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Muppetry
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07-02-2011 10:14pm#1See what I did there...
Anyhoo I thought it may help to add motivation when need throughout the year to have a log on display here rather than just logging the events on Garmin.
Goals:
W200
5,000 km over the year.
Lose 5kg (or lots more hopefully)
Equipment:
Canyon Roadlight 6.0
http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=2105
Garmin Edge for recording
Just got some Boards gear and a few hiking tops for layers
Shimano entry level shoes
Stats:
1st time road cycling, after a bit of a taste of it last year took it up
Male, 26
Quite fit but carrying an unreasonable amount of ballast: 88kg
So far so good, I'll try and do a summary or something every week but so far this year (not including today) I've completed 612.8km
Everything bar my commute will be logged and uploaded to Garmin Connect courtesy of my Edge 500. Commute is a measured 4.99km return on the device. Should be 5 days a week but due to the weather currently it isn't always.
The Garmin search is terrible but hopefully this will link properly for an example of what I've been doing: http://connect.garmin.com/explore#activityType=all&eventType=all&activitySummarySumDistance-unit=mile&activitySummarySumDuration-unit=hour&activitySummaryGainElevation-unit=foot&location=Dublin%2C%20Ireland&owner=chriswilliams115&sortField=relevance¤tPage=1
Or a sample of my best in Wicklow to date
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/64528738
So far am well ahead on the distance goal, I may have to up it
Weight wise, I've lost at least half a kilo of Xmas excess
W200 wise, done the Kilmacanogue to Glencree turn strech, so only a little bit of the course actually covered to date.
Any q's, please fire away at any time.
Oh and be nice:D6
Comments
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1st update, although actually week 6 of the year.
Since I doubt I'll do anything today, too sore after yesterday, I'll update it now rather than tonite
Clocked up 146.5km for the week, another well above target.
Commuting: 15km
Monday: 15.7km
Short local run of
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/67143233
Wednesday: 29.9km
Another local run, slightly longer.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/67441973
This one was a mistake, the roads are still manky, wet and covered in lots and lots of ****. Not one I'll be doing again until its much warmer and dryer.
Saturday: 85.9km
Sally Gap and Laragh
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/67812975
First time over the Gap, not as difficult as I imagined it would be, the worst part was the hill out the back of Enniskerry. The drag up past the Loughs Bray is easier than I thought too, though by no means simple. Great feeling to fly along once up there despite the breeze. I'm really looking forward to doing it on a stunning summer's day, no hurrying for distance, just cruising for enjoyment. Roll on summer
Next challenge will be Kilmac to Powerscourt, over the Gap to Blessington and back over the Wicklow gap. Can someone suggest a route between the two gaps? I wouldn't be familiar with that part of Wicklow, so will just stick to the main roads, unless people know better routes (or even what the W200 will take)
That's brought me to 759km so far, and one of the Gaps. 0 -
A slight add on to yesterday, added 3.9km down to the gf's parents for dinner and 2.5km back, with a walk taking up the rest of the distance due to a puncture :mad:
So that's today's plans out the window while I go and buy the bits to hopefully fix or maybe replace it.
but it's an extra 6.4km, taking me over 150 for the week 0 -
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Week 8
Achievements:
First 100km plus single spin
First 200km in a week
Passed 1,000km
4,900 kcal in one go (physoclogical only, I don't really pay attention to this)
Weekly Dist: 202.8km
Total Dist: 1,108.8km
This week:
Commuting: 10km
Tuesday:46.16km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/69626060
Horrid weather for this one, very very windy. Very hilly also, by the Scalp / Kilternan I was barely holding on. Made it back ok though, nice downhill run to finish off.
Highlight: A woman running along shouting at me to "watch the breeze over the hill cos it had nearly blown her over"
Low points: struggling badly at Kilternan
Friday: 28.98km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/70038105
Mid distance loop to Enniskerry and back. Not much to say about this one, just went out and did it. Nothing to comment on truth be told.
Sunday: 117.70km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/70398392
Kilmac to Sallygap to Blessington to Wicklow Gap to Laragh to Rathdrum to Ashford and Kilmac
A great day for the most part but also some crappy points. Very happy to have done both gaps and have done a substantial chunk of the W200 route. Stunning weather most of the time, bit of rain late on and viscous wind coming down off Sally to Blessington. Left Laragh thinking that over to Rathdrum and up wouldn't be too bad, I think it was a bit more than I had bargained for, especially the N11 stretch and the smelly traveller dogs chasing me. Well happy with the day anyway.
No boards sightings, was chatting to a guy from Bray Wheelers at lunch though, spotted dozens of cyclists over the route and even more motorcyclists. Coming out of Laragh to Rathdrum got clipped in the back of the head by a biker :mad: Scumbag, I heard him slow down as he came up behind me but didn'tt think anything of it as many of them did anyway.
Highlights:
Screaming down the Wicklow gap into Glendalough
Beating the weather to Laragh for lunch by seconds
Thinking of stealing the format for this from one of the other posters
Getting a tan, noticed the tan lines from the shorts and t-shirt in the shower after the dirt washed off
Low Points:
Not beating the following shower to home, ice and all, painful
Being chased by knacker's dogs just north of Ashford
Being smacked in the back of the head by a biker
(9.2km of altitude climbed also) that's not a full total as I missed a few but it's another measure I may start recording weekly. The more the better.0 -
Week 9
Achievements:
First breakdown
First crash
Tuesday: 12.5km (of a planned 26km+)
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/70775144
B'ah, chain snapped coming out of Enniskerry. Couldn't unclip fast enough either so went over:rolleyes:
So a 40 minute wait for rescue, a sore knee and a write off of the route for the day.
Anyway chain is fixed, minus two links. Second in a week, the chain on the commuter bike snapped on Friday on the way to vote
Noticed I've lost another bolt from my cleats, both front ones missing now and the rubber torn to **** from the walk back up the the Texaco at the Scalp to be rescued. A new pair may be in order, along with the saddle bag and bits I need anyway0 -
Week 9 contd.
Achievements
First week under target
Weekly Dist: 68.4 km
Total Dist: 1,177 km
This week:
Commuting: 20km
Misc: 6km
Monday:
Is already above and was a disaster.
I felt very burned out for the rest of the week, was too hung over yesterday too do anything and too busy today. I think I probably overdid it a bit last week, but it was totally worth it for the good feelings at the end of last week. I'm still over 3 weeks ahead of target so no worries about not having a good week. I've now enough built up to allow for the holidays planned. Now just need to keep building for weather and other factors.
Friday: 29.9km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/71206032
A nice run, one I kept changing my mind on where to go as I cycled along. Decent enough distance for an after work spin. It felt good to finally push myself back out, I'm a bit annoyed I didn't get out the next day for another 30 or so to reach the weekly target.
Highlights: Guy pulled in after seeing the jersey and we spent a good ten minutes chatting about cycling stuff, though for the life of me I can't remember his name
Lowlights: none
Next week hopefully will get in some of Glenmalure and the lower reaches of the W200. I may drive down to Glenmalure and do a loop out around there somewhere.0 -
Week 10
Achievements:
over 10km of vertical climb recorded (11.6km total now)
Weekly Dist: 159.8km
Total Dist: 1,337km
This Week:
Commuting: 15km
Monday: 29.02km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/71826883
Nice run, though don't remember too much by now.
Highlights:
Nice, sunny day
Lowlights:
none
Tuesday: 21.06km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/71977968
Decided to keep it more local than usual, run down to DL and over to Killiney hill and did a figure of 8 around there. From Killiney Station up to the Vico road is a great climb, tough but good for getting used to severe climbs but not too long.
Highlights:
The run along the Vico, stunning view.
Lowlights:
none
Thursday: 24.97km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/72289000
Went back to do laps of Killiney hill after doing it on Tuesday. Thursday was really really windy and the area around here is very sheltered so was idea for avoiding the wind and getting in a lot of climbing. Did 2 and a half loops around the hill. There are three climbs, 2 are savage and the third not too bad. First is Killiney statio to Vico rd, second is up Knocknagee Rd to Ardbrugh rd and third is from Fitzpatricks to Killiney Village. The decent from Killiney village to the Military Rd cross roads makes up for it though
I think I may try to make this route a weekly thing, do a couple of laps one day a week, will be great climbing training. The loop itself is about 6.8km so handy enough to get laps in
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Station+Rd&daddr=Knock-Na-Cree+Rd+to:53.2725351,-6.1095689+to:Killiney+Hill+Rd+to:Military+Rd+to:Station+Rd&hl=en&geocode=FbyVLAMd5Lai_w%3BFXvhLAMd9vGi_w%3BFdffLAMdgMai_ynDRKPatQdnSDFBWzT9pscAEw%3BFZzMLAMdg7Ki_w%3BFV6SLAMd_5yi_w%3BFcGVLAMd5bai_w&mra=mi&mrsp=5&sz=16&via=2&sll=53.254187,-6.117496&sspn=0.005379,0.02075&ie=UTF8&ll=53.263416,-6.110544&spn=0.021511,0.082998&z=14
Looks like a racetrack layout too
Highlights:
Avoiding the wind
Lowlights:
Cars getting in the way and slowing me down on the decent
Nearly being run over by a John Gormely lookalike in a merc on the wrong side of a road.
Saturday: 21.73km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/72553842
Short tun just to collect some more KM. Was very wet so the idea was to keep it short so as to try and avoid getting wet. Heavens opened just as I was coming down Killiney hill, had to take refuge under some trees for about 10 mins to avoid the worst of it.
Highlights:
Back in time to enjoy a thrilling Italy v France match
Lowlights:
Getting very wet
Sunday: 48.03km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/72761381
This was a bit of a mess. Due to go up to Meath for a run around Dunshaughlin. We missed that due a sleep in by the other cyclist. Then we met to do another run locally. After about 3km he had to give up as was feeling sick. So I went on by myself.
