14th June - Busy is the new happy!

Shaunas Operation Transportation Day 4

Shauna writes:

Today was quite a busy day for me so I knew I wasn't going to get out on the bike for too long. But luckily cycling is a great way to squeeze some physical activity into your day. 

Why bike??

I set off just after work, like the previous night I started off by cycling down by The Marina, from here I continued along into Blackrock. 

Now at this point I had been planning on taking the same route back but I suddenly got brave and decided to return via the Blackrock road.

It was only 5.30pm so the road was still quite busy and it was a little scary at times with cars passing by me and the road being so narrow. 

However, I managed to get home in one piece and thanks to my spontaneous decision to return that way I feel as if I'm becoming slightly more confident cycling on the road!

Shaunas route

Check out these top tips on how to cycle safe when on roads:
Click here

16th June 2015 - Multitasking Chris

The Multitasking Speedster Big Brother 

CHRIS

Marcia writes:

Life is busy!

Things didn't go quite so smoothly today for Chris and myself on our Operation Transportation mission. I am ashamed to admit, I flunked it. I had intended to cycle to a meeting in Rochestown for 6pm but got held up during the afternoon and couldn't leave early enough to make it by bike.

Chris got out twice on his bike - He tells us his story:

 "Hi, Chris Bateman here. I went on my third cycle for Operation Transportation today. I must say though, it was not as peaceful or beautiful as my last two cycles were. I had spent my whole morning varnishing the boat, so I planned nothing for the afternoon.

 But it turned out that Star of the Sea primary school (where my younger brother and my two sisters go, the other sister goes to a different school) was closing at midday due to no running water. This was unexpected for us (my mom and I were the only ones in the house). I was told to collect Ethel and Thea, and come straight home. I was already going to offer to collect, but sure ye know what moms are like. 

Click here - Tips on cycling downhill!

So I put my new gadget thingy that I got from Operation Transportation on by bike. I think it's pretty cool! So I headed off on the trek down the almost vertical hill (I think it's Church Hill?) at 35 kilometres per hour. I thought it was pretty fast for my standards, but I didn't want to be late. I'd be killed! I was practising my road cycling, but there were not any cars around up the Back Road. 

Somehow I managed to crash. I was turning onto the kerb, and I misjudged the turn. The wheel skidded and I went over the handlebars into the wall. Don't worry, I wore my helmet! I landed on my feet with only a scratch. On the way back I was sick of going 1 kilometre per hour for Ethel (who was walking, she didn't have a bike), so I put her on the saddle and I stood up on the pedals and we free wheeled down the hills. The tricky bit was the estate. I managed to make it up the hill without dying (even at my age) and get inside to eat lunch and finish varnishing. I had a great time, looking forward to tomorrow."

NEVER FORGET GANG!