22nd June 2014 Maria's Oscar Speech

"Get a rental bike, get comfortable with it... and get on the road!"

  Maria writes:

It's the last day of Operation Transportation-sob. 

I did the cycle from Ballincollig to UCC again. This time I went much faster so I did it in 1 hour round-trip.

 It really up's the exercise element, when you go fast; I was literally sweating hard with my heart racing. So all in all I had a really good workout!

Image from:bikestylespokane.com/2011/
The article with it gives tips for dressing
for the office after cycling etc.

Image from:www.hypeorlando.com/
for an item on why you should date a cyclist!

This week has been fab. We couldn't have imagined such perfect weather. Having the bike has opened up such different experiences for me. It was so much fun and so...easy! I think so many people are daunted by cycling in traffic but it’s actually grand, especially if you are already a driver and know all the rules already. I have to say that all the drivers I encountered were very courteous and patient.

 Maria had no need for the sign on the left from: http://www.sodahead.com/fun/are-you-a-courteous-driver/question-2687507/ however she might like the one on the right ( Found on opinion.latimes.com) since most of her motorist interaction has been really positive!

To anyone who feels like they would like to cycle more but are afraid of traffic, I would say get a rental bike, get comfortable with it... and get on the road. Just do it! You will know within a few trips whether or not this is for you.

Thanks so much to everyone who helped organize Operation Transportation. An extra special thanks to Sarah for giving me this experience. Thanks to 'The Bike Shed' for supplying the excellent bike, and to Miro and Darren for the skills training, which really built my confidence.

Happy cycling everyone!

Editor's Footnote:

If, unlike maria, you want to cycle without perspiring read how, from the article under this image:

There are lots of tips for commuting by bike with minimal sweat here:
 http://lifehacker.com/how-can-i-ride-my-bike-to-work-without-getting-sweaty-1153830012 

22nd June Andrea Bids Adieu to a Bike called Betty

Cycling Opens up a 

New World of 

Social Opportunities

Andrea writes: 

The perfect end to the perfect weekend: I have just enjoyed my "sun-downer" evening cycle at Ballincollig Regional Park. It could not be a lovelier evening for a bike ride. It has also allowed me to escape the house during the world cup madness.

Not sure how I will fill my evenings after tomorrow, when my Betty goes back to the Bike -Shed. I think I will go out for a last ride tomorrow morning before I take her back.

 Above: Top Right: The Outdoor Gym;

Above: Top Left: The Foot bridge
© Copyright Ian Paterson and licensed
 for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence. 

Middle Left: The Gunpowder Mills

 Bottom Left: The Weir All from

 Ballincollig Regional Park.

 Bottom Right: Stilly Dappled waters 

under green canopies,  all in 

 It is interesting how having this bike has suddenly allowed me a new world of social opportunities. While at my friends garden party yesterday afternoon, I was suddenly invited to come on bike rides all over Cork, even a spinning class - said I would think about that one!

It seems like the world is conspiring to gently push Andrea into more cycling! The cartoon is taken from www.flandriacafe.com and was originally drawn by a cartoonist called Pellos, who was renowned for his Tour De France themed art.

Editor's Footnote:

Click below, sit back, relax and imagine that you are cycling through Ballincollig Regional Park yourself...

13th June Andrea Impresses the Neighbours and Stresses out her Son!

Ballincollig Mums Go Mad for Bikes

Andrea writes:

What a great day to out for a bike ride. I really don't know why I have not got out and done this sooner. It was just so much fun! Thank you Operation Transportation! I am looking forward to having a lot more fun on my bike over the following days.

Operation Transportation (3 photos)

Thanks to the hard work and efforts of Sarah and the staff at the Bike Shed I get to enjoy this beautiful bike for the next week.

 My neighbours were wondering what was going on today as Maria and I raced up and down the street. Our official photographer managed to snap this in-between turns at the end of the street.

After seeing his mum on a bike for the first time ever and having a few near-misses he said he had to work off some of the tension... it was all to much! Not to worry, after my bike safety training tomorrow I will be much better!