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Cyclists warned to stay off bikes as Ophelia hits Ireland

Red yellow warnings see police issue 'No cycling' advice in eight counties...

Cyclists living in several counties in the Republic of Ireland have been warned to avoid cycling as Hurricane Ophelia batters the country with winds approaching 95 miles an hour.

Red weather warnings have been put in place for eight of the country’s 26 counties by Met Eireann.

Those are Wexford, Waterford, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Clare, Galway and Mayo.

In a statement, Ireland’s national police service, An Garda Síochána, said: “People living in areas where a Red level weather warning has been issued should not make any non-essential journeys.

“There should be no cycling in Red zones and avoid where necessary elsewhere.”

The agency said that “Drivers of high sided vehicles and motorcyclists should also be aware of the extreme danger posed by gale force winds as they are particularly vulnerable.

“People living in coastal areas are also being warned of the risk posed by flooding from storm surge and the Coast Guard is requesting members of the public to avoid any visits or walks to coastal or cliff areas.

The statement added: ”It is envisaged that there will be significant damage caused by winds, especially in the nature of fallen trees and downed power wires. 

“Please assume that any fallen wires are live and do not approach or touch the wires.  Please report any fallen wires to the emergency services.”

People are advised to keep abreast of the storm’s progress through local and social media,

The warnings are in place from 09:00, Monday 16 October to 03:00, Tuesday 17 October 2017.

An Amber weather warning has also been issued by the UK’s Met Office for Northern Ireland due to the storm’s path taking it across there and onto the West of Scotland, where a Yellow warning is in force.

The former hurricane is also causing unusually high winds across other parts of the UK so as ever, stay safe if you're out riding this evening.

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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11 comments

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LarryDavidJr | 6 years ago
0 likes

I like how some people take EVERYTHING they read on the internet COMPLETELY literally.

Dear oh dear.

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beezus fufoon | 6 years ago
1 like

joyseekers!

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Yorkshire wallet | 6 years ago
5 likes

STRAVA TIME!

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Matt_S replied to Yorkshire wallet | 6 years ago
0 likes

Yorkshire wallet wrote:

STRAVA TIME!

I did think about it, but given I was racing Sat & Sun my legs were too fried. indecision

On the flip side - Not had one of the dreaded "Uh oh!" emails yet. 

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ooldbaker | 6 years ago
0 likes
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reliablemeatloaf | 6 years ago
0 likes

Have the authorities seen this?:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeBn0B_sFJc

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Kapelmuur | 6 years ago
7 likes

I've been blown into a hedge by a gust of wind much weaker than a hurricane, so I think the danger to cyclists of a hurricane force wind is very real.

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LarryDavidJr | 6 years ago
3 likes

Whilst not entireley un-sensible, interesting to note that cyclists are advised to *not* cycle presumably due to the danger from other traffic such as the  "high sided vehicles and motorcyclists" who apparently only "need to be aware" of the problems, despite them being affected by it much more.

Advise the vans and motorcycles not to drive - hey presto! No dangers for the cyclists!

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Paul7189 replied to LarryDavidJr | 6 years ago
4 likes

LarryDavidJr wrote:

Whilst not entireley un-sensible, interesting to note that cyclists are advised to *not* cycle presumably due to the danger from other traffic such as the  "high sided vehicles and motorcyclists" who apparently only "need to be aware" of the problems, despite them being affected by it much more.

Advise the vans and motorcycles not to drive - hey presto! No dangers for the cyclists!

 

Some cyclists just think the world is out to get them. Don’t go out because you will be blown into traffic, crushed by a tree or hit by debris such as roof tiles and fence panels. Nothing to do with other traffic. 

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BarryBianchi replied to LarryDavidJr | 6 years ago
0 likes

LarryDavidJr wrote:

Advise the vans and motorcycles not to drive - hey presto! No dangers for the cyclists!

Can you give me the number of your life insurance broker - s/he and I need to have a word...

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don simon fbpe replied to LarryDavidJr | 6 years ago
2 likes

LarryDavidJr wrote:

Whilst not entireley un-sensible, interesting to note that cyclists are advised to *not* cycle presumably due to the danger from other traffic such as the  "high sided vehicles and motorcyclists" who apparently only "need to be aware" of the problems, despite them being affected by it much more.

Advise the vans and motorcycles not to drive - hey presto! No dangers for the cyclists!

Points for spelling advise correctly though.

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