21st June 2015 - Marcia, Gardener Extraordinaire!

You can do it if you B and Q it!

Marcia writes:

Idon't often get time to do extra jobs in the garden beyond grasscutting but on days like yesterday, it was impossible to resist. Having spent some time moving a very large lily to a better spot, I decided the new area needed a little extra planting. 

What better way to undertake the day's Operation Transportation commitment than to cycle to B and Q. 

Chris was sailing, so Thea (12), Lucy (10) and the dog came for the trip. We headed off close to 6pm, when the Saturday busyness on the cyclepath had eased. Love buying from the B and Q "about to die" section at knock-down prices and resurrecting the plants back to life! Filled the bike basket with plants and tucked a few more into my backpack. 

Long Shore Drive, Jacobs Island

Thea showed us a pleasant new way back to the line through Long Shore Drive. Despite our time choosing plants and needing to go at dog-appropriate pace, the trip took us little over an hour. 

Not much longer than in a car and a great deal more pleasant. 

(Video is a little wobbly. Haven't mastered heavy front-loading and cycling with one hand!)

Check out Marcia's exclusive cycle video:

 

19th June 2015 - A change of scenery, Marcia and Chris's cycle

Carefree Cycling in Carrigaline

Marcia writes:

Carrigaline,Co.Cork 

Chris enjoyed a change of scene cycling around ‪#‎Carrigaline‬ yesterday. Some great cycle paths here.

 I had developed sufficient confidence in his abilities to let him cycle from Passage to Carrigaline, but his Dad felt differently. 

That Raffeen stretch is a show-stopper. So he hoisted the bike in the back of the car, dropped him and the bike to his friend's house and let them enjoy cycling around Carrigaline.

CYCLING WITH FRIENDS!

Chris writes:

"Hi, Chris Bateman here. On day 5 of Operation Transportation I went to Carrigaline to my friends, Jude and Ethan. We cycled around Carrigaline, stopped off at the shop, and cycled back home. 

The wind was light so it was easy to cycle, and it was warm and sunny. I thought it was pretty humid as well. There were a lot of people out, so it was tricky to cycle around them. All in all it was a fun cycle."

Check out these Carrigaline Cycle Routes here: mapmyride

18th June 2015 - Marcia picks up the pace on a sun drenched evening!

Sun, sights and scenery

Marcia writes:

Chris and I headed out together this evening for our Operation Transportation cycle, but he turned right at the end of the estate and I turned left. I've no idea where he went; my cycle turned into a bit of an adventure.

I had left the dog at home this evening, deciding to go it alone. I missed her company but it was great to be able to pick up the pace a bit. 

Another beautiful evening, the setting sun turning all it touched into gold. I hadn't expected to get as far as Blackrock Castle but when I did, spotting St. Luke's brought back all sorts of poignant memories of my Dad and I turned left along Castle Road.

Dropping the pace, dawdling, thinking and looking around. It's fantastic how much one can spot from a bike. Pushing up Skehard Road, I was delighted to come along a cycle path and enjoyed using it all the way to Mahon Point.         

                              

Could do with a bit of resurfacing, though! Cut across at Mahon Point back to the by now deserted line and pelted it back to Passage West to beat the dark

Check out Marcia's route and some general info + downloadable map click here: 

Passage West - Blackrock route

Marcia finishes by saying: "Three cheers for these fantastic cycle routes" 

17th June 2015 - Why We Love An Evening Cycle (And You Should, Too!)

As dusk was falling.......

Marcia writes:

I enjoyed a grand easy-paced evening cycle as my Operation Transportation commitment tonight. 

I took only the bigger dog this time - the little one makes me torturously slow. By the time I was done in the shop and chatting outside, dusk was falling.....

Glorious time for cycling!

 The perfume of honeysuckle wafting on a gentle warm breeze ... herons squalking while flying home to roost ... dense black clouds of homing rooks overhead. Best progress of all: I MADE IT UP THE HILL!!!

As dusk falls

Why not check out some of these cycle routes in Cork and enjoy a nice evening cycle like Marcia! Click here: www.mapmyride.ie

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!