17/18th June - Patrick sees the times are changing!

Patrick writes... 


After a long morning clearing-up lawns and hedges I took advantage of a nice afternoon to ease the bones and head out for a 30 minute cycle to meet a friend for a relaxing coffee in the Carrigaline Court Hotel. Great not having to worry about parking or so I thought. Came across four bike stands but all occupied! Wow.. maybe that's a good thing in many ways - the times they are a changing!


Wondering why the provision of bike parking was not made a condition of planning when such hotels were being built or extended? Or maybe it was conditioned but they were never provided?! Might have to go somewhere else next time if no handy parking available. Who said 'If you build it they will come'.


Still can't beat the old standby of parking against a public light pole on the street. 

Check out these tips to LOCK YOUR BIKE SECURELY  to be sure its still there when you return!! 

Will be lying low tomorrow - training for another major milestone on Sunday, i.e. the Family Fun Cycle from Passage to Blackrock Castle  with my fellow Operation Transportation participant Thomas.

Over and out for now

See how Patrick gets on at the event here and on our: 

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June 16/17th - Thomas Improvises to Make the Most of Bikeweek!

Thomas writes...

On Thursday 16th, after a hectic day, I didn't have much time to spare in the evening. I ended up setting off on a speedy 20 minute bicycle ride near the locality of my house, in the Blackrock/Boreenmanna Road area. 



A map of the Boreenmanna Road area


I was feeling very confident in my cycling abilities after my experiences throughout the past week, so I felt myself peddling at the speed of light throughout this cycle! Is it too late to qualify for the Rio Olympics, I think I could be a great addition to the Irish team!

Thomas for Rio 2016 

15 ways to increase your cycling speed

On Friday 17th, I was away from home and staying in a hotel. I was unable to bring my bike with me as I didn't think it would be practical to keep it in my room! Unfortunately the hotel didn't have any spare bikes to offer me, so I had to use my imagination. I located the gym in my hotel and used the exercise bike for 15 minutes, while pretending I was cycling through the scenic Cork country side.

While it definitely wasn't a typical cycle ride, I was still happy that I managed to fit in some time for exercise! However, I am very much looking forward to getting back on the roads on Saturday!

Given that it is not always possible to set out on a cycle and that the Irish weather is not always (never) reliable, check out some tips on how to cycle your bike from the comfort of your own home. 

June 17th - It's Leg Day for Michael!

Michael Writes....

Reminiscent of morning traffic jams in Cork City?

Following my successful 2 wheel commute to work on day 6, I decided to do it again. What I have realised is that it takes nearly the same amount of time as driving, as I don't have to spend time sitting in traffic (is there anything worse?)



After work I made arrangements with my fellow blogger Shauna to cycle from Blackrock Castle to Passage West, as unfortunately I am unable to attend the Bikeweek event for that cycle, which is taking place on Sunday the 19th of June.

 



A Bikeweek Poster in Passage West!

Find more info about this family friendly Bikeweek event - HERE  



It was a nice cycle on the old railway track where we met various other people cycling and walking. 

Along that route I also took a break to do some exercise on the outdoor equipment that is available to the public, which is helpful to build up strength in the legs. 


 It's Leg Day for Michael!

Recuperation is Key After Leg Day! 

Upon arrival to Passage West we read up on the local history and saw where people departed to from Passage West over the years and where they went. 

After taking in the beautiful scenery of the area we headed back towards the city to home. I would recommend the cycle on Sunday to anyone who is looking to get out and about for the day. 

I slept well that night after a fantastic day of cycling!

16th June - Patrick learns something new every day!

Patrick writes...

And so it came to Pass - all set this afternoon to cycle into Douglas only to be greeted by a flat tyre!! Whilst it is over two years since I had a puncture - its no problem..we have the technology!
Repair kit in hand but where's the pump? Thought I saw it somewhere recently but where was that?

Did somebody borrow it? Not lately because I can't remember giving it out on loan. I have a vague reflection of some neighbour borrowing it to pump a football but not quite sure if it ever came back.