I had planned on going much longer but my feet were absolutely frozen so curtailed it. It was cold out but the rest of me was ok, the shoes were still a bit damp from the rain yesterday I think which wouldn't have helped.
Highlights:
Meeting loads and loads of friendly cyclists throughout the day
Stop for sweeties in the new-ish shop in Cabinteely, lots of old skool sweets in jars to choose from
Sun and wind to my back coming up out of Greystones, the only point were I was lovely and warm
Lowlights:
Frozen feet
The mess that the day turned into
May get a few more km in later too, nothing major though 5-10 at most...
A bit annoyed about not getting in a long cycle either in Meath or in Wicklow.
With the day off for Paddy's day next week though, it's a chance to get a decent run in of the weather is ok. Saturday will not be available to me to do anything.
Edit: tagged another 6.8km on there after posting0 -
Week 11
Achievements:
First time to Howth
Bought a HRM to match the Edge 500 (ok so this is not really an achievement but I finally got around to it)
This week: 122.9km
Total to date: 1,467.4km
Commuting: 10km, plus 5 tmro
Tuesday: 40.14km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/73231561
Enniskerry and back, down to Shankill and over Killiney Hill
Nice cycle, taking advantage of nice weather. Had intended to go up to Glencree but it was a bit cold up at Enniskerry, so turned around and added Killiney hill in instead. Even came across some horses on the road eating vegetation, not a bother in the world, disrupting traffic.
Highlights:
A reasonably high average speed in comparison to normal a 23.7, good thing.
Lowlights:
Dangerous overtaking by an extrodinaryily loud clapped out coach. scared the ****e outa me.
Thursday: 67.77km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/73495966
Down tot he coast and all the way over to Howth, loop of Howth, up to Portmarnock and back along the coast
Out to Howth and Portmarnock. Decided to head north today instead of south and have a longer flatter run. It was a nice day for it, bit of warmth around. The breeze only became an issue out past Howth junction to Portmarnock. Not sure its something I'd do again though, the roads from the toll bridge to howth are ****e. Probably should have a bit further but was quite tired and a little hungover
Stopped in Portmarnock for coffee and decided to turn around rather than running a few more km into the wind to complete the intended loop.
Highlights:
Getting over Howth hill with ease
Having a coffee watching the ducks arguing with each other
Lowlights:
crappy road surfaces0 -
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Week 12: part 1
Only some routes and descriptions for now before I forget them.
3 days, 3 routes so far and 3 days commuting. The lovely weather makes all the difference.
Monday: 35.77km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/74356940
Leadmines loop, through Shankill and over Killiney Hill to Blackrock and home.
Had to go down to Glasthule to collect keys so made a decent run of it. Leadmines loop was much nicer now that it's dry. Came across some aggressive dogs though on the way back to Kilternan. Met one of the lads from work commuting home via Killiney hill, madman. His regular route home. Once left Glasthule I kinda just kept going and eventually turned up at home
First time with the new heart monitor too, giving yet another target to get too 181 bpm is max so far, will have to see if can get it higher...
Makes the calorie recorder accurate to be reasonably confident of too, I changed a few of other parameters too to make it more accurate, weight, activity class, etc
Highlights:
Nice day
Lowlights:
dogs
damaging the chain
Tuesday: 10.76km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/74511308
Down to Shankill roundabout, back to Bayview to collect some gear and back through Ballybrack and Rochestown Ave
Collecting Lidl gear for a friend and make a short spin of it. Got one of the blue tops in large, it huge, much much bigger than the boards top L. Got a nice cup of coffee too
Wednesday: 26.66km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/74705789
Wicklow Way car park behind Enniskerryto Sallygap cross roads and back
Decided to get up on the gap after work so drove part way up to save time. Thought I had fixed the damaged chain but it reappeared with a vengeance. Made it all the way up to the cross roads, where I came across a Garda checkpoint, said Hi, turned around in the middle of the road and pushed off back up the road and got 5 metres before chain snapped. Thankfully unclipped and got foot down before I fell over. They were really nice and I was chatting to them and got offered help if I needed it.
Set to work with chain breaker and eventually got it back together, minus another two links. Halfway through the work I suddenly hear
"****, did that car just turn around!" Looked up to see the two lads sprinting to the car and roaring off in pursuit!
Got it fixed and headed back at a reduced pace and with restricted gearing due to shortened chain.
Highlights:
The total peace and stunning evening up in the hills
Friendly Gardai
Lowlights:
need new chain (on the way)0 -
Week 12: part 2
Achievements:
5 days commuting (finally)
Weekly Dist: 210.5km
Total Dist: 1,678km
Commuting: 25km total
Saturday: 112.3km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/75162997
Blessington, southern leg of W200 as far as Laragh and back over the Wicklow gap via Valleymount and Blessington.
I'm splitting this into several sections
Blessington to N81
This felt a lot longer than I thought and is very up and down but was only the starting leg so wasn't too bad. Despite a chilly start the sun soon came out and warmed everything up considerably.
N81 to Donard
Lovely route but the road surface is appalling. But it's a nice, mostly flat stretch that I enjoyed a lot. Even scared the life of a deer at one point
Stopped in Donard to buy some chocolate and check directions. The place smells like sewage, it wasn't very nice
Donard to Achavannagh
The sun really came out for this stretch, it was warm, flat and slightly confusing with the roads being a little bit different to google maps. Thankfully I wrote some directions down and came across one W sign at one of the crossroads. Very quite, didn't see any other cyclists on this section at all, felt a bit lonely
Achavannagh to Laragh
The weather suddenly changed coming down the hill into Achavannagh, temp dropped, wind picked up and got cloudy. Should have seen the forebodings of what was to come. I really really struggled on Slieve Maan, toughest climb I've done so far. Just shy of the top I stopped to put my hat back on, pushed off, slipped off the pedal and fell over :mad:
No damage to the bike apart from a chunk out of the bar tape, ripped my knee open. (once again kneepads would have been more use than helmet)
Finally got started again and got to the top, the decent is equally unpleasant in the cold and on the brakes, hands started to cramp. But eventually got down into Glenmalure. Wasn't looking forward to Shay Elliot but found it easier than I was expecting, got up and down it handily enough and intot he cafe in Laragh for soup and coffee and heating up.
Laragh to Blessington
The Wicklow gap once again surprised me by being much easier than I was expecting, just a long slog. The short stretch around the 1st carpark on the shoulder at Ballinagee was the toughest. As soon as I hit the gap and came back into west Wicklow the sun came back out, the temp went back up and it was fantastic again. Down through Valleymount was lovely and then got a bit demoralised seeing that it was still another 7km to Blessington. Got there in the end and drove back over the Sally Gap. Virtually no cyclists out at all but this was close to 3.30. Came across a Merc jeep with a filming platform built onto the front of it filming a guy running the gap
Highlights:
West Wicklow weather
Run from N81 to Donard
Coffee in Laragh
Lowlights:
East Wicklow weather
Slieve Maan climb and fall
Road surface from N812 to Donnard0 -
Week 13
Achievements:
HR above 190
25% of the year done
This week: 164.2km
Total to date: 1,841.12km
Commuting: 10km
Monday: 33.28km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/75773961
Cabinteely - Blackrock - East Link - Clontarf and Return
Out to Clontarf and back to swap a jersey with a fellow boards member, mine was too big his too small. Really nice sunny day and despite going at rush hour there were no issues with traffic. The stops for the lights are really noticeable and drop the average a good bit I imagine. Added in Foxrock hill at the end just for a bit of a climb
Highlights:
nothing really
Lowlights:
none
Thursday: 26.93km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/76354157
3 laps of Killiney hill.
The speed graph and (zoomed in) height graph are fairly interesting, clearly see the climbing vs downhill on the auld speeds.
The laps has 3 climbs and one long sweeping down hill. Climb from DART Station to Vico Rd, the Knocknegee Rd and from Fitzpatrick's Hotel to Killiney Village. Though not long they are quite steep so make for goood training IMO.
Highlights:
Saw a squirrel
Lowlights:
Traffic slowing me down
Friday: 9.90km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/76532653
Cabinteely - Carrickmines - Cabinteely
Just a short run up to Carrickmines and back for the bike fit. The bike fitting went well enough. Most of my angles and positions were pretty close anyway. Saddle went up and forward a bit, levelled it out a bit too. The bar stem was flipped over to increase the angle on it a bit. Good bit of cleat adjustment. My left leg has a bit of a loop on it, with a lot of movement at the bottom of the stroke, corrected a good bit of it but still an issue.
Attached for viewing if interested (ignore the belly)
Saturday: 12.51km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/76663578
Cabinteely - Bray - Shankill - Cabinteely
Short run to get used to the new position, but aborted it due to the rain. Flatter seat took a bit of getting used to, as I had it sloped forward quite a bit. Getting used to it, but feels strange still.
Sunday: 70.64km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/76894974
Dunshaughlin - Athboy - Trim - Summerhill - Dunshaughlin
A bit of racing was involved in this :eek:...
16 of us started off, nice slowish pace up to Athboy where we stopped for coffee. Set off after and 6 of us pushed on at serious pace to Trim, I lead a fair bit of it too so very happy with that stretch. Slowed down as we ran through Trim and hit the gas again running to Summerhill, led a bit of this again and then dropped to 3rd/4th in the group for the rest. Got dropped on the last hill before turning off the R158 and just couldn't pull back the gap. We had dropped another guy already and I kept the remaining 4 in sight until Culmullin crossroads. In the end arrived about 4-5 mins after the got home so not too bad.
