Tell us about your cycle Yesterday.

dahat

smacl wrote: »

Who needs glorious when you can have bloody glorious. Bloody glorious countryside we have on our doorstep when the rain, hail, and storms let up, and some timed, bloody glorious then too.

Yep, drove the Coast Road today (Bunmahon to Tramore) and going to cycle it tomorrow but after 3 punctures in two days my confidence is somewhat battered.

terrydel

smacl wrote: »

Some panicky last minute preparation for the WW200. Looking very much like reclaiming the lanterne rouge, if indeed I manage to drag my sorry ass around at all. Today was Ballboden, Enniskery, Kilmac, Laragh, Aughrim, Aughavannagh, Slieve Maan, Shay Elliot, Laragh, Sally gap and home. 139k @ 20kph with 2.25k climbing. Still struggling on the hills, foot went down to take a breather half way up Slieve Maan which remains as vicious as ever and also half way up Shay Elliot for no good reason other than being bollixed. Fantastic day out, though I was glad I'd the long sleeves on.

If you got thru that 139 you will manage the W200 mate, just pace yourself esecially at the end, and take regular little breaks.
I'm a little worried about my stamina for the 200k as well, having done the LapDeGaps yesterday and suffered the last 15-20k (I did 115k after taking a few wrong turns!) just having the legs for the distance is my main concern. So vital that I pace myself and keep a bit in the tank. Im going up the hills really well, but dont have the miles in the legs like I did last summer.
But its challenge and thats what its all about!

G1032

Just some words of advice.....

Don't go out on a spin before 6am with no shoe covers or full fingered gloves. If you do find yourself out at that hour without them, don't say "sure I'll be grand" and keep going.

I suspect my feet will have defrosted sometime before nightfall. I hope they will anyway

73km done and back in home at around 20 past 8. Needs must and all that.....

https://www.strava.com/activities/576421768

Boscoirl

115km around Lough Derg yesterday glorious Sunshine, stopped too long for lunch so took the most direct way home,

Had a shower and went to the pub just after 4 to watch the rugby and Got home at 3 am. Not sure if hat is in a worse state, my head or Arse

https://www.strava.com/activities/575716142

smacl

terrydel wrote: »

If you got thru that 139 you will manage the W200 mate

Cheers, I've done it a number of times before, just left the preparation a bit late this year and not got as many long days on the bike as I'd like.

Daroxtar

First proper hilly 100+ of the year and what a beautiful day. Went up from Enniskerry to Glencree and then down to Laragh. Truth be told, it was chilly on the toes alright for the first few hours.
Met a few lads who were heading up the Wicklow Gap so I asked to tag along as I hadn't done it before. Lovely fellas they were and it was great to have a chat along the way as well as them knowing where to turn for Valleymount.
I have to say, the Wicklow Gap was a lovely climb but much easier than I expected. The 4 of us kept an easy pace going and before I knew it we were over the top and barely out of our comfort zone.
On down and into Blessington where the usual happiness ensued as a frumpy fück wit with a cheap fake tan roared out the window of her brother-husbands beeemer something about "getting out of my f ing way". Neither of the cross eyed siblings looked impressed when they got stuck behind a funeral shortly afterwards and my cycling pal reminded them of some of the basic rules of the road.

I can see why people avoid the N81.

Continued on down to Tallaght and did an extra few hundred yards up and down the road to make sure I was over the 115km so I could get my all important Strava grand fondo badge. Legs a little tired but not too bad.
I like that route, plenty of opportunities to add in a good few hundred extra metres for not much extra mileage. Might throw in some Kippure next time, Turlogh Hill after that and maybe up Ballysmuttan and Ballinascorney to really blow the legs as the summer goes on.
Here's to the sunshine

116km, 1260m in 4:22@ 26.6kmh

https://www.strava.com/activities/576753591

crosstownk

I only managed to get 40km in yesterday due to kids stuff and was out on a bit of a session last night so I had a nasty hangover today.

I crawled out of bed and strolled down the road to support a few lads I know who were doing the Terenure 5 mile (for those of us that only speak Euro, that's 8km ). Between watching the runners and the good weather I decided I'd have to get out on the bike or I'd be annoyed with myself later in the day.

So I managed 40km farting around Dublin avoiding hills as I didn't want to poke the hangover too much in case it sought some kind of revenge.

Despite cycling in the city, I had just as many greenfly latch onto me as I would on a spin in Wicklow.

Now, I think it's time for some hair of the dog..............

sullivlo

Did the DSI lap the gaps yesterday. First time in the mountains. Struggled quite a bit but made it. Averaged 20kph which is ridiculously slow compared to most on here but I'm delighted with myself for doing it!

Got sunburnt though, despite wearing factor 50!

Fireball XL5

Having a nice cycle up towards feather beds when a w***er on a speeding motorbike passed met so closely I could almost smell his leathers. Nearly had to change my bib shorts with the fright I got.

