The Sally Gap broke me for the 1st time in 7 years...

Something has happened today that I did not see coming I have to say. Today's "mission" was to have a road spin over the Sally Gap before I get to work. Got up nice & early and left the house all hyped up about the fact I'm on the bike for the second time this week. 

Now, as we all seen today: the weather wasn't exactly cyclist friendly. Very strong headwind I got pretty much all the way out but things got pretty bad after I started to climb from the Loug Tay direction. As I was making my way up towards the Gap the weather has turned from bad to worst withing minutes. Got extremely strong side/head wind and got hit by this proper snow storm that was very heavy. Kept climbing but after I passed Lough Tay things got to the point when I just said that enough is enough. I'm not the type who just randomly turns back but I felt like I could get into trouble up there quiet easly 'cause the wind was throwing me so badly and most likely it would get even worst as I was making my way higher and higher up to the mountains...

So I turned back and finished my road spin on a bit safer route. Ended up doing a 3 hours long spin that I ok with anyway. Wasn't too happy about turning back but I think I made the right decision 'cause the Wicklow could be quiet rough at this time of the year. And I can only hope that I need to wait at least another 7 years before the Sally Gap or any other hill can break me like this again! :) 

 

My St. Patrick's weekend spins

Another year, another Paddy's Day! I don't really like the St. Patrick's Day Parade mainly becuase of the huge crowd. I much more prefer to watch the whole thing later on in the TV.

So, instead of going into town to see the parade, I get out on the bike in every year and have a lovely spin out in the nature far away from all the madness that is in the city. It did work well in the recent years so why to change? I kept my own little tradition and celebrated St. Patrick's Day on the bike! :)

Friday // Very civilized XC spin up on Threerock

Finally I managed to get rid of the flu I picked up more than a week ago, so it was time to get back on the bike and get some lovely off-road session done on the dry trails of Threerock. I went up there before work on Friday to see how is the form.

Happy to be back on the bike after illness :)

Most of the trails were nice and dusty and the weather was pretty nice as well. The whole spin was very easy and calm, nothing extraordinary along the way. I was out for a little more than 2 hours and it was absolutelly fantastic to ride the bike since in the last one week the most I have done was the cycle to work and back. Happy days! :)

Saturday // Savage road spin over the Sally Gap & Shay Elliott climb

After Friday's XC spin I wanted to have some variety, so I picked up the road bike. I've checked the weather forecast straight after I got up and it did not look good for the day: sunny and warm weather for all week but lashing rain for Saturday. "This is gonna be fantastic..." I though and turned out that the forecast was pretty much right about the conditions for the day.  


Today I went out with a fellow Hungarian good friend Daniel from Cycle SuperStore to have a savage road spin. We haven't cycle together since the Wicklow 200 last year, so I was happy to go for a spin with him mainly 'cause we always have a good laugh and he always sets savage pace! The only thing to know about him is that he is "never in good form" (as he says) but he always goes like a freakin' train! :)

Quick shot near the Lough Tay

We hit the road nice & early and started to climb towards Sally Gap just as we always do. The weather was pretty ok so everything went very well. Got up to the top quickly and after a super fast descent we got to Laragh where we decided to get into the well known coffee shop. Now, I'm not that "let's stop for a coffee and a slice of cake" kind of guy but in the end of the day it was Paddy's Day today so it was a good reason to have a little treat indeed! :)

Hot chocolate & cake with whipped cream, yummy! :)

Happy as a little scout with my Paddy's Day treat! Thanks for the invitation Dani! :)

After our short break we were ready to get back on the bike. Just after we left Laragh and started the Shay Elliott climb the sky opened up and we got some proper heavy rain. I was under a little bit of a time pressure to get back home so once we reached the top we turned around and started to head back towards Dublin. We were doing pretty good speed already but 'cause the rain didn't stop and I needed to get home, we started to pull along harder to make up some time. It was brilliant until my fingers got completely numb just as they normally do in wet and cold weather. I started to suffer a bit by the time we got to Enniskerry but from there isn't too long to get back to Dublin. I was tired and very cold but a proper hot shower got me sorted in no time! :)

We have done 113 km of a distance under 4 hours and 38 minutes with 1650m elevation gain along the way. This was my longest road spin this year and with a strong training partner it was pretty hard going I think. 

The route was the following:

Dublin - Enniskerry - Military Road - Sally Gap - Roundwood - Laragh - Shay Elliott climb - Roundwood -Enniskerry - Dublin

I did like both of the climbs indeed, however the Shay Elliott was pretty grim thanks to the lashing rain. But we still loved it though! :)

Elevation graph

With these two lovely spins I defo had a great St. Patrick's weekend. I've done nearly 7 hours on the bike over the last two days. One day is still ahead of me to get some rest and do some stuff at home. But for now it's time to get some sleep! See you around! :)

Started to feel the speed - morning road spin over the Sally Gap

Another morning means another road spin before I get to work. This time I had about 3 hours window I could work with so that left me with the obvious choice: yep, the Sally Gap, just as always! :)

This morning's ride

The plan was to have a nice and fast paced training spin on one of my favourite training loop, which would be the next: 

Milltown - Stepaside - Enniskerry - Powerscourt - Sally Gap - Lough Tay - Ballinastoe - Djouce - Enniskerry - Stepaside - Milltown

I was really lucky with the weather this morning, no rain, no crazy wind just dry roads and a bit of sunshine along the way. Just as we expect a nice February morning to be! :) Everything was just nice and calm out there with very little traffic and stunning view at some places. 

