Vie au Velo

Leisurly Cycle to the Poolbeg Lighthouse ,Great South Wall Ringsend 26th April 2011

2011-04-30T15:09:00.009+01:00

Very uneven Granite Pavement due to action of the Sea coming over the Wall for 200 Years in spite of some Renovation on part of it in 1999 / La Grand Mur du sud ,Bouche du Riviere Liffey á Dublin en Irlande, Voiture Interdit sur le pavé granite. la sol ne pas bon pour conduit. le action au la mer vers 200 Année precedent produit cols et defiles en la pierre . La Mur par temps ne pas sante parce la orage sur la mer .La mur 5KM de longe/ Clic on the images to make bigger/ Clique sur les images pour aggrandir.

Looking back at the Poolbeg Power Station Ringsend.

Half Moon Swimming Pool Club founded in 1898.La Club Lune du midi du nage fondeé 1898

Ancient Block and Tackle Hoist Poolbeg Lighthouse/ Phare du Poolbeg la Grand Mur du sud ,Ringsend.

Speed Limit for Pleasure Boats and Shipping in Dublin Port.

This is a Shelter area for Walkers on the South Wall and there are Seats in the Alcoves but it is prone to Anti Social behaviour at Night with the remains of Fires./La cloche pour le pietons traverse la Mur ,contenue le Chaisse /benchs.mais le delinquents causé dommage et jettée detritus et les feu.

Mural on wall of Shelter,Monty Python./Mural sur la mur. monty python

Poolbeg Lighthouse and the Ulysses Ferry coming into Port.

I got a new Lock that Day in 2Wheels .ie Bike Shop in Sandymount Green .The Fagetaboutit New York Lock, Krytonite in Yellow. Supposed to be very good./ jai achat tré bien lock nouveau Krytonite Fagetaboutit new yorkaise á la droit en jaune á 2wheels.ie magazin du velo á la verte Sandymount.

Ringsend Nature Park /Parc Natural and the Poolbeg Power Station.

Ringsend Nature Park beside the Shelly Banks.

Passed through Fairview Park on way Home. These Girls were attending Boot Camp to get fit and lose some Weight./Boot Camp pour elever truc ventre, le Jeunesse Femme Jettee le ventre ,Park du Fairview.

Cycle Track through Fairview Park on way Home.

Cycle Path Fairview Park /Chemin du velo parc du fairview.

I love this a Feral Motorist getting their comeuppence for Parking on the Cycle Path and Pedestrian Path outside Fairview Park on my way Home. /Un voiture sur le chemin du velo prochaine parc du fairview CLAMPED jai tre heurresment.

On Thursday last I decided to go for a spin to the Great South Wall at the Mouth of the Liffey as I have not been there in many Years. The Nth Bull and Sth Bull Wall was put in to stop the Liffey from Silting up in the 18th Century and was Designed by William Bligh of the Mutiny on the Bounty Fame. I was not in humour for a very long Cycle just a nice sedate Jaunt and I wanted to have a look at 2Wheels .ie Bike Shop on Sandymount Green. Which I did first as I knew it would be closed after coming from the Sth Wall. I decided to get Baggy Cycling Shorts and also the New York Lock because I heard it was very good the Fagetabout it.

Then I headed off through Ringsend Park then the Nature Park and did a little bit of off Road Cycling for five minutes until I reached the Road to the Sth Wall. I tried Cycling on it the Sth Wall for a while but it was rough going and I did not want to wreck my Wheels on the uneven Granite Blocks which were made uneven by the Sea constantly coming over the wall so I walked the 5 Km to the Lighthouse there and back to the Power Station. The Wall is around 5KM long or 3 or 4 miles and can be dangerous if the sea is rough and is coming over the wall but it was very calm that day. I had Lunch up beside the Lighthouse at 3.pm of a Baguette of Chicken Salad which I had got in the Spar Shop on Sandymount Green at around 2.15pm. There was a sharp Nth East wind hitting me in the face but not very Cold around 16 C and it would be much warmer away from the Coast. I enjoyed myself for over an hour watching the Ships coming into Dublin Port and I started to head Home at around 5.00pm.

I went over the East Link Bridge at Pigeon House Road then down the East Wall Road then eventually over the Tolka River then through Fairview Park. There was a large group of Young Women in Training in a Boot Camp to get fit and lose some weight and some had come by Bicycle presumably. I noticed a Car was Clamped outside the Park on the Cycle Track. This is always happening here especially at the Weekend with People Playing Football in the Park and Parking on the Cycleway , dangerous to Cyclists and Pedestrians who have to try and squeeze pass each other or else go on the Roadway. Also if it is Match Day on Weekends in the National Gaelic Athletics Stadium in Croke Park they Park their Cars here and the Police seems to turn a Blind Eye to what is going on as there are usually a few Gardai on Patrol all around this district and nobody getting Ticketed . I enjoyed the Day it was very relaxing.

Cycle Trip to the Hell Fire Club ,Dublin Mountains 24th March 2011.

2011-03-24T23:49:00.005Z

The Hell Fire Club ,Dublin Mountains /Club du feu de Enfer , Montaigne du Dublin.

I have never been to the Hell Fire Club,always wanted to go have a look at it but never did. So today as the Weather was so good a very mild Spring Day 14 C I decided to go for a Cycle up there. I left the House at 12. 35am and first went into the City then the South County Dublin off up Harolds Cross Rd then Rathfarnham Rd then Willbrook Rd then up Ballyboden to Scholarstown Rd . Turned right then up Stocking Lane then up up up over the M 50 Motorway up the Hills.

