12th June 2016 - Sight seeing in Scotland

Michael tours Edinburgh

Michael writes:

I went cycling around seeing all the lovely sights of Edinburgh today. The city is reminding me of how much I enjoy cycling. The weather was cloudy and rainy but the sights really made up for the bad weather. 

For all the info on cycling and walking in Edinburgh check this LINK

My favourite site in Edinburgh is the castle. I couldn't get my bike up the hill with all the tourists so I walked up with it and saw it as a good opportunity to get a photo with my bike and the castle in the background.

For all those historians out there follow HERE to discover all things interesting on Edinburgh castle!

Michael in front of Edinburgh Castle

There is a great buzz around the city with the Fringe festival coming up later in the summer. It really adds to the enjoyment of cycling in the city. I return to Ireland tomorrow to continue my cycling adventure. 

Planning a trip to Scotland? The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is an event not to be missed! For more info:Click here

Fringe Festival

Meet Donnacha!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introducing another Operation Transportation Blogger who has put themselves back in the saddle for Bike Week 2016.... Meet Donnacha:

 

 

 

Donnacha lives just a few miles outside of Innishannon with his wife and little girl.

He has always had a keen interest in cycling and enjoys it when on his holidays too!

 

Donnacha cycling on a recent trip to Krakow

 

 

In the past Donnacha cycled a lot when he lived in Douglas and even used to cycle to work!

   



 

Unfortunately since moving his commute is a little too long to saddle up for on a daily basis. As he doesnt get out as much as he would like to anymore - Operation Transportation has given him the spur he needed to get back in gear!

 

 

Check out these tips if your thinking of getting back into the saddle yourself: www.training4cyclists.com/getting-back-in-the-saddle/

 

Follow Donnachas journey to see how he gets on back in the saddle here and on:

Facebook 

 

 

 

 

11th June 2016 - Michael's trip to Edinburgh

Hills, hills, hills!

Michael writes:

I am currently in Edinburgh. Unfortunately there is limited opportunity for cycling today.

I got out for a cycle for about 15 minutes in and around the city. 

VERY HILLY!!! 

Its fun going down the hills on my bike but not fun trying to go up them.

Check out these tips on how to approach and tackle those nasty uphill cycles: Click Here

 I'm here until Monday and hope to take in more of the sights on my bike. Hopefully I'll get a picture by Edinburgh Castle tomorrow with my bike. 

Edinburgh

11th June 2016 - Shauna takes to the country roads

Shauna re-sparks her love of cycling!

Shauna writes:

Today marked the start of National Bike Week, when I was younger I would have cycled quite bit and really enjoyed it. But as I got older I found myself rarely taking the time to go out for a cycle so when I got the opportunity to take part in Operation Transportation 2016 I was excited as it would give me the opportunity to get back on the saddle. 

I have only ever cycled in the countryside or in a small town so I am not comfortable or confident about cycling with large volumes of traffic.

So I decided to ease myself back into it so I went for a short cycle on a fairly quite country road where I knew there wouldn't be too many cars. 

It was great to get out on a bike again, however, the weather wasn't in my favour and it rained quite heavy for most of my cycle.

During the cycle I didn't encounter too much traffic, but as it was quite a narrow road I often had to stop and step in off the road to let cars pass. This was annoying because with the rain the ground was wet and mucky. 

Despite the weather I enjoyed getting out and about again. I'm looking forward to the rest of the week, I'm hoping that as the week goes on I will get more confidence cycling in areas where there is more traffic. 

Have a look at this link for some great tips on how to cycle safely in traffic and busy roads
CLICK HERE

See how Shauna deals with the change of scenery and the hectic streets of busy city life!

12th June 2016 - Biking in Ballincollig, Aine's day out

Aine gets back on her bike

Aine writes:

"Went on my first cycle in a few years today! I was a little nervous picking up my bike,what would happen if I couldn't remember how to cycle? The rest of the week would be a disaster!" 

"Thankfully, I had no problem at all. We went to Ballincollig Regional Park so I had plenty of room to test the bike and get comfortable with it. We stayed on the main paths for the first while, but I quickly got a little more adventurous and we tried some of the more off-road trails." 

"The short cycle that we had planned turned into 2 hours. The park is a great place to go for a cycle, we never realised that the ruins of the gunpowder mill are in the middle of the park." 

"The bike was great for the main path, and really light. The off-route trails were a little harder, I might stay away from that in future - nearly had an accident!"

"The only negative from today - I need to get a bell for my bike and some waterproof gear. Definitely should invest in a bike rack, there was a bit of a struggle with two bikes." 

Why not check out this website for info and useful tips on what type of bicycle should you buy, different bikes and various terrains: Click HERE 

     

Aine finishes up by saying "Looking forward to getting out again tomorrow, I'm more confident now so might try something a little more difficult!"

             

Follow Aine's daily adventures here all week! Has she got the cycling bug?

Introducing Michael

Drum roll please....

Introducing our first Operation Transportation blogger of 2016.......Michael! 

Michael has decided to sign up to Operation Transportation as it was an opportunity for him to get back into the routine of cycling once again, especially while the weather is nice and to attend events around the city during Cork Bike Week 2016.

Michael used to cycle on a regular basis growing up as he lived in the countryside. He really enjoyed it as he used to cycle to meet up with friends and to get to any match that he may have had. It also gave him a sense of independence as he did not have to depend on his parents taking him places.

            

 Michael now owns a car which makes it more convenient for him to get places but unfortunately with the weather we have sometimes in Ireland it does not encourage him to get out & hop on a bike.

             

 Michael would like to cycle more as it is a great way of getting fit while also being able to see some great scenery on some of the routes he could cycle.

Fingers crossed Michael gets the weather as he shares his stories and cycle adventures with us 

Follow Michaels journey throughout Bike Week here and on: 

facebook and twitter

Why not check out Cork Bike Week events 11th -19th June

Click: www.corkbikeweek.com

Operation Transportation is back!

It is that time of year again, the countdown is on! The recruitment of 6 new Operation Transportation bloggers is well and truly under way, watch this space!

Follow our facebook and twitter pages for more updates

Why not check out what events are nearby you for Cork Bike Week 16 

Click here!