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

brianomc

Giants Causeway 126km yesterday, I have seen enough hills to last me a lifetime. The only flat sections were the crests and troughs. Torr Head got the better of me and I ended up turning around and taking the easy way. My legs just screamed that they had done enough and would do no more. Easy way my ass, more hills, I should have just carried on and walked some of the way up.

Some lovely roads and a smashing day though. You could fly down the descents with the smooth roads and long corners. I averaged 24.2 which I am very happy with. That was the toughest sportive I've done. 1984 metres of climbing in 126km so it's still less than last weeks Reservoir Dog per km (which I didn't do). A useful goodie box at the end too, CRC water bottle, park tools pedal wrench or x-tools steel core tyre levers, CRC socks, CRC discount vouchers (only for in-store, boooooo)

As a recovery spin I did the 100km great dublin bike ride today. Flew to Ballyboughal, stopped a bit too long which was more the queue for the toilets than the food. Was happy enough on the hills, then my back which was bothering me yesterday decided to act up again. 2 stops before the sports campus and a brief stop there to stretch and then I made good time back to smithfield.

Great organisation, even though the roads were only closed to halfway between 3Arena and Alfie Byrne road I only had to stop at one set of traffic lights. Gardai and stewards kept waving us through the reds. One very unhappy motorist in Malahide giving out to the Gardai about it. Loads of people on the roads cheering us on.

Got a few PR's and 2nd's, I would have been happy to get around at 20kmph after yesterday so happy with 26.2 which is my norm for sportives.

The beer is in the fridge and the takeaway will be ordered.

https://www.strava.com/activities/707649825

https://www.strava.com/activities/708710687

P_1

brianomc wrote: »

Giants Causeway 126km yesterday, I have seen enough hills to last me a lifetime. The only flat sections were the crests and troughs. Torr Head got the better of me and I ended up turning around and taking the easy way. My legs just screamed that they had done enough and would do no more. Easy way my ass, more hills, I should have just carried on and walked some of the way up.

Some lovely roads and a smashing day though. You could fly down the descents with the smooth roads and long corners. I averaged 24.2 which I am very happy with. That was the toughest sportive I've done. 1984 metres of climbing in 126km so it's still less than last weeks Reservoir Dog per km (which I didn't do). A useful goodie box at the end too, CRC water bottle, park tools pedal wrench or x-tools steel core tyre levers, CRC socks, CRC discount vouchers (only for in-store, boooooo)

As a recovery spin I did the 100km great dublin bike ride today. Flew to Ballyboughal, stopped a bit too long which was more the queue for the toilets than the food. Was happy enough on the hills, then my back which was bothering me yesterday decided to act up again. 2 stops before the sports campus and a brief stop there to stretch and then I made good time back to smithfield.

Great organisation, even though the roads were only closed to halfway between 3Arena and Alfie Byrne road I only had to stop at one set of traffic lights. Gardai and stewards kept waving us through the reds. One very unhappy motorist in Malahide giving out to the Gardai about it. Loads of people on the roads cheering us on.

Got a few PR's and 2nd's, I would have been happy to get around at 20kmph after yesterday so happy with 26.2 which is my norm for sportives.

The beer is in the fridge and the takeaway will be ordered.

https://www.strava.com/activities/707649825

https://www.strava.com/activities/708387663

It was quite hilarious seeing her rage spinning by her alright. Strangely she was the only motorist I encountered not having a nice day. Nabbed a fair few PBs myself too and Snowton didn't feel too painful.

https://www.strava.com/activities/708344287

Beaut of a day for it too which only helped.

davef1000

I did the GDBR too. Loved it, but my god, that wind...

Eponymous

GDBR today...

https://www.strava.com/activities/708230096/shareable_images/map_based?hl=en-GB&v=1473594063

LollipopJimmy

Absolutely broken up today after a gruelling Hell And Back yesterday. We did it as a group of 15 which turns out makes it much harder as you're helpingand watching out for more people.

Anyway, just cycled to the takeaway this evening but went the long way to just try ease the pain and stiffness in my legs.... Went a bit too hard and managed to collect a KOM

moonshadow

Tor head........ on the causeway cycle it's only a few km at the end of 126 km or 186 km but oh my holy jeebus ive never seen or cycled the likes of it before !!
A wall ! A great big long and very high wall.
Great turnout with big groups from the likes of Orwell, White river Wheelers, Ardee, Castleknock , Blayney to name a few of the cross border raiders...
Did I mention Tor head...the pain was real !!