I had to get off and walk for a few KM then Cycled for a few more then off the Bike and more Hill walking. Then eventually the Forestry sign for the Hell Fire Club . I walked through two Gates then up through the Forest for more Kilometres up the Hillside. It was very Beautiful being surrounded by all the Trees. Eventually I got to the Top and I knew the Club was not far off but I could not find it. I asked a Chap with his Dogs and I discovered I had gone past it . I had walked past a Lane with out any sign to tell you . Up this Lane which was a short Hill of about 1K until I came to the Building.

This Place is a very Foreboding looking Building with all sorts of strange Stories about it. The Story goes that in the 18th Century this Building was made as a Hunting Lodge for one of the Nobility and he had Wild Parties here. He had wild Orgies and unspeakable Bestiality and also Black Magic Ceremonies went on together with non stop Gambling. One Night as the Party was in full swing in one Room there was Gambling as usual in another. One woman dropped her Cards on the Floor as you do and stooped down to pick them up.The man sitting beside her it was noted was a very Handsome Dark Complexioned Person with deep set strange Eyes and Black Hair. She noticed that instead of having Shoes on he had Cloven Feet,she jumped up and let out a scream and fled the Building. Other People noticed his Feet and they too Scattered out the door. Pretty soon there was a panic with People knocking down Candelabra and Oil Lamps with the mad rush to get out the Door. With the Result there was a fire and many People lost their lives. People swore they could hear mad Laughter coming from the Interior of the burning Building and it was said the man was the Devil come to take his own back to Hell. The whole area is said to be Haunted and People have said that Black Masses are held on the Mountainside sometimes.

I could see the City far below in the mist about 570 M about 2'000 ft but the Camera did not resolve the view to well. I had arrived at around 3.00pm and after exploring for awhile and taking Pictures I had Lunch of a Baguette filled with Chicken and Salad Tomato and Onion and some Water. Then I headed off down the Hillside at around 4.00pm in the direction of Rathfarnham. It was much easier coming down than going up ,I flew down the Hillside through the Forest. The Tectro Oryx Brakes on the Surly is not much good at stopping and I was not taking any chances,I did not want to go off the Hillside when coming to Hairpin Bends so I slowed down rather than having to rely on stopping the Bike in a hurry. It is something I must upgrade with new Cantilevers Brakes, I hear the Tectro CR 720 is good .

I got Home at 5.02 Pm Total distance for the trip was 43.7KM ,it was a very nice trip not tiring in spite of the Hillwalking. One problem that cropped up,the Pannier on my Carrier Bag disintegrated and the other Pannier is coming apart too. This bag is a few Months old and has not had rough use,I will have to rummage around for the Receipt to try and get it exchanged.

St Patrick's Day Parade Dublin 17th March 2011.Bike's are Brilliant.

2011-03-18T01:27:00.006Z

On Western way Phibsborough at the Assembly Point at 10.30 AM.

Astrid arrives with the T Shirts in the Bakfiets,Dutch Bike Shop .ie,in Mountjoy St.

Two Dutch Girls from bearbikes. com

Dutch Girls from bearbikes .com in Mountjoy St.

myself with a Girl Cyclist

Myself with a Spanish Girl in Mountjoy St.

Smart Travel ,Bikes to School.in Montjoy St.

This young Cyclist was fascinated by the different Creatures.

Dublin Cycling Campaign on Parnell Square.

Astrid from the Dutch Bike Shop .ie.outside the Garden of Rememberence Cavandish Row.

Very nice Thorn Touring Tandem.

Thorn Touring Tandem.

The Royal Mace presented to Dublin by King John in the Norman Days,Traditionally the Firebrigade members have the Honour of carrying the Mace and Sword in Official occasions .The Mayor Gerry Breen.

The Royal Sword of Dublin,presented by King John in Norman Days.

Military Red Cap's Police,Very Pleasant Smile on this Girl.

Beautiful Thorn Tandem Tourer.

Dutch Bike's

Very Tall Girl ,Dutch I think she was on a Dutch Bike.

Gerty the Azor back Home.

I attended the St Patrick's Day Parade today with the Dublin Cycling Campaign Group of which I am a member and we had a Terrific time. There must have been over a Hundred Cyclists taking part with all sorts of Bikes and Parents brought their Children with them as well on Bikes and in a couple of Bakfiets. The Dutch Bicycle is starting to make its presence felt in Dublin with a few different Companies selling them all over Dublin and County,they are very comfortable as I can attest as I have one since 07 and it is easily the most comfortable Bike I have ever owned. There was at least three different Groups with Dutch Bikes and Dutch People,The Dutch Bike Shop .ie, Bear Bikes .com, Greenaer.ie. I especially liked the Bakfiets with the Box in front,they are great for Transporting Children and Cargo of all kinds. There was a very nice Thorn Touring Tandem I liked that very much.

Unfortunately there was so much Pictures and I can only include so many. This is a Bicycle Blog after all so I have to concentrate on them but I have included some Pictures of the other Participants to show what the Parade was like. I left my House at 10.00am to be there for 11.00am but I had bags of time,things did not start until 12.00pm.

The Cycle Group let out the Chant every so often ,Bikes are brilliant,I suppose if it was longer People could not understand what was being said this was accompanied by Bells and Whistles and Horns from the Bicycles. We had White T Shirts with St Patricks Festival written on the front and that was brilliant on the back. Sometimes the Spectators were more interesting than the Participants taking part. Load's of Children wanting to give high fives and also lot of Adults too,Holding out their Hand for you to Tip as you went past. All the People were very Colourful with all sorts of Hats and with Green Hair and faces. The Weather remained fine and moderately warm with Sun shining for most of the time and no Rain. Every so often some black Clouds came out and with them a cold Breeze but they soon went away and the Sun came out again. Temp was around 10C,a very mild St Pats Day,very enjoyable .

