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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Introducing Thomas - Read his 4 day cycling adventure!

Thomas joins the OT team!

Hi all! I will start by describing my bicycle history from the last few years. So where do I start, I have had a mountain bike (belonging to my son) in my shed for the last 10 years and in April 2015 I decided it was time to dump or use the bike.
I brought the same bike to "Garden shed " bicycle shop situated off Barrack Street in Cork for an assessment and I was informed that an expenditure of 80/100 euro would get me back on the road,new tyres/brakes/service etc On collection of my bike I was also shown how to use the gears etc this was June 2015 and I cycled home to Ballintemple. I went for 1 small cycle ( 1 hour) in July 2015 and nothing since until last Saturday 11th June 2016 as part of Operation Transportation!

Thomas writes:

My diary is as follows:

Sat June 11

Thomas and Dale

Took my bike out of the garage and saw that the tyres needed some air so I went to my bag of cycling goodies(anytime Lidl or Aldi had bicycle stuff the following were purchased, pumps of different styles/repair kit/saddle cover/lights/gloves/tops etc) It was about 4 pm when i pumped up the tyres.

Note: ALDI often have bicycle gear on special offer and most of the time is equipment is just as good as big name brands!! Keep an eye using these links: ALDI & LIDL

At around 6 pm I went for a ride and did about 10 minutes, I was very wobbly at start but got there. Confidence grew as time went on!

Thomas on South Mall

Sunday 12th June
Today I cycled bike to and from church, it was a round trip of about 12 mins, nothing major to report

Monday 13th
After the Ireland vs Sweden match I cycled to my friends house, it was about a 15 minute ride, it was very windy so found journey difficult enough. I took a different route home and avoided the hills!
I am getting used to the cars and the road surface which is bad in places! 

Pumping the tyres on 11th June for the week of cycling

Tuesday 14th
Left home at 7pm and returned home just after 7.55pm. I went into city centre, cycled in Blackrock road/Oliver plunkett street/south mall/ southern road/Douglas road etc
I am getting more used to using the bike and my "bum" is getting used to saddle! I also cycled up all the hills I came across this evening (yesterday I walked up one hill but this evening I cycled up this hill)

Read this great article to avoid getting a sore bum: SADDLE SORE?

I was stopped behind 2 cars at traffic lights on south mall and took a selfie, after the lights went green and we all moved off the car in front of me stopped and driver got out and asked me " did I do something wrong??" he noticed me taking the selfie and thought I was taking a photo of his car,I explained I took a selfie and we all went on our merry way!

Thomas finishes by saying: "Cycle paths in the city centre are a little confusing, they are there one minute and then gone the other, a little Good/ bad/ugly!!!!"

Overall I am delighted with my progress, from being very wobbly/sore on Saturday to enjoying the ride today!

16th June: Andrea Swaps the Sofa for the Saddle

Andrea and the President's Wives

Andrea Writes:

Today I broke with my lazy after dinner routine of "feet up and soapies on"; Instead I went for a bike ride.

Like Carla Bruni: Former Wife of French President Sarkosy,
Andrea normally likes to relax with her feet up watching some soap operas

It was just the best evening in Ballincollig for it. I set out to do my 10 minutes, and came home an hour and a half later! It is just so enjoyable to be able to get around quickly, feel the wind in my face and not worry about parking.

Like Jane Wyman: Former Wife of U.S. President Regan,
Andrea now likes to  unwind by feeling the wind on her face cycling

Now I will say I am a teensy bit "saddle sore", but I still had fun. I also put up my saddle a fair bit as suggested by Miro on Saturday's Cycle Safety training, and yes he was right, being so low on the saddle does not do you any favours. I felt much more balanced today and saved my knees.

15th June: the Day Maria's Bike Became a Speed-boat!

 Maria's Cycle Skills Delight And Defy Expectations

 Maria Writes:

Day 3 of Operation Transportation. Well I must admit I woke up this morning to a bit of saddle discomfort- ouch!

Tips on Causes and Cures for Saddle Soreness can be found with this image here: http://blog.supersizedbikes.com/2013/05/6-most-common-causes-of-bicycle-saddle-sore/

Brought my two kids to the regional park today for a bit of fun. Danny had his bike and Marisa was on roller skates. They were just dying to see me on the bike. I think they were expecting me to fall off!!

Maria, Marissa and Danny have some active Fun in the Sun In Ballincollig Regional Park

 It was another gorgeous day and we soared around the park on the bikes. Marisa was shattered trying to keep up so we hatched a plan whereby she held on to the back of my t-shirt and I pulled (dragged!) her along- water-ski style. Yes I am definitely getting braver.

Editor's Footnote:

Saddle-soreness can be prevented by making sure that your saddle is the right width and height for you. Saddle covers and padded cycle shorts may help too.

That said I personally have never worn cycle shorts but  I never get any saddle pain from my beat-up old saddle because it is wide and foam filled and quite comfortable to sit on...

There are plenty of videos on line about choosing the right saddle and plenty of powders for sale to soothe and protect the gluteal muscles.

One book dedicated to the subject for women is the aptly named "Saddle Sore" by  Molly Hurford available form her website:http://saddlesorewomen.com