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

francois · 15-04-2019 9:26am

Surprisingly strong headwind inbound on the canal this morning, some gusts were causing wobbles

LollipopJimmy · 16-04-2019 9:45am

Commuting in this morning and was cruising along the cycle lane along the canal around Harold's Cross, I move out to overtake a guy on a Giant Hybrid and he puts the hammer down leaving me out in the driving lane, I just looked at him and asked ‘why?’ and he kind of laughed so I called him a twatwaffle and put the hammer down. Same twatwaffle then gets to the lights at Rathmines and barges his way to the front, gets a **** takeoff when the lights go green (going east on the canal this junction would have roughly 20 bikes stopped on red each sequence during rush hour) and delays everybody. Normally this wouldn’t irritate me but it did today.

ED E · 16-04-2019 1:53pm

^ Triathlete.

ED E · 16-04-2019 10:09pm

Out Saturday with a group I'm probably a little ahead of so felt good, wasn't really too taxing.

Today climbing up the Dublin Mtns and a youth member of the club blitzes me out of it during his hill repeats. Might be 16 or so. Solidly back to earth with me :rolleyes:

magicbastarder · 17-04-2019 2:46pm

lovely day for it. first incident of swallowing a fly for the year, too.
70km around NCD, 29km/h average.

Chris871 · 17-04-2019 4:57pm

Took a spin on the Mullingar-Athlone greenway this morning, drove to Mullingar so had to do it out and back. Really nice spin and great weather for it. 86km done at an average of 30.7km/h.

Mercian Pro · 17-04-2019 5:36pm

Chris871 wrote: »

Took a spin on the Mullingar-Athlone greenway this morning, drove to Mullingar so had to do it out and back. Really nice spin and great weather for it. 86km done at an average of 30.7km/h.

If you enjoyed that, try Mullingar to Longford on the Royal Canal Greenway. You won't manage as fast an average but it's a lot more scenic and you can always take the train back to Mullingar if you don't fancy the return spin.

Wishbone Ash · 17-04-2019 6:20pm

Chris871 wrote: »

Took a spin on the Mullingar-Athlone greenway this morning, drove to Mullingar so had to do it out and back. Really nice spin and great weather for it. 86km done at an average of 30.7km/h.

That's an impressive average for a greenway. I presume it's paved?

Chris871 · 17-04-2019 6:40pm

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

That's an impressive average for a greenway. I presume it's paved?

Yeah it’s all really nicely paved. Perfect surface.

Chris871 · 17-04-2019 10:53pm

Mercian Pro wrote: »

If you enjoyed that, try Mullingar to Longford on the Royal Canal Greenway. You won't manage as fast an average but it's a lot more scenic and you can always take the train back to Mullingar if you don't fancy the return spin.

I'll have to give that a try, is that route paved or part gravel?

secman · 17-04-2019 11:00pm

Spin out n81 to blessington , back around small lake to manor Kilbride, brittas, and home.
45 km avg 29.3 kph

Mercian Pro · 17-04-2019 11:07pm

Chris871 wrote: »

I'll have to give that a try, is that route paved or part gravel?

Mostly paved but some stretches are compacted quarry dust. Still fine to cycle on with 25mm tyres but a bit slower than tarmac.

wheelo01 · 17-04-2019 11:26pm

48 kilometres, average speed of 26kph, Navan road, Clonee, lucan, Newcastle, Rathcoole, and back to Drimnagh, very enjoyable spin.

https://strava.app.link/8nWKow0hYV

mr spuckler · 18-04-2019 9:40am

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

That's an impressive average for a greenway. I presume it's paved?

better surface than any road tbh, except for maybe a 1-2km stretch through the bog close to Athlone which is quarry dust.

positron · 18-04-2019 11:03am

Saw a bunch of cyclists on R150 (Duleek-Julianstown) with at least three support cars, ambulance etc , marshals etc looked like a well supported event - I was on a motorbike. I wonder what the event / sportive was?

magicbastarder · 18-04-2019 11:04am

positron wrote: »

I was on a motorbike.

and you weren't disqualified?

RobertFoster · 18-04-2019 1:32pm

positron wrote: »

Saw a bunch of cyclists on R150 (Duleek-Julianstown) with at least three support cars, ambulance etc , marshals etc looked like a well supported event - I was on a motorbike. I wonder what the event / sportive was?

When did you see them? The Coombes Connor Memorial race was there on Sunday, and the Swords CC club league was there last night.

Utter Consternation · 18-04-2019 2:36pm

Chris871 wrote: »

I'll have to give that a try, is that route paved or part gravel?