Sunday 13th March 2011 Trip to Drogheda

2011-03-15T21:03:00.005Z

Samuel Beckett Bridge ,River Liffey/ Pont Samuel Beckett,Riviere Liffey

The Head of St Oliver Plunkett in St Peters Church

The Door of the Cell in Newgate Gaol presented by the Mayor Wm Clark of Wrexham Wales where Oliver Plunkett was Imprisoned for 8Months

St Oliver Plunkett was Hanged drawn and Quarted at Tyburn which today is Marble Arch in London.

The Barbican Gate,St Laurences Gate, Drogheda

Nayroka / Ricardo

Le Porte Barbican ou Porte St Laurence,Drogheda

Getting Pictures taken Drogheda

River Boyne and Viaduct

Murals on the Wall beside a Golf Club Baltray

Myself /Ce Moi tré froid

Baltray Beach/ Le Plage Baltray

Martello Tower ,Millmount/ La Tour Martello,Millmount,Produit par le Anglais contre le Armee Napoleon.

Drogheda from Millmount,About 5KM away along the left Bank of the Boyne at Oldbridge House is the Battle of the Boyne Site between King William of Orange against King James for the Throne of England on 12 of July1690.

Millmount looking down on Drogheda

Drogheda

On the Train heading back to Dublin

Distance covered overall 91.6 1 KM

Time I arrived back Home 5.18 PM

The Weather was bitterly Cold after a hard Frost Temp, 1Celsius ,as I set out for the City of Dublin at 5.54 am to arrive at 6.30am at Samuel Beckett Bridge to meet up with Nayroka for our Trip to Drogheda by Bicycles. I arrived at around 6.20am and Nayroka arrived at 6.40am and we set off. It was just after Daylight as we set off down the Nth Wall Quay to the Custom House then up Amiens St to the Nth Strand then up Malahide Rd .

We continued to nearly Malahide then turn left for Swords then on to the R/132 or Old N1, we went through 5 then several more Roundabouts to avoid the M1 on our way to Drogheda. Every so often we were hit with a Cold Icy Breeze coming from our left but it wasnt bad and we continued steadly on our way to Drogheda 52KM away.

Ricardo said he would met us in Drogheda by taking a short cut from Lucan through Blanchardstown rather than going into the City to meet us. He ended up somewhere in Rathoath lost and had to ask in the Local Garda Station but it was not open but met a Policeman on the Road and after meeting someone else he managed to get on the right Road.

We eventually got to Drogheda around 9.45am and anxious to get somewhere nice and warm and have some Hot Drinks and Food but nowhere was open. So after walking around for awhile we ended up at St Peters Church so we decided to go in to have a look at the Head of St Oliver Plunket and also get out of the Cold for awhile. I got a call from Ricardo to say he was in Drogheda at the wrong Church but would join us in awhile.

We met up outside and went to a very nice Café up from the Church which had just opened up. Nayroka and Ricardo had big Slices of Creamy Cake each and Coffee and I had a Baguette with Chicken and Salad.

We decided to have a look at the Medieval Town Gate,St Laurences The Barbican Gate before heading off to Baltray a further 6 Km up the Boyne at the Seaside to have a look at the Wreck.

We heard that the Weather was possibly going to turn very nasty with Hailstones and strong wind so we were anxious to get to Baltray and back to Drogheda.

We got to the approaches to Baltray beside a Golf Club and saw these Murals on a Wall depicting Golf scenes so we took some Pictures of ourslves. Then we got to Grassy Dunes but no Beach so we Walked to where we thought the Sea should be and asked a Man with his Dogs,he said to keep going. Ricardo was a bit apprehensive as he did not like the Sand going near his Racing Bike. We came to Two Fences with Styles about a hundred Metres apart that had these Wooden Steps that we had to lift the Bikes over then eventually the Beach. We had to walk about two Kilometres to come to the Wreck at last. It was not really cold on the Beach in contrast to everywhere else and we took more Pictures before heading back to Drogheda.

In Drogheda we had a look at the Martello Tower on Millmont The big Mound overlooking the City which is said to contain the Grave of the Ancient Celtic Goddess Queen Boánn who gave the Name to the Boyne River which flows through Drogheda.The Story from the Old Myths says that she was told that no one was to look in the Well of Wisdom/Tobhair Segais but the King of the Celtic Millesians Mils Eremon but she had a look anyway. The Waters rushed up and hit her in the Face taking away her eyes and the Waters rushed down the Land and formed the Boyne River. These Martello Towers were Built all round the Irish Coast by the British because of the Threat from Napoleons Army in the 18th 19th Century.

We decided rather than be caught in the bad Weather on the way Home that we should take the Train back to Dublin,myself and Nayroka were glad because we were very tired anyway. Ricardo said he was not tired and could go for many Miles but he was the one who suggested we should take the Train.We left Drogheda at about 4.00pm and got back to Pearse St Station at 5.00pm if we had continued by Bikes it would have been 7.00pm at least.

Then I Cycled the 7 Km back Home from the Station. It was a very enjoyable Day out in spite of the Cold. I had covered 91.6KM all told and time I got back to the House 5.18PM.

The Cycling Week,a mixed collection of bits and pieces

2011-03-08T00:35:00.006Z

I got a Fuel Bottle for my Trangia Stove also a Strainer and Food Chopping Board and a Filter for making Coffee on the Trail last Saturday week while in the City Centre of Dublin./Jai Achat á Dublin accoutrements pour Velo Touring Trangia Boutille pour Alcool Bruler,Café Filtre au Bon Prix,Trangia Bord Alimentation./Clic sur le Photo's pour Aggrandir/Clic on the Photo's to Enlarge.

