritage. Luckily thats with the support that goes along with those events
Enjoy the holiday , I assume thats why you were heading to Buncrana.0 -
Deleted User wrote: »Jez positron you're inspiring to say the least. I'd be at a similar place to your 30km - 50km self at the minute. Have my 1st attempt at 100km on Sunday at the Meath Heritage. Luckily thats with the support that goes along with those events
Enjoy the holiday , I assume thats why you were heading to Buncrana.
Best of luck with your first 100k. I did my first full 100k a couple of months ago. I found that the mind is more likely to give up before the body does when training alone. The body will keep going. You'll be fine. 0 -
Well done man! Brought back memories of when I did 200k from Tipp to Kerry. Waterproof gear fell apart and I had to stop in Limerick to buy new gear on the way back.
To the uninitiated it probably looks like madness, but it was honestly a great experience in retrospect! 0 -
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Just Home for Ring of Clare 120km.
It's my first shot at above 80km in 2 years due to Health.
Have to say a very well run event.
But never have I ridden such a lumpy route. The flattest parts was km1 and Km120. There was no respite.
Reports from the 160 were it was the same.
Not lumpy...undulating
Did the 160, was very enjoyable but a decent challenge. First half into the gale was a bit gruelling but worth it for the great push home!0 -
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Change of pace from Road Spins today.
Took my 1990s Raleigh Outland that's at least a size too big for me and converted to Singlespeed and V-brakes some time ago and recently Ghetto Tubeless'd out to Maynooth via some of the Single track in the Phoenix Park and the Canal towpath, running 35psi in the back tyre.
I've been gradually building my confidence with short spins in the park but those two sections after the 12th lock provided imho the best test yet of my ghetto set up over rocks and roots and probably the first time I've gone through that section without stopping.
Unfortunately, as I'd left it late to head out I met a lot of pedestrians and my own personal protocol is to approach them at walking speed give a friendly hello and take off again once I was safely past them.
Stopped in that place with the back patio in Maynooth for a coffee and sandwich. Got a free refill of my coffee which is apparently a thing there now.
Blasted back and took on a few of the berms and short steep slopes in the Park on the way home and for once didn't choke on a single one.
Really satisfying day on a bike that's supposed to be my throwaway hack.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1107274407/shareable_images/map_based?hl=en-US&v=15013437500 -
Quick spin around Phoenix Park today. Pootling along on the cycle lane, turned a corner ..and saw a car coming directly for me! On the very clearly designated, green cycle lane with lots of pictures of bikes.
Myself and a chap from Orwell had a quiet word with her...possibly the most stupid bit of driving I've seen in my life
(Idiot not in picture)0 -
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120km ring of Clare yesterday. Longest spin post-accident. Four of us did it and we averaged 20.1kph. Slow, but not bad for a group of girls. That headwind for the first 60 was tough; and h-anger struck after 61 when I was expecting the food stop to be at 60 (it eventually came around 64). Had a dark patch at 85km, and a major thanks to the lads from the Burren Cycling club for letting me jump on their train for a few km to catch up with my friends.
Not a single flat bit in the route, couldn't even really enjoy the descents because I knew there was another hill coming
Great day all around. Long drive back to Dublin after it though!0 -
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Did the Tour of Meath 100km today. I had registered for the 160 but my buddy said he wasn't up to it and we decided to do the 100 instead. Got a text from him this morning at 7:50 to say he'd arrived early and changed his mind so off he went on the 160. Coward that he is, he knew I'd put the pain on him!!! 😂
So I rocked up to the 100 where met another man from This Parish and after a leisurely first few km I decided it was time to go. A gang of about 15-20 broke off and we set a good pace till the foodstop. I was happy with my banana in the pocket so I ploughed on with a couple of others. Now I don't mind taking my turn but myself and a chap from Cavan did the whole of the last 50 with absolutely no help from the others. Every time we pulled in to roll over they sat up and dropped back to single file.
Eventually one of them shot past at a Junction and I sucked his wheel for about 2 minutes before he started looking around. We hit the start of a small climb and myself and the Cavan man put in a sneaky dig and that was the end of that. The two of us rolled on home together and while I initially thought there was another guy up the road, after looking at the Flybys it seems he ended up behind us at the foodstop so I'm claiming victory in the 2017 tour
97km in 3:11@30.5 average speed
https://www.strava.com/activities/11086047290 -
Did the Tour of Meath 100km today. I had registered for the 160 but my buddy said he wasn't up to it and we decided to do the 100 instead. Got a text from him this morning at 7:50 to say he'd arrived early and changed his mind so off he went on the 160. Coward that he is, he knew I'd put the pain on him!!! 😂
So I rocked up to the 100 where met another man from This Parish and after a leisurely first few km I decided it was time to go. A gang of about 15-20 broke off and we set a good pace till the foodstop. I was happy with my banana in the pocket so I ploughed on with a couple of others. Now I don't mind taking my turn but myself and a chap from Cavan did the whole of the last 50 with absolutely no help from the others. Every time we pulled in to roll over they sat up and dropped back to single file.
Eventually one of them shot past at a Junction and I sucked his wheel for about 2 minutes before he started looking around. We hit the start of a small climb and myself and the Cavan man put in a sneaky dig and that was the end of that. The two of us rolled on home together and while I initially thought there was another guy up the road, after looking at the Flybys it seems he ended up behind us at the foodstop so I'm claiming victory in the 2017 tour
97km in 3:11@30.5 average speed
https://www.strava.com/activities/1108604729
I was one of them. I was riding a green propel with deep carbon rims. I was riding solo on my first sportive and got caught up thinking I was superman at those speeds hanging with the big guys in the breakaway. Thanks for the help and sorry for overly leaching
Check out my ride on Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/1108693051/shareable_images/map_based?hl=en-US&v=15014270660 -
Paul_Mc1988 wrote: »I was one of them. I was riding a green propel with deep carbon rims. I was riding solo on my first sportive and got caught up thinking I was superman at those speeds hanging with the big guys in the breakaway. Thanks for the help and sorry for overly leaching
Check out my ride on Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/1108693051/shareable_images/map_based?hl=en-US&v=1501427066
Nah, first half was grand and the bunch was big enough for all involved to cover but after the foodstop there was a smaller bunch ( no one on a Propel ) and I was left donkeying out front with one other fella.
TBH I was intent on pushing on at my own pace so if I got help then great and when I didn't I just put it down to riders not being used to riding in a group.
You didn't do to shabbily at all for someone at their first run at it. Three years ago it was my first sportive and I was in bits at the end of it 0 -
Nah, first half was grand and the bunch was big enough for all involved to cover but after the foodstop there was a smaller bunch ( no one on a Propel ) and I was left donkeying out front with one other fella.
TBH I was intent on pushing on at my own pace so if I got help then great and when I didn't I just put it down to riders not being used to riding in a group.
You didn't do to shabbily at all for someone at their first run at it. Three years ago it was my first sportive and I was in bits at the end of it
Thanks for the compliment and congrats on being first over the line, a great ride and well deserved for your effort
PS flyby says i only drafted for the first 50K after that yous left me for dust. But hey there's always next year 0 -
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