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Best location (on road) to do intervals?

  • 23-02-2010 02:16PM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,901 ✭✭✭


    I don't have a turbo, so have to do interval training on the road. Just wondering if anyone has spots they'd recommend? Close to the city centre is a bonus- want to fit it in before work in the morning- and ideally with very little/no traffic. I have previously used the road to Pigeon House wall, there's one long straight stretch after the power station that's pretty quiet. It's not ideal though, can get pretty sandy.

    Phoenix park is the first place that springs to mind, but I never cycle there so don't know which are the quietest roads.

    I've considered using Stocking Lane or similar local hills, but it's a bit far- ideally want to fit it all into an hour or so.

    Thanks.


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,510 ✭✭✭✭DirkVoodoo


    Howth?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,318 ✭✭✭✭Raam


    The coastal track out to Sutton is very quiet during the day time. Sometimes at lunch I will head out there. You can also use the causeway out to Bull Island.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,901 ✭✭✭lukester


    @Dirk Howth is just a bit far for before work.

    @Raam Aren't there lots of commuters on that stretch in the morning? Hadn't thought of the causeway though, could be an option.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 485 ✭✭biker_joe


    Howth is great ... plenty different gradients to use up there, along recovery on the descents ...

    In north county there is a couple of hills too, Ballyboughil towards to the naul, know as the Nags ... you can also approach this from the R132 ( old N1 ) Snowtown near Stalmullen is also good .....

    On the flat, the boot Inn circuit at the back of the airport ( sometimes busy on the main part ) I also use portmarnock ( roundabout at train station ) to
    Grand Hotel in Malahide and back, I used for session on the TT bike ....

    Hope this helps

    Biker Joe


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,318 ✭✭✭✭Raam


    lukester wrote: »
    @Dirk Howth is just a bit far for before work.

    @Raam Aren't there lots of commuters on that stretch in the morning? Hadn't thought of the causeway though, could be an option.

    Sometimes in the morning there are a few, but they don't get in the way, but I usually do sessions at lunch time.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 31,246 ✭✭✭✭Lumen


    I don't think the Phoenix Park is really practical for intervals.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,901 ✭✭✭lukester


    Lumen wrote: »
    I don't think the Phoenix Park is really practical for intervals.

    Ok, it was top of my list as a potential. Will cross it off.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,831 ✭✭✭ROK ON


    At night.
    Dublin outer ring road from Nangor road turnoff out to Kinswood and onto Citywest.
    8km no lights great road surface. Also have unused bus lane most o the way.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,010 ✭✭✭velo.2010


    Try Lances Loop in the park. Use the S bends and the hill back up to the Military road.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,318 ✭✭✭✭Raam


    The best stretch on the coastal track is from the causeway to Sutton because it is the longest uninterrupted section. The bits nearer town are less open with more chance of conflict. At full pelt, it takes maybe 3 to 4 minutes to get from the causeway to sutton. It's been a while since I've done it so I can't remember how accurate that is. So it is useful for shorter, explosive intervals and not for any kind of sustained effort.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,901 ✭✭✭lukester


    velo.2010 wrote: »
    Try Lances Loop in the park. Use the S bends and the hill back up to the Military road.

    That was kind of where I had in mind alright. That little hill is about the nearest hill of any kind to the city centre that I can think of.

    @Raam It was short hard stuff that I was thinking of. My memory of the bit near town is lots of peds, pets and commuters.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,995 ✭✭✭✭blorg


    Alpe d'Huez is very good for this.

    EDIT: Sorry, near the city centre, right.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,318 ✭✭✭✭Raam


    lukester wrote: »
    That was kind of where I had in mind alright. That little hill is about the nearest hill of any kind to the city centre that I can think of.

    @Raam It was short hard stuff that I was thinking of. My memory of the bit near town is lots of peds, pets and commuters.

    In that case, go for the causeway to Sutton. It is much quieter and easy to see what is ahead of you. There is virtually nobody out there at lunch time.