I tried out the Filter and it makes nice Coffee,it was cheap to buy and very light though bulky./le filtre produit Tré Bonne Café

While I was in the City,I parked the Surly in Drury Street Car Park ,very handy as it was raining out and I never brought the Saddle cover with me.

Spotted this nice Fixie, Pinarello, in Fade Street.

Fancy Ornamentation on the Handlebars of the Fixie.

I got Cycling Mitts for the Summer and they are on the right in Red with two pairs of my Waterproof Winter Gloves.

On Tuesday last I decided to go to Howth to buy Fish. I decided to do a bit of Hill Climbing up the Sutton side of the Hill of Howth, Old fashioned Tractor in Field on Carrickbrack Road on Farm./ Viuex Tractor , ferme, Routiere Carricbrack Col Du Howth

View of Dublin Bay and Wicklow Mountains./Vue du Montaigne Wicklow et Bai Dublin

Baily Lighthouse Howth,le Phare Baily Col du Howth.

On the Summit having a Drink of water./ Ce moi consummere Boutille d'eau,col du Howth.

The Post Office Howth./Office du Poste Village du Howth.

Seals in the Harbour waiting to be fed Fish by the Tourists who buy it from the Fishmongers Shops on the West Pier.

Howth Harbour ,Port du Howth . I Bought Fish for Dinner /Jai Achat le Poisson pour Diner sur Pier l'oust

Saturday I was with the Dublin Social Cycle Group doing Laps of the Phoenix Park, Fallow Deer.

Doing Laps of the Phoenix Park with the DSCG.

This Guy really is a Bike Geek,he can take Bikes apart and Reassemle them again.

He does what it says on the Shirt,Bike mad.

We stopped for Refreshments in the Café beside the Zoo in the Phoenix Park.

Some of the Group.

Photoshoot of the Group in the Phoenix Pk on Chesterfield Road,9 Participe en ce occasion .Our Group consists of various Nationalities from many Lands, le notre groupe contenu nationalites tré different dans le Monde.Total au le moment du groupe 42

Another Photoshoot with me in it this time.

When I got Home I discovered I had done 52.62 KM.

Sodden Cycling Clothes Dumped on the Bike when I got Home.

It was a mixed week,first I went into the City last Saturday week and bought some bits and pieces. I got a Fuel Bottle for the Methylated Spirits for the Trangia Stove. I had to decide between the 1Litre or the 500 ML, I decided the 500ML would be better instead of hauling a Litre of Stuff around. It would usually last you a Week. I also got a Trangia Strainer /Chopping Board. I looked at a Trangia Coffee Filter but decided it was to Dear for me. So I finally got a Cheap alternative in the Stock Shop in South King Street and tried it out at Home and it worked fine. I also bought New Cycling Mitts for the Summer.

On Tuesday I decided to go to Howth to buy Fish,so I did a bit of Hill Climbing up the Sutton side of Howth for practice. I still had to get off on parts of the Hill to walk while I watched other Cyclists go up it with no bother. I got the Fish in Dorans on the West Pier and Cycled over to the East Pier to the Lighthouse for awhile before Cycling Home 30KM there and back.

On Saturday I went for Laps around the Phoenix Park with the Dublin Social Cycle Group meeting up with them at the Wellington Monument and Cycling in the Valleys and Hills of the Park. We stopped for Coffees and Food at the Café beside the Zoo before doing some more Laps,9 Cyclists turned up for it. It is an International Group of Cyclists from Different Countries.We had a great time,when I got Home I had done over 52 KM.Weather was dry but Cool out around 8 to 10 Celsius for the Week.

A mixed week for Cycling ,bits and pieces.

2011-03-07T22:48:00.000Z

Trip to Maynooth Sunday 13/2/11 Dimanche 13éme Feb Voyage au Maynooth sur le velo

2011-02-15T15:32:00.013Z

Huston Train Station ,Luas Tram, Kingsbridge/ Gare Huston et Luas Tram, Pont du Roi 8.00am.

Ricardo,Sara,myself./ by Nayroka

Village du Maynooth ,Maynooth Village / by Nayroka.

Ricardo ,Nayroka, myself ce moi, Sara. la Chateau Fitzgerald Maynooth /by Nayroka

Le Rendezvous ,Routiere Conyngham pour le Grand Depart,Sara et Nayroka 8.25am

Sara and I ,Ce moi et Sara ,Conyngham Rd

Waiting to head off at 8.30 am outside the Bus Garage on Conyngham Rd.

Col Knockmaroon, Chapelizod , ascente tré forte pour 1 KM ,couvent ste Angel's ,Village du Chapelizod/ Knockmaroon Hill beside the Holy Angels Convent,sudden very steep hill for 1 KM

Strawberry Hall Pub,Lwr Rd Lucan / le Auberge Strawberry Hall,Routiere bas Lucan.

Riviéré Liffey,les Couche Strawberry , River Liffey StrawberryBeds

Riviéré Liffey ,Lucan.River Liffey Lucan

Nayroka et Sara Traverse Pont Lucan, Sur Liffey.

Sara and me beside Lucan Bridge.Pont Lucan

Rendezvous avec Ricardo devant Hotel de Police Village du Lucan/ We meet up with Ricardo at Lucan Police Station.

3KM from Maynooth Nayroka and Sara beside sign

3KM from Maynooth ,Royal Canal, La Canal du Royaume 3Km par Village du Maynooth

La Chateau Fitzgerald Sicle 1164 Ad Village Du Maynooth.