The average pace shows it too, up at 28.6 moving, and the 2nd half was considerably faster than the first. I enjoyed pushing along in the smaller group I must say. Didn't like being part of the bigger group at all, no respect for other road users shown by the group and some of the guys spent most of the time of the wrong side of the road to be 3 or 4 wide (quite back roads, but still) The 6 of us in group were all single files, slipstreaming along.
A bit annoyed I got dropped just due to a short hill, if I had kept up on that I would have stayed with them I'm sure.
Highlights:
Good banter
A bit of serious race pace with some of the guys
Streaming along six in a row, good fun, first time have done it
Lowlights:
Nothing really, a bit of heavy rain while loading the bikes onto the car at the end0 -
Quarter 1 Summary
Total Distance covered: 1,841.12km
6 weeks ahead of target so plenty of cover for the holidays
From Garmin: (does not include a few early activities, commuting and shorter distances that are just general cycling to/from houses)- Count:............46 Activities
- Distance:........1,650.79 km
- Time:.............73:23:29 h:m:s
- Elevation Gain:.16,549 m
- Avg Speed:......22.5 km/h
- Max Speed:.....74.0 km/h
- Calories: .........62,107 C
- Avg Distance:..35.89 km
- Max Distance:..117.70 km
- Avg HR:..........154 bpm
- Max HR:..........191 bpm
Pretty happy to date, the average speed is good, plenty of height climbed, BPM over 190
Bike and Equip
Completely happy with the bike (apart from chain which has been replaced), it's comfortable and have had no probs apart from the the chain.
Still need to pick up a few bits of kit, a long pair of trousers and a rain jacket being the main things, should be too much of a problem until Autumn now though.
Goals Update
1. Complete W200
2. Lose 5kg
3. Cover 5,000km
1. Obviously not done yet, have covered from Greystones to Rathdrum to date. Need to cover Rathdrum to Greystones. That will give me it everything covered at least once so have a good idea about conditions. Next step is to start upping the distance, 117 is the max to date, need to stretch that out even if on the flat.
2. Started at 88kg, recorded as 85kg last Friday so 60% done This with a fair amount of muscle building on legs also so happy days.
3. 1,841km covered so also well ahead of target. Not going to up this though as there are plans to emigrate so this will probably impact later in the year.0 -
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thanks, good to know I'm not just writing it for myselfEnjoying the log!If you are ever looking for someone to go for a spin with give me a shout. Only up the road.
I generally go out a couple of evenings a week, looking to stretch these out to the 50km mark now that the weather and light allows but generally start at 4.30 as finish work at 4.
Weekends are random enough, generally pretty early and never if there's F1 on a Sunday 0 -
Cookie_Monster wrote: »thanks, good to know I'm not just writing it for myself
I generally go out a couple of evenings a week, looking to stretch these out to the 50km mark now that the weather and light allows but generally start at 4.30 as finish work at 4.
Weekends are random enough, generally pretty early and never if there's F1 on a Sunday
Duly noted. Go out every Sunday AM early. every second Sunday with a bunch of guys from here, every other Sunday with whoever is around.0 -
Week 14 part 1
Tuesday: 34.75km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/77394964
Two Rock Loop
Cabinteely – Glencullen – Ticknock – Sandyford – Cabinteely
This one deserves a bit of discussion and I’m bored enough this morning to write it up now. Got home from work thinking I’d take advantage of the warm sunny weather and get out and do a decent distance for a weekday. The plan was to go up to Glencullen and the up to Stocking lane and back down through Glencree and Enniskerry. That didn’t happen as just before hitting Stocking Lane the weather was looking really dodgy, so turned around and came back through south Dublin instead.
I noticed fairly early on that it was a bit tougher going than normal; I reckon the tyres need a little pumping that I neglected to check this time. The road from Ambrose to Glencullen is a bit of a bitch, especially coupled with the wind.
From Glencullen to Stocking lane is some awful depressing windswept place altogether. If you ever want to see what Ireland would look like after the end of humanity this is the place, desolate road and fields full of scraggily unkempt sheep, heavy clouds and a strong wind. Really give an impression of no one being there in years.
Anyway becomes much nicer as you approach Cruagh road, views of Dublin and forest on the other side, though it’s a pain knowing you just covered all that climbing only to lose it again and have to do it all over to get back up Stocking Lane. At this point it looked like it was about to seriously chuck it down so I aborted the plan, turned around and headed down towards Sandyford. Fantastic decent along here, fast sweeping bends, excellent road surface and little traffic. Clocked 67kph here, will be faster next time now that I know the route
Turned off right through Ticknock to come out behind Marley Park, another fantastic decent along to hear coupled with stunning sunshine again really brightened me up again. Nice run along through here to Sandyford, with only a bit of traffic and a ****ing stupid cycle track to content with. It starts just a the Luas depot, off road raised lane, then after about 75m or so crosses the Luas tracks, runs for about 30m and ends putting you straight onto the path. Whoever designed that deserves to be tied to the Luas tracks just there :mad:
After that just a detour through Foxrock village, down the N11 and home before any nasty weather hit. A slow enough run due to all the climbing in the first half. About 10km or so shorter than plan but still long enough in the end.
Highlights:
Sun once back down off the mountains
Decent from the mountains
Lowlights:
Pins and needles due to ill fitting sock, had to stop and adjust in the end
Threatening weather
The R116
And also a possible plan for Saturday:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=R116&daddr=53.23878,-6.14713+to:Enniskerry+Rd+to:53.15996,-6.1935167+to:Unknown+road+to:R115+to:Copse+Rd+to:52.918069,-6.2273705+to:Station+Rd+to:52.8898103,-6.1512279+to:52.9263619,-6.1551602+to:52.9588399,-6.1635119+to:52.9913417,-6.1365948+to:53.0092247,-6.1020167+to:R761+to:53.14146,-6.07784+to:53.19606,-6.10759+to:Dublin+Rd+to:N11&hl=en&geocode=FYh1LAMd4mKi_w%3BFfxbLAMdxjOi_ykpS5a1BAhnSDFxSSb9pscAEw%3BFfVGLAMdFo2h_w%3BFRgoKwMdlH6h_yn3BBU3lKZnSDFxfCv9pscAEw%3BFYl1KwMdSmag_w%3BFZpYKQMdTXqf_w%3BFRe4JwMd0Oeg_w%3BFTV3JwMdVvqg_yn_MukDqr9nSDFh_NH8pscAEw%3BFT6JJgMd3C2h_w%3BFdIIJwMdxSOi_yl_cMYCqbhnSDGw8RP9pscAEw%3BFZmXJwMdaBSi_ymHOHKE3bhnSDGBK0b8pscAEw%3BFXcWKAMdyfOh_ykJs7lIT7lnSDGPgzUtdMk8RQ%3BFW2VKAMd7lyi_ylXMLU_0rtnSDG0XfaOKX1PiA%3BFUjbKAMdAOSi_ynpyaHdZbpnSDFAKb_9pscAEw%3BFWjWKAMddjOj_w%3BFdTfKgMdcEKj_ylnUjwbN69nSDEQkOv7pscAEw%3BFRy1KwMdOs6i_ynXsQBFY6hnSDFAIsT7pscAEw%3BFUcpLAMdtomi_w%3BFbZ0LAMdPmai_w&mra=dme&mrsp=14&sz=14&via=1,3,7,9,10,11,12,13,15,16&sll=53.005384,-6.105051&sspn=0.017973,0.128231&ie=UTF8&ll=53.057723,-4.814758&spn=0.576093,4.103394&z=90 -
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Week 14 part 2
Achievements
250km in a week
2,000km
Entire W200 covered now (in parts)
Weekly Dist: 255km
Total Dist: 2,096.1km
Commuting: 20km
Tuesday: as above
Wednesday: 19.98km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/77571548
Cabinteely - Ballybrack - Dalkey - DL - Blackrock - Deansgrange - Cabinteely
After yesterday I just went out to enjoy the sunshine, no pushing for time etc and no real plan. Just kept going on the loop until Blackrock and turned around. Lovely day.
Highlights:
none
Lowlights:
none
Saturday: 134.75km
http://connect.garmin.com/player/78123257
Cabinteely - Enniskerry - Sallygap - Laragh - Rathdrum - Avoca - Redcross - some other place - Glenealy - Ashford -Newcastle - Kilcoole - Greystones - Bray - Cabinteely
What a day, warm, sunny, breezy, stunning
Set off nice and early, despite drinking the night before. Pretty uneventful up to Powerscourt waterfall where an Asian guy caught me climbing up that short sharp hill. Passed me and I caught him on the flat and passed back. Caught up with me again and we were chatting a bit and stayed together all the way to Laragh, where he stopped for coffee. Nice in a way to have someone with you but annoying to as I was out by myself setting my own speeds and limits.
Pushed on to Rathdrum where stopped for food and coffee. The road from here to Avoca is fantastic, newly resurfaced and long down slope, can really push on through here.
Turned around over the river in Avoca back onto crap roads and steep climb out of the village. The decent into Redcross could not have come soon enough, I was really really struggling at the point coming up to it. Welcome reprieve all the way to Bally somewhere (Garmin down) and savage slope up out off the village.
7km from there to the turn off for Glenealy which was another great and welcome decent. Stopped in Gleneally for 10 mins to recover as was struggling by now, the heat was doing me in I reckon.
Once back on track I blasted in Ashford, really enjoyed the run, dodgy overtake of a BE bus in the village, out over the N11 and into the home stretch.
Newcastle seems to be 2km away no matter where you are, I passed at least 3 signs saying the same despite being km apart:rolleyes:
That was a bit demoralising tbh, but pushed on. Had a target on the hill after Greystones, caught and passed another cyclist, she obviously took me as a target and got me back before the summit but passed her again on the down slope. Through Bray and Shankill without anything noticeable and home to collapse on the grass for a while completely destroyed after such a distance, and would still have to add another 58km and several heavy climbs for the 200 :eek:
Starting to get a little worried about it tbh
Highlights:
Weather
Rathdrum to Avoca
Glenealy to Ashford
Lowlights:
Feeling like I shattered a wheel and shoulder hitting a pothole at the Kilcoole roundabout cos to busy keeping an eye on a Santa Fe trying to squash me. No damage amazingly but it hurt a lot at the time.