Who wouldn't live in a place like this, hah?! Absolutely fantastic!

But back to the spin! I started to push it hard straight from the beginning and I felt very good all the way so I decided to have the split times recorded, I thought they could be interesting. Here they are:

             CP1 - Enniskerry @ 32 minutes of riding time

             CP2 - Powerscourt Waterfall @ 46 minutes of riding time

             CP3 - Military Road junction @ 1 hour and 10 minutes of riding time

             CP4 - Sally Gap @ 1 hour and 30 minutes of riding time

             CP5 - Enniskerry @ 2 hours and 15 minutes of riding time

             CP6 - Milltown (home) @ 2 hours and 50 minutes of riding time

I'm happy to get this 73 km long spin done under 2 hours and 50 minutes time with all the climbs along the way.  It was tough enough morning spin with all the 1186 m elevation gain. 

And there is one more thing that I'm happy for: I managed to set a new PB speed record on the was down from the Sally Gap, just next to the Lough Tay. Happy days!

I had great time on the bike today and it was great to have a bit more intense training spin especially 'cause the racing season is coming soon. Legs were turning fine and I felt it for the first time this year that all the training I've done all started to build up. Feels greeeaaaat!

100km road spin over the Sally Gap

This morning I turned to the mountains direction for the second time this week ( I went out for a 65 km spin before work on Tuesday morning also) 'cause I wanted to have some nice and long enough road spin. The night was pretty cold, it was -2°C in Milltown. Based on that I got all my proper winter gear ready this morning just to be on the safe side. It turned out to be a mild enough morning though with the lovely enough 4°C but later on I was glad to have the heavy gear on when I crossed the Sally Gap.

After the filling porrage breaky and my morning espresso that was as strong as a horse I was all good to go: Wicklow Mountains bring it on! :)

I went out on my usual route: Dundrum - Stepaside - Enniskerry - Lough Tay - Sally Gap. Since it was Saturday morning I have seen tons of cyclists along the way. 

Lough Tay on the way up to the Sally Gap

Once I passed the Lough Tay the weather started to turn into something else. Strong wind and very damp conditions luckily without rain though. Once I reached the Sally Gap I turned left at the junction and started the most difficult part of my spin as far as the weather concern...it was rough... I really started to feel the cold and the wind wasn't helping me either. My fingers and toes started to get into trouble, so it wasn't fun at that point. But when I got the long downhill done and I got to Laragh everything got back to normal.

The point where the WW crossing the road just before Laragh

So I got to the well known coffe shop in Laragh, got my bottle filled with fresh water and I was on my way again. The place was packed with roadies, but we all know it's usual. It's amazing! Every time I'm up there I meet at least one group of cyclists. Cool! :) 

Haha, the Chistmas Spirit is still present at the side of the road up in the mountains.

On the way home I hit the little more flat road through Annamoe and Roundwood back towards Enniskerry. I like this road 'cause most of the surface is great and I get back to Dublin quickly. After I got back to Enniskerry I countinued my way home on the same road that I picked in the morning. 

By the time I got home I was cold enough so the first thing I wanted was a lovely hot shower and of course something to eat. Luckily my wife Anett cooked some awsome Chinese meal for lunch which was life saver!

Real home made Chinese food: stir-fry noodles with veg and crispy chicken breast pieces, yummy! :)

Today I ended up with 100 km long spin accross the mountains that took me just a little bit longer than 4 hours. I did 1419 m of total elevation gain and burned 2650 calories along the way. 

...here is the Strava link on this spin.  

The spin was great, I loved every bit of it except the cold and rough time on the very top. But hey, after all it's winter time! Isn't it?! :)

Heading towards the mountains once again

I am just back from another good road spin and since I have to admit I having difficulties to keep my hillclimb demand under control I decided to head towards the mountains this morning. The plan was to get over the Sally Gap 'cause I haven't been there for a long time. I left at 9 am from Milltown and crossed Stepaside, Enniskerry to start the climb up towards the Sally Gap.

After I got shocked (in the good meaning of the word) how many mountain bikers were up in the Ballinastoe carpark, I settled into a steady pace as I climbed next to the fantastic looking Lough Tay. That place always amazes me! :)

I just simply can't cycle by this without stopping for a second

Now at this point the weather started to turn into a bit more serious, the temperature has dropped a good bit and the whole place got more and more savage as I got closer to the top. Once I crossed the junction I started my super fast downhill towards Blessington and the N81 that leads back to Dublin.