    Note: I would never use the track for intervals at night time. Too difficult to see and too many people doing random things.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,995 ✭✭✭✭blorg


    Raam wrote: »
    Note: I would never use the track for intervals at night time.
    On that topic, might be worth sneaking in to Sundrive Road either. Very little traffic there.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,901 ✭✭✭lukester


    Raam wrote: »
    In that case, go for the causeway to Sutton. It is much quieter and easy to see what is ahead of you. There is virtually nobody out there at lunch time.

    Note: I would never use the track for intervals at night time. Too difficult to see and too many people doing random things.

    That's good to know, cheers. Wouldn't even think of doing it at night.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,901 ✭✭✭lukester


    blorg wrote: »
    Alpe d'Huez is very good for this.

    EDIT: Sorry, near the city centre, right.

    Not quite L'Alpe, but currently hoping to spend the last few months of summer near Mt Seymour, which is perfect for this kind of thing.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,584 ✭✭✭✭tunney


    velo.2010 wrote: »
    Try Lances Loop in the park. Use the S bends and the hill back up to the Military road.

    Lances loop????? MODS BAN THIS GUY NOW!!!! PLEASe!!!!!!!!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,584 ✭✭✭✭tunney


    Buy a turbo!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,901 ✭✭✭lukester


    tunney wrote: »
    Buy a turbo!

    Not an option in current living space unfortunately.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,400 ✭✭✭Caroline_ie


    I've done Pheonix Park Khyber Laps after dark and they're ok if you use the right bits to recover, no traffic, just joggers along the back roads of the park on the footpath, so you're not alone. I was going to go again tonight but ... I think I might stay in considering the weather ( won't be able to use that excuse much longer hopefully )


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,901 ✭✭✭lukester


    I've done Pheonix Park Khyber Laps after dark and they're ok if you use the right bits to recover, no traffic, just joggers along the back roads of the park on the footpath, so you're not alone. I was going to go again tonight but ... I think I might stay in considering the weather ( won't be able to use that excuse much longer hopefully )

    Any idea what it would be like in the early morning, say 7.30 am? Is that road used much by cars?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,400 ✭✭✭Caroline_ie


    lukester wrote: »
    Any idea what it would be like in the early morning, say 7.30 am? Is that road used much by cars?

    These roads are not through roads ( |||| bollards ) so have very little traffic, except the road on the side on the papal cross. ( Red = traffic / Green:No traffic ). I have done laps at 6 or 7am before and it was very quiet.

    106009.JPG


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,122 ✭✭✭Peterx


    the trianglular loop that used to be used for the Phoneix Park gallops has a section of flat road that is a dead end for traffic that might be long enough depending on your intervals - careful for the line of bollards halfway though.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,901 ✭✭✭lukester


    Went to the location recommended by Caroline_ie as it was closest to home/work. Perfect for what I wanted to do. The two sides with the bollards had zero traffic, Only other hazards were a bit of deer crap and one jogger.

    If you were doing longer intervals you'd have to slow down a bit for some of the bollards. But very handy spot, never even knew it existed.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,315 ✭✭✭chakattack


    Cool thread Lukester thanks.

    Similarly, I'm looking for some routes for longer tempo paced rides at night.

    Had some very unlucky and unavoidable run-ins with cars recently so I'm a still a bit paranoid. Looking for lit roads with plenty of clearance and not too many junctions/lights.

    I have good lights so don't mind total darkness but most country roads are in terrible condition and have some lunatics around evening commute time.

    Anyone have any favourite routes for 2-2.5 hr spins they'd like to share?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,318 ✭✭✭✭Raam


    I do one round the roads behind Swords sometimes. I'll post it up later... if I remember.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,831 ✭✭✭ROK ON


    Just back from 2.5hr spin. Dublin outer ring roa to citywestto Saggart to Rathcoole and back.

    Very very few cars on a big wide well lit road. Great road surface. A few litl rises also list to bomb up and get the HR up. Have to say I am a fan. Citywest out to Saggart similarly good. Very well light and lovely road surface with few cars between 7 and 9 in the evening.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,831 ✭✭✭abcdggs


    route would be much appreciated!


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