Struggling out of Avoca
Only getting 134.75 km despite doing a little extra to get the GPS to read 135 :mad:
Despite 7+ hours in total on the road and seeing dozens and dozens of cyclists, still no Boards sightings
Sunday: 45.54km
(garmin down) edit: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/78310589
Cabinteely - Dalkey - DL - Merrion - loop around Lansdowne - UCD - Sandyford - Stepaside - Ambrose Glass and down the Ballycorus road
Meant to be a short run cos it was too nice not to, ended up just going and going and going.
Once again weather was simply awesome. Headed out after the F1 to do a few km to loosen up a bit, even went down the pier as was still before 1pm, very busy though. By Irishtown decided to get up into the hills as well to stretch it out. As with any route in through town the lights were the most annoying thing here, as well as some terrible cycle lanes along the N11 from RTE to UCD, they are absolutely shocking state.
UCD has changed a little since the last time I was through it, roads have changed and the new pool and sport centre add on is looking fairly complete now.
Nothing else really to report on this one, was a struggle to put any power down in places due to yesterday's excess. So it was a gentle enough run, few places I really pushed but couldn't keep it up, notably coming down from Ambrose.
Highlights:
Weather
Distance I managed to clock up after yesterday
Lowlights:
None0 -
Week 15
Achievements
none
Weekly Dist: 44.1km
Total Dist: 2140.2km
Commuting: 10km
Wednesday: 34.12km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/78996169
Cabinteely - Scalp Petrol Station - Stepaside - Dundrum - Foxrock - Cabinteely
Quite week, as am away this weekend drinking
After last weekend Mon and Tues were a right off for doing anything, so finally made the effort to go out on Weds to do something. Not a very interesting route but didn't feel like going far cos it was windy and a bit wet.
Highlights:
none
Lowlights:
traffic
I made the unfortunate realisation this week that if we do end up emigrating I will be without the bike for a minimum of 50 days due to shipping times :eek::(
That will cause a hefty impact of goals perhaps (7-9 weeks, no bikes), missing another full week in May on holidays so need to clock up a good few weeks of 200+ while the weather is nice. 600km made over target in Q1, so on track to be ok as long as keep up the summer distances.0 -
Week 16
Achievements:
300km plus for week
5 out of 5 done - finally (Long Hill, Sally Gap, Wicklow Gap, Shay Elliot, Slieve Maan)
20km+ of vertical climb recorded
yes, I do totally deserve that pic, I rocked like a boss this week
This Week Dist: 303.3km 312.1km
Total Dist: 2,443.5km 2,452.3km
Commuting: 20km
Monday: 51.43km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/80038041
Kilmacanogue - Roundwood - Anamoe - Around Resevoirs - Kilmac
Started the week on a high note after a quite week last week. The Long hill was easy enough albeit quite slow going. After that flew along, no issue at all the whole way down and back. Roads not the greatest in places around the reservoirs but not exceptionally bad either.
Glad I took the long sleeve for a change, there was a bit of a bite to the wind, but was a great aid on the way back and certainly help keep up the average speed, which is gradually creeping up. Today was fast for me, 25kph+ but also was reasonably flat apart from the initial climb out of Kilmac
Highlights:
Bagging the hill
Coming back down, always a great run
Lowlights:
none
Tuesday: 24.37km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/80210061
Cabinteely - Killiney - Vico - Dalkey - DL - Blackrock - Sandyford - Foxrock - Cabinteely
Not too much to report, just another local loop that I don't remember too much about tbh.
Thursday: 26.96km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/80583824
Cabinteely - Kilternan - Scalp - Shankill - Ballbrack - Cabinteely
Out with my partners farther today, doing on one of our shorter local runs. Let me take it a bit easier than normal now as he's a bit slower than me, esp on the climbs, nearly got flattened in Shankill by a numpty in a merc reversing out onto the main road right in front of us, didn't even look :mad:.
Thursday: 12.69km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/80638338
Just general cycling around, down to DL to get magazine and return via friend's house.
Friday: 23.78km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/80638338
As per Thursday expect slightly shorter from Shankill back to Cabinteely
Saturday: 115.18km (plus 5.05 from Cabinteely to DL train station)
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/80943551
Malahide - Loop of Airport - Naul - Balbriggan - Skerries - Rush - Lusk - Malahide - Portmarnock - Coast Road home
This is a day I'd definitely do again, though would probably add in another 30km next time, great to take advantage of the fee bike bringing on DART availability there now is.
Started out with an easy spin down to DL to catch the train and get some breakfast. Queue coffee and danish and a short wait for a commuter train. Had originally planned to go to Glenageary but breakfast changed my mind to go to DL. The commuter train was an unexpected bonus as was not list when I checked Glengeary times as it didn't stop there, so luckily enough I got a tray for my coffee :P
Once in Malahide headed off towards the airport, taking in the rather nice R107, less nice lane and over the M1, through the busy airport junction without any hassle and off onto the old airport road.
Early morning wind was strong out along here and the turning point at the end of the airport didn't come soon enough. No interesting planes either, just a few Ryanair jets and a small ugly looking Aer Lingus airbus.
Hit the turn and with the wind behind me blasted along deserted roads around the rest of the perimeter and up the R108 which despite comments in another thread about it being terrible wasn't too bad of a surface.
Missed the turn in Ballyboghill as too busy watching passing cyclists, quick swing around got it back on track even before the gps was able to notice and embarrass me with a record of it:D
Onto the R122 and still running alone fine until the Brownscross junction where met substantial road works. Not knowing the alternative route I decided to follow the sign to Naul anyway down the "Road closed - Local access only" road :rolleyes:
The road kinda just stopped after that, the surface had been taken off it and all that remained was large gravelly mess. Managed to go cross country on it, aiming for the islands of tarmac where possible. Thankfully it was only about 1.5km of mess, with about half being able to ride the ribbons of tarmac still left. NOTE TO ALL, AVOID THIS LIKE THE PLAGUE: Map of **** section
After that it was a straight forward run through Naul, Balbriggan, Skerries and Rush. By the time I approached Lusk was getting tired and hungry and decided it was time to stop, detoured through Lusk but didn't notice anywhere worth stopping. Came across garage at the R127 & R132 junction and decided that would do. Few minutes later sat down to a large coffee, triple sandwich, donut and powerade.
Feeling thoroughly full and refreshed set off agian for Malahide. After crossing the M1 again and going through the first roundabout I happened upon the Fuzz out money making enforcing speed limit. Luckily for me I was only doing 36 in an 80 zone so no points nor fine today. I think I annoy him a bit for spending so long in the range of the gun, he stopped looking through it as I approached and only went back to it as I passed:pac:
So over the M1 once again, into Malahide and out onto the coast once again, where the sun really decided to wake up for the day. Beautiful run from there down into Portmarnock and out to Sutton. Only minor annoyance was a stupid learner way to far in to the left when passing me and being really slow after just north of Sutton
Out past Sutton and onto the cycle track rather than the road for a change, despite my hatred of it and having no priority at junctions. Decided the smoothness was worth it after so many km. Was passed by a guy and popped in behind him for a while cruising as I was every so slightly faster than him at my comfortable pace at that point, so took it easier for a while and stayed on his wheel. He dropped me eventually when he ran 2 sets of reds and I stopped.
From Alfie Byrne to home was very uneventful altogether until the junction at Dunnes in Cornelscourt where I caught the GF breaking a red light coming against me, tut tut tut
Got home, showered and sat out the back in the sun for another 3 hours or so making the most of the glorious sunshine and ending up red in quite a few places.
All in all a great spin which on sunny warm day is definitly one I would recommend to anyone. Avoid the bit near Naul and other that that roads are pretty good
Highlights:
Massive sandwich for lunch :pac::pac::pac:
Blasting round the airport perimeter
Annoying the cops of speed duty
Balbriggan to Skerries along the coast road
Malahide to Portmarnock along the coast raod
Lowlight:
Shitty road before Naul
Learner driver
Sunday: 23.92km (plus another 8.77 misc later in the day which I won't describe)
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/81162716
Cabinteely to Shankill to Bray North Roundabout to Shankill to Bray NR again to Rathmichael roundabout and down and back to and back down to Bray NR and home via Shankill.
This morning was all about getting the last few km to make the 300 and to do it as fast as I could on the pretty flat loop between the roundabouts. The route changed a few times as I was doing it as I decided to do the same few laps to keep it simple and quick. Apart from that the main thing about this run was pain, lots and lots of pain; from serious tired legs. But I was determined to keep it over 25kph and over 30 for as much of it as I could so pushed as hard as I was able to.
At an average of 28.4 I was pretty happy with it, managed to avoid stopping for traffic too much which obviously helped keep the speed up.
Fell into the couch when I got home, really sore and really tired. Despite the heavy week I was still impressed that I could bang such a run out today at all never mind at the speed I did considering, must mean I'm getting fit anyway
Met a good few cyclists today, none of whom acknowledged me at all.
Highlights:
Breaking 300km
Pushing on through the walls as they came up
Lowlights:
Sore legs
More sore legs
legs that were quite sore
Did I mention the sore legs?0 -
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Week 17
Achievements
went for a spin with another boardsie
Weekly Dist: 185.7km
Total Dist: 2,638km
Commuting + local: 21.5km
Wednesday: 17.65km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/81958906
Decided to go up by Tully church to have a look at this new Luas stop in the middle of nowhere and get a look at the church as haven't been up there in years.