Him and his buddies were stopped up at the top of the feather beds and I must admit I completely lost it with them. It was not my finest hour in terms of seeking peace and reconciliation but my blood was up and the adrenaline surge had really worked me up. Turns out it was a group of Polish motorbikers. When confronted the guy who almost hit me smiled, said sorry and said that there was no problem since he had not hit me.

Now I have to put my hands up here and say I am also a motorbiker and love nothing more than a blast through the twisties on a bright afternoon. However, also being a cyclist I am painfully aware of the fright a motorbike can give a cyclist and always give a wide berth.

The argument put to me today was that I was not the only road user. The argument that seems to have been missed however was that I was not driving a quarter ton vehicle at excessive speed close to other more vulnerable road users.

So folks to anybody you know who is a motorcyclist please take the time to pass on the message that while doing the twisties is great - there are are always likely to be more vulnerable road users about. Please be careful out there.

Oh and by the way - I have calmed down now (just).

Unknown Soldier

A lovely 14.5km out with the missus today on my INF8. Drove over to Blessington to start off as she is terrified of traffic etc. Handy little number, and a nice recovery spin after yesterdays Cycle4DSI lap De Gaps.

What with the commuting coming back online, happy enough with 200km+ this week, and nearly 2km of climbing.

Thankfully, after last year, I know that big bright sunny thing in the sky early in the morning =/= warm

dahat

Club spin today which was eventual for me to say the least.

Those who follow me on Strava will be aware i have had some bike issues last week or so, spoke and puncture drama. Heading off tbis morning i was a little anxious to say the least.

I headed off to the meeting point around 10k from my home place but on arrival a spoke went pop AGAIN, gggrrgghhhhh.... Had to borrow a wheel from a very kind clubmate who lives nearby. A very kind gesture.

Spin was great and a decent pace without being mental. On the main Tipp Town to Cahir road a car decided to overtake us and suddenly shoot across me and another lad to take a sharp left, we were on the front and only for i followed the car and turned left the whole group wpuld have been taken out, a very scary and shocking experience.

I was glad to get home in one piece with most of my bike!!!!

103k at 30.7km average.

Hauki

Headed out in the morning with just a quick coffee run to Enniskerry planned.

But then there was the sun.

And other riders.

And I was feeling good.

Things escalated.

Ended up doing 141k with ~1500m of climbing as I did both Sally and Wicklow Gap on my route. Insanely gorgeous out there today!

https://www.strava.com/activities/577156685

crosstownk

sullivlo wrote: »

Did the DSI lap the gaps yesterday. First time in the mountains. Struggled quite a bit but made it. Averaged 20kph which is ridiculously slow compared to most on here but I'm delighted with myself for doing it!

Got sunburnt though, despite wearing factor 50!

Absolutely nothing slow about 20km/h on those hills. Nothing.

Well done.

P_1

67km out about Howth the Airport and Balbriggan in 2:50. Beautiful out

Orion

105km covered today. Maynooth to Celbridge to meet the group then off back roads through Kilcloon, Moyvalley, Dunsany, to the hill of Tara. Back via Rathmolyon, Newtown hill and Donadea to Maynooth. Beautiful day for it and some nice drags. There were at least a couple of boardsies in the group. One who posts here regularly but another who asked about the green kit I was wearing too.

retalivity

Did WAAR (Wild Atlantic Adventure Race) in northwest Donegal on Saturday, Was 43k of cycling with a run, hike & kayak thrown in for good measure. Fantastic day, great weather & the scenery was cracking as well. Some horrible little 10%+ slopes on old boreens up the middle of nowhere, looking forward to tackling next time i'm back up there.


https://www.strava.com/activities/575526077

secman

Did a leisurely 42km today, killenagh ballyedmund, boolavogue, ratheenduff, kilmuckridge..home. 42 km Avg 24km.

shaka

147 km yesterday with the club, got in the VEE. Jeez surface was rough at stages. Good to get a long spin in, 26 avg

Eponymous

Broke the 50km barrier yesterday and shaved 20s off my PB climbing Bray Head and actually felt like I could have done better! Wasn't really going for it on the rest of the route, it was a leisurely spin with a neighbour, but may go out and take it on again next weekend on my own. I'm becoming quite the chatterbox on my bike as my fitness improves... But to be fair, my neighbour enjoys a more serene pace anyway!

https://www.strava.com/activities/576508970

Later in the afternoon I took a drive with my kids from Rathfarnham up to Carrickmines, Enniskerry up to Sally Gap and down into Roundwood and back to Greystones via NTMK. Not sure I'll be tackling that too soon! But you never know, I might just feel like I have the legs some day. Incredible amount of cyclists up there, some lovely bikes on display too. Passed Orwell coming in the opposite direction in a group. Looked far too organised for me (in a good way!).

Bloggsie

Fireball XL5 wrote: »

Having a nice cycle up towards feather beds when a w***er on a speeding motorbike passed met so closely I could almost smell his leathers. Nearly had to change my bib shorts with the fright I got.

