14th June - Bike and Mikes evening out

Michael's Operation Transportation Day 4

Michael writes..

This evening I decided to venture down the Marina and towards Blackrock Castle. The castle has been around since the 16th century and the castle and its surrounding areas are a great place to escape from the city for a cycle. 


If this picturesque castle looks like somewhere you wouldn't mind visiting yourself have a search of the information HERE 


Here I met fellow Operation Transportation blogger, JP. We cycled together along the path by the castle taking in the beautiful scenery before we parted ways to continue our own cycling journeys.






It was after this that I decided to take in more sights of the city. Following my trip to Blackrock Castle, I cycled to Saint Fin Barres Cathedral which was built in the 19th century. It is seen to be one of the most popular tourist spots in the city and it is very easy to see why with its beautiful and eye catching design. A definite must see on any cycle journey! 


Finally following my trip to the Cathedral, I stopped by UCC to see the statue that was recently erected of George Boole who is known as the 'Father of the Information Age' due to his incredible work involving Boolean Algebra which has shaped modern computer science. UCC celebrated his 200th birthday in 2015 and a statue was unveiled in his honor in 2016. 

Following a visit to all these amazing sights my fitness levels couldn't take anymore so I decided to pack it in for the evening and start fresh again tomorrow. 

After Michael's whistle stop tour of the city he definitely slept well last night! 

Read this article that explains why recovery is just as important as a big cycle.. Ride Hard, Recover Harder

13th June 2016 - Donnacha has some Monday Motivation

BUSY MONDAY EVENING ON THE ROADS

Donnacha writes....

I had a busy day at work so I got home a little later than planned today. Seeing as I even missed the Ireland game it was tempting to pull the 'its too late and im too tired' card but I did summon up the motivation to hit the road again. I stuck with the same route as it was getting late.

'We all know that everyone has hard days at work and the tiredness can set in preventing us to be active at the end of a long day. Click on these motivational tips to help get yourself moving whether its cycling, running or going for a brisk walk. Motivational Tips'


I met a few more cars this evening than the evening before and in general most are very patient and considerate but one in particular was definitely too close for comfort!! It doesn't stress me too much - I tend to hold my position on the road well, but with the state of some of the roads and pothole dodging I can see why it would put some people off. Here is a flavour of a stretch of my route that has had the potholes FIXED!! But you find now those patch jobs can be pretty bumpy on the saddle too!!

'If you have experienced the same problem as Donnacha has with a car travelling a bit too close for comfort, have a read of this Irish Cycling Campaign "Stayin' Alive at 1.5" that is focused on having a defined space of 1.5 metres between cyclists and motorists sharing the road written into Irish Law "STAYIN' ALIVE AT 1.5"'

I got an early Fathers day gift of an action/activity video camera so I managed to record most of the journey which I will edit and send on as soon as I can so hopefully I can add it to tomorrows diary! I had issues with it staying upright on the handlebars so it needed to come off a few times to readjust it again.

All in all - even though a little slower with fatigue settling in on the uphill route home, I am happy with my evenings efforts. Beats sitting on the couch!! Hopefully for tomorrows journey the camera issues will be resolved and I can concentrate on the cycling!

 

 

Stay tuned for Donnacha's next update here and on our:



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22nd June 2014, Michelle Concludes her Urban Biking Experiences

Biking Brings News of 

Baby Boy's Birth

Michelle writes: 

We’ve been having the busiest week ever. It seemed like there were not enough hours in the day for cycling . :(

However, the relatives we’ve been visiting by bike in Rochestown had a baby boy on Sunday morning: Daniel David. :)

 

The arrival of a baby boy succeeds cycle trips to relatives in Rochestown.
Image is taken from a webpage dedicated to cycling fowl: http://www.johnnypayphone.net/chvcken666/

I am completely new to cycling in urban areas, and have been disappointed at how motorists regard cyclists – I think there should be more focus on making motorists aware of our entitlement to be on the road as well.

The new cycle-lanes are generally great – though not too good along the South Douglas Road (across from the school) as cars are constantly parked there, blocking the cycle-lane.

 

Parking in Cycle lanes is a problem all over the world as the photos above from Scotland show. Source: http://drpetermatthews.blogspot.ie/2012/06/bike-to-work-week-what-my-council-is.html 

Thanks to everyone for organising Operation Transportation and helping with advice and tips etc.