It's mad, cycling along a quite country lane, round the corner onto brand new tarmac, lines everywhere and traffic lights. Totally abandoned looking stop and then 50m later back to quiet country lane again...
Turned around at the church and then did a tour through Foxrock and back through the racecourse just to make it worth it distance wise. nothing stange or startling in this one...
Friday: 29.8km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/82313585
Cabinteely - Kilternan - Scalp - Shankill - Killiney hill - Cabinteely
A similar loop to the ones last week and the default one I do with the partners dad. Added a bit on by myself this time, finishing over Killiney hill since I hadn't done too much else this week.
Sunday: 116.7km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/82709692
Cabinteely - Enniskerry - Sally Gap - Baallyknockan - Wicklow Gap - Laragh - Kilmac - Bray - Shankill - Cabinteely
Fist spin out with some boardsies Seamus and Harrybelafonte (I think, don't think he mentioned his boards name but he had the Carrera jersey on like mentioned in the thread)
I started out all on me lonesome, the almost usual route not of down to the Tassie and up under the M50 and to Ambrose Glass (I know it's not called that anymore but it's one of those landmarks I'll always use). belted along from there into Enniskerry and up out the back hill, it's still an absolute bitch. I had an hour 20 to get to Glencree from home to meet the deadline so there was a fair bit of mental gymnastics as I went along, speeds and distances and times.
I kept of a pretty decent pace from Kilmolin up the valley as it's always a bit flatter and faster than I remember right until you get about a km from Glencree when it gets a bit steeper.
So got there with 15 to spare, sat about for a couple of minutes thinking about the next hill, decided I couldn't wait around with that to face so headed up texting the lads I'd wait at the top instead, I'm always really slow on that hill so thought it better to get the headstart
Wasn't nearly as bad as previous runs I have to admit, that 300km last week musta done the legs some good despite all the soreness, got up it much easier, with only the last stretch being a bit more difficult and slow. Waited around for a while for the lads to arrive and then headed off.
Kept a decent pace all the way along, scaring the shite outa myself coming down off the gap at high speed with the winds pushing the bike all over the place. Kinda disappointed I only clocked 54 here, it felt like the fastest I'd ever gone by a long long way!
The rest of the run to the Wicklow gap was a lot more pleasant than previous times, having others there help regulate the pace a bit better, keeping it up that little bit on the climbs where they were faster at times and cruising along at a more stable pace on the flats. Once turned onto the gap road we got a fair whack of rain which came and went.
I got to the top first which surprised me as I've always thought I was a bit slower than most on the climbs, only about 20 sec ahead of Seamus by the end though.
Road down was painful as the rain cam stinging full in the face, was also ruined by slow drivers blocking the road up.
Stopped for some soup and coffee in Laragh and hit the road again, flew back up to Kilmac and took it a bit easier from there home.
Highlights:
meeting some boardsies
getting the avg speed up above 23 for such a long hilly run, always a good sign
Nice bit of sun from Sally Gap to Ballyknockan or so
Lowlights:
rain
almost losing it coming off Sallygap due to the wind
headwinds coming home from Laragh0 -
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Weeks 19 and 20
Together as I did little with the holiday.
Monday: 47.34km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/84632036
Another variation of a local loop, don't remember it by now...
Thursday: 57.07km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/87318448
Decided to go down to Navy Pier while in Chicago and hire bikes and go for a spin. 3 of us went down and we picked up hybrids with awful grip shifts, saddle designed for people 4ft wide that slid down constantly.
Other than that it was a nice cycle, very windy when heading north but nice and bright and warm and sun crpet through at times. not recorded on my device so some info missing over normal
my new top too
Friday: 24.76km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/86956212
Donnybrook & Dun Laoghaire
Spin in to collect stuff for our NZ visas, nearly all done now
One day of commuting in there two
Week 19 52.8km
Week 20 81.8km
Total to date: 2,845.9km
Short enough update but have been a bit all over the place for last two weeks. Back to normal this week, serious distance to be covered0 -
Week 21
Weekly Dist: 146.9km
Total Dist: 2,992.84km
Commuting: 10km
Other: 6.9km
Not as much distance as I would have liked, mainly due to the miserable weather and insane winds, not to mention laziness and hangovers. But over target none the less.
Monday 20.3km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/88187562
Cabinteely - Bray Roundabout - Dalkey - Cabinteely
Nothing to report on this one really. Manky weather which kept it short.
Thursday 45.94km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/88187534
Cabinteely - Sandyford - Stocking Lane - Glencree - Enniskerry - Cabinteely
NW wind today, and very strong, so headed out into it to have an easy second half of the spin. First time up (part of) Stocking lane also. The entire spin from Glencree I just wanted to be home
Friday 63.79km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/88850169
Cabinteely - Bray - Kilmac - Sallygap - Enniskerry - Cabinteely
Missed sat cos was too lazy and disgracefully hungover this morning so took until 4.30 to get out :rolleyes:
Wasn't particularly nice, but had to be done. Pity I didn't go another 7km or so, get the 3k km this week.
Looking down on Lough Tay over the wall is scary as fook. Don't notice it in the car or on foot as much but on the bike it looks insanely high and steep0 -
Week 22
Achievements:
3,000km done
30km + of recorded altitude climbed :cool:
100,000+ kcal recorded :pac:
5,000 kcal in a single spin :rolleyes:
Over 10 weeks ahead of target
Weekly Dist: 275.2km
Total Dist: 3,268km
Commuting: 20km
Misc: 7.1km
This was a great week for me, fine weather and got back into the flow after a couple of average/poor weeks.
Monday 42.8km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/89251813
Cabinteely - Bray - Southern Cross - N11 to Newtown Mt Kennedy exit and return on the N11
Felt good on Monday so headed out with speed in mind on a reasonably flat course. Moving average of 28.8kph, should have been a little faster if I hadn't gone through Bray and lights and what not.
Nice evening, no wind, lots of speed, proper fun cycling
Tuesday: 26.1km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/89464715
Another slight variation on the usual route for a weekday, up to Kilternan and Scalp and back down through Shankill.
Friday: 40.8km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/89864351
Kilternan - Stepaside - Sandyford - UCD - Blackrock - Dun Laoghaire - Dalkey - Killiney - Cabinteely
Just had to go out and enjoy the sun after work so headed out to do 10-15km, and just kept going and ended up doing 40
Just kinda figured the route as I went along too, no real plan. Eventually ended up near home, probably could have kept going to cos was so nice.
Saturday: 138.5km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/90039734
Cabinteely - Enniskerry - Powerscourt Waterfall - Sally Gap - Laragh - Wicklow Gap - Valleymount - Blessington - Wicklow Gap - Roundwood Road - Bray - Cabinteely
Last big run before the W200 next weekend so out to get big distance and lots of hills to get a good final run.
Started a bit later than planned so wasn't quite as long as I wanted, still the longest I've done. Passed Orwell out for a spin coming out of Enniskerry and then headed up (old long hill?) By 10am this road was already melting and the newly laid tarmac patches were like jelly, definitly need to be avoided if the w200 is a hot day.
Decided to go south on the gap to Laragh rather than turn right as per w200 route, was debating which to do but since since will be doing the west decent next week went south to keep it different.
Flew down from there, passing a couple of people in Ras jerseys at crazy speed down the side of the waterfall
Stopped for a scone and coffee in Laragh, lots of cyclists about. Met Conor20 while there and chatted briefly.
Headed on up the Wicklow gap next, heat was something else in the shelter of the mountain. Ended up sacrificing quite a lot of a bottle of water over my head on the way up :pac: Nice breeze once cleared the gap though and flew back down the other side, turning right into Valleymount and eventually into Blessington where another pit stop for sandwiches and Lilt and sweeties was in order.
Off again over the Sallygap again, tough tough climb from the west side of it, especially at the end where you can see all the way up and it's really steep. Got to the top and stopped for a lie down:D
From here to the R755 was tough, steep uphill and hand cramping descents on the brakes.
Running north on the r755 was tough, the northerly wind had picked up quite a bit and it was colder too. Once down to Kilmac though things improved and I felt better. Could have kept going had it not been for a deadline that had to be kept.
No boardsies despite doznes and dozens of cyclists...
Highlights:
weather
distance covered
yummy scone in Laragh
rediscovering the refreshingness of Lilt in Blessington :pac:
Getting over 3 gaps in one go
Lowlights:
the cold northerly wind in parts of the route0 -
Week 23
The Big one! (but that's later in the week, thought I'd update this now though before I forget what I did on Monday)
Monday 70.91km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/90670979
Dunshuaghlin - Athboy - Summerhill - Dunshaughlin
Not the nicest title I've put up
Went and did this as an alternative to more hills in Wicklow, probably shouldn't have and rested some more but feck it. Nice enough morning but with a biting north wind at times.
Within 5 mins of starting out we were passed by a pace car, with a polite request to get out of the way for racing vets. Now he was actually polite but still seemed a bit cheeky to me, public roads, why should I have to adjust myself at all to allow these people to clear, when they can just as easily go around our group without a bother to them, there were only 5 of us.
So they flew by 2 mins later, lots of Bray and Orwell jerseys mixed in with others I didn't recognise.
2nd, larger group about 5 mins later, they cleared up just before a junction and their nice marshal kept traffic stopped for us turn the opposite way to the racers.
Just before Athboy there’s a small hill, which I pushed off on determined to summit first, did so no bother after they came back a little 2/3rds of the way up. Regretted it though, legs were screaming at me after the heavy week last week.
After Athboy the wind (predictably) shifted to south / south west so once again caught a lot of it in the face, little bit warmer though which was nicer, still annoying that it shifted around to feel like it was almost always against us.
