Hi, I’m Robin, the independent developer of CalmBike. Ireland has just been added to the app’s routing coverage, and I’m looking for cyclists who know their local roads and can identify route choices that look fine on a map but feel wrong on a bike.

CalmBike is an iPhone bicycle-navigation app focused on calmer, safer-feeling routes. Apple Maps handles address search, while the actual bicycle route is calculated by my own OpenStreetMap/Valhalla backend. It compares alternatives using busy-road exposure, quieter roads, cycling infrastructure, surface and elevation.

The most useful test would be:

1. Plan a trip you already know.
2. Compare the CalmBike and Relaxed alternatives.
3. Ride one if practical.
4. Report unsuitable roads, odd detours or missing connections with the start, destination, selected profile and ideally a screenshot.

The beta also includes live navigation, ride recording, multi-stop and round-trip planning, saved routes, sharing, Apple Health, E-bike range estimates and community road reports. The interface is available in English, Dutch, German, French and Luxembourgish.

The TestFlight beta is free, contains no subscription and is currently capped at 50 testers. I’m looking for honest route and usability feedback, not ratings.

TestFlight: https://testflight.apple.com/join/sPxvScsM

Website and privacy information: https://calmbike.de

Hi,
Has anyone any experience in cycling the GDMBR from Canada to Mexico? Would like to complete it sometime but not keen on doing it solo.
Thanks

What is everyone’s opinion on the talks surrounding registration plates for cyclists? I think it’s one of the most outlandish things that has come out in recent times regarding bikes.

Helmet is an absolute non negotiable and fully support that. Hi-vis I’m a bit iffy about seeing as we already need to have lights on the bike.

Source: https://extra.ie/2026/07/21/news/irish-news/registration-plates-for-bikes

As the title says, is it possible? Travelling and would love to get some road cycling in, I’m Canadian and ride at home as long as it’s above 0. Just a bit concerned about how wet it might be? Would appreciate insight 😊

Arrival in Dublin on 8/14. Heading towards Sligo. Looking to rent a nice roadie for my wife. 48cm. Any suggestions?

Hi,

I’m wondering should I stay running tubes, or do I switch to tubeless on my Trek 1.2 Alpha?

The roads in this country are absolutely abysmal, attached a photo as a reminder of how bad they are, with all the bumps and rocks jumping around, and it’s quite difficult to avoid inconsistencies in the road at speed.

Is there any benefit for me to switch to tubeless? I’m currently sitting around 6”4 96kg but getting lighter as the weeks go on.

Prescription cycling/sports glasses are outrageously expensive in the main outlets. I'm looking for a pair for less than €150 so if anyone knows a good online retailer sells prescription cycling glasses at around this price point (or less) I'd love to hear your suggestions.

Hi,

I currently ride a Trek 1.2 Alpha road bike, paint is a little shabby and not my taste, wondering if anyone knows of anywhere, preferably in Leinster, that can re-paint / powder coat the metal on the bike?

Unfortunately my bike was nicked from a secure lockup in South Dublin in the last couple days. I'm keeping my eye on Facebook marketplace and adverts, but the guard have been completely useless.

It's a pretty unique bike, not sure it's a model that ever even made it to Ireland. Anyone have any advice? I know chances of ever seeing it again are slim.

Can anyone recommend a good bike fitter in Ireland? Preferably someone with experience fitting triathletes/endurance cyclists rather than just a basic bike shop setup. Happy to travel anywhere in the country for someone who’s worth it. Thanks!

Hi all -

I am traveling to Cork City to visit family but would love to do a few training rides while I am there. I am hoping to not have to bring my bike with me, and that I can perhaps rent a road bike in the city instead. Does anyone have any leads on a shop that has a service like this? TIA!!!

Afternoon all.

​

I bought a new Merida Scultura Endurance 6000 recently. I have a G31 BMW 5 Series.

​

It has a pano roof and the glass in the boot opens so I'd don't think my bikebuzz rack will work.

​

Anywhere I can rent a carrier to get a bike down to Killarney for the ROK?

​

Also, anywhere that does an "intermediate" bike fit?

​

I don't really want to spend hundreds but would like to make sure I'm comfortable on the saddle.