The surface is excellent. It's very flat and long though. It isn't the most interesting of Greenways, great if you want to put the foot down though.

smacl · 18-04-2019 2:37pm

Leisurely lunch time spin out to Enniskerry and back 32k @23.5kph. Glorious weather and great to be back in shorts. Roll on the summer! Gas comparing Strava's take on my rides over the last couple of days, today it reckoned I burned 1,396 calories for what was a pretty leisurely effort. Did a tough 17k of mostly off-road yesterday that had me gasping for air and having to get off and push a few times in about the same elapsed time for 812 calories. I need to find the section of the program where you explain to it about cycling uphill in mud and shale on a 15kg hybrid

ED E · 18-04-2019 3:05pm

smacl wrote: »

Leisurely lunch time spin out to Enniskerry and back 32k @23.5kph. Glorious weather and great to be back in shorts. Roll on the summer! Gas comparing Strava's take on my rides over the last couple of days, today it reckoned I burned 1,396 calories for what was a pretty leisurely effort. Did a tough 17k of mostly off-road yesterday that had me gasping for air and having to get off and push a few times in about the same elapsed time for 812 calories. I need to find the section of the program where you explain to it about cycling uphill in mud and shale on a 15kg hybrid

If you're recording with a GPS then Strava accepts its value and doesnt calculate its own.

smacl · 18-04-2019 3:22pm

ED E wrote: »

If you're recording with a GPS then Strava accepts its value and doesnt calculate its own.

Fair enough. Should probably think about wearing the HRM so.

ED E · 18-04-2019 3:46pm

Wahoo have a bug where if your zones are wrong it can upload negative calories. That rolls strava over and shows 65,000 kcal for the activity :pac:

Weepsie · 18-04-2019 5:48pm

In Girona for a day and a half. Did the Sant Hilari 125 loop I found on ourgirona site. First 80kms were a blast, next 20 where a slog but the run home was great. Never seen so many cyclists outside of a sportive, though I was pretty much the only solo one. I'm nearly sure there was a professional women's team at one of my coffee stops.

My route took me to a natural spring that gave sparkling water (around the 85km mark)

Scenery was incredible, drivers were brilliant and it was just a great if long day. Cannondale Synapse disc is super too.

Don't think I'll have the legs for the Rocacorba tomorrow so might just go and have a look.

www.strava.com/activities/2299589500

Plastik · 18-04-2019 8:48pm

It was time to bring press the steel back into action today for the commute. It's been a long winter without it. Bit of a re-familiarisation process this morning again with the non-indexed RD, but for the spin home I was completely immersed in the full analog glory of it. Not a pic from today!

North of 32 · 19-04-2019 11:50am

52km at 32.7kph yesterday. I pumped up my 25mm tires to just under 120psi to see what it feels like. Some of the bike paths in the area are cobblestones. A lot of unusual noises came from myself and my bike. I think I will reduce the pressure.

At one point I was doing a wind-assisted 40kph. A guy joined the bike path ahead of me on what looked like an ordinary hybrid with a mirror, panniers and the rider wearing jeans. He clocked me in his mirror and moved to the side of the path to accommodate my overtake. He need not have bothered. Despite my speed the guy was easing away from me, pedaling gently and my ego was taking some bruising. A short time later he took the scenic route, I guess because it was such a nice evening. He breezed by me when he rejoined the main route and I realised it was an 'S-Pedelec' (at least that's what they're called in Germany) with a number plate and 45-50mm tires. First time seeing one in real life. It was some machine - looked like great fun. I'd say he was doing close to 45 kph.

Chartsengrafs · 19-04-2019 12:11pm

Weepsie wrote: »

In Girona for a day and a half. Did the Sant Hilari 125 loop I found on ourgirona site.

www.strava.com/activities/2299589500

Snap! Here for three days, and on the same spec rental bike. Agree it’s very nice. Just grabbing a coffee on day 2. Plan is 105km with approx 1600 climbing. Solo today but did 75km on a bike shop spin yesterday, 36 in the group! Turned off at 55km to take in a few extra little hills solo. Some place in general.

brownian · 19-04-2019 12:41pm

Chartsengrafs wrote: »

Snap! Here for three days, and on the same spec rental bike. Agree it’s very nice. Just grabbing a coffee on day 2. Plan is 105km with approx 1600 climbing. Solo today but did 75km on a bike shop spin yesterday, 36 in the group! Turned off at 55km to take in a few extra little hills solo. Some place in general.

