Tell us about your new improved government regulations compliant cycle part II

CramCycle · 03-08-2020 9:00pm

secman wrote: »

A short recovery spin this evening which involved trying to reduce cadence. Up to Kilmuckridge, down to morricastle and back to Kilmuckridge out to main road past Wells house and down 2nd turn for Kilmuckridge, along coast road to Ballygarrett, left at Pegs bar to Killenagh and back home. 41.5 km avg 28.1kph 289 meters. Worked on reducing my cadence which apparently is very high. Must get a cadence sensor to assist me.

Do you know what it is roughly? My experience is typically Irish riders have insanely low cadence, and have never seen anyone on the road who should reduce it. Alot of riders are in the 60 to 80 range, I stay up above 100 where I can and have no issues with tipping along at 120 without issue. If your comfy and you can handle it, the higher the cadence you can manage the better would be my opinion. Spin it to win it as they say.

Eamonnator · 03-08-2020 9:01pm

@positron
The original and full size statue of Cuchulainn, that I posted, is in the G.P.O. on O'Connell Street in Dublin.
I learned about Cuchulainn, Ferdia etc. in school.
Ardee in Irish translates as the Ford of Ferdia. The statue you posted is just metres from the river.
As a matter of interest, did I meet you on the Donore Road, near the Thatch, this morning at about 9.05am? I was in a group of 7, heading out of town.

secman · 03-08-2020 9:07pm

shaveAbullock wrote: »

The variance in cadence is so different for everyone I don't see how yours is too high unless you are going really insane with it.

Its been ssid to me by quite a few people over the last couple of months , mostly that's its high, but on Sunday one of the lads told me it was wsy too high and and that i should work on paring it back a bit.

secman · 03-08-2020 9:19pm

CramCycle wrote: »

Do you know what it is roughly? My experience is typically Irish riders have insanely low cadence, and have never seen anyone on the road who should reduce it. Alot of riders are in the 60 to 80 range, I stay up above 100 where I can and have no issues with tipping along at 120 without issue. If your comfy and you can handle it, the higher the cadence you can manage the better would be my opinion. Spin it to win it as they say.

Going to get a cadence sensor tosee what it is but the racers in the club reckon its ar least 100 but probably near to 120. One of the lads on Sunday said its way too high ?

magicbastarder · 03-08-2020 9:34pm

too high for what? if it works for you..

Weepsie · 03-08-2020 10:20pm

Yeah, I'd have been meaning to the high cadence is good and these people don't have a motion what they're on about.

03-08-2020 10:30pm

Weepsie wrote: »

Yeah, I'd have been meaning to the high cadence is good and these people don't have a motion what they're on about.

I don't race and would 100% agree with you. Theres a reason pro's target a high cadence vs a lower one in a harder gear. I'll see if I can find a piece I read a few years ago on cadence.

a148pro · 03-08-2020 10:34pm

Pretty sure there's a táin trail, if not more than one, one possibly in the Cooley and one from Roscommon over. Might be worth a cycle also?

I gather several of the places mentioned in the epic are identifiable, by modern place names or features, or both.

fat bloke · 03-08-2020 10:39pm

Rattled down the N81 to Donard and on to Sliabh Maun, Elliot, Laragh and back the usual Glenmacnass to Sally gap, featherbeds and home.
Started out a bit later than we usually did and the huge increase in traffic later in the day made it an entirely different spin from sort of Glenmalure home. Lots and lots of cars, and remarkably few cyclists actually.

wheelo01 · 03-08-2020 11:03pm

Did a short enough spin yesterday - 38km at an average of 28.9 which is about 5/6 kph up on my more recent spins up the hills.
Drimnagh, Navan Road, Clonee, Lucan and back home again.
Really warm once the rain stopped.

https://www.strava.com/activities/3853018573

05-08-2020 10:54pm

80k with 900 climbing at 29.1 kph. Absolutely glorious, warm evening for a spin around Cork.

magicbastarder · 05-08-2020 11:26pm

cycling on the ashbourne-swords road this evening, a reasonably big branch broke off a tree less than 100m in front of me. i assumed it was some idiot lopping the tree till i passed it. thankfully it landed almost entirely on the footpath, so i'd not have been in much danger regardless.

