Tell us about your cycle today part III

Weepsie · 06-07-2021 8:52pm

The fingal mobile library stops there. That's about all I know about it.

Wishbone Ash · 06-07-2021 9:36pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

i'd love to know what the story behind rivermeade was; it's what looks like a council estate plonked out in the middle of nowhere. had wondered (pure supposition) if it maybe started as a settled traveller site, i can't think of any other reason for where it's located.

I always presumed it was built to rehouse the people who's homes were CPO'ed to build runway 10/28 in the 1980's.

16-07-2021 12:10pm

Drogheda-Dundalk-Drogheda for my second jab. Heat sapped me on the return trip. Cars beeping at some fool stood in the middle of the road at tullyesker hill with a camera on a tripod taking pictures. I only noticed him when I got within 30-40 meters.

Loads out, must have met 30ish cyclists between Dundalk and Castlebellingham alone, mostly in ones and twos and one lager group of about 8 or 9.

magicbastarder · 16-07-2021 12:26pm

i didn't get out this week - would usually have been out on tues and weds evenings - but i had jab #2 on tuesday evening, and stayed home on weds because i'd heard a few stories about fatigue kicking in about 24 hours after the first jab. in the end the only issue i had to deal with was the typical dead arm which lasts for a day or two after the jab.

Weepsie · 16-07-2021 2:31pm

Cracking morning. Had the conundrum of only one bottle cage though so went to howth and tried as many ways up it in an hour as I could.sutton side, village side, balkill road and windgates and that one that goes through the estate.

Anyway, howth as a free water refill station near its toilets. It was used twice. Fingal way ahead of DCC in that respect as I've seen them in a few places

Luxman · 16-07-2021 2:46pm

Out for 40k, over to Tara, it was very warm out but still remembered how much I sweat in the heat. Stopped to check phone and send a message and could have half filled a bottle with the sweat pouring off me. Glorious out

Mercian Pro · 16-07-2021 4:25pm

Not today but Wednesday ...

Took the 9.00 train to Thurles to meet with a good (and very fit) friend who brought me on a tour initially heading west to Newport for lunch. Took in a few climbs on the way but nothing compared to what awaited on the way to Silvermines. Fortunately he warned me to drop into the small ring before we turned off a nice country road onto a forest lane that started at 16% and hit 20% a few times. It was only 1.5km long but at the rate I was moving, it seemed to take forever to reach Knockanroe car park at the top. The descent to Silvermines was a bit like coming down Kilmashogue - too steep to enjoy and forearm cramps from being on the brakes so much. The 40km back to Thurles was lumpy enough too but thankfully there was a tailwind to ease the pain. After a tour of Thurles trying to find an open pub, I caught the return train and was back in Dublin by 6.00.

https://strava.app.link/zTPU4iiwWhb

Nigzcurran · 16-07-2021 6:07pm

Took the bike out yesterday and got a few kms down the road before I realised something felt wrong, had a look at the back wheel while cycling and it looked like a Z! Had no idea what happened as the accident I had last week only involved the front of the bike, took the wheel into the bike shop out beside UCD this morning and the chap in there ran it on his gizmo and after tightening a few slightly loose spokes had it completely straight again, I was amazed at how much strength and shape the spokes actually give the wheel. I’m going to drop the bike in to them for a full service/check up as it’s never had it since new, ps; they didn’t even charge me so hats off to them

16-07-2021 10:06pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117619563#Comment_117619563

My arm now feels like it was hit with a sledge hammer after the jab and some very minor niggles I have with my achilles and knee have me hobbled here. Jab seems to have amplified those problems ten fold, went for the clutch in the car earlier, nope you may drive love :S

tigerboon · 16-07-2021 10:46pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117619639#Comment_117619639

I was fairly floored the day after the 2nd jab about a week and a half ago. I stayed off the bike for a few days and decided to cut the hedges. Stood on a big dirty rusty nail which went an inch or so into my foot. So no bike for the last week. Still a bit sore but went out this evening. 19km and about 150m of climbing. All things considered, happy with that. My advice, stay cycling after the jab.

NamelessPhil · 17-07-2021 6:03am

I gallivanted around the border of the Pale yesterday, 300km with 2,500m, 23kph avg. in under 17 hours actual time.

I left south Dublin at 06:30 and headed for Tallaght, there's a church whose bell tower was one of the defensive forts. Out through Rathcoole and Kilteel on quiet back roads to the most southerly point of the route at Ballymore Eustace. By then the early cloud had burnt off and it promised to be a very hot day

Across to Naas and onto busier R-roads through Clane and Kilcock. I will always detest the 4km between Sallins and Clane, it's narrow with no hard shoulder and cars tend to build up behind you, chomping at the bit to overtake.