​

Based in North Strand, Dublin. Thanks!

hey so I have a ticket for entering the l etape in France on July 19. I booked a flight in the Thurs before the race (sun) and have a flight out. I reached out to aer lingus to book the bike on but they said they can't take it.

is there anyone also doing the race, heading from Ireland in a camper possibly that would be so kind to take it? I know it's a longshot but hey what's the Internet for 😄

So i think the frame is cracked but my friends thinks its just paint

So basicly the bike shop gave me the bike with the correct saddle height than the saddle slipped down during a ride I went home and tightened it to about 0.5 don't have a touch wrench but didn't hear any carbon cracking

What do you think I should do its a giant bike so I think its moved under warranty but if the bike shops messed up with the saddle in the frist place.

Or should I just email Giant and see what the story is.

Any suggestion please say

The photos bellow

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wOhWZWYOeGIspc0IGZF0XXr-xkLzbejW/view?usp=drivesdk

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dDdB0jkCIwdP50_hlUqwurwXNgiHKNPL/view?usp=drivesdk

Hi there

Looking for recommendations and solutions how to clean my bike. I live in apartment block in Dublin south and need to wash my road bike - sponge, pressure wash, get the oil and grease off. Any petrol station with pressure washer or self service car wash that I can use?

Thanks in advance!

I went there today and climbed up Dalkey Ave and Burton Rd to the parking area, but once there the signs said no bikes on the trails. Is there any bike route to the tops?

I'm looking for an upgrade and lets say i'm "touring curious" - I've had a Giant Contend for the 7-8 years, commuting through London and now Dublin. I've flirted with touring - I've done a few 100+km rides on it and did the Ring of Kerry last year (180km). When we lived in London I was regularly doing 50-60km spins at the weekend but I lost the love of it after covid lifted (and being hit by a taxi).

The training for ROK was great, really enjoyed getting out in Ireland for some long spins and we aren't far from Wicklow mountains here, my commute is now 10km EW. But I want to do more of the 60km spins with a few big ones thrown in (Ring of Beara this year) and one day do the Wild Atlantic Way.

I've been looking at Kona Sutra, Genesis CDF 20 or TDF 20. Am I in the right ball park? Our local shop keeps trying to sell me a Giant Gravel (not sure which), but as much as I like the guy, I think he's just limited on stock.

I want something comfortable for 6ft 4 and 115kg frame, I'm not quick or that into going an outrageous speed so should I be bothered that these bikes are slightly heavier? Do I even need a tourer? I've confused myself a lot with Chat GPT.

Thanks

My partner and I are flying over from Toronto in late may/early june and plan on doing an 8 day tour consisting of these two route:

- https://ridewithgps.com/routes/18991138
- https://ridewithgps.com/routes/17998915

Would love to hear any suggestions on the routes!

Hi all,

My wife is looking for a bike for light commuting, greenway tours, and going for trips with our small boys. She wants something stable, reliable and about €1000. Our local shop, which sells Trek bikes, recommended the Trek FX Sport AL 3, and it looks just the ticket. Before she commits, though, she'd like to see if there're any interesting indie or quirky local bike shops. Our German cycling friend is constantly sending us these beautifully designed artisan things and we'd love to at least try them out. Of course Ireland doesn't normally get these nice niche things you get in larger economies, and we don't want to buy online, so we'll probably just get the big-company thing, but it's worth asking!

Thanks in advance!

I am a fair weather cyclist. Do my 14 km commute when conditions allow. But haven't got out yet in 2026 so want to get rain gear.

What are my options?

I wear a trackie cycling and when I get into work I have a shower and change. So my trackie can get damp but definitely not wet as I throw it on again for my return commute.

Don't want to spend an arm and a leg.

Is it possible to buy one of these in Ireland on the B2W scheme? I've contacted a couple of bike shops and they say there is no stock.

Hi all! I’m in a group that’s traveling to Ireland in May and we’re very excited. Me and a buddy would love to go on a good day or half-day ride while there, preferably between stops on the trip if possible. We’re starting in Dublin, heading over to Galway then down to Cork and back up around to Dublin. I was curious if anyone had any idea if anywhere does bike rentals where we could drop off at another location, or just any good info on rentals in general or good and scenic routes (+60km) that we should check out? Thanks so much!!