Similar story on the only other real climb pushed off and regretted it. The pace was too slow for me overall so was trying to push a couple of times only to end up dropping people. Got a bit of speed at the end where two of us shot off for the last 3-4km or so.
While it was a nice cycle, it probably was not a good idea. I actually felt sore rather than tired after it, particularly in the lower quads. Hopefully a lazy week will heal all enough to be fully ready for W200. A long soak in the bath for the first time in years when I got home helped a lot anyway.0 -
Thursday: 21km or so
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/91425540
The usual route, but cut short
A bad, bad day :mad::(
Decided to wear a tight under layer I picked up in the states today, was going to wear it on the 200 so thought I'd better test it out. Thank feck I did, it really restricted my chest, tot he point where I seriously struggled on the normal weekday route I do, to the point like it felt like that first week all over again. Partner's dad, who I usually go with, generally lags behind a little on this but for the first time in months I actually struggled to keep up with him. Hopefully its all just down to the tight top restricting my breathing and circulation somewhat but I felt so **** I gave up early.
Also had a helmet on for the first time (due to silly W200 rules), uncomfortable and sweaty and heavy
I now need to find a suitable alternate long sleeve under layer at home for Sunday since the weather is going to be terrible. Also need to do something about my aero bars, don't fit cos they are 26mm as opposed to a 31.8mm bar. longer bolts and some padding my be a suitable bodge.0 -
Week 23 contd
Achievements
Wicklow 200
another week over 300km
Weekly Dist: 315km
Total Dist: 3,588.4km
Commuting: 20km
Monday: above
Thursday: above
Sunday: 195.1km
Wicklow 200
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/91920139
Where to even start with this one...
Firstly the plan to the extra couple of km went out the window with the weather.
Got there early and was on the road by 6.30, still half an hour later than planned but by far the best decision of the day. Kitted out in boards shorts and ss with a long sleeve underneath, thought it would be ok even with the rain...
Must have passed 100 people up to Kilmac, everyone seemed to be taking it easy along there, I was belting alone at 40+ for much of it, as I always do on that stretch from Glenview Hotel to Kilmac, its a great piece of road. The new aero bars got a bit of use along this stretch.
Spotted the first breakdown just shy of the hill before Powerscourt Waterfall, guy had snapped his chain already, poor fella, only 15km in. The climb all the way up to Sally Gap was uneventful, got passed back by a lot of people on it though. Once up on the gap it was brilliant, strong wind pushing along from the side/ 3/4 behind, no rain yet. Flew along here too, the decent was great too, with the bridge being the only hairy bit. I knew it was coming up but still caught out a little by it, mainly cos on the wrong side of the road overtaking someone so the angle for the corner wasn't as good
From there down to the turn at Kilbride was great, then the turn into the weather *shudder*, from here to Donard was just one long, miserable, wet, cold and horrid slog. Got there eventually though, passing a lot of people and being passed just as much. There were several people I began to recognise as we caught and passed each other several times over that stretch.
The Donard stop was short, just enough time to eat a sandwich, spill half a coffee, drink the other half and wring out my socks. The hall was freezing and I was just getting to cold by not moving, no queue though. However I took the opportunity to put a hat on under my helmet which made an absolutely huge difference. I felt warmer after that and consequently better about everything.
Setting off from Donard was lonely, there was a guy about 5-600m ahead of me and no one behind that I could see for about 10-12km or so, eventually started getting caught by loads of groups.
My plan of action for SM worked well, stopped jsut before that stretch of yellow concrete at the base and stuffed my face with cola bottles and set off It would have been better if I could have helped my self to another facefull half way up but damned if I could organise my brain to do it on the move and there was no way I was stopping. Stopped at the top for water only, and headed off into the fog for a, frankly, dangerous decent, huge amounts of water on the road and the brakes were terrible. Leaned on the breaks the whole way down, on one nutcase flew past me iirc.
Got passed at the Glenmalure X by a guy commenting on how awful that warm pub would have been with it's fire and pints and food :pac:
Two Swords lads succumbed to temptation here though.
SE was grand, I still maintain it's far easier than SM, to the surprise of nearly everyone I talk to. Nice to have some support at the top and though coffee was tempting, stopping was not. Another crazy decent, slightly better than SM though. The road to Dundrum wasn't as bad as I though it would be, the thought of the stop pushed me on and I pushed along pretty fast considering
Quick coffee and sandwich here and a change of tops, lost the under layer and boards jersey in favour of a t-shirt and two long sleeves, couldn't get a phone signal to order a rain jacket. Sat in the car for about 25mins after that with heaters on max, drying off and warming up. Would not have gone on without that little luxury. Drying mostly complete, I set off again and that lasted all of 20 mins before thoroughly soaked through again.
On my own again for a lot of that stretch, passed a couple of people again on the flat only to be passed back on the climbing. Over the course of my cycling to date I've figured I'm faster than a lot of people of that flats and appallingly slow on the climbs. That climb out of Avoca was painful. I had to employ my SM plan several times more
The rest of the run was just switch off and cycle, noticed little apart from the arsehole shouting at me for being in the way. I'd stopped at the edge of the road to take a call, right over out of the way and a group came round the corner 5 or 6 wide. All shouted at each other to move over, not that any of them came anywhere near me and the front guy had some smart remark or other about it being a silly place to stop. I simply told him "to go and fuck off". Made me feel better at least
Put the hammer down as soon as I got onto the road after the right at the roundabout, determined to pass every one I could along there just for the hell of it. Went well until the last corner where 3 idiots were tootling along at about 10kph, three wide blocking the road :rolleyes:
My fanclub of six cheered me over the line, checked in, quick shower and went to the pub to finish the day properly.
After all of that epicness BBC ruined my day by switching the F1 from BBC1 to BBC2 halfway through the recording :mad:
9h 5m on the GPS, not including stops
10h 5m logged time.
Not bad, was a solo run, nowhere did I join a group
Highlights:
getting out early and clearing SG while it was still "nice"
the car heaters
finishing
Lowlights:
the rain
being so wet and cold I was actually told I was blue by more than one person
constantly dealing with large groups of cyclists showing total disregard for other and the RotR
a load of bites I somehow managed to get on my legs, particularly on my left knee
Thoughts on the event:
Marshalling was pretty non existent, the few junctions where they were was handy to have to be fair and I thanked them each time.
Food and organisation was poor, especially for €42. Facilities were far too small for the numbers also, coffee cups were the tiniest scabbiest things I've seen.
Shouldn't have bothered with the helmet, despite the rule I saw a few people who didn't have one, only bought one cos of this rule
Overtaking groups was made exceptionally difficult as most were 4-5 wide and all over the road, so much for the course being on open roads and the RotR being in force, though any time I've ever encountered groups it's the same. I think I'll always be a solitary cyclist and this event just backed it up.
The guy on the SG bridge was not far enough up the hill for safety, yes there are road signs, but there really needs to be more obvious "slow down now" signs for the day. Given the accidents hopefully they will learn and flag it higher up, especially since there is a bump in the road there which obscures your view until right up close.0 -
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Week 24
Achievements:
None
Weekly Dist: 119.8km
Total Dist: 3,708.2km
Commuting: 20km
Misc: 5.3km
A quiet week after the W200. Took Monday off work to take it easy cos I reckoned I’d be dead, wasn’t as bad as I had thought but still glad of the rest day. It involved a lot of lying around and xbox.
Had to go to the bank so cycled down just to see how tight and sore I was, could really feel it deep in the legs but wasn’t that bad.
Tuesday: 34.93km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/92462176
A combination of the usual weekday route and a spin down to Glasthule. And was a little disjointed time wise too, taking a stop in after the loop to Glasthule. HR went through the roof at one point, to 212 or 109% max, seems unlikely to be correct as I didn’t feel my chest explode, I hit a hole around there so maybe that jolt messed it up.
First time with the bars on the Enniskerry road and was impressed to feel the difference, a decent bit faster to the extent that I ran out of gears, don’t do that too often. Though I can’t use ring ten on the back cos it jumps around on it, 9 is the max, really must take a look at that and fine adjust it.
Sunday: 60.00km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/93397934
Howth and back along the coast road
Weekend was compromised this week, had to deliver a Chinchilla on Saturday and then go out drinking so Sunday morning was out. Eventually dragged myself out onto the road at about 12.30 or so. Didn’t fancy mountains and needed to keep it reasonably short time wise so headed out towards Howth.
Lovely day, the wind was a little stiff though and always seemed to be in my face apart from when going directly east. A lot less clowns on the Clontarf cycle track than I normally come across which made it easier to keep the speed up. Did well in the first hour, up around 29kph average with only the traffic lights slowing that below 30 I reckon.
My mother rang me just as I was on my way up past the church in Howth so I was wheezing and huffing down the phone at her as I climbed the hill
After that it was a pretty uneventful run back home in a fairly respectable 2h 15 for 60km with the wind slowing me down a good bit on the way back to the Eastlink. You can see this from the speed graph; the overall is much lower after the hill than before.
Highlights:
Getting off my lazy ass and out
Lowlights:
The wind - just annoying and every direction
Arriving home to find my front light stuck on, opening it and pouring out the water from the W200
Not sure about the next few weeks, moving out so lots of packing to be done and moving of stuff here, there and everywhere. Hopefully can get at least 200km in but Saturday is already ruled out with having to do other stuff.
EDIT: I'll be dropping the bars by one spacer this week also as recommended by the bike fit guy once I had gotten used to the position. Shouldn't make too much difference, only a 4-5mm spacer...
No other changes planned, though I'm already looking at my next Christmas present to myself 0 -
Week 25
Achievements:
None, I can't even come up with any makey up ones...
