Introducing Patrick - Read his Operation Transportation Progress so far...

Patrick joins the team:

Hi folks,
Apologies for the late updating of my progress on cycling this week but here goes!

Day 0 Friday 10th June:
Bike cleaned up and oiled today for it's big test tomorrow.
 
Day 1 Saturday 11th June:
I spent the day hillwalking on the mountains back in west Kerry. It's now 11.30 pm and I've just remembered I signed up to undertake the challenge which started today. Okay I am tired but can't give up on day one! Out comes the bike. 5 minutes down and 5 minutes back from the village will cover the day's challenge.  Forgot that downhill takes a little longer. So it becomes a 15 minute cycle but finished before 12 midnight so pressure off......must take the commitment more seriously tomorrow.

Day 2 Sunday 12th June:
Today's the day I'm setting new standards!! I'm Heading down to Crosshaven and back. About 2 hours should cover the journey. Problem is I've no one to mind the puggley dog Mr. Spock.  So he'll have to get a crosser to Crosshaven!! Just delira with himself. Took to looking down his nose on other muts walking the old railway path.The dog's a bit of a snob. Must get a basket to make it easier to carry him. The route has a great cycling path if only the competitive cyclists would show a little bit more care especially with walkers sharing the path.    They could do with getting hold of and ringing a bell to warn of their FAST approach.

 Day 3 Monday 13th June:
I am running close to the end of the day again today. No time to head out on the bike earlier but at 9pm headed out for about 30 minutes of a cycle.  Never realised the road surface was in such a bad condition. You dont really feel the bumps as much when your travelling in a car. Might not be a bad idea for the local engineer to head out on a bike to discover for himself that the issues are far greater than a few potholes!

Have a look at this YouTube clip on How to deal with bad road surfaces.

Day 4 Tuesday 14th June:
Today was a good day on the cycling front! I got out on the bike straight after breakfast. Headed to village for DE EXAMINER and a few bits 'n pieces in the Super.  Could definitely do with a basket now!! Feeling a little saddle sore at the end of the cycle. Getting muscles in places I didn't realise I had places. Amazed how courteous car drivers are.......bar none!!

Highlighted are the muscles used while cycling

Day 5 Wednesday 15th June:
First major milestone. Cycled with my mate Tom (another guy undertaking the cycle challenge) to Fitzgerald's Park for the Lunch by the Lee. Need a groin transplant after the city roads, in particular bad surface along the Douglas Road!! Really enjoyed the FREE lunch and especially concert given by the Cork Academy of Music - a talented group of guys. I met some fellow cyclists I hadn't met in a while. Special thanks to all that organised the event!
Fair pull back home after the event......rained a little but after the 3 hours on the bike I'm feeling sore but invigorated!! Headed home from Fitzgerald Park via Monahan Road. The riverside park is completely overgrown and an eyesore.  Which is a pity. For those visiting concerts in the Marquee it's not showing the City off in a good light.  Then again it must be an oasis for wildlife so close to the city.
Finished off the day with a swim for my very tired limbs!
Let's see what tomorrow brings.
   

 Great journeys so far from Patrick! Keep a look out for his updates here and on:

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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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12th June 2016 - Uphill climbs and Pothole Dives all in the name of that calorie burn!

 

DONNACHA VENTURES OUT ON DAY 1:

 

 

Donnacha writes:

 

I was away for the weekend with family so didnt get to start until I got home this evening. There is a nice and challenging loop right outside my door so I set off towards Bandon. Storm Desmond and Storm Frank has left many a legacy on that stretch so it is not a road to lose concentration on! Fortunately Sunday evening meant it was quiet.

 

One consequence of these resiliant storms was every cyclists nightmare - POTHOLES!

Learn how you can deal with them here: Cyclists Guide to Dealing with Potholes



 

I  turned off before I came in towards the mart and came back towards Kilmacsimon where I popped down to see if there was any boats on the water.

 

The calm water at Kilmacsimon

 

 

The break at the watersedge was a welcome few minutes rest before the 1 mile steep climb home - not one for the faint hearted! I got to the top surprisingly easy although I am sure I could pay for that in the morning! Got home just in time for tea - feeling good!

 

 





An impressive distance travelled and amount of calories burned by Donnacha after his first trip!



 

**FUN FACT**:
With the 605 calories Donnacha burned could eat; 3 49g Snicker Bars OR 1 cup of cornflakes with half a cup of milk, an apple, 3 grilled chicken breasts, a baked potato and a cup of steamed broccoli!!
 

 

 

 Continue to follow Donnacha's journey back on two wheels here and on:

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