Peloton au Cyclistes par Club Stagg /,Le Magazin Velo/ ,par Village du Lucan Traverse Village du Maynooth

Peloton of Cyclists from the Stagg Bicycle Shop Lucan passing through Maynooth Village

The big House ,Carton Estate/ La Maison Carton ,le Grande Maison au le Noblesse Riche18emé sicle. ,au le present moment Hotel et Club du Golf,situate en le Grande quanite de Terre,Hectare immense

The Boat House, La Maison Bateaux,Carton,sur Ryewater.

Nayroka

Ricardo .

Carton House, la Grande Maison Carton

Arrived back Home ,distance covered 69.23 KM and 3.00pm/ Arrive mon Maison ,distance fine 69.23 KM et 3.00pm

My Cycling Clothes dumped on the Surly after I got Home.Mon Vetements Velo apre le Voyage sur le Surly LHT.

The Weather was Damp and dreary but no Rain Meteo 8C when I headed of at 7.30am for our Rendezvous at Conyngham Rd Bus Garage. I arrive at 8.00am mad to early owing to no Traffic on the Road because it was Sunday Morning. Nayroka was first to arrive at 8.25am then Sara and we headed off promptly up the Chaplizod Rd 3 Km to Chapelizod Village.

Then up Martins Row then the rather nasty sudden steep Knockmaroon Hill for 1 KM. That was the only really nasty Hill of the Trip ,the rest of the way to Maynooth was relatively easy going. Then down the Hill into the Lwr Rd or the Strawberry Beds and continued for 5KM to Lucan Bridge on the River Liffey. We stopped there awhile to take Pictures of the Weir. It is very Picturesque in the Strawberry Beds ,a bit of Old World Country Charm and yet so close to Dublin City.
We went to the Police Station in Lucan Village and met up with Ricardo then continued our journey .Up the Hill on the Celbridge Rd pass the Ball Ally Pub then down and turned left then up onto the Bypass then onto a Cycle Lane up to the Roundabout and turned off for the Rd to Leixleip then about 3KM to the Salmon Leap Inn and the Bridge over the Liffey leading into the Village of Leixleip.

We eventually went through Leixleip Village and another Hill up Pound Street then Station Rd for 1 KM to Louisa Bridge on the Royal Canal but it was not a bad Hill. We continued on until we were about 3 KM away from Maynooth until we came to a Sign stating it County Kildare was Twinned with Lexington USA and Deauville France,out came the Cameras and more Pictures.

When we arrived in Maynooth it took us about 1 1/2 Hours 10.am from Conyngham Rd 23.5 KM Distance.We had a look at the Fitzgerald Family Castle built in 11.64 AD which is a Ruin with just the Walls Standing on two parts of it and it was closed,more Pictures.Then we had some Coffee and Sandwiches in a Café close by. I brought them to see the Carton House Demesne,the Former Stately Home now a Hotel and Golf Club at the start of the Village. This place has a huge Acrage of Land with the Ryewater River running through it and the Grand House of the former 18Century Nobility who ruled over the Lands of Maynooth . The Trip was worth it just to see Carton Estate alone. These People do not like you walking on their Grass particularly if Golfing is in progress and we were just the Vagabonds passing through on our Bicycles. The whole area is devoted to Golf with the main course and also a huge Driving Range. The Parking area was full of BMW's and other Luxury Cars. We must have remained for an hour viewing the scenery and taking Pictures. Then we headed off through the main Gate which was 3KM from Maynooth Village rather then going back to the Village out onto the Dublin Rd to head back to the City.

We left Ricardo at Lucan Village and continued back through the Scenic Strawberry Beds for the 5KM to Knockmaroon Hill then back 3KM more to Conyngham Rd. Then we left Nayroka at Capel Street Bridge and I eventually left Sara at Cathal Brugha Street off O'Connell St to go Home.

We had a marvellous Day out with the Sun Shining every so often. I got back to my House at 2.59pm and I looked at the Bike Computer, I had done 69.23KM overall.

Sunday's Trip to Trim Castle ,more Photo's of the trip.

2011-02-02T17:06:00.003Z

I am innocent I did not do it,no Egg's Please.Je suis innocent ne pas culpable ,ne pas jettee le oeuf's sil vous plait /Photo par Ricardo/

Trim Castle ,Trim County Meath, La Chateau Trim Comte du Meath. /Photo par Ricardo

Having Banana' Sandwich's loads of Potassium for Cyclists in them 3KM from Trim. /Photo par Ricardo.

Les Trois Musketeer's au le velo,Ricardo ,Nayroka , John. /Photo par Nayroka/

mmm??/Tré interessé possibiliti bon photo, interesting might snap it, / Photo par Ricardo.

Sunday first long Cycle of 2011trimCastle county Meath/1ere de longue Ranndonée velo Chateu Trim ,Comte du Meath Dimanche an 2011

2011-01-31T17:03:00.010Z

My two companions/mon deux compagnons,Ricardo from Portugal and Nayroka from Brazil at the Start on Conyngham Rd Routiere Conyngham depart 7.30am Weather was 1C but no Ice very very cold/ Meteo 1C et Tré Tré Froid mais ne pas glace

Myself and Nayroka

Chilling out and getting some Coffee's 3 km from Trim,Nayroka was suffering badly from sore Feet because of the Cold/Nayroka suffre tré mal á le pied parce le froid et marche la voie et restez pour demi houre et consummere le Caffé et nourritee snack's

Stopping for Coffee's and a Massage 3kmfrom Trim

Young Foal ,Trim/Jeun Cheval

First Castle to be Built it was destroyed by the Irish High King Rory O'Connor beside St Mary's Convent and facing the new Castle across the River Boyne. /1ere Chateau Trim Detruit par Haute Roi du Irlande Rory O'Connor proche Couvent Ste Marié sur le Gauche ,face le nouveau Chateau Traverse le Riviére Boyne.