Kevhog1988 · 05-08-2020 11:28pm

Was outside my comfort zone for a good bit of this but picked up a good few prs. Lost my pump, bottle and got a fecking puncture tho. Spin out of town was very leisurely.

Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/dGzWE8vkI8

velo.2010 · 06-08-2020 9:35pm

I failed in my attempt to summit Mount Leinster today. Had the legs but didn't have the grip in very wet conditions up there. Poor visability too. I managed to stay seated to within 200-300m from the top, when the road became so steep I just had to get out of the saddle — cue the wheel slip. I came to a halt and couldn't get going again. I was like Bambi on ice trying to remount; it was too sketchy to continue. Disc brakes would have come in handy on the descent down to the access gate... I'll say no more.

After descending back to the viewing point, I headed down into Borris and came back up that way to the viewing point before heading back down to Bunclody. Barely 60km but with 1100m of climbing. I think I reached a height of about 750m on Mount Leinster before having to turn back. Hopefully, I'll get a chance to get down there and try again in dry conditions before the season changes. Gearing was 36/30 — I think a compact would be sensible but doubt it would have made any difference in those conditions today.

The Blackstairs mountains are beautiful BTW. Well worth exploring in the car and by foot as well as the bike.

secman · 06-08-2020 11:46pm

Headed out to blessington, met fellow boardsie Jimm, turned towards Naas, at the T junction Jimm took a right for Kilteel, we took left towards Punchestown, took a right turn heading to Rathcoole, eventually , Saggart and back home. 57 km avg 28.6kph 475 meters up.

Seth Brundle · 07-08-2020 2:07pm

Haven't done much in the last fortnight due to a family bereavement. Headed out along some back roads around Meath yesterday evening taking in Dunboyne, Batterstown, Drumree, Kilcock & Kilcloon).
First spin in a while where there was no agressive traffic which made a lovely change (it was very warm though).
https://www.strava.com/activities/3874396137

CramCycle · 07-08-2020 4:50pm

secman wrote: »

Going to get a cadence sensor tosee what it is but the racers in the club reckon its ar least 100 but probably near to 120. One of the lads on Sunday said its way too high ?

One of the lads is wrong. 100 isn't too fast, in fact most coaches would be giving out to you for going slower.

MojoMaker · 07-08-2020 7:17pm

What's your build secman? Everyone has a natural range that they fall into so there's no right or wrong answer/figure. Jan Ullrich was a very successful cyclist with a relatively slow piston-like road cadence, generating high power with each pedal stroke.

Never heard someone being collared for having too high a cadence though, unless you're bouncing about the place and distracting the rest of the group. Are you sure there isn't a bit of peer envy going on there? "for God's sake dial it back there lad, you're making the rest of us look bad....." etc :pac:

07-08-2020 8:34pm

CramCycle wrote: »

Do you know what it is roughly? My experience is typically Irish riders have insanely low cadence, and have never seen anyone on the road who should reduce it. Alot of riders are in the 60 to 80 range, I stay up above 100 where I can and have no issues with tipping along at 120 without issue. If your comfy and you can handle it, the higher the cadence you can manage the better would be my opinion. Spin it to win it as they say.

Interesting! I doubt I have been out of the big ring more than three times this year and I know I have a very low cadence. Even on fairly steep hills I stay in the big ring and prefer to grind rather than spin. It's probably a bad habit that I need to look into.

Seth Brundle · 07-08-2020 9:54pm

Took a short spin from Leixlip to Newcastle & Ardclough.
Ended up rear ending a car at Hazlehatch canal bridge that stopped suddenly - some muppet reversed out from a towpath in front of the woman in front of me and she had to jam on - I hadn't time to stop.
My front wheel hit her bumper, bike pivoted upwards and my helmet smacked off her rear window and the back of the bike spun around whilst up in the air.
Looking at the videos, it was fairly predictable but as I was starting off (as the light just went green) and going somewhat uphill, I must have been looking down and missed what was coming.
The rear wheel managed to pop out, presumably when it came back down. Both wheels were true and rotating fine afterwards.
Anyhow the bike and helmet both appear to be fine now. Coming down Athgoe hill a short while later, doing over 60km/h, the bike felt good

https://strava.app.link/g93QCiUwL8

Weepsie · 07-08-2020 11:33pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Interesting! I doubt I have been out of the big ring more than three times this year and I know I have a very low cadence. Even on fairly steep hills I stay in the big ring and prefer to grind rather than spin. It's probably a bad habit that I need to look into.