 

Okay so I have to bite the bullet...buy a new one and as my mum would say "Neither a lender nor a borrower be" going forward. Maybe that's too extreme?

I called into Capwell Cycles shop near Chriost Rí School. Very friendly folk there who explained the difference between Presta valves and Schrader valves.  Took an educated guess on which type I had. Fortunately I got it right. 

Presta vs Schrader: Educate yourself HERE

Also got a lesson on the differences between Frame-fit Pumps, Mini Pumps, CO2 Inflators and Floor Pumps. You would nearly need an Engineering degree to understand and take in all I was told about the pros and cons of each type! Finally after much bargaining I opted for the floor pump. It made it all look so easy to inflate the tyre.

Buyers guide to Bike Pumps: GUIDE
Now to fix the puncture. What was it again he was saying about using tyre levers? 

 

See how Patrick gets on with his tyres here and on:

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16th June - Michael makes the morning commute to work!

Operation Transportation Day 6

Michael writes...

Following my two long adventures on day 4 & 5, I decided to take it easy and only cycle to and from work as I felt I didn't have the energy to go any further and I didn't want to risk any injury due to fatigue.

 

Due to last nights burst of heavy rain there was still some surface water on the road this morning. This along with the busy morning traffic did not make my commute to work as easy as I would have liked. However, by just taking my time and not taking any unnecessary risks, I negotiated the route to work through the city centre with relative ease.

Bike and Mike with the feet up!!

 

RSA tips for CYCLE SAFETY

 

By the time it came to my commute home the surface water had subsided. By making the most of the cycle lanes I got home in what felt like no time and put my feet up to rest ahead of a few more days of cycling adventures.  

                   

                         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keep an eye on Michael both here and on:

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15th June - Long May the Cycle Love Continue for Michael!!

Michael Operation Transportation Day 5

Michael writes...

 

After my adventures on day 4, I started day 5 early by cycling to work from Dennehys Cross to City Hall. This was a new experience for me as I had yet to cycle in rush hour traffic. Thankfully I had cycle lanes the majority of my journey and the benefit of that was I able to pass out cars that where in a long line of traffic which I would have been stuck in if I was in my car. The benefit of cycling to work was that I was fully awake and alert by the time I made it to my desk.

Motivational road markings along the way!

Following my day of work, I decided to venture out to the loop by Blackrock Castle via the Marquee as I was nosy as to what the crowd would look like before the concert they had on. On Monaghan road I bumped into fellow blogger Shauna and we decided to do the loop together.
We had a nice leisurely cycle and managed to get it done before the heavy rainfall hit us which would have been a disaster for me as I wasn't wearing rain gear. 

 

One thing I noticed on the loop was when we went over the foot bridge on the South Ring Road and saw the amount of traffic below us. It was a relief to not be stuck in that. I really learned the benefit of cycling in that instance as I was able to continue at my own pace and not worry about potentially being in the same spot for 5/10 minutes. 

 

 

Wednesday's Rush hour traffic building on the South Ring Road

 

We are now at the halfway point of the Cork Bike Week and I must say it is really bringing back my love for cycling that I had when I was a teenager. Long may it continue!

Follow the next half:

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15th June - Shauna appreciating her two wheels!

Operation Transformation Day 5:

Shauna writes...

Today I had more time for a cycle so I decided to the the Blackrock Loop...I started off from Monaghan Rd once again, here I met fellow blogger Michael so we decided that we would do the Blackrock Loop. This is such a lovely area to cycle in, however the weather wasn't ideal and it got progressively worse as the evening went on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the most enjoyable aspects of taking part in Operation Transportation is the opportunity to discover new things and places that you may never get to see if you were confined to a car while stuck in traffic. It gives you a chance to slow down and appreciate your surroundings.

 

 

 

Also, on one part of the cycle we passed over a footbridge, the traffic below was at a stand still and quite congested. Even though the weather wasn't great I was still glad to be out on the bike and not stuck in traffic! 

 

We all know that cycling is good for our physically fitness and handy for dodging traffic but have a look at all the other health benefits of cycling! Win - Win!!









Keep an eye on Facebook and Twitter for Shauna's updates!