The road surface was wet and the rain started to fall as well, so I was very careful on the way down. Now, of course I was very tempted too to get some nice speed going where I had a chance to do it safely. So I let the bike go couple of times and as a result I got the maximum speed as high as 67,3 km/hour. Sweet! ;)

Bend after bend and I was getting closer and closer to the main road that I wanted to use as my route to get back home. Thankfully the rain has stopped not long after I started my descent and of course the temperature got more friendly too.

Excellent view, isn't it?

After I hit the busy N81 I settled into some noce and steady pace and I got back to Dublin in no time. I got throuh Tallaght and Tempelogue and got home just for lunch what I really needed at this point indeed. 

Elevation and speed graph

Today's spin was excellent, I really enjoyed myself on the bike. I have done 75 km under 2 hours and 50 minutes with avarage speed of 26,6 km/hour. I am happy for this though 'cause it is good pace for me considering all the climbs along the way.

Now, I am ready to have a very relaxed afternoon at home with my wife Anett. Will watch some movies and have some gorgeous pastry that she made earlier on. What a way to spend my Saturday, hah?! I certenly can't complain! :)

Winter road miles spiced up with some climbing

Lately I trying to spend more time on the road bike and get some valuable winter miles into the legs. Of course I still ride the XC bike as well but the majority of the training will be on the road bike for the next couple of months. Because of this plan I started to get used to the road bike and have fun on the road more and more every time I am out on the bike. :)

On the top of the Kippure

So, yesterday I wanted to sweeten up the usual routine a bit and decided to get some climbing done. I turned towards the Wicklow mountains and to be exact I targeted a nice and high point: the Kippure. At 757 metres (2,484 feet), it is the highest mountain in South Dublin so to get there through the hills and to climb up to the top I had to do good bit of work. Was absolutely great! :)

The map (out and back on the same route)

On Thursday I was working so I wanted to take the simple, straight forward route and the same to get back home to be sure I wont be late from work. I left at 8 am in the morning and started to head out towards Stepaside and Enniskerry. After the village I got to the Powerscourt Waterfall and kept going up towards the Military Road. After I hit the climb towards the Sally Gap I was at the bottom of the Kippure in no time.

Now, up to this point the weather was pretty all right with very wet road surface but mostly sunny sky and luckily no wind. But shortly after I started to settle into the climb on the bold side of the Kippure the mountain has changed his face. I entered the thick cloud that was just sitting on the top like some sort of higher power and started to feel the rapid drop of the temperature too. The whole place was amazing: very limited view caused by the heavy fog/cloud, cold and wet road and steep gradient. The only thing that I had in my head was the rythm of the music from the earphones and the fact I love what I am doing. Then and there the whole thing felt little bit more special. I loved it!  :)

After the long climb I got up to the peak but since the weather was pretty savage up there and I did not see much either I turned back and started the fast downhill. Lucky enought but when I got back to slightly lower altitude the weather got back to normal and the way home was lovely. 

The elevation graph of the spin

I did ride 71 km under 3 hours and ended up with 1235 m of total climbing. 

The pace was nice and calm, did not do any jumpy stuff at all. When I got back home I felt good and I think all these road spins will help me to get more fit for the next season.

Got home, quick shower, 2nd breakfast and off I went to work, what a way to start the day, hah?!  Can't wait for the next time! :)

Preparation for the W200 - Sally Gap

This time I write about a bit different: little bit of a road cycling. :) Yesterday morning I got back on the road bike and had a great spin up to Sally Gap and back. This week I will ride only on the road `cause Ireland`s premiere road sportive is coming up this Sunday. I have done the Wicklow 200 two times before and I really looking forward to do it again this year. 

My start package for the day

This year`s Wicklow 200 is a bit more special because this will the 30th time since they started to run this event in 1982. It is gonna be great I think, will be excellent to ride with the more than 2000 cyclist accross the Wicklow mountains. 

This event is not a race so my personal goal is to beat my best time on the 200 km long ride. The best time that I`ve achieved in 2008 is 7 hours and 47 minutes. If I can get better this year I would be very happy in deed! :)

So, about my spin: The first mayor climb of the day is the Sally Gap so I decided to do this climb but on a different route. The weather was savage: cold enough with light rain and very thick fog at some places. 

It was cold and wet all morning but I still enjoyed the climb in these conditions! :) Especially up beside the Lough Tay! Excellent! :) On the top of Sally Gap the fog was so thick I couldn`t see further than 20 - 30m I guess. On the way down I decided to take it handy and make sure I don`t end up in a ditch. 

At the top

Elevation graph

The route was: 

Milltown - Dundrum - Stepaside - Enniskerry - Ballinastoe - Lought Tay - Sally Gap - Military Road - Powerscourt Waterfall - Enniskerry - Stepaside - Dundrum - Milltown

It was a nice road spin I think but was far behind compare to what I have to deal with on Sunday. I have cycled nearly 75km under 3 hours time. Because of the Sally Gap the total elevation gain was 1485m and burned 2225 kcal during the spin. 

I have done the W200 before and I know what to expect, but even so this spin was a perfect indicator: if I want to beat my own record I have to get prepared properly for Sunday. I`m looking forward to it for sure and after couple more road spin during the week I will be 100% ready for this year`s W200. Bring it on! :)