Your knees will thank you in a few years time

magicbastarder · 08-08-2020 12:12am

going by dancinpant's previous posting in this thread, s/he is fit enough anyway. possibly that's their comfort zone, but i'd go to the small ring many times on a hilly climb.

secman · 08-08-2020 6:47am

MojoMaker wrote: »

What's your build secman? Everyone has a natural range that they fall into so there's no right or wrong answer/figure. Jan Ullrich was a very successful cyclist with a relatively slow piston-like road cadence, generating high power with each pedal stroke.

Never heard someone being collared for having too high a cadence though, unless you're bouncing about the place and distracting the rest of the group. Are you sure there isn't a bit of peer envy going on there? "for God's sake dial it back there lad, you're making the rest of us look bad....." etc :pac:

I'm far from being aero

. Stocky, 5ft 7 and a bit , was down to 85kg but probably a tad over now.
Hitting 63 this month, so no spring chicken either. Being going out with some x racers lately having being encouraged by the leader of the tourers group. In fairness a lot of their comments were about how high it was and seemed positive. But last Sunday a current racer came out with us and he said to me that it was too high. Have been busy ao haven't managed to get a cadence sensor yet.

dahat · 08-08-2020 8:01am

I'd pay little attention to the high cadence comment being honest. It's worked well for you so far so why change?

Deano12345 · 08-08-2020 9:44am

Got a quick 20k in around Dunboyne this morning before a busy day.

Wore a helmet that I haven’t worn in about 2 months and turns out I’ve lost some weight from my face, had to tighten the chin strap!

wheelo01 · 08-08-2020 2:33pm

Got out for a tough 77km yesterday, it was very warm, and I'm a sweaty creature at the best of times, but I was in puddles.
Anyhow, managed to cramp up both legs (upper and lower) all at once, a new record for me.

Drimnagh, Tallaght, N81 to Blessington, loop of the lakes and home again.
Glad I didn't take the right at Manor Kilbride, to return by Kilbride and Ballinascorney ~ I'd have been still there.

:https://strava.app.link/EvPtdmxGM8

Seth Brundle · 08-08-2020 4:12pm

Gave the usual club Saturday spin a miss partly due to the new lockdown affecting me and partly because I was at a funeral during the week where people were coming up and shaking hands & hugging us (despite us saying no :rolleyes:).
Anyway, I went off around Kildare passing through Maynooth, Staplestown, Coill Dubh, Rathangan, Kildare, Manor Kilbride and Ardclough before returning to Leixlip.
Managed to drink about 3 litres of water in total, given the heat.
Popped into the cycle cafe in Ballymore Eustace. Nice spot and the owner was nice and chatty.
I've never been in it before today but I'd recommend it!
They charged up my phone which was good of them (Google services is draining the battery within a short time).
118km @ 27.7 with 545m
Absolutely knackered now though!

https://strava.app.link/5acyL41NM8

secman · 08-08-2020 4:15pm

Missed the club spin this morning , just did a little coastal spin around Ballygarrett, Kilmuckridge, Morriscastle etc. Rectangles and squares

54km avg 28.3 kph 450 meters. Cadence , just checked it about 4 ocassions approx 100ish

magicbastarder · 08-08-2020 5:35pm

beautiful day for it today. swung out from coolquay up through duleek to donore, back via balrath, skryne, ratoath and hollystown.

puddles22 · 08-08-2020 6:06pm

my longest run yet 113k , well tired but well happy

https://www.strava.com/activities/3882981469

Wishbone Ash · 08-08-2020 6:28pm

puddles22 wrote: »

my longest run yet 113k ...