Sinbad_NI

TCauseway Sportive 182 km... took it relatively easy as knew Torr head was coming up at the end.

Very glad to say I made it up without having to stop, tough route, think it was ~8800 ft of climbing which is more than enough on any day.

Torr head really is a brutal beast, first bit is seriously steep then the second longer one, although not as sharp, is much longer. Tough any day, tougher after 100 miles.

Man the views up that coast are superb, even had most beautiful weather.

Sinbad_NI

moonshadow wrote: »

Tor head........ on the causeway cycle it's only a few km at the end of 126 km or 186 km but oh my holy jeebus ive never seen or cycled the likes of it before !!
A wall ! A great big long and very high wall.
Great turnout with big groups from the likes of Orwell, White river Wheelers, Ardee, Castleknock , Blayney to name a few of the cross border raiders...
Did I mention Tor head...the pain was real !!

So how does Torr measure up to some of the other climbs in the south, A few guys said it was a lot tougher than Mamore for example.

mr spuckler

after all the impressive distances cycled above, mine was a much shorter spin on the old rail trail / greenway out from athlone on saturday. hit out on the cx bike with my 6 month old in the baby trailer attached to the back and my dad cycling alongside for his first spin of the year. made it pretty much as far as moate before turning around and heading back as spuckler junior was asleep and were trying to time our return home to suit his waking up.

having only cycled that greenway once last september when i joined at mullingar on my way down from dublin one weekend, i had forgotten what a brilliant amenity it is. at the athlone end it starts beside a supermarket / coffee shop which has outdoor seating, bike stands, bike hire and plenty of specific parking set aside for people using the greenway. it's well worth a look if visiting the area!

godtabh

LollipopJimmy wrote: »

Absolutely broken up today after a gruelling Hell And Back yesterday. We did it as a group of 15 which turns out makes it much harder as you're helpingand watching out for more people.

Anyway, just cycled to the takeaway this evening but went the long way to just try ease the pain and stiffness in my legs.... Went a bit too hard and managed to collect a KOM

Clearly Hell and Back wasnt that hard! My wife did it and is still alive. She went drinking after and left the car in Bray. Great excuse to collect ii via Roundwood.

LollipopJimmy

godtabh wrote: »

Clearly Hell and Back wasnt that hard! My wife did it and is still alive. She went drinking after and left the car in Bray. Great excuse to collect ii via Roundwood.

There's 15 people in my office who beg to differ! It's really only as tough as you make it though

cdaly_

moonshadow wrote: »

Tor head........ on the causeway cycle it's only a few km at the end of 126 km or 186 km but oh my holy jeebus ive never seen or cycled the likes of it before !!
A wall ! A great big long and very high wall.
Great turnout with big groups from the likes of Orwell, White river Wheelers, Ardee, Castleknock , Blayney to name a few of the cross border raiders...
Did I mention Tor head...the pain was real !!

*stuffs fingers in ears...*

LA LA LA LA LA LA! I can't hear you!!!


I have to cycle over Tor head in three weeks time...

Antrim 300

godtabh

LollipopJimmy wrote: »

There's 15 people in my office who beg to differ! It's really only as tough as you make it though

I was more referring to your KOM.

Chuchote

mr spuckler wrote: »

hit out on the cx bike with my 6 month old in the baby trailer attached to the back and my dad cycling alongside for his first spin of the year. made it pretty much as far as moate before turning around and heading back as spuckler junior was asleep and were trying to time our return home to suit his waking up.

Reminds me of happy days with a hot little head resting on my lower back as I cycled through town!

smacl

LollipopJimmy wrote: »

Absolutely broken up today after a gruelling Hell And Back yesterday

Did it earlier in the year, herself thought it would be a fun 50th birthday present for, and that it was as I made sure she did it with me

Usual spin up to Foxes at lunch, a bit cooler than it has been but good to clear the head after a boozey weekend.