Second breakfast in Summerhill with a local friendly cat sharing the sausage from my breakfast roll!

Up to Trim and then the most westerly point at Athboy. After Kells it was very hot and my speed dropped. I stopped in Castletown for an ice-cream and some shade. The hills kicked in after Castletown - I still have no love for Drumlins you're either doing 10kph up the steep side or 30kph+ down the descent before the next small hill, impossible to find a rhythm. The scenery was beautiful, golden corn fields with the Mourne Mountains in the distance. Another ice-cream in Tallanstown and then to the most northerly point at Castle Roche eight hours after leaving Ballymore Eustace.

A nice descent into Dundalk and then the long slog down the busy R132 to Drogheda. The best bit was finding the milk vending machine at Wholey Cow!

If there's a better way to get back to Drogheda, I'm all ears.

Out of Drogheda and over Snowtown to Naul with my shadow lengthening in the evening sun. A quick run into Dublin with the sun setting behind me and along the coast Road to Dalkey Castle, the most easterly point. Back home via Carrickmines and a part of the Pale ditch in Sandyford. I have tired legs and stupidity sun tan but it was a great day out on the bike.

Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/26oRVCYsXhb

Pinoy adventure · 17-07-2021 7:31am

Hi all

would you recommend any leasure cycle groups around Dublin ? I'm a solo cyclist and would like a bit of company along the way.speed/distance is not really important too me.

thanks

Weepsie · 17-07-2021 11:07am

Great stuff namelessphil. I must insist that anyone who meets a friendly cat when cycling takes a pic and posts it though. I may have to make this a mods decree

Anyway, today is anniversary big my birth. But I'm in work from 9.30.

Got up early to head up cruagh, drank some coffee and took in a wonderful view. Down stocking lane and into work with plenty of time to spare. Managed a km per year bang on

Idleater · 17-07-2021 11:21am

Went out yesterday evening after work. Lovely evening for a cycle and an ice cream.

And a bloody wasp that took offense at the invasion of air space. Thankfully the sting didn't get too far through the material and covid laziness induced fat.

Mercian Pro · 17-07-2021 11:56am

Great spin Nameless Phil. Between Dundalk and Drogheda I'd always head for the coast at Castlebellingham and pass through Annagassan, Clogher Head and Termonfeckin. It adds a bit of distance but the scenery and lack of heavy traffic compared to the R132 more than make up for it. Mind you, I wouldn't have 200km+ done beforehand.

17-07-2021 12:01pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117622904#Comment_117622904

You could have swung left in Castlebellingham and headed for Annagassan, you'd have a few options to Drogheda from there. It's lovely out there on strand rd and coast rd.

I was tempted to head that way myself yesterday but wasn't sure what way traffic would be at that time of day with the good weather and folks heading to beaches as I'd normally only be out that way very early in the mornings and I was conscious of time so just pressed on through Dunleer.

nilhg · 17-07-2021 2:39pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117622904#Comment_117622904

A great spin NP, you have a great knack for coming up with concepts for Audax spins, I'm presuming this is to be a permanent? To avoid the Naas/Sallins/Clane road you could consider the new bypass of Sallins (brings you back into Clane) or the canal road out of Naas out to Digby bridge and on to Prosperous and Kilcock, maybe a little longer and possibly outside the Pale....

NamelessPhil · 17-07-2021 3:36pm

If I can, I'll run it as a calendar event next year. It would also be available as a Permanent. I'd like to keep it at 300km, a 400km route would be cruel!

secman · 17-07-2021 3:57pm

7 km Into Gorey to meet up with Touring group, out to Ferns and on towards Enniscorthy, out on to the new road and into Enniscorthy, and along the draggy road to Oulart, onto main road and bacj through Ballycanew and Gorey. 80 km avg 30.9kph 556m.

Reset garmin for a what was to be a handy 7km back to Ballycanew.. avg 29kph

Glorious weather but sweated before i even mounted the bike 🥵

fat bloke · 17-07-2021 4:33pm

Savage spin today, recreated the mount Leinster challenge sportive route. We've done it a couple of times before over the last couple of years, but starting over the Carlow side. It's 2 ascents of Mount Leinster, first time up the Myshall side steep ramp and second time up from Bunclody. But for the first time ever we jumped the gate and went up the mast. Oh my Good Lord, I love a climb but that was the hardest thing I've ever done on a bike. The mortirolo is the only thing I could compare it to but the steepest part of that wasn't as long or as consistently steep. I had a 39:32 & I wouldn't go near it ever again without a Grannyer gear. It absolutely tore the legs off us and we felt the effort from it for the whole remainder of the spin (we did it on the first pass). Coming down was horrible too, the surface is fierce bumpy, which doesn't really come across at <8kph on the way up!