FFS...I opened your link expecting to see a triple marathon. Disappointed now.

retalivity · 08-08-2020 7:37pm

Almost 70k from Dublin cc out to the Guinness Lake via cruagh, featherbeds and sally gap, back via ballinastoe and enniskerry.

No looking at the watch to see speed, power,hr, timing myself on climbs or pushing a bit harder - just a day to enjoy cycling, as its rare that we get one as beautiful as today. (still got a heap of PRs as i was on roads i've not been on in years and am a bit leaner than the last time I was on them :P)

https://www.strava.com/activities/3884086325/

Wishbone Ash · 08-08-2020 11:26pm

secman wrote: »

Missed the club spin this morning , just did a little coastal spin around Ballygarrett, Kilmuckridge, Morriscastle etc. Rectangles and squares 54km avg 28.3 kph 450 meters. Cadence , just checked it about 4 ocassions approx 100ish

Don't get overfocussed on cadence. For a while I tried to adjust my cycling to fit in with what others told me I was doing wrong - cadence way too low, change gear according to HR, not drinking enough blah, blah. blah.

It totally fcuked up my cycling so I got rid of the monitors and stopped listening to the 'experts' and went back to what worked for me - i.e. low cadence, minimal hydration, listen to my body, not a monitor etc.

I've noticed that ex-runners in my club tend to have a much higher cadence than average - I don't know how they enjoy a cycle spinning so much but each to their own - like driving a car on a motorway in 3rd gear! Thankfully, to date, I've never had any knee trouble. (I realise of course that you are much faster than me so that may explain the difference).

Enduro · 09-08-2020 12:16am

Deleted User wrote: »

Interesting! I doubt I have been out of the big ring more than three times this year and I know I have a very low cadence. Even on fairly steep hills I stay in the big ring and prefer to grind rather than spin. It's probably a bad habit that I need to look into.

Hello cycling twin! Some of us just get into the grinding habit I think. It is what it is.

Today I headed out and made my way up Balinascorney, left at stone cross and on up. Down past Kilbride shooting range, and on straight. Then down over the liffey, and up around the arse end of Sorrell hill for a grand view of the lakes,and flying down to Lacken, Left there and round the eastern lakeshore, then left and up over the Wicklow Gap. From there down to Laragh, then up past Glenmacnass, sallygap, lough Bray, and back along the military road. Right up into Glencullen, final left a JFs for the last little climb before descending back down to the suburbs.

Distance : no idea
Climb : no idea
food: none
liquids : none
time : 5 hours

Big ring all the way. Nuts, but sure why not. fabulous day when the sun was out.

Wishbone, I'm very much a current runner, but the opposite of your runner mates.

secman · 09-08-2020 2:06pm

Headed into Gorey for club spin, Carnew, Tinahealy, Aughrim, woodenbridge,Arklow and back to Gorey. 91 km avg 30.5kph 741 meters
Cool down spin home 15km avg 26.5 kph 91 meters.
Fit for a Cocoa and a nap now:)
But herself needs her garden centre fix

G1032 · 09-08-2020 3:18pm

Got a free pass for the day yesterday so headed off for a long spin.
Decided a few weeks ago I'm not going racing this year but set another few goals, one of which was to do a 200km spin (something I never did before).

The stats;
214.7km, 1578m, 27.4km/hr, 91 avg cadence
4L water
6 nutri grain chocolate bakes
1 panini with a coffee
1 snickers

Moving time was 7hrs 50 minutes but stopped twice. Once for water top up (10 minutes) and again for lunch (40 minutes). So all in all was gone for 8hrs 40mins.

A bit of talk here lately re cadence. My 91 average means I'd have turned the cranks over 40,000 times ðŸ™ˆ

D13exile · 09-08-2020 6:16pm

Got a new saddle on the bike yesterday during a bike refit as I’ve never ever gotten comfortable during the time I’ve been cycling (over 7 years now on 3 different saddles). So off I went this morning with the new saddle from Clane-Kill-straffan-Maynooth-Mullagh-Summerhill-Kilcock and home. 73kms in 2hrs 30mins.