Luxman

Almost 50K around NCD with 600m vertical. Followed a route a mate told me he does. I knew the roads but some were new as they were done in reverse. Had a few close passes with cars and one dog gave chase for quite a bit longer than I thought he would. I almost had the bottle out to give him a dousing. Bright morning and happy with the effort.

brocbrocach

Finding 600m vertical in 50k is good going in NCD. Nag's Head, Snowtown, Ardcath?

Luxman

Garristown from Ratoath, Ardcath, Cromwells bush, Snowtown and home via Springhill and Curragha

DominoDub

I see lots of people going back to enjoy the GDBR 100km route.

I am planning to doing the same myself ..loved those descents:D , but maybe not going as fast given the roads would be fully open to traffic.

I would also like so see how much a factor that bloody WIND was on the return leg.

brocbrocach

Luxman wrote: »

Garristown from Ratoath, Ardcath, Cromwells bush, Snowtown and home via Springhill and Curragha

Cromwell's Bush says you. I must check it out!

P_1

Decided to add in Irishtown Park and Poolbeg Lighthouse on the commute home. Bloody hell the Bull Wall is rough on a cheap rigid MTB.

Wishbone Ash

P_1 wrote: »

... Bloody hell the Bull Wall is rough on a cheap rigid MTB.

Just as rough on an expensive road bike!

P_1

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Just as rough on an expensive road bike!

You're a braver man than I so. Went down that way yesterday with the road bike, tried a bit of the surface and a swift u-turn was done!

Miklos

140kms across the Sally Gap, shrouded in mist, to Laragh -> Rathdrum -> Redcross -> Avoca -> Brittas Bay -> Rathnew -> Etc...

Got overtaken by a classic and sports car run going over the gap which was pretty cool. Triumphs, Porsches, Ferraris, Morris Minors..

Currently having trouble uploading the file to Strava so not sure if it actually happened or was it all a dream?

LollipopJimmy

Some aul lad on the canal took exception to being overtaken by me, I caught up to him on Davitt Road and when I went to pass he put the hammer down and tried to squeeze me out. Anyway I pressed on and got by, he then tore across the Luas line at Suir Bridge, breaking the red and making a Luas blow it's horn. I went on green and duly caught up again and as I went to overtake he again put the hammer down. He's probably in work now with aches in his legs from his arseholery. Other than that my usual commute was grand, I was expecting it to be nuts given the bus strike and good weather

Chuchote

LollipopJimmy wrote: »

Some aul lad on the canal took exception to being overtaken by me, I caught up to him on Davitt Road and when I went to pass he put the hammer down and tried to squeeze me out. Anyway I pressed on and got by, he then tore across the Luas line at Suir Bridge, breaking the red and making a Luas blow it's horn. I went on green and duly caught up again and as I went to overtake he again put the hammer down. He's probably in work now with aches in his legs from his arseholery. Other than that my usual commute was grand, I was expecting it to be nuts given the bus strike and good weather

Probably a bus strike cyclist who will now tell everyone how awfully effortful it is to cycle.

shootermacg

Took a whole 2 minutes extra today to get to work. With so many cars and walkers out today, I made a mental note to be extra careful.

I've never seen such a range of knackered cyclists / bikes, bloody hilarious stuff, but hopefully some of them will give cycling a go. The first day is always the worst.

Miklos

Miklos wrote: »

140kms across the Sally Gap, shrouded in mist, to Laragh -> Rathdrum -> Redcross -> Avoca -> Brittas Bay -> Rathnew -> Etc...

Got overtaken by a classic and sports car run going over the gap which was pretty cool. Triumphs, Porsches, Ferraris, Morris Minors..

Currently having trouble uploading the file to Strava so not sure if it actually happened or was it all a dream?

Nice route. Just out of interest what amount of food did you consume along the way?

ted1

shootermacg wrote: »

Took a whole 2 minutes extra today to get to work. With so many cars and walkers out today, I made a mental note to be extra careful.

I've never seen such a range of knackered cyclists / bikes, bloody hilarious stuff, but hopefully some of them will give cycling a go. The first day is always the worst.

Took 2 minutes less, clear bus lanes on the N11 all the way into Stephens Green.

Alanstrainor

Can't say I noticed much different this morning on my commute from Killiney to Fairview. I did just miss rush hour, so we'll see how I fair on the return journey at 5.