Editorial Comment:

Do you have any bike tips or advice to share? If so please comment below.

Alternatively, if what you have to say is too much for a comment box. Please email wileywheeler@gmail.com and I will post your idea, according to your specifications!

22nd June 2014 Siobhán is on a High as She Hits Sixty

Got no Motivation? 

Siobhán's Got the Answer...

Siobhán writes:

“On Sunday, I went for a cycle with my dad. He is in training for the Ring of Kerry cycle, which I had signed up to a while back. However, I hadn't any training done for it, so I was convinced up until I started this operation transportation that I wouldn’t do it.

I was kicking myself for not getting up and going, but had no motivation to train. Now I’m inspired again, and I’m going to chance it, see how far I get…

Today we cycled from Millstreet back to Killarney; we stopped for a coffee and a sandwich and continued on.  

In the end, we covered 60km in total…

And I was delighted after it, but I do now have a very sore bum, and am wondering how I will triple that cycle in two week’s time.

Still, saying that when I started this operation transportation challenge I struggled with 10km and look at me today: 60km.. “

 

In between these words are “a few pics of today and also one or two of the ring of Kerry which I completed two years ago (I had months of training done two years ago for it, so I am very apprehensive this time.)

 But I will go as far as I can, and might even cross the finish line, thanks to operation transportation: I am going to attempt it.”

Editorial Comment:

Go Siobhán!!

Best of luck with the 180km cycle. Do let us know how far you get on the Ring of Kerry trek and send on a  few photos…

Also... if anyone else is lacking motivation to undertake a seemingly impossible challenge just do something similar but really easy and see how you feel. Remeber Siobhán only commmitted to cycling for 10 minutes each day!

 

The image on the left is from fitness ocaching blog: http://irisaveryfitness.wordpress.com/tag/gym/
and the image on the right is form organisational app: www.homeroutines.com 
Both are stills from the movie " What about Bob?"

If that doesn't work- go for a refreshing cycle. When you return with the rush of endorphins and adrenalin pumping through your veins, you may find that the mammoth tasks seem more manageable!

12th June 2014 Feedback from an Operation Transportation Veteran

Caitriona Keeps Cycling

 

Editor's Preface:

 

We decided to check up on last year's Operation Transportation leaders by asking them a few questions...

Here are the answers from Caitriona Bailey:

 

Caitriona looking particularly lovely and happy just before Christmas...

 

 

 

Caitriona's Replies:

“First and Foremost Caitriona insists that  Operation Transportation” is worth organising  )

 

 And here are her Question responses:

 

1.      How often  were you cycling before “Operation Transportation”?

 

Not an awful lot and  I would have been cautious about cycling on the main roads as I did not know the correct way to handle the roads on a bike. 

 

 

2.      How often do you cycle now? ( feel free to add details of any tapering off processes)?

 

I don't cycle as much as I would like too, but it is my own fault for getting out of the habit. I think in my head I blame the damp weather. Before winter I had taken up cycling to places close by, the bank, the shops etc.

However, I am trying to get back into cycling more again lately, as my better half is running and I cycle along side. But I would like to get into cycling even more regularly again.

 

 

Cycling beside a a jogger like Caitriona does can be a great way to coach someone who wants to run a bit faster!

 3.      Why do you think your cycle habits have changed? ( Skip if irrelevant)

 

I would think most definitely that the (Cycle Skills) training we did last year was great and influenced me a lot as it taught me how to cycle correctly.

Simple things like practicing the use of hand signals etc. and being shown where best to position yourself on the road were very helpful. I have a lot more courage cycling on the road knowing what I should be doing as a cyclist and I also have a lot more respect for cyclists using the road properly, but equally get annoyed at those who don't practice these skills.

 

 

 4.      Have you got any words of wisdom for this year’s “Operation Transportation” leaders?

 

Go for it!! Go for the training and keep up the good habits. Do not be afraid of the cars on the road. Once you obey the rules you should be fine... If a car beeps the horn at you- completely ignore them. 

Nine times out of ten it is the car that is in the wrong.. Don't be afraid of cycling on the road just be prepared.

 

 

 5.      Any other comments?

 I wish there it was a standard requirement that all who cycle on the road have to do one of these cycling information days, as it is certainly worthwhile and makes you much more road savvy...