18th - 21st June 2015 - Eithne takes to the road!

Four days of cycling,fun and variety.....

Eithne writes:

Thursday 18th

My cycle today was quiet tough. I have recently started running and so after my little trot around the Regional Park I went for a cycle to loosen out the legs.

Regional Park, Ballincollig

Friday 19th

My Cycle on Friday was very recreational. I was at home with the kids all day and so the only outlet I got was to go to the shop for milk. I didn’t go to my closest shop though just to get a little spin on the bike.

Regional Park Weir, Ballincollig

Saturday 20th

I was working on Saturday morning at the inaugural Run 4 Fun organised by Cork Sports Partnership in Blarney, I was a little tired so in the afternoon I took the three boys on a little spin around the Regional Park. We stopped for a little picnic which we needed because the weather was very hot….after throwing a few stones in the weir hopped back on the bikes.



Editor's Footnote:
Ballincollig Regional Park has both a permanent orienteering trail and walking trails. Closing time in June, July and August is 9pm. To get to the Regional Park (western end) go to the roundabout at the west end of Ballincollig town and take the Inniscarra Road. About half a mile along the road, just before the Inniscarra Bridge, on your right, you will see the entrance for the park. 

Beauty and tranquillity of Ballincollig’s Regional Park

BALLINCOLLIG'S REGIONAL PARK

Click here for further info.....Ballincollig - Regional park

Sunday 21st

On Sunday morning, I told the boys that I was bringing Daddy for a cycle as his Father’s Day present. They were not happy that Mom and Dad were going on a cycle, they soon forgot about it when my friend arrived to bring them to Gaelic Football Training. So off we headed on a glorious sunny morning. 

Cork Summer Show

We had three hours of freedom and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. On the return section from Macroom we again met two cyclists needing assistance, so we hopped off our bikes, pumped up a tyre and back on the road again. These ladies were also using spoons as their bicycle tools. Just as we got back on the road the cyclists from Kanturk Cycling Club whizzed by us at a great speed as they were taking part in the Coachford Cycling Club sportif. We had a great spin and finished the day by a visit to the Cork Summer Show with the boys. Great day…..

Eithne finishes by saying:

So at the end of Bike week, I managed to get out on my bike seven out of the eight days so I’m delighted with this. I know my blogging was not so frequent but I thoroughly enjoyed the week. Fair play to all the organisations involved….

22nd June 2013, Margaret Discovers the Highs and Lows of Loop Routes to Ballincollig

The Brightness of Summer Days Lives on in Bike Talk

Margaret writes: 

 It was another wonderful day -weather wise; So, we cycled to the far end of Ballincollig to visit friends.  
Journeying out via the Model Farm Road, we took a short detour to look at St Peter's Church in Carrigrohane. 

The photographs copied here show the intriguing gravestones and mausoleums to be found by anyone wandering through St. Peter's Church grounds.

Many of the inscriptions bear impressively decorous names and tell tales of the times and lives of those who lie beneath..Both photos are from the website of: Councillor Kieran McCarthy.

There was lots of talk about the bikes at our friends house; They were all very interested about hearing about bike week.

Do Margaret and John have bikes on the brain? 
Image on Left: The writer of this blog reckons she does: http://www.save-janos.net/?cat=11 and 
Image on Right: People who want to tell the world about the bicycle like machinations of their brain wear this intricate drawing on a t-shirt from: http://www.cycologygear.com/bike-brain
We cycled home via the Straight Road; 
There is a cycle path all the way, but we diverted back through the Lee Fields again.  

The cycle was 7km each way, but on the flat on the return journey, which was a great bonus. :) 

We arrived home at 9.45pm, and it was still bright.  We reminded ourselves that the longest day of the year has now just passed, so the days will be getting shorter from now on!

( The Sunflowers come courtesy of http://www.hobbyfarms.com/hobby-farms-editorial-blogs/farm-inspiration/summers-lease.aspx )

19th June 2014: Maria Escapes...

Trap a Mother into Babysitting, Grab a Bike and head for Freedom!

Maria writes: 

My Mother is just back from holidays and came to visit me so I trapped her into babysitting and ran out the door, bike in tow.

I cycled from Ballincollig to UCC again, this time by myself and it was a breeze...I'm delighted with the fact that now it only took me 35 minutes each way. I don't think I saw one bit of nice scenery, as I was so busy concentrating on traffic and safety.

The only bit of exciting news on this journey was that I swallowed a fly! Apparently I cycle with my mouth open- 
attractive.....

16th June Maria Braves Main Road Traffic for the First Time

Maria Wonders

What else she is Capable of!

 Maria writes:

Just back from my first proper cycle ON THE MAIN ROADS (GULP!).

My good friend Mary led the way. She is a cycling fiend, so I was in good hands.

Maria is lucky enough to live on a "green route"

   with Advanced Stop Lines and Cycle Lanes

most of the  way from Ballincollig to UCC.

We cycled from Ballincollig to UCC and it was really good.

 

It's quite safe and easy actually. I w...ill attempt to do this cycle route twice more during the week, by myself. I am quite proud of myself.

I never thought I'd feel so comfortable on the bike after just a few days- jeez I wonder what else I'm potentially capable of that I don't know about?-skiing, mountain climbing, white water rafting? who knows!!

Also I completely forgot to take a photo so instead here's a picture of the future me (lol)

 

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