Monday, 23 July 2012
Thursday, 28 June 2012
Introducing Operation Transportation
For National Bike Week 2012 in Cork, we decided to run an initiative called Operation Transportation.
For this, we set up the facebook page: www.facebook.com/OperationTransportation.
We used this to recruit our Opertiaon Transportation Leader/Volunteers.
These Leaders were all people who didn't currently cycle regularly but were willing to try cycling more for one week. In fact they had to promise to cycle every day for at least 10 minutes from June 16th to 24th and to keep a diary to record their progress!
The diaries were all posts to their facebook pages. Unfortunately being a Facebook Novice, I didn't reaise how cluttered Facebook can get, so I've set up this blog to better isolate and organise the diaries...
Hopefully readers will get inspired. If you too are wondering could you cycle more, see how our OT leaders got on and learn from them. :)
We used this to recruit our Opertiaon Transportation Leader/Volunteers.
These Leaders were all people who didn't currently cycle regularly but were willing to try cycling more for one week. In fact they had to promise to cycle every day for at least 10 minutes from June 16th to 24th and to keep a diary to record their progress!
The diaries were all posts to their facebook pages. Unfortunately being a Facebook Novice, I didn't reaise how cluttered Facebook can get, so I've set up this blog to better isolate and organise the diaries...
Hopefully readers will get inspired. If you too are wondering could you cycle more, see how our OT leaders got on and learn from them. :)
Saturday, 16 June 2012
16th June 2012, Mervyn's Diary
Cycling to Fitzgerald's Park and All Around the City
According to Mervyn:
Great fun this morning, I saw a side of the Cork I've taken for granted in the car; The bike is a welcome change to appreciate the beauty of the city.
Passage to Blackrock tomorrow at 10.45.. can't wait!
FOOTNOTES BY THE EDITOR:
And as you can see below, some youngsters, coming down the Shaky Bridge saw a side of Mervyn on a bike too, albeit a very tiny side??
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| Something of Mervyn was seen by the Shaky Bridge, but what happened to the rest of him?? Note: This photo was not photo shopped!! 
Mervyn checks his pedals and watches his gears.
Mervyn nervously awaits the results of the Bike Doctor's verdict! :)
And finally the video....
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16th June 2012, Christine's Diary
What happened on Training Day?:
Christine was captured on camera by the blog editor:
Short clip of Christine on Training Day in Fitzgeralds Park above and photo below...
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| Christine's Bike also got the all-clear before the test from Adam D'arcy- one of Cork Community Bikes Safe Cycling Instructors. The video clip above is from: http://www.youtube.com/user/OperationTransport |
16th June 2012, Alison's Diary
Post Training Optimism
Alison's response:
Just back from my three hour training session on how to cycle my bike in traffic. I'm tired, but I enjoyed it. All set now for cycling to and from work all of next week!! |
| Alison keeps a hold on her bike as she seems to wonder why Anna is looking so relaxed, as they wait for their Bikes to be checked by the Shaky Bridge. |
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| Alison keeps within the obstacles. |
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| All that focused concentration paid off as Alison successfully completes her first test. |
16th June 2012, Anna and Joe's Diary
Shopping, visiting and touring around Cobh on a bike:
The First Saturday Cycle according to Joe:
I've not been on a bike for nearly 12 months so I'm unsure how it will go.
We are living near Fota road so we decided to go to Carrigtwohill to buy some food for the Sunday dinner, stopped in at Barryscourt Castle for a look around and traveled on to Rossmore to visit my sister before heading home.
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| Joe poses with his bike outside Barryscourt Castle. |
It was a good start and we noticed some things in the countryside that you don't see in a car.
I'm not great on a bike though, but I would love to keep it going. One day over! Joe.
Extracts above are lifted from:
Footnotes about Barryscourt castle:
This was the 13th century seat of the Barry family, who destroyed much of the castle following the the Desmond Rebellions of 1569 and 1579. However, the family later accepted the queens pardon and by 1593, Lord Barry was infamous as an enemy of the Irish cause.
The present castle, is a fine example of an Irish tower house,with its largely intact corner towers and the bawn wall built after the queens pardon.
What can be viewed:
- Both the First floor Main Hall and the Second Floor Great Hall have been extensively restored with fittings and furnishings reinstated.
- The Orchard has been restored to an original 16th century design and
The Great Hall in Barry's Court Castle - The herb garden has been reinstated in the bawn.
http://www.carrigtwohillcommunity.ie/attractions/barryscourt/barryscourt.htm
or
http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/South-West/BarryscourtCastle/
Friday, 15 June 2012
15th June 2012, Mervyn's Diary
Why Don't You Cycle Regularly Already?:
According to Mervyn:
I've always cycled to primary school, matches and training, up to leaving school. I also cycle a lot on holidays. But nowadays I don’t own a bike and it seems more difficult to be a cyclist. There are hills where I live also... though I would definitely like to cycle more.
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| Will Mervyn save some Euros each day by cycling up and down those hills to work? |
Why Take Part in Operation Transportation?:
According to Mervyn:
I decided to sign up to Operation Transportation because:
- I was sick of sitting in traffic around the Kinsale road and Sarsfield road roundabouts.
- Also, an intern at the Lifetime Lab cycles which put me to shame and
- I really need to become more active.
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| This is the Kinsale Road Roundabout which Mervyn commutes through every day... Tips on how other cyclists view it, have been found here: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=74167560 |
http://www.facebook.com/OperationTransportation#!/mervyn.horgan?sk=info
FOOTNOTE BY THE EDITOR:
Here are two youtube clips with tips on hill-climbing on a bike. The first is obvious but it is always good to get a reminder:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgTFENouM7w
The second is a bit more technical tips about pacing, pulsing and manipulating your body for maximum efficiency!!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9WaU-bZdic&feature=related
Also if daunted, it is consoling to read that even Lance Armstrong gave up at the foot of St. Patricks hill :
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| Lance Armstrong daunted by St. Patrick's Hill In Cork in 2009. From: http://sport.irishexaminer.com/post/2009/08/24/Hes-a-jerk-I-dont-know-why-anyone-would-root-for-him.aspx |
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| Cyclists who did make it up St. Patrick's Hill. Photo by Stefan Wermuth from: |
The lifelong cycling enthusiast and playright Alfred Jarry even described cycle races uphill as a form of crucifixion!!
So....there's no shame in taking it easy and walking up hill when you need to or investing in an electric bike.
On a good electric-assist bike, going uphill with a bit of electic boosting, can feel like going downhill without the power-assist. The broad beaming smile on my face when I recently experienced this, was just the outer manifestation of the exhiliration in my heart!!
I think this photo of Alex Bogusky of US website Fearless Revolution on a electric kalkhoff bike sums up the feeling!
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| For the complete review by Alex see: http://fearlessrevolution.com/blog/product-review-kalkhoff-electric-bicycle-an-electric-unicorn.html |
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