25th June 2014 Caitriona Bailey Keeps up the Cycling in County Clare!

 

25th June 2014 Caitriona Bailey

Keeps up the Cycling in County Clare!

 

A Bicycle Escape From the Happy Clamour of a Clare Wedding and

the Chaotic Disarray of House being Painted...

 

According to Caitriona:

Hello, hello, phew so sorry I have not updated in a while... Spent the last few days in Clare celebrating a friends wedding and then returned to put a house back together in Cork after a paint job..

But on that note,  we did manage to rent a few bikes in Clare and take a spin around Doolin.. There was most defiantly a wind there, which was great when at our backs, but very hard work trying to cycle against it!  Never the less it was nicer than driving around the village...



Cyclists journeying through the picture postcard perfect Doolin Village

Doonagore Castle, Doolin Clare- what a sight to whizz past on a bike.!

 

Martha gets her son involved!

Cycle to School

According to Martha:

This morning I decided to take my son to school by cycling! so out the bikes came and off we went! He absolutely loved it, It's the simple things in life!!

EDITOR'S COMMENT'S:

 

According to http://www.parents.com/fun/sports/exercise/bicycle-riding/ :

"There's a special bond between kids and bikes that can never be broken.

 

 

Riding a bike is a rite of passage, a passport to worlds beyond the front lawn. Bikes represent fun, freedom, and fresh air --

everything that's good about being a kid."

 

For some great tips on Cycling with Children see: http://iamtraffic.org/education/cycling-with-children/

 

18th June Maurice Applies Cycling Skills

Maurice Applies his Cycling Skills Lessons

According to Maurice:


It was sunshine all the way for today's cycle through Ballincollig Village and back via the Killumney Road. From the Killumney Road I turned onto the Link Road and called into McSweeneys shop in Rosewood for the paper.

 The traffic was really heavy on this route (between 8.30 am and 9.30 am) and I really needed to be on top of giving hand signals and asserting my lane positions. As a result I found that motorists were courteous and allowed me right of way when crossing traffic.

 

Some of the hand signals that I needed to use while out on my cycle this morning! Image from:  http://www.vbgov.com/residents/sports-recreation/pages/bicycle-hand-signals.aspx

18th June Maurice's E-Bike

Maurice shows us his

Electrically Assisted Bicycle

According to Maurice:

My bicycle is a Gazelle ( Orange Pure Innergy ). Check it out on http://www.gazellebicycles.com.au/products/gazelle?id=360

It was purchased over 2 years ago from their Irish agent.
I have the basic battery (bronze) which is guaranteed for 2 years and is supposed to be good for 500 full charges. This was an expensive bike costing €1,600 at the time. The only other equipment that I have is a high visibility jacket and a helmet which were both Christmas presents.


Maurice's bike taking in the sunshine!!






 

Editor's Note:
The Gazelle bike was purchased from Howard Pearson of BBikes.com

To learn more about these bikes watch this video on Vimeo:
http://vimeo.com/8208219

17th June Dan shows us his capabilities!

Dan shows us his bike, (and shares how well it can manage his inches up the inclines!)

According to Dan:

Can't find my pump. Have been asking a lot of my tyres to carry my ample frame. Went to Capwell Cycles, my local bike shop. They made sure I had enough air.
 
I was more encouraged that I managed the inclines on Southern Road and Old Blackrock Road with relative ease!

My trusty steed. A Raleigh Aveo


Dans bike the Raleigh Aveo!
 

Editor's Comment:

According to some cyclist forum's the Aveo is a trusty, comfortable commuter  bike.  
For advice on how to select the best bike for you check out this video playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIm-7S3zB7k&index=21&list=PLF1536CA35A876BE0 

Once you know the type of bike you need look p some videos more tailored to your needs.
If like me you  intend to cycle in all weather over rough, pot holed gravel roads this video may  prove particularly relevant:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-5y9LUDA3c

 

17th June. Morning Cycle

Monday Morning Riverside Cycle

According to Maurice:

Set off at around 9.00 am this morning from near Guide Dogs for Blind and cycled all the way to the North Mall and was back home by 10.15 am. I took some photographs and saluted a number of people and their dogs.

After so much rain cyclists have to watch out for low hanging branches and vegetation. The elder flower is in full bloom right now and this is a good time to gather bunches to make elderflower cordial.

Just after Inchagaggin lane over the bridge I took the cycle / footpath all the way to the Lee fields. This is a great way of avoiding the traffic and enjoying the flora and fauna. You can see lots of birds including Herons and Egrets but none were visible today but there are plenty of people walking their dogs.

 

Egrets and Elderflowers -some of the flora and fauna to be seen on a Summertime Lee-side cycle

At the Lee fields there is a bit more activity so you have to be careful not to bump into any unpredictable dogs or children. At the back of the now deserted Kingsley Hotel I took the footbridge which brings me out onto Wellington Bridge. Here I turned right and then left onto the Mardyke going past Fitzgerald's Park. At the exit from the Mardyke I went left onto the Millennium bridge all the way to the North Mall parking my bike alongside the very ornate footbridge.

I cant figure out why cyclists have to dismount crossing the Millennium bridge. A number of other cyclists passed over the bridge without dismounting.

On the way back I cycled through Fitzgerald's Park.

Enjoyed my cup of coffee after all that !

17th June Caitriona's new bike!

Caitriona's New Wheels!!

According to Caitriona:

I am "driving" a 'loverly' pink Trax TF51 bike, 18 gears, which I am getting a little more comfortable with thanks to Miro..

Picture of the tpye of Bike I purchased from Halfords in Mahon Point Cork. Image is from http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_771009_langId_-1_categoryId_165499 

I got it in Halfords in Mahon point, got it fresh in the box to take away as it is cheaper that way and more fun to make..

One comment I would make was that the customer service I received was not up to scratch and I would think twice before approaching that sales person again!

Editor's Comment:

Have any other readers owned a Halfords bike or a  Trax TF51 bike?
If so, how did you get on with it?

This article : http://www.cyclescene.ie/BSO.html gives some general advice on purchasing a bicycle for regular commuting.

Note: the referenced article is written from a bicycle shop's perspective and the Bicycle Shaped Objects they criticise might be perfectly useful for the occasional fair-weather cyclist or the cyclist who takes extreme care to  clean, oil and avoid excess wear and tear on their bikes..

I personally own a very cheap second hand Raleigh Coco, that is at least thirty years old I reckon.

A Raleigh Coco in a lot better nick than mine!

To deter the thieves who pilfered two other bikes from under my bedroom window, the Coco looks old and rusty and it is far too small; However, it is surprisingly sturdy and it seems to withstand a lot of hacking without too much complaining...

Some cycle repair shops hinted that Raleigh don't make them like that any more...
What do you think?