Weekly Dist: 187.5km
Total Dist: 3,895.7km
Commuting: 24.5km
Misc: 11.9km
So didn’t quite get to the planned 200 km target, but that was mainly due to Thurs and Fri being a write off due to the lousy weather. Next week will be F-all done; all evenings this week are devoted to packing and cleaning in advance of moving out. The aero bars have been removed again and packed for shipping and I got rid of the pie plate too this week.
Moving house will further shorten my commute, bringing it down to about 1.3km each way. I’ll have to record it to be sure though.
Tuesday: 41.3km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/93931038
N11 to Delgany exit, back to Kilmac and over to Enniskerry and Kilternan.
Another variation of one of the more usual runs. Nothing to exciting or unusual about this one apart from a pretty good max speed that once again the player misses out on
That’s the 3rd or 4th time I’ve recorded a max speed and not been able to find out where it was from the data.
Wednesday: 24.0km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/94511043
The usual circuit again. I left he garmin turned on though by mistake, so it took me 4h 48 to do 24km, giving me a terrible average speed :pac:
Also managed to get the HR down really low while on the bike, freewheeling down hills, obviously, but to drop to 110 is still good in my book. HR tends to move much quicker these days, dropping very quickly to around 140-150 when cruising along and climbing back up just as fast once pushing or climbing. Can only be a good thing I suppose
Coming into Shankill village my buddy nearly got squashed by a bus trying (badly) to overtake him, he had to bail out onto the footpath to avoid it. Bus stopped in Shankill and he got back passed and the driver sat about a foot from his wheel all the way up to the next roundabout. Needless to say the reg and fleet number got taken and he was reported for dangerous overtaking and tailgaiting.
Sunday: 85.88km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/94947673
Malahide, around the airport, Ballyboughall, Swords, Malahide, Portmarnock and coast road back to Cabinteely.
Went out with the girlfriend’s dad (as often do) for a longer spin up in the flatter north Dublin. Don’t really like going out in Wicklow with him as I’d just leave him behind an he’d be near dead after 60km of hills
Got the train out to Malahide, it’s so handy being able to bring your bike on it these days, gives so many more options. Sure I can cycle out there but knocking off 25 or so km of crappy city cycling gives more options for nicer countryside cycling. First train on Sunday is a bit late so it was a handy enough start, nice and warm by the time we set off but with a swirly wind that veered from W to SE and was quite strong at times.
I love the run around the airport once clear of the Swords road which is terrible – crap surface and very busy. Once ontot he R108/R122/R108 its great, much better surface, quiet and can clip along on the flat while nosing at the planes
From turning left into Oldtown down to the R125 the surface was terrible, won’t be using that road again. Coming through Swords nearly got flattened on the first roundabout, as I was coming around it some old fella drove onto it without even looking to see if it was clear, if I’d been a few feet further up he would have hit me for sure. Completely oblivious to all around him :rolleyes:
Coming back from Malahide the wind started to pickup and though nice and warm it was persistant and annoying the whole way home from there. The Clontarf cycle track was full of the usual muppets (and Darth Vader) plus a load of women dressed up in various slutty getups that must have been doing a fun run or something. I was tempted to do a loop of Howth as we came in the road from Portmarnock but my cycle buddy would not have managed it so we passed on it.
The rest was pretty uneventful.
Highlights:
Sunny
Nice route for such a day, relaxed enjoying the scenery, that kind of thing
Lowlights:
The Wind
A few idiots in cars doing remarkably stupid things.0 -
Week 26
Achievements:
4,000km
Weekly Dist: 130.2km
Total Dist: 4,020.7km
Commuting: 25km
As I thought got little done this week due to moving out and packing all the gear to be shipped. Next week should be better. Rapidly approaching the 5k km mark, should have it easily done before I leave on Aug 25th. No work from 5th Aug on, so plenty of mid week spins to keep me occupied.
Commute is actually slightly longer from here than the old place, at least from Google maps. I'll bring the GPS with me tomorrow to test.
From looking at other logs this seems to be where I lose a lot of distance compared to others, a 10-20 each way every day would really help with the dist (and weight loss:P) But then again it's handy to roll out of bed 25 mins before work too:D
Sunday: 105.7km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/96500180
Killiney - Bray - Kilmac - Old Long Hill - Sallyygap - Rathdrum - Gleneally - Greystones - Killiney
Today's spin was a bit further than I had intended. Wasn't really sure what to do, go straight to Laragh or over the gap but it was so nice I had to get up into the hills proper to enjoy the day.
Uneventful trip up to Old Long hill, thereafter I was joined by my own squadron of flies for the climb to Kippure, icky. Dozens of the things buzzing me on the slower bits
Got rid of them once at the top and speeded up, wind picked up which was nice to help cool me down in the lovely hot day. Had a few people cycling the same direction from the Gap down to Laragh so tried to catch them all, did and was only repassed below the waterfall by two lads as I had slowed right down to enjoy the day.
Very quick scone in Laragh and back off to Rathdrum. Started to struggle a bit between Rathdrum and Glenealy, realising that the lack of dist during the week and the heat were getting to me bit, shoulder was getting sore too.
Soldiered on and got a puncture about a km or so short of Newcastle, my first is 4,000km (apart from one night cycling home pissed, which I haven't counted in the dist). Hit a pothole hidden in the shadows, got it fixed and was just putting the wheel back on when the same thing happened to another guy, same pothole.
I asked if he needed any help but he said he was fine so I set off, feeling much refreshed from the stop and finished it up without incident.
Highlights:
Glorious day
Another 100km plus
Pint of Pespi when I got home, mmmm sugar is good
Lowlights:
The flies
Puncture
A bit of sunburm0 -
Week 27
Partial update, will finish later...
Achievements:
Weekly Dist:
Total Dist:
Commuting 24.5km
Monday: 19.6km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/97058246
Killiney – Foxrock – Leopardstown Race Course – Killiney
Not a whole lot to say about this one, not even a proper spin but a trip to the golf shop and dropped in home (wasn’t even geared up, still in civvies :P). Still weather was nice and distance was longer than I thought, enough to class it as a proper event rather than just check the dist and delete.
Tuesday: 25.55km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/97058227
Timed laps of the short route* of Killiney Hill (* My short route, doubt it’s recognised or anything.) Plus a little bit before and after.
Decided on a little challenge for myself on the way home from work, something short but tough and a lap so I could get some comparison.
So settled on the local Killiney hill and a route I do the odd time as it’s quite enough and all left turns so no waiting at junctions generally.
Here are the laps:
2-6 are the valid ones with 1 and 7 being before and after so not counted.
Overall I’m impressed with the consistency, granted the last lap is slower due to both tiredness and slow traffic on the downhill. Distance is not that accurate though, which is a bit annoying. I’m guessing that’s down to the GPS, as the lines look all over the place and not on top of each other. Some of it is due to not pressing the lap button in exactly the same place but I don’t see it being that much, turn left and hit the button as soon as corner was cleared each time.
Each lap had about a 100m climb, very steep too from the DART station up to Killiney village and then a great run back down.
Wasn’t as boring as I’d thought it’d be but don’t think would have enjoyed too many more laps either. Will think about a slightly flatter bigger circle and do something similar in future as it’s a nice break and something a bit different from the usual point to point spins and give more info to look at after
Thursday: 16.5km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/97474546
Killiney – Bray - Killiney
Again, nothing to write home about; short spin down through Bray just to keep me sane but not wear myself out before the 155km at the weekend. Went down a road I’ve never been down in Bray was about the highlight of this :P
The GPS totally ****ed up on this one, if I turn the elevation correction off it starts at about 100m plus instead of 10m or so but with it on it has a crazy spike near the end on a perfectly flat bit of road, go figure
I’m leaving the correction on as at least 99% of it is correct rather than being much higher than normal.
To be finalised after tomorrows Sportive...0 -
can't edit above...
so
Week 27
Achievements:
another sportive completed
Weekly Dist: 238.7km
Total Dist: 4,259km
Commuting 24.5km
Saturday: 152.5km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/97901138
Athy - Abbeyleix - Durrow - Ballyragget - Castlecomer - Paulstown - Castlecomer - Clogh - Timahoe - Stradbally - Athy
Helping Hand Sportive.
The differnce between this and the W200 was just incredible. Never mind the route or the weather, the organisation, marshalling, staff and food was a million times better For 25 quid, and another 15 for a jersey it still come in under the 200 price, was infinity better and most of the money went to charity. I hope most sportive are a match for this rather than the W200
Headed off from the mass start and actually lead the thing for the first 2km Was surprised, people just started a bit slower than me I guess.
Soon got caught with a large group and stayed with them for a while until dropped at the first real hill, still very slow on the climbs it seems. Was mostly on my own for the rest of the day, dropping in and out of groups at times, either dropped on the hills or pushing ahead at times on the flats, groups also really really slow down on the decent which is infuriating.
Met Daithi BC, in boards gear too, and spent parts of the cycle and a good bit before hand chatting to him. he was faster than me though so kept losing him.
Out of Castlecomer and back was seriously tough, long climb and lovely decent and flatish for about 8-10km and then there is a ridiculous hill coming out of Oldlieghlin. Steep and straight and just goes on forever. Finally got to the top and only a short lived relief of down and flat before more climbing (unexpected) before the final long drop back down to Castlecomer
Coming along the home stretch, last 8 or so km I was dying and got caught by a group, just managed to hang on the back and was suddenly doing 34 instead of 24 kph. Stayed with them till the end, cheekily sprinting away to finish infront of them all
Less than 6 hours, so goal reached. Not that great a write up but I really couldn't be arsed at the moment:pac: 0 -
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Week 30
Achievements
back on track after two awful weeks
4,500km complete, only 500 to go to goal
Weekly Dist: 192km
Total Dist: 4,537.9km
Commuting: 24.5km
Nothing really to report about week's 28 and 29. Highlight being a very short bit of cycling in Tuscany up some of the crazy switchbacks.