Boyne River/le Riviére Boyne

myself /ce moi

Nayroka par Brazil

Ricardo par Portugal

Trim Castle Built for the Norman Lord Hugh De Lacy AD 1160 /Chateau Trim Fabriquet pour le Seigner Normande Hugh de Lacy .AD 1160

The Castle is spread over a large section of Land/ La Chateau Trim Contenu un grande quantite de terre

Sculpture in Batterstown Village mid point of our Cycle 22km from Trim and 23 from Dublin/Village du Batterstown ,Sculpture, ,22km par Trim et 23km par Dublin midi distance á le Ranndonée

M 50 Motorway Castleknock/autoroutiere M50Castleknock

Sunday 30th January, I belong to the Dublin Social Cycling Group and I go off on Cycles with them every so often.This trip to Trim was proposed by a Brazilian Girl and I said I would go Weather permitting. There was supposed to be at least 6 and 4 maybe's,the maybe's did not go and 3 of the yes's did not turn up so it was just myself and two other's .It was a freezing cold Sunday morning 1 Celsius when we met up on Conyngham Rd across from the Gates to the Phoenix Park at 7.30am. I arrived first at 7.15 am then the Brazilian Girl then a Portugese chap last.
We headed off eventually at 7.45am just as it was starting to get light off up the Chapelizod Rd ,then up Knockmaroon Hill I got off and pushed the last 50 metres then the Strawberry Beds on Lwr Rd. It was Beautiful Cycling along but very misty and gloomy in the Liffey Vally with the River alongside us. Then after 4 km we went up Rugged Lane,a very steep Hill for 1 km,I got stuck and had to walk up it while the other two went up it like Mountain Goats. I was just getting over the Flue and not feeling the best but it stil was very steep and would not have made it anyway.
On to Luttrelstown Rd then to Clonsilla then after a few more km to Mulhuddart then Clonee. Next to the Motorway Flyover on the M3 then on to Bracetown then we nearly ended up on the Motorway,very bad signage. Ever since they put in these Motorways in Ireland there is always a problem for Cyclists due to their Micky Mouse signs, they are alright for Motorists but not for Cyclists. We continued on to another Roundabout then went on a minor Rd with the M way running alongside us. Then we continued on another Rd until we got to Batterstown Village then eventually 3km from Trim.
We stopped at a Service Station because Nayroka's Feet was freezing and she had to walk around a bit to get the feeling back. Ricardo gave her Feet a massage and she put some Cling film on it to ease the Pain and we got some Coffee's and some Food in the Shop.
Then we Ambled into Trim and the Castle,lot's of foreign visitors and Locals viewing the Castle in spite of the Cold. After looking at the outside we went inside the grounds of the semi Ruin,it is very big and spreads over a good deal of Land and is the biggest Castle in Ireland. Built by Hugh de Lacy in AD1160 . There is the ruin of the first Castle to be Built across the Boyne facing it. This Castle was Destroyed by the last high King of Ireland Rory O 'Connor.
We had a great time in Trim and seen Loads of Cyclists on the Road in Meath mosly in two's or three's but one group was in a Peloton of about 3 Hundred.
On the way back Nayroka was suffering badly from her Feet and was not going very fast so after Batterstown things got steadly worse. Then by the time we reached Blanchardstown Nayroka had to get a Taxi back Home to the City. Ricardo had already went on ahead after leaving Batterstown so after Nayroka got the Taxi I was on my own. I decided to go back to the City a different way by way of Castleknock then through the Phoenix Park. It was Ghostlike in the almost Pitch Dark of the Phoenix Park with it's Victorian Street Lamps throwing out a very dim Light and the Park itself was nearly dark ,this was after 5pm. We had covered 90Km there and back 45.57KM each way.

It was a very enjoyable trip in spite of the Freezing Cold.

Sunday spin to Howth.

2011-01-21T00:03:00.009Z

Outside St Annes Park/Face Parc Ste Annes

outside St Annes Park/Face parc Ste Annes, Raheny

At the Old Red Stables St Annes Park/proche La Ancienne Centre d'équitation rouge,parc Ste Annes

Cycleway ,Raheny/ Chemin duVelo, Raheny

Farmers Market Howth Village/ Marché Ferme Village du Howth

Harbour Road Howth/Routiere de la Port Howth

Farmers Market /Marché ferme, l'enfant fille regarde le confectionaire fudge avec plaisir.

Bread and Cakes StalFarmers Marketl/Boulangerie et Patisserie,Marché ferme Howth

Fish and Chips/Poisson et Frites

NewBike Shop/Nouveau magazin au le velo, Howth

View of Howth Village from Balglas Hill/Vue au Village du Howth sur Col Balglas

myself at the Lighthouse/ce moi pres du Phare avec mon Velo Surly LHT

The Weather got very mild after Christmas around 11 - 12 C and after the last Bike Ride to Howth last Week I decided to go off again this Sunday. I headed off into Saint Annes Parkland first and I was shocked by the amount of People there. Loads of People with Dogs and Children and People on Bikes with their Children. It was Lethal ,very hard to avoid not hitting them ,I had to keep slowing down and say excuse me. Dogs straying into my Path off the Lead and more with long Leads,I just had to hurry up and get out of there fast.
Loads of People walking and Cycling on the Cycleway out to Sutton . It is great to see all this activity with more and more People Cycling and also walking. I eventually got to Howth and had a look at the Farmers Market then took a spin up one of the steep Hill's out of Howth Village to see how the new Bike handled it.