Unbelievable 360 views from the top though.

Hamsterchops · 17-07-2021 5:09pm

We cycled out to Bray today only to discover the Promenade "cycle path" full of pedestrians, like hundreds of them walking along on the cycle path, so we (along with the other cyclists) just cycled out on the road, which was pretty much already bumper to bumper full with cars.

dahat · 17-07-2021 9:24pm

Only a short one for me today as still recovering from a crash last week. Touch wood all seems a lot better so planning on 4 hours tomorrow along some of the coast roads.

Wildly Boaring · 17-07-2021 10:30pm

Did a relatively handy 100k today.

Handy as it flat. But Christ it was hot.

Bettystown, Donore, Navan, Kilmessan, Dunsaughlin, Rathfeidh, Duleek, Home.

Stopped for more a drink and water in Kilmessan. Few lads different fellas there for their spins. Everyone feeling the heat!!

adrian522 · 17-07-2021 10:41pm

Did my longest ever today. 120K, Kilakee via cruagh road, up past lough Tay to Sally gap, roundwood, loop of vartry res., around to Newtown mount Kennedy, back up to roundwood and home via enniskerry.

Really enjoyable, went through 4 bottles of water. Stopped for lunch in Sugar Mountain in Roundwood, recommended.

Some photos attached to the Strava activity.

121km @ 21/6 km/h. 1,987m of climbing.

https://www.strava.com/activities/5641907628

magicbastarder · 18-07-2021 2:40pm

first time out in a week, got out around 10am and was glad i didn't go out much later. Just 50km around NCD. Loads out on bikes. Didn't get the PRs I tried for but got some where I didn't try...

adrian522 · 18-07-2021 8:09pm

100km today around Blessington lakes, hollywood and back via Blessington. Good fun, still enjoying the weather but worried that all the good weather is being used up this week :)

I have a week in Kerry the week after next, so hoping for more of the same.

446 km for the week, by far my biggest cycling week.

https://www.strava.com/activities/5647333581

smacl · 18-07-2021 8:22pm

Hot one out there today. Sally gap, Rathdrum, a bit of off road on the Clara river and back the same way. Rear hub started acting up badly on the way home, pedals and cassette moving but not moving the wheel. Had to keep a very steady cadence and would lose all inertia on a gear change. Delighted to make it back bit reckon the bike is forked until I get the back wheel seen to. Been meaning to get a second wheelset for a while now but will be down to the LBS tomorrow lunch with a more serious intent to purchase. 102k done with 1.4k of up and a much improved suntan.

Luxman · 19-07-2021 8:41am

Forgot to close bedroom window last night so woke up at 530. On the bike by 7 and home by 9. 60k in delightfully cool weather and quiet roads. The day is “ok” once I’ve had a spin😁

magicbastarder · 19-07-2021 8:47am

how could you sleep in this weather with a closed window?

alentejo · 19-07-2021 8:51am

Did a nice quiet loop of North County Dublin at the weekend - Raheny, Portmarnock, Swords, some back roads and ended up in Ballyboughal. Very nice and hot - 70 k @ 23 kph.

One thing though- as a mostly solo cyclist, was with a mate so riding 2 abreast - The amount of aggression I noted was awful cycling 2 abreast. And in most cases, I let cars pass when safe to do so.

At one stage, I thought a car driver was going to hit me as he was so raged -

Dont know if its the good weather, but the standard of driving and breaking of rules just seems widespread at the moment. I am actually quite shocked at the level of aggression out there.

Luxman · 19-07-2021 10:37am

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117630996#Comment_117630996

Its either a hot room or traffic noise. But it was the magpie's that started squeaking that woke me

adrian522 · 19-07-2021 2:29pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117631448#Comment_117631448

I've reallocated my big fan from the turbo trainer room to the bedroom, TT not getting any use these days so happy to have the fan the help get some sleep.

brownian · 19-07-2021 4:04pm

Both Gaps from Laragh, via Blesso and Valleymount on Saturday, with Mrs B. Fairly warm out!

fryup · 20-07-2021 8:07am

nearly stuck to the road yesterday (Literally!)

like cycling in a river of marmite with all the tar bubbling to the surface😐️

20-07-2021 8:32am

I was out early this morning and it was still unbearably warm for me. On the way back I spotted the crew were still out repairing a water main that had actually managed to lift a section of footpath when it burst yesterday. Baby wipes again for me 🚴‍♀️

Luxman · 20-07-2021 11:53am

Coming back from Johnstown (Navan) through Walterstown to Skreen, I noticed a Milk Barn (McGranes). If only I had a couple of coins as a pint of creamy milk(or flavoured if you prefer) there and then would have been delicious. Pass it regularly enough. 50K this morn trying to beat the midday heat.