It was pure fecking agonyðŸ˜±. I started to feel the new saddle hurting after just 5kms. No matter how I shifted position it was uncomfortable. I persisted but at the 40km mark I had to stop (And I never stop on spins) as my ass was on fire with pain. Instant relief once off the bike. A few minutes walking got rid of the pain and so I got back on the bike but within a few kms it was as bad as ever. Tried cycling standing up but once seated again, oh sweet Jesus, the pain. The saddle I took off yesterday used to make me feel numb and uncomfortable but this new one is awful. I know it’s new, it may need breaking in and I had a sit bone test and fit yesterday with it. The read out says I’m putting less pressure on my sit bones with this one over my previous saddle but I beg to flipping differ!!! It wasn’t just the sit bones but the man bits too felt a lot of pressure which my last saddle didn’t affect. Good job I don’t want any more kids!!! I’ll give it a few more spins over shorter distances this week but I think it’ll be coming off. It’s bloody annoying that I just can’t get comfortable on the bike, as in I have never ever been pain free despite bike fits. I can maintain 33kph+ without even breathing hard but I can’t enjoy the cycle as my concentration is all on the saddle and how it’s torturing me (and I am not exaggerating!!!)

wirelessdude01 · 09-08-2020 6:23pm

D13exile wrote: »

Got a new saddle on the bike yesterday during a bike refit as I’ve never ever gotten comfortable during the time I’ve been cycling (over 7 years now on 3 different saddles). So off I went this morning with the new saddle from Clane-Kill-straffan-Maynooth-Mullagh-Summerhill-Kilcock and home. 73kms in 2hrs 30mins.

It was pure fecking agonyðŸ˜±. I started to feel the new saddle hurting after just 5kms. No matter how I shifted position it was uncomfortable. I persisted but at the 40km mark I had to stop (And I never stop on spins) as my ass was on fire with pain. Instant relief once off the bike. A few minutes walking got rid of the pain and so I got back on the bike but within a few kms it was as bad as ever. Tried cycling standing up but once seated again, oh sweet Jesus, the pain. The saddle I took off yesterday used to make me feel numb and uncomfortable but this new one is awful. I know it’s new, it may need breaking in and I had a sit bone test and fit yesterday with it. The read out says I’m putting less pressure on my sit bones with this one over my previous saddle but I beg to flipping differ!!! It wasn’t just the sit bones but the man bits too felt a lot of pressure which my last saddle didn’t affect. Good job I don’t want any more kids!!! I’ll give it a few more spins over shorter distances this week but I think it’ll be coming off. It’s bloody annoying that I just can’t get comfortable on the bike, as in I have never ever been pain free despite bike fits. I can maintain 33kph+ without even breathing hard but I can’t enjoy the cycle as my concentration is all on the saddle and how it’s torturing me (and I am not exaggerating!!!)

What are the saddles you have tried?

D13exile · 09-08-2020 6:37pm

wirelessdude01 wrote: »

What are the saddles you have tried?

The original Bontrager that came with my Trek, a Brooks leather one and a Selle Italia. The bike fitter put a Gebiomized on it yesterday.

wirelessdude01 · 09-08-2020 6:41pm

D13exile wrote: »

The original Bontrager that came with my Trek, a Brooks leather one and a Selle Italia. The bike fitter put a Gebiomized on it yesterday.

When i got my bike fit done he recommended a Selle SMP one for me. Took his own one of his bike and stuck it on mine to show me. Wasn't trying to upsell in the shop connected as they didn't stick them. It's like sitting in an armchair for me. So comfortable.

G1032 · 09-08-2020 6:46pm

D13exile wrote: »

Got a new saddle on the bike yesterday during a bike refit as I’ve never ever gotten comfortable during the time I’ve been cycling (over 7 years now on 3 different saddles). So off I went this morning with the new saddle from Clane-Kill-straffan-Maynooth-Mullagh-Summerhill-Kilcock and home. 73kms in 2hrs 30mins.