It is a great Bike for the Hills the Surly LHT, it went up it like a Mountain Goat. One of the Pictures is taken from Balglas Hill of the Village. I did not bother going up the rest of the way to the Summit.

There is a great new Bike Shop on the Harbour Road,The Bike Hub, worth having a look at for Bikes and accesories. I got a Bike Computer off them last week,there is Bike Parking in the Shop which is nice.
Finally a Picture of myself beside the Lighthouse on the East Pier.

Premiere Sortie sur mon Velo apre Jour Noel,First Bike Ride after Christmas Day.

2010-12-28T20:55:00.007Z

Outside Tesco's Supermarket on Kilmore Road before Christmas Day

Surly LHT on the West Pier Howth

The Surly LHT and I on the West Pier Howth

Harbour Seal waiting for People to give it Fish at Howth

At last the Thaw set in on Christmas Night and continued on Saint Stephens Day. The Temps rose from - 10C before Christmas Day to 8 C on St Stephens Day but with Patches of Ice still on the Paths and Roads. The 27th came along with Temps rising to 11Celsius and only tiny bits of Slush,as I was suffering from Cabin Fever I decided to go for a spin at 3.00pm on the Surly LHT. I headed off out to Raheny then onto the Cycleway out to Sutton then Howth Village.

It was getting very Gloomy with the Rain falling and slowly getting darker. There was still little bits of Ice here and there but I could hardly see it with the Rain on my Specs and I had to keep wiping the Lenses every so often with my Fingers. This was the Third time to be on this Bike since I got it on the 24th of November. Because of the Snow and the two falls I had on the Dutch Bike I just stopped Riding in the Snow. The second time out a small problem cropped up with the Bike,the Chain began to hit off the front Mech Cage particulary in high Gear. So before I left the House I decided to try and fix it. I put the front Gear on the Granny Gear which is the big Chain Ring and the Rear Cassette on the high Gear which is the small Gear. Then I loosened one of the two little Screws ,the right one on the Derailleur a bit and tightened it a bit,then it righted itself and all was fine,no Clanking off the Mech Cage.

Out on the Cycleway at Sutton there was a strong Breeze coming from the Sea on my right and I could feel it pushing me over a bit but it wasnt impeding my progress much. The Rain was blowing into my face and I had to keep wiping it off my Spectacle Lenses with my Fingers. The Sea was coming in and you could hear it bashing off the Sea Wall.It really felt good to be out Cycling along really Invigorating. Loads of People out Walking and Dog Walking and Jogging and a few People on Road Bikes,they seemed glad to get out of their Houses like me possibly for the first time for Days because of the Snow.
I got to Howth and took a few Photo's of myself and the Seals then headed Home and when I got to Clontarf I continued on the long way up the Cycleway back Home. With some stretches of Ice on the Cycleway of 10 metres or more every so often,I just got off and walked it each time I came to the Ice .

Total distance I had covered was 30 KM or 19 miles.The Surly was very smooth and dependable with no Twitching of the Steering,it held the Route solid and true,it was a Pleasure to Cycle on it but what would you expect from a Tourer it did what it said on the Brochure Brilliant Bicycle.

Joyeaux Noel Happy Christmas everybody keep on Cycling,one less Car.

2010-12-24T22:32:00.000Z

New Brook's Flyer Saddle on my Surly LHT Photographed in between the two Cold Spells of Vicious Wintery Weather. Firebrigade and Ambulance nasty Stuff happens this time of the Year.The Dutch Bike, I was caught in the New Outbreak of Snow on Monday the 20th when I left the Supermarket.The only People in the Park is those with their Dog,s.Icy Conditions on the Roads.There is supposed to be a Thaw on St Stephen's Day but it will be a very slow one with Icy Rain and bits of Snow. Cant wait to go off on my Bike for a spin. Need Knobbly Tyres badly for the Wintery Weather.

19th & 20th Dec 2010 The Dublin Flea Market,Critical Mass, Finally the Snow arrived.

2010-12-21T01:53:00.000Z

The Snow had come back to the UK & Ireland on Thursday the 16th Dec it Crept down from the North in Donegal to the West then the Midlands and was approaching Dublin gradually but held off from hitting the Dublin area,we were lucky for a few Days but there was a heavy Frost and Ice in the Night Time. There was a Slight Dusting of Snow on Friday Night and on Saturday but that was all with Ice on the Roads. Then Sunday came along and the Weather was Beautiful with Sun but it was very Cold but tolerable all the same and I went on the Critical Mass Special Edition. Because of Christmas and the Dark Evenings it was decided to hold a Special one at 2.00pm instead of the End of the Month at 6.0pm.

I went into the City at 12.30 am and went to the Dublin Flea Market in Newmarket Square. I had a look at Bespoke Cyclery Stand at the nice Vintage Racer they had and their other stuff then had a look indoors then headed off to Saint Stephens Green to Critical Mass. There was only four of us at 2.00pm so we decided to wait for 15 - 20 minutes,then bit by bit more showed up and we eventually had ten Cyclists. So we headed off at 2.25 pm down Dawson Street with some Whoops and Hollers and shouting about Dumping the Car and using Bicycles and getting Rid of Carbon usage etc. We reached O'Connell Street and the Polish Girl said we should go to the Phoenix Park and have some Crackers and Hummous so we did. We had a great time in the Park and sat down at the Picnic Tables and Dunked Crackers into Hummous and had a Mini Picnic. I said if I had known we were going to End up here I could have brought a Trangia Stove and a Coffee Pot or a Kettle and had Tea or Coffee and maybe bring some Food as well a well maybe next time. So we had a Photo Shoot of ourselves at the Table and with the Bikes. Then we went to Shomra Spraoi/ Fun Room in Belvedere Court and had some Refreshments and watched the Film of the San Francisco Critical Mass. We are Traffic.There was bits of Snow Falling while in the Phoenix Park.

