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I took my Giant Bowery, currently singlespeed, up Howth Head Sunday evening. I was a bit concerned with how the Bowery would go on the climb, but I want to get a couple of goes up Howth in before I turn it fixed gear (because I love high speed descents).

Here’s the route map thanks to Gmap Pedometer.

By the numbers:

• Distance: 28.8km (17.9 miles)
• Time: ~ 1 hour 20 mins
• Average HR: 135
• Maximum HR: 170 (took it easy!)
• Calories: ~ 1149 (estimate from Polar)

Picture from Dad of a spin we had out last Friday.

Brief update with details from my cycling & camping tour to Loire Valley in August 08

940km total
15 days cycling
63km/day average
~40kg gear on bike Read the rest of this entry →

I intended to cycle to Galway last Thursday, the route was the canal towpaths out of town as far as Moyvalley bridge, then along the old N4 to Galway, hopefully getting as far as Ballinasloe, Oranmore or even Galway city. Instead of starting at 6am like I intended, I actually started at 8am, which really hurt on the far end. I made it as far as Athlone before I ran out of time (I was getting a lift at the far end). Realistically, I could have made it to Ballinasloe, but not Galway city itself. (Lesson: go to bed before 3am the night before.)

Read the rest of this entry →

I had a fantastic weekend in Neuchatel for the annual Rugby Sevens tournament, just a quick note to say thanks to Le Sept Arverne, a bunch of really cool guys who I played with all weekend. Chicken Run!!

I recently wrote about fitness and work life and running a business. I also made a promise over on my search engine marketing blog that during the month of September I’m going to post one blogging tip per day as a “penance” for my lack of posting over there recently.

I’ve noticed a dramatic increase in my body fat and weight over the last 12 months and it’s past time I rectified matters. I measured a fantastic 110.8kg today — 244lbs or 17.5 stone in old money. Wow. I’m normally around 92kg or 14.5 stone. Time for a change :)

So similar to my blogging pledge, during the month of September I’m hoping to put a serious dent into that figure. Not by crash dieting or anything stupid like that, but just by healthy eating and a significant amount of exercise every day. I’ll report back here at months end and post up for the record how I got on.

Interesting one for people looking for cycling routes in Dublin – a guy, obviously called Dick O’Brien, has listed about 30 cycling routes from Dublin city centre. They’re listed on RouteSlip.com and include route maps, distance and amount of climbing:

• Dick O’Brien’s cycling routes

Fair play to you for the work in adding all those!