Just back from a winter there. While Sant Hilari and Rocacorba are both pretty nice, I think the real jewels are Mare del deu del Mont (18 km climb to a monastery on top of a hill, 120k round trip) and the 'Hincapie Loop' a 75k fun-day that takes in Els Angels (the local 3-rock), Santa Pellaia (the way back over the Els Angels hills), the lovely coffee village of Monells, and as much 'extra km' goodies as you want, by going East in search of more lovely old villages (La Pera, Peracallada, Ullastret, Pubol, Rupia...).

The 'big day' option is Rocacorba + Mare del deu del Mont (130k, 2400m); masochists can also tag on Els Angels to push towards 200k and 3000).

The shop ride with Bike Breaks (Thursdays) is to be recommended, as are their rental bikes and those of the bike hire place beside the railway station.

positron · 19-04-2019 12:59pm

RobertFoster wrote: »

When did you see them? The Coombes Connor Memorial race was there on Sunday, and the Swords CC club league was there last night.

It was around 7:20 in the evening. Perhaps it was Swords CC club league - plenty of support cars & an ambulance, if that's normal for club league race(?)/sportive(?)

Weepsie · 19-04-2019 2:24pm

Girona day 2. Just el angels and a loop back. Had I left earlier and known my train was later than I thought I'd have pushed for the 100.

https://www.strava.com/activities/2301653402

Was passed by an Israel Academy? Pro being motor paced.

I'll be coming back for a week some time.

RobertFoster · 19-04-2019 3:11pm

positron wrote: »

It was around 7:20 in the evening. Perhaps it was Swords CC club league - plenty of support cars & an ambulance, if that's normal for club league race(?)/sportive(?)

Yeah 7:20 pm on Wednesday was a club league race. The marshals, lead cars, and ambulance are fairly normal.

NamelessPhil · 19-04-2019 4:35pm

Currently sitting in Sean Kelly Square in Carrick-on-Suir. 177km of a 400 done. I left the Stephen Roche monument in Dundrum at 6am, cycled down here via the Shay Elliott, Carnew, New Ross and Mullinavat. I still hate Kilkenny hills...

It's a fabulous day on the bike, no wind and eternal sunshine.

Now I've just got to get back to Dublin via Thomastown, Kiltealy, Enniscorthy and back up the Coast Road through Arklow. It'll be sometime tomorrow morning by the time I see my bed.

ED E · 19-04-2019 5:59pm

Phil, you're insane

The Green Team will understand. No shortcuts.

NamelessPhil · 19-04-2019 7:06pm

Any excuse to eat ice-cream! The first 99 of the year has been consumed in Thomastown!

positron · 19-04-2019 8:56pm

Fare play NamelessPhil, sounds like another epic ride in the making. Much respect!

Got out for a spin for the first time in a long time, and what a beautiful day it was!! Headed north from Drogheda without any route in mind and happy to get lost in the countryside, which I did - and to top that up, a van pulled over and asked me for directions!! Luckily I was able to help as I had past that village 30 mins ago. Felt like the good old days of before GPS and robotic voice prompts. Drogheda-Baltray-Termonfekkin-Clogherhead-Anagassan-Castlebellingham-Strabannan-towards Tinnure but somehow ended up back on R132-Oldbridge-back. Also had the first tumble ever - forgot to unclip the pedals while marveling the curious looking "fairy mounds" at Baltray. Luckily only minor scrapes and there were no onlookers, so ego intact as well.. well, almost.

I have always known that you don't have to go to Spain, France or Switzerland for amazing scenery (although it does help), as we have plenty of that here in the west, up north, or south of Dublin etc. But I was wrong. You don't even have to go that far for beautiful scenic rides - Co Louth & Meath has plenty of it. Rolling hills, beautiful ocean views, nice-ish roads, enough places to get a bite or coffee. Okay, it might only last a few Tuesdays a year - but on the other hand you can get out and ride without any pre-panning what so ever and still have a great couple of hours on the bike. Also, so many beautiful houses and well manicured gardens... slightly jealous coming back to my house in an estate full of similar houses..!

Approx 77k, glacial avg speed of 23kmph etc
https://www.strava.com/activities/2302533314

19-04-2019 9:09pm

We were out that way ourselves early this morning , didn't go as far as you though, swung left after Clogherhead and left again and back in via Togher and Sandpit.

Definitely a few options for routes out that way.

LRNM · 19-04-2019 9:38pm

Bee's. Lots and lots of bee's swarming across the road as I cycled. Thousands of them.

Shat my pants.

Wishbone Ash · 19-04-2019 11:22pm

positron wrote: »

..Baltray-Termonfekkin-Clogherhead-Anagassan-Castlebellingham-Strabannan...

In my experiences, cycling in those areas is always spoiled by aggressive dogs.