Seth Brundle · 20-07-2021 1:26pm

Had my first spin in over two weeks following another injury, this time to my left heel. Physio reckons it is rheumatoid and wants me to see a specialist 😓 What made the injury downtime worse was the fact that I was down in Waterville in Kerry all last week and had been looking forward to loads of climbing and had a few tough routes planned out. Didn't bring a bike in the end as I could barely even walk - I was lucky to be able to drive down there following a last minute GP prescription of Solpadine.

Today's spin was a flat 41km at just over 30km/h which I'm happy with given how scorchio it was. I might head out again this evening for another spin with the club (and maybe followed with a cold beer!)

https://www.strava.com/activities/5656958295

smacl · 20-07-2021 3:06pm

Back on the old Ridley for a spin up to Foxes over lunch. Going from the 2x11 Ultegra gravel disc setup with 32c tyres to the 3x10 Veloce rim braked road bike felt rather weird. Mostly ok, but moving from the Brooks B17 to C17 in conjunction with higher tyre pressures was a very real pain in the ass. While not as agile, the gravel bike is so much more comfortable. Couldn't see myself going back to narrower tyres full time again. Just 22k with 350m of up.

magicbastarder · 20-07-2021 9:46pm

not quite as sweaty out this evening as i'd feared (still bloody sweaty though); lovely evening anyway. 58km, 700m of climbing, 29km/h.

20-07-2021 10:10pm

I've the bottles in the fridge for the morning spin, something I've never actually thought to try before. Only planning on doing 35km or so I think at that distance the first one might be refreshing at least 😀

wheelo01 · 20-07-2021 10:12pm

A very sweaty 50km around 1230 today, I had a meeting in Liberty hall, so decided to go over the East Link Bridge, and down the coast road to BlackRock, then across to Sandyford, Balkyboden, up Edmonstown road to mount Venus Rd, up to Gunny hill, and down to Tallaght Village, across to Clondalkin, Lucan and home to Drimnagh.

Was very humid out there, and plenty of water drank along the way.

50 km @ 25.5 kph with a mere 300m of climbing.

https://strava.app.link/4uGnDyVy3hb

Seth Brundle · 20-07-2021 10:13pm

Did another flat 57km with the club this evening @ 30km/h followed by a couple of Guinness.

Great evening to be out!

secman · 20-07-2021 11:26pm

Commute from Inchicore to Tallaght, heavy enough traffic,then out n81 to blessington and back via Manor Kilbride and home.

54km , avg 28kph on Garmin ( but strava 27.9 kph as usual !) 370 meters

Not stifling heat like previous spins , more pleasant 😃

Wildly Boaring · 21-07-2021 8:29am

Cycled into work this morning.

About 60k in perfect weather.

Tge way home might be a bit warmer 🤔

Londonirish72 · 21-07-2021 1:09pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117639442#Comment_117639442

Try sticking them in the freezer overnight. They defrost slowly at first but there'll be enough liquid to quench your thirst and the icy water is very refreshing.

Luxman · 21-07-2021 1:18pm

I’m sure I got some funny looks this morn as I donned a long sleeve top for my spin. Sun screen on the nose and back of the neck and legs. Didn’t feel much warmer compared to short sleeve yesterday. Unzipped most of the way at the front to get the warming air in🤪

why? Like to keep covered up in the sun. Bad memories from sunburn.

magicbastarder · 21-07-2021 1:38pm

factor 30 and factor 50 seem to have been serving me well thankfully. for whatever reason, i never seem to get much colour below the knees anyway.

Weepsie · 21-07-2021 5:10pm

Went for my vaccination first thing this morning and took an extended route home for 30k all in.

First time in a while on the touring bike. So much more relaxed than the others I forgot

Wildly Boaring · 21-07-2021 5:45pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117640216#Comment_117640216

Got home anyway. Plenty melted tar about Skryne and Dunsaughlin.

60k in that heat after walking about 8k at work (and my 60k cycle in) was getting tough for the last 15k.

Nigzcurran · 21-07-2021 7:09pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/comment/117643121#Comment_117643121

Much difference in the speed between the two?

Tell us about your cycle today part III

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