Him and his buddies were stopped up at the top of the feather beds and I must admit I completely lost it with them. It was not my finest hour in terms of seeking peace and reconciliation but my blood was up and the adrenaline surge had really worked me up. Turns out it was a group of Polish motorbikers. When confronted the guy who almost hit me smiled, said sorry and said that there was no problem since he had not hit me.

Now I have to put my hands up here and say I am also a motorbiker and love nothing more than a blast through the twisties on a bright afternoon. However, also being a cyclist I am painfully aware of the fright a motorbike can give a cyclist and always give a wide berth.

The argument put to me today was that I was not the only road user. The argument that seems to have been missed however was that I was not driving a quarter ton vehicle at excessive speed close to other more vulnerable road users.

So folks to anybody you know who is a motorcyclist please take the time to pass on the message that while doing the twisties is great - there are are always likely to be more vulnerable road users about. Please be careful out there.

Oh and by the way - I have calmed down now (just).

here's your brother, last summer between Summerhill & Dunboyne I had a total tosser on a scrambler pass by & launch into a wheelie as he did, scared the bejaysus out of me with the roar of the exhaust. About a mile or 2 up the road, I came across a RTA between a cyclist & a car and the aforementioned tosser was there, he turned around and pissed off before I could ring his neck!

triggermortis

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1170608061

Just over 41Km this morning and felt surprisingly good considering the amount of beers I drank last night!! Nearly threw up on the first drag I came to, but that passed. Average speed of 29.7 Km/h was a nice surprise as well.

ezra_

Quick spin this evening to get the last of the weather and to make sure the legs were still working after the DSI event.

40k @ 25.6kph. Lovely evening and out with 2 other people.

terrydel

Fireball XL5 wrote: »

Having a nice cycle up towards feather beds when a w***er on a speeding motorbike passed met so closely I could almost smell his leathers. Nearly had to change my bib shorts with the fright I got.

Him and his buddies were stopped up at the top of the feather beds and I must admit I completely lost it with them. It was not my finest hour in terms of seeking peace and reconciliation but my blood was up and the adrenaline surge had really worked me up. Turns out it was a group of Polish motorbikers. When confronted the guy who almost hit me smiled, said sorry and said that there was no problem since he had not hit me.

Now I have to put my hands up here and say I am also a motorbiker and love nothing more than a blast through the twisties on a bright afternoon. However, also being a cyclist I am painfully aware of the fright a motorbike can give a cyclist and always give a wide berth.

The argument put to me today was that I was not the only road user. The argument that seems to have been missed however was that I was not driving a quarter ton vehicle at excessive speed close to other more vulnerable road users.

So folks to anybody you know who is a motorcyclist please take the time to pass on the message that while doing the twisties is great - there are are always likely to be more vulnerable road users about. Please be careful out there.

Oh and by the way - I have calmed down now (just).

Biker myself, have a ktm 990 which is a real hooligan machine, but I'd not dream of getting that close to any other roaduser, its just prick behaviour.
Just like cycling, there are a lot of tossers out there on motorbikes.

Ciaran_B

Lots and lots of greenfly. Reckon I ate about 10 of them on the way into work.

Eponymous

Ciaran_B wrote: »

Lots and lots of greenfly. Reckon I ate about 10 of them on the way into work.

Protein!

retalivity

They were everywhere along the canal in dublin on my commute today

Rogue-Trooper

Ciaran_B wrote: »

Lots and lots of greenfly. Reckon I ate about 10 of them on the way into work.

I'm glad others experienced the greenflies - they were bleedin everywhere this morning!

I felt like this when I got off the bike..............



:pac:

Bloggsie

30kms or thereabouts commute this morning just over 1 hour 10 mins, lovely morning for a spin, hoping its the same this evening & the rain holds off!

Having major trouble with the mapmyride app at the moment, its not recording any information.

helimachoptor

it's been a pleasure to cycle the last few days.

Today and yesterday, I've seen the same guy with his 2 kids in one of those carriages pulled behind the bike, neither kid with a helmet and the dad without a helmet tearing through red lights and busy junctions.

I just dont get it, why put not only yourself at risk but your kids aswell, being the parents of 2 under 2, i wouldnt risk what he is doing at all, never mind the bad example of cycling behaviours he is setting.

Bloggsie

helimachoptor wrote: »

it's been a pleasure to cycle the last few days.

Today and yesterday, I've seen the same guy with his 2 kids in one of those carriages pulled behind the bike, neither kid with a helmet and the dad without a helmet tearing through red lights and busy junctions.

I just dont get it, why put not only yourself at risk but your kids aswell, being the parents of 2 under 2, i wouldnt risk what he is doing at all, never mind the bad example of cycling behaviours he is setting.

must have a magic forcefield that makes him untouchable or he is just an dangerous, careless A**e H**e, you decide!