Rural Co Louth has the be the most difficult place to cycle in if, like me, you're terrified of dogs.

magicbastarder · 19-04-2019 11:39pm

i had a dog scare the bejesus out of me just beside balrath house the other day. no warning, just appeared from behind a hedge and was only a few feet away when he popped out.

19-04-2019 11:53pm

Our fella is getting on in years so is barely able to chase his ball these days, so thats one less dog in Louth yee need worry about

Seriously though I hate to see loose dogs, says more about the owner. Not fair on you and not fair on the dog either.

magicbastarder · 20-04-2019 12:00am

there's a spot - just north of ardcath - i now avoid unless i'm going downhill on it. uphill, i don't have enough speed to shake off a dog which regularly comes out and has a go at me as i cycle past.

Justwinginit · 20-04-2019 8:43am

Nice warm spin yesterday afternoon, met fellow cyclist on a spin, he asked how lfar I was going, I replied just 30k,he said he was on a 200....i felt very unfit...

NamelessPhil · 20-04-2019 9:08am

Justwinginit wrote: »

Nice warm spin yesterday afternoon, met fellow cyclist on a spin, he asked how lfar I was going, I replied just 30k,he said he was on a 200....i felt very unfit...

Ah now, I've done 30km and been at my limit. I've done 1,000km and could have done another 1,000.

As long as you're out on your bike, it doesn't matter how far or how fast you go. I re-found my inner 9 year-old yesterday, I had a huge grin on my face as I descended off various hills. If you listened carefully you might even have heard me going "Wheeeeeee!!!!"

If you are ever interested in longer distances, come and talk to us in Audax Ireland. www.audaxireland.org

NamelessPhil · 20-04-2019 9:17am

Anyway, I finished the 400 just after 7:20 am this morning. 25 hours 20 minutes real time, slower than the last time but it was a route check and I took enough photos.

The night was tough going. I changed my kit outside Enniscorthy and rocked on to Blackwater. The night was cool enough even with the kit. The climbing didn't let up either, the coast road is surprisingly lumpy. I finished with just shy of 5,000m for the day.

After Arklow the tiredness kicked in. I was on familiar roads so I persuaded myself to keep going but I was getting slower and my eyes were closing on descents. After Roundwood I pulled over on a small road, sat down on a comfy stone wall and set the alarm for 10 minutes. Closed my eyes and drifted. I didn't sleep but it was enough to get me down Calary Hill and up the Poggio and back to the start.

Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/nYWleJKh2V

saccades · 20-04-2019 9:59am

Holy moly - always in awe of audax riders, I ramp up to 24 hour racing as a target and you do stuff like that most weekends!

Chuffed with myself yesterday, just over 100km, 1100m of climbing up to the Sally gap and pushed myself and managed just under 27kmph.

Had a lump of bland rhubarb and ginger cake at glendalough green to watch the world go by for 10-15 minutes too.

Well worth killing myself on weds and Thurs so the boss would let me have Friday off at short notice.

ted1 · 20-04-2019 11:24am

Took to the hills this morning. My hill game has gone to the dogs. I was off the bike for 2 months with a trapped nerve in my shoulder blades. Need to build the legs and lungs back up.

About 30km and 470m climbing from killiney, Enniskerry, devils elbow, glen Cullen and home.

magicbastarder · 20-04-2019 12:58pm

Glorious out there today. Did a flat 70km out to kilmessan and back.

Cionn · 20-04-2019 1:10pm

Best day today out there in a long time. Temperature perfect, wind negligible. Coffee good and cake sweet. North county Dublin was fantastic. The season has started now. Really nice did 50 and could have stayed out for another hundred only for family committments. If in doubt get out there

enda1 · 20-04-2019 3:01pm

An exhausting 61km around the Ardèche hills. Nothing a fine bitta lunch (and an hour and a half's nap) can't cure!

https://strava.app.link/R1MS7JRG2V

Eamonnator · 20-04-2019 3:19pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

i had a dog scare the bejesus out of me just beside balrath house the other day. no warning, just appeared from behind a hedge and was only a few feet away when he popped out.

That lad is going to get get his comeuppance very shortly.
He's come come after me a couple of times lately.

smacl · 20-04-2019 3:22pm

60k in the hills for me over the gap towards Laragh and then off road for a short bit. Delighted to get out a bit early and have the bulk of the climbing done in the early morning cool. Lots of cyclists going over the Military road, and if I'm honest, I couldn't think of a nicer place to be this morning. Been doing very little road cycling over the last year, so really pleased to get back to it.

Anyone out there looking for a new motor, I can get you a good deal on this one. One careful previous owner, some light servicing may be required :pac:

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

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