The Next Day Monday the 20th I went to the Supermarket at 4.00pm,Weather was lovely but very Cold. While I was inside I heard the Shop Staff say it was Snowing out really bad, Sure enough it was Trundling down so I took a few Photos of it. On the way Home I slipped on the Icy Road and came off the Bike,People came over to see if I was alright and I thanked them and continued on my way but it was to Slippy on this Road and walked to the main Road before Cycling again. When I got to my Estate I just Walked because it was even worse. It looks like we will have the Snow until Christmas Eve and then a Thaw with higher Tempson Christmas Day.

Bike's on Demonstrations,Snow and New Tourer.

2010-11-28T16:32:00.001Z

I went to Critical Mass as usual on Friday Night the Dawes Audax had a Puncture so I decided to take the Dutch Bike. It went off very well Twenty Cyclists turned up for it only . This might have been because of the Freezing Weather or because of not much Publicity. I dont have any Pictures because I forgot the Camera. We had Tea in Shomra Spraoi/Fun Room after the Critical Mass ,the Alternative Social Club and a little Chat as you do. It had gotten really bad after I left to Cycle Home,with Ice forming on the Cars at 10 pm.

In the Nightime bad Thunder and Lighting at 3.30 am and then loads of Snow falling covering everywhere. It is unusual to get it so early if at all, we usually only get it in the New Year in January or February. The Next Day I headed off to the National Demonstration against the Government and the Austerity measures they are trying to bring in. I brought the Dutch Bike with me and was able to proceed fine in the Snow until I was going the last few Metres of our Estate onto the main Road. Then I slipped on a piece of Ice,I tried to remain upright but fell sideways but did not hurt myself because of the extra Clothes I had on ,I only though about Deflating the Tyres a little bit to give me more Traction Today . I picked myself up and twisted the Ding Dong Bell back into position and headed off to the City and Christchurch Cathedral at the start of the Demo. I kept meeting People on the way into Town I knew either going to the Demo or else going about their Business in spite of the Snow on their Bicycle's. I met a few more People I knew on the March to the GPO with their Bikes.

I also got a new Surly Long Haul Trucker Touring Bike last week and it is Beautiful. It is 26'' wheels with Contact City Tyres and a WTB Saddle which I dont like. I went off and bought a Brooks Flyer Saddle and Bottle Cage's and a Bottle of Bike Cleaning Fluid. It looks like we will have this Snow for a Week or two it seems.

Pics are Myself on Gerty the Dutch Bike, Woman with Bike and Child on Demo, Protestor on O'Connel Monument in O' Connell Street, Snow in Gardens and my Road, The New Surly LHT.

Halloween Social Cycle around the Coast to Dun Laoghaire 31/10/10

2010-11-01T11:38:00.001Z

It was Raining all Night and continued into the Morning Time as I headed off from my House and I put on my Overtrousers. This was at 9.50am and as I continued along the Road the Rain finally stopped and after an Hour later I eventually took them off well into our Cycle. It was a very enjoyable Cycle we started off from the RDS Showgrounds Merrion Road Ballsbridge at 10.50am. No hurry nice and Leisurely we had Plenty of time to admire the scenery of all the Old Majestic Red Brick Houses along the Route . Because it was Sunday Morning very little Traffic on the Road and we could Relax without having to watch for some Nasty Motorist trying their best to Crash into us.

We continued along the Coastal Road all the way to Dun Laoghaire/ Dun Leary/ Formerly Kingstown back when before Independence and changed back to Dun Laoghaire. This Town is very Sedate very much like Brighton in England full of the Grand Old Houses of the Wealthy Elite back in the Day but now for a Grand part turned into Apartments.

It was too early for Lunch being it only 11.50 am so we went to the Peoples Park and Strolled around looking at the Sunday Market then took Photo's. Then we went about 3 - 4 Km 2miles up the Road to Dalky and Bulloch Harbour and more Photo's and looked at the Seals the Rocks and the Sea and Sky then eventually had Lunch in a small Café in Dalky Village.

On the way back we stopped of at the Jame's Joyce Martello Tower of Ulysse's Fame and had a look at the Forty Foot Bathing Spot, then continued along the Coastal Route back to Dun Laoghaire then eventually back to Ballsbridge and said our Goodbyes to each other on a very Enjoyable Day out. It was still only 3.30pm so I said to them I was going up to the Dublin Flea on Newmarket Square thinking that they might want to tag along but no they decided to go Home.

So I went off into the City and Kevin Street beside St Patricks Cathedral then Dean Street and then New Row South then into Newmarket Square and had a Browse around the Stalls but did not buy anything. I had a look at Bespoke Cyclery and a Leather Saddle they had for Sale and expressed my Interest but held off buying it until another time perhaps then headed Home.

I got back Home and it still was only 4.45pm it was getting Dark because of the Clocks going back the Night before.

Halloween Critical Mass St Stephen's Green Dublin 29/10/10

2010-10-30T00:00:00.002+01:00

It was a terrible Day of Torrential Rain and I had gone into the City three hours earlier and my Trouser Legs was Saturated with Cold Rain. I had lost my Pully up Trousers about a Month Earlier in Clontarf. So I got a new pair in the City in a Cycling Shop and went up to the Memorial Arch outside Saint Stephens Green to wait