It was pure fecking agonyðŸ˜±. I started to feel the new saddle hurting after just 5kms. No matter how I shifted position it was uncomfortable. I persisted but at the 40km mark I had to stop (And I never stop on spins) as my ass was on fire with pain. Instant relief once off the bike. A few minutes walking got rid of the pain and so I got back on the bike but within a few kms it was as bad as ever. Tried cycling standing up but once seated again, oh sweet Jesus, the pain. The saddle I took off yesterday used to make me feel numb and uncomfortable but this new one is awful. I know it’s new, it may need breaking in and I had a sit bone test and fit yesterday with it. The read out says I’m putting less pressure on my sit bones with this one over my previous saddle but I beg to flipping differ!!! It wasn’t just the sit bones but the man bits too felt a lot of pressure which my last saddle didn’t affect. Good job I don’t want any more kids!!! I’ll give it a few more spins over shorter distances this week but I think it’ll be coming off. It’s bloody annoying that I just can’t get comfortable on the bike, as in I have never ever been pain free despite bike fits. I can maintain 33kph+ without even breathing hard but I can’t enjoy the cycle as my concentration is all on the saddle and how it’s torturing me (and I am not exaggerating!!!)

Is the saddle position set too high? I know you said you've had bike fit done but no more than anything else there are good bike fitters and bad
If the saddle is too high you'll put huge pressure on the sit bones. Drop 5mm and see how you get on. Drop again after if you need to. Mark your current position in case dropping the saddle doesn't work for you

deconduo · 09-08-2020 8:10pm

Did my first 100k cycle today. Up and down the coast from Baldoyle to Malahide to Dun Laoghaire and back with 2 loops of Howth thrown in as well.

Shattered after it, but delighted with myself.

Plastik · 09-08-2020 9:19pm

Took this up over the Sally Gap today. 7 speed, 42x21 climbing gear, decided to take it the easy ascent up Glenmacnass! A different pace of cycling compared to constantly bating around on the race bike. All was going well until classic motoring symptom struck and the NDS crank fell off about 7km from the Gap!

And the ride, by the numbers

91km 56m
1011m 3316ft
28.2kph 17.5mph

puddles22 · 09-08-2020 9:27pm

Tis a great feeling once you get the first one hundred done alright , well done

deconduo wrote: »

Did my first 100k cycle today. Up and down the coast from Baldoyle to Malahide to Dun Laoghaire and back with 2 loops of Howth thrown in as well.

Shattered after it, but delighted with myself.

a148pro · 09-08-2020 9:44pm

Plastik wrote: »

Took this up over the Sally Gap today. 7 speed, 42x21 climbing gear

A thing of beauty. Bar tape is phenomenal.

Kevhog1988 · 09-08-2020 11:18pm

No weekend spin with the cycling club as I'm a Mexican now and can't cross the border into edenderry. Went with the cousin instead. Great spin

Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/KR4C0hrXO8

Kevhog1988 · 09-08-2020 11:18pm

No weekend spin with the cycling club as I'm a Mexican now and can't cross the border into edenderry. Went with the cousin instead. Great spin

Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/KR4C0hrXO8

dinneenp · 10-08-2020 11:52pm

On holidays in Dunmore East. 40km cycle to Waterford, Tramore and back to Dunmore East along the coast.
Always cycled in my own, this time with brother in law;makes an obvious difference with someone-keeps pace up, someone to chat to etc.
Did 50km reverse loop (&bit more yesterday), legs need a rest tomorrow
Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/Fp1wa4MEQ8

wheelo01 · 12-08-2020 7:57pm

Lovely conditions for a cycle today, maybe a little warm, but enjoyable nonetheless.
60km at 24kph with 674m climbing.
Drimnagh up to Tallaght, N81 to Blessington took first bridge over the lake, manor kilbride, Over Kippure, Ballinascorney, Tallaght, and back home again.

https://strava.app.link/5bBGWhlHT8

magicbastarder · 12-08-2020 8:58pm

wheelo01 wrote: »

Lovely conditions for a cycle today, maybe a little warm, but enjoyable nonetheless.

that was the sweatiest cycle i've had in a looong time.
plus, i ran out of fuel about 20km before the end.
and i mashed my shin into my pedal.
great to be out though.

Tell us about your new improved government regulations compliant cycle part II

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