20th June 2015, Aisling and Karen Take to The Tracks for 50km+ Roundtrip!

Sunny Saturday Cycles 

Aisling Writes:

Today I cycled from Ballintemple to Crosshaven with my friend Karen.

Aisling  and Karen on the Old Railway line to Crosshaven

We had only intended to cycle to Monkstown but it was just such a beautiful day, we continued onto Crosshaven.

Aisling's Scenic Coastal Route from Ballintemple to Monkstown

We stopped off in the Bosun restaurant in Monkstown for some food and water. And of course we had to have a 99-ice cream when we got to Crosshaven!

Karen would be a much more experienced cyclist than myself so she was giving good tips along the journey . 

The Bosun Bar/Restaurant "famous for its fine food" as depicted on: http://monkstown.org/- A website where there is a diverting extract describing the town taken from Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of Ireland, 1837

Editor's Footnote:

The old cork Railway line has been converted into a walk/cycle route from Centre park Road to Rochestown, Rochestown to Monkstown and Carrigaline to Crosshaven. You can see evidence of its former use along the way as illustrated in the images below:

Also from: http://monkstown.org/:
The old Railway Station (above) and the railway underpass 

For more on the history of these Railway ports see: http://www.passagewestmonkstown.ie/history-1800-1900.asp and  http://crosshaven.ie/information/about/crosshaven-railway

The old Passage-West Steam Train from: http://www.passagewestmonkstown.ie/history-1800-1900.asp 

The Crosshaven Station from:
http://crosshaven.ie/information/about/crosshaven-railway

13th June, 2015 Aisling Takes to the Hills of Beara

Braving Beautiful Beara in the Sun

Aisling Writes:

So for today's cycle, I cycled from my parents house in Castletownbere to my fathers farm in Tirnahilan.

The hills in Beara are a challenge for any cyclist but so worth it for the breath-taking views.

From: http://cycleireland.ie/castletownbere-kenmare-cycle/

It was quite a warm day so I took lots of water breaks.

In the heat you need to take water breaks!

 



Editor's Footnote:

As this article points out: http://www.bicycling.com/training/fitness/drinking-problems questions about when, where and how much a cyclist should drink can be somewhat controversial. However the  most basic rule seems to be drink 2 or 3 large gulps at regular intervals and refuel with carbs and protein on long cycles!

For more specific quantities considering weather and difficulty factors etc.. this might also be helpful: http://www.bicycling.com/training/how-and-when-hydrate!

Of course once you have decided to hydrate you need to find the right water vessel. If athletic performance is your primary motivator, this article may prove useful: http://www.bicycle-riding.com/bicycle-riding/cycling-health/cycling-hydration/
However if you want to balance concerns about personal, health, ecology and performance have a read of this article: http://lovelybike.blogspot.ie/2015/04/monday-mailbox-cycling-water-bottles.html. The Author devised the bottle depicted beneath!

From:
http://lovelybike.blogspot.ie/2015/04/monday-mailbox-cycling-water-bottles.html

JUNE 12th 2015: Meet Aisling!

The Feeling of Freedom:

AISLING WRITES: 

I’ve only gotten into cycling in the last three years.

I cycle to work most days and enjoy going for long cycles at the weekend with friends. There’s nothing like the feeling of freedom when you’re whizzing along on your bike J

Looking Beautiful in Black and Red: Aisling astride her ebony bike.

Editorial Footnote: 

When did you last feel truly free in your heart and spirit? Can you think of  a specific time in your life when this sense of freedom pulsed strongly within?

I suspect that most people will recall a time when they were probably either travelling, outdoors, with friends or engaged in some sort of vigorous physical activity. Aisling has found a way to combine all four with her cycling trips!

From: http://www.buzzfeed.com/yorkshirefestivalofcycling/42-quotes-cyclists-will-love-rk6q

But don't just take our word for it! Check out the third way to Feel Free on: http://www.wikihow.com/Feel-Free or this study of activities like hiking and biking in a focus group of older citizens:

 https://cdr.lib.unc.edu/indexablecontent/uuid:171000e6-4e75-48bb-9e60-b9c6dcdcaea7

From: http://avibrantlife.com/services/

For a more philosophical discussion on The Freedom of the Hills and the nature of Freedom this is a lovely read: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/education/downloads/2004_conference_straker.pdf

PLEASE SHARE HOW YOU "FEEL FREE" in the comments section below!