SportCrazy.net » cycling

Howth spin on new Bowery

Alastair McDermott — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 09:13:05 +0000

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.

What sports events MUST you attend?

Alastair McDermott — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:11:46 +0000

There are loads of sports events I really want to make sure I get to before the next life (when I might not be such a sports fan).

Must attend:

Hong Kong Sevens Tournament (rugby) – there are loads of rugby 7s tournaments, this is the original headline event.
State of Origin series (Australian rugby league)
A Superbowl (American football)
An All-Ireland GAA football final with Dublin beating Kerry, Meath, Cork, or Tyrone. Actually, make that 4 All-Ireland finals (with Dublin …)
Tour de France Alpe D’Huez stage finish

Would like to attend:

Heineken Cup final (rugby), preferably with an Irish team, preferably not Munster again (I don’t mind Munster, it’s just the bloody fans that are annoying).
Rugby World Cup final
Snooker World Championship match at The Crucible
The Ashes (cricket)
CFB Bowl game (American college football)
MLB World Series Game 7
NBA Championship Game 7

What about you, sports fans, what sports events must you attend before you meet your maker? Post a comment and let me know!

Updates from Twitter (I’m @AMcDermott):

@TheMenace said: @AMcDermott Ireland vs England 6 Nations at Croke Park. Although I think you’ve only got 1 more chance to do that :D

@interactivemark said: @AMcDermott Stanley Cup game 7 (preferably w/ NY Rangers) any Olympic event (preferably ice hockey) and the running of the bulls.

Cycle Tour – Loire Valley, France

Alastair McDermott — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:26:40 +0000

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

Tour photo set o n Flickr

Dublin to Athlone cycle via Royal Canal

Alastair McDermott — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 14:41:24 +0000

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.)

The canal route was pleasant, and I don’t regret cycling it, but now that I’ve done it, I think I’ll stick to a road route in future – the canal section was just too slow and wasted a lot of time early in the day. If I was on my hardtail my average speed would have been a lot better on the canal section (but not on the road ) I did take quite a few photos, but had the camera in my bar bag so that didn’t slow me up much at all. Will post all 4 videos I took while moving onto YouTube, first here: Royal Canal

Flickr set with all pictures is here

Fuel strategy was good. I made an enormous pasta bake the evening before (enough for 6 people ), ate it for dinner that night, and for breakfast, lunch and dinner on the cycle. Had 1.5l of DIY sports drink (oj/water/salt/sugar), and a camelbak of plain water. Bought some sweets (see pics) towards the 100km mark when I thought it might prevent bonk, though I was still going strong – increasing speed in fact!

The route was along the towpaths from Croke Park as far as Kilcock, then after that I was on the old N4 for most of the way. I’ve thought a lot about the next route that I’ll do, Dublin-Mayo, I’ll write up a new post for that in a couple of weeks.

All videos will be here after YouTube processes them

By the numbers

Distance: 133km
Time: 7 hours 40 mins
Avg: 17.3 km/h (approximately 12-13 km/h on the canals, 21-22 on the road)
Mechanical: 1 (broken front fender after going over a branch)
KCals (according to HRM): 6557
Average HR: 126
Max HR: 163