Monday: 26.18km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/101748276
Killiney do Monkstown, all around there and back via DL and Watsons
Two fold route, combining several appointments with getting back on track and doing some reasonable distance on a weekday evening. A bit of waiting led to some crazy looking looping around the backroads of Monkstown. The HR getting higher again shows what a couple of weeks off again, I rarely get over 184 these days, but this was up to 188 and a lot higher overall.
Wednesday: 24.96km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/102161962
I've mentioned a "usual" route that I do up to Ambrose Glass, Scalp and back down, this is a slight extension of that that I tried out on Wednesday, little more dist, few more climbs. Seems a sensible extension of the route to me. The road from Powersourt to the N11 is so much better than the lower road, which is in an awful condition and must be avoided.
Friday: 33.39km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/102568141
In to Grand Canal Dock and back to pick up my new pair of Boards shorts from Undercover Elephants. Not a nice trip in, surface on the cycle lane from Vincent's inwards in shockingly bad. Decided to come out the coast road instead and was much nicer, was going well so also decided up the Vico from Dalkey would be a nice finish to it.
Saturday: 54.21km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/102735091
Home to Glencree and back via Kilmac.
Had great plans for today but a combination of laziness and uncertain weather meant it was cut short. Was going to turn right after the waterfall and head up along the back road to Roundwood and back and further on after Kilmac also. The weather wass looking to uncertain and the decent from Glencree on Old Long Hill was frankly terrifying with all the loose chippings that have been put down.
Once through that stretch just did not feel like having to go near another "chipped" road for the day.
Squadrons of flies on the slower decent weren't paarticularly welcome either. Stopped early enough in the day at Glencree cafe, yummy scone and coffee.
Sunday: 24.81km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/103199525
Killiney - Dalkey - DL - Sandyford and Back.
Another one cut short by weather and my cycling buddy struggling with a sore back. We somehow managed to cycle around the first bank of clouds, only ever getting a spit of rain. The plan was to head from the racecourse up past Carrickmines onto the Enniskerry road but the second bank of cloud looked very threatening. We decided just to head back and avoid the weather and only just made it back dry. 0 -
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First serious go at it and I knocked a huge amount of time off
http://app.strava.com/rides/1112529#16773834
up to 2nd, happy days:D:D
only another 21 seconds to find0 -
Week 31:
Achievements:
First serious crash and first serious damage to the bike :rolleyes:
No more commuting, finished work
Weekly Dist: 143.7km
Total Dist: 4,681.6km
Commuting: 19.6km
So what was to be a pretty good week ended abruptly today on a road in Meath with a heavy crash. Result of that means I'm off the bike until a new RD and hanger can be sourced, RD totally destroyed; hanger sheared off, adjusting screw sheared off, arms to hold the small cogs bent or folded in two! Canyon want 27 for the hanger and post, robbing feckers :mad: No other damage to the bike, I ended up with seriously swollen shin which has gone down thankfully and some road rash on hip, shoulder, elbow and forearm. :rolleyes:
So great plans to spend my free day next week doing some serious distance has gone out the window, hopefully by the time I get back from the wedding on Monday week all the bits will have arrived and I can get back on track.
Anyhoo:
Tuesday: 25.1km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/103703033
The new local route up to Kilternan, Scalp Enniskerry, Powerscourt, Fassaroe and back.
Added in the extra bit while out with my cycling buddy, we both liked it so will continue to use the extra bit of distance on it. nothing out of the ordinary here at all today.
Wednesday: 26.45km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/103856732
Alongt he coast to Dalkey, DL, Balckrock and back via Deansgrange. This route or minor variations of it is fast becoming a favourite of mine and a decent alternative to the above for yesterday, much flatter though so a bit too easy and the traffic is always crap in Deansgrange
Thursday: 13km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/104022128
http://app.strava.com/rides/1090056
a short unremarkable ride that needs no comment apart from that it was the first time I've used strava as well as garmin to see how they compare. Calories on Strava seem all over the place compared tot he Edge recording, not sure how they work them out. For this activity time and height and dist are the same but other vary a lot for some reason.
Friday: 20.55km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/104239088
Similar to Wednesday, raced up Bono hill for the first time, taking 90 sec off my previous time. Wrecked myself and put my HR into the 190s for the first time in months, need to warm a bit more before next time.
Sunday: 38.99km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/104623594
Another spin up in Meath similar to previous ones. Distance should have been twice what it was due to the crash and it would have ended off the week nicely enough. Was considering the Orwell randonee but my knee has been a bit tight recently and the hills wouldn't have done it any good. Getting it looked at tmro anyway.
There was some compitition this time for the first time, race up the hill before Athboy and we were racing to Trim when crashed.
Line of 5 of us heading along at about 35-37 or so, I was third. Guy in second hit the leaders wheel and started to go over on his right side. I had nowhere to go and as soon as he went down I hit his back wheel and flipped over him going head first and sideways and landing on my right arm. Luckily no cars around as he fell quite wide out onto the road, I went into the ditch. Guy in forth some how managed to ride over us both and stay up and the final guy just had time to avoid it.
PLenty of damage to the other guys bike and plenty of roadrash. I faired a lot better but still quite sore.
An annoying end to the week but I'm not to bothered tbh, would havekept going if the bike was able and annoyed about not having the bike until replacement parts arrive.0 -
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Week 32
The first week of the year that I have not been on the bike at all :eek:
Crash and wedding distracted me from it all. Had to drop bike in to get fixed also after unsuccessfully having a go at it myself so looking like a low total for this week too 0 -
Week 33
Achievements:
none
Weekly Distance: 216.5km
Total Distance: 4,898km
Finally got the bike fixed, 140 all in which wasn't too bad in the end.
Wednesday: 22.1km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/107332230
Just a short local spin to break back into it. nothing of note.
Thursday: 100.6km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/107488054
Killiney through Bray to Laragh and back over Sallygap through Enniskerry, Merrion and DL.
Headed off to finish off some of the remaining tasks I've set myself, Sallygap from the south and try and clock up distance before leaving. Uneventful enough from home to Laragh, stopped for coffee and scone. Headed off up the valley then, kinda dreading it al little bit, having only ever flown down it. Wasn't as steep as I thought though, and was reasonably nice all the way up, apart from just before the gap itself when the weather got a bit nasty for a while. No cyclists at all around, a few friendly car drivers who waved.
After passing the gap got beeped by bitemybanger leading an army convoy, beeped again by someone in a red laguna with people hanging out the window waving
Passed a load of cyclists struggling up past the lakes, waves all round.
Got down into Enniskerry and decided was going well so would push on for the hundred and wander around through Sandyford, Dundrum and so forth to try and make it up.
Finished up well and went for birthday drinks
Friday: 60.55km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/107698442
Howth and back along the coast road.
A bit of an annoying day, no wind aiding me on the way out but it picked up on the way back and was quite strong too. Was feeling a bit sore from the day before. Passed triggermortis on the way down from Howth summit.
Also proved you can fit a cyclist and two trucks past each other on the Eastlink bridge, but not really something I want to do again tbh
Had to stop at the garage on the Strand road for coke and chocolate, was really tired by then.
Saturday: 29km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/107949445
Bray and Enniskerry.
Decided on something a bit new, heading up from the N11 to Powerscourt via the back road, not a bad climb. Pushed on Monastry Rd and took my time from 5.13 to 3.50 on that segment, pretty happy with that.
Was quite sore after though, cut it slightly shorter than planned by coming back down at Kilternan rather than heading further in.
Too tired at this point to write much else... :rolleyes::)0 -
Yes indeed, all the goals have now been completed, with 4 months to spare!
So I will start a new one up when I get to NZ.
Total distance: 5,001.8km
This week: 103.8km
No more will be done this week as the bike needs to be taken apart and cleaned for the move.
Monday: 32,8km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/108572341
Just a local route, looks a bit all over the place on the map though. Went to try for a good time coming up "Bono Hill" but totally burnt out halfway up, had to be happy with just tootling along
Tuesday: 70.9km
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/108775391
Down through Bray and Greystones to NTMK over to Roundwood and back to NTMK and back along N11.
A nice day with little of note until the hill out the back of Newtown, 14% in places :eek: and the sun came out with a vengeance just here also. Stopped in Roundwood for a cuppa and a bite to eat, just as we were setting off the Air Corps started buzzing the village in a heli, dunno what they were doing, circling around and eventually landed out the far side of the village towards Anamoe I think.
Had to add a little short loop in right at the end just to be sure I'd get over the distance mark for the day and not have to go back out later after realising I was still a little short.
So stats then:
(note that while many activities are up in Garmin, my commutes aren't and some shorter ones are not either)
Total Distance covered: 5,001.8km
W200: Completed (In the most awful weather too)
Weight Lost: 88kg -> 89kg -> 83.5kg so I'm counting that as 5.5kg (plus I've put on a fair bit of leg muscle so more fat is gone and that's the main thing)
So all goals finished.
Some other stats:
Vertical Height climbed: 46.01km
Avg Speed: 22.4km/h
Max Speed: 74km/h (not entirely sure when, but clocked 73.6 today also)
Calories burnt: 157,957:D
Avg Dist: 39km
Max Dist: 195.09km (W200)
Sportives done: 2 (W200 and Helping Hand from Athy)
Crashes: only 1 real crash
Punctures: 2
Broken chain links: 3
The intention is to start a new log once setup in NZ, with some of the basic goals being:
By year end:
another 2000km
lose another 2kg
join a club
take part in a race and don't finish last
So hofefully I can keep up the good work, though it may take a while to get sorted out and kick off once there.
Last chance to make any comments or ask question or whatnot, I'll keep an eye on this for a while but not too long.
Thanks for all the encouragement and support to date, I definitely would not have kept it up to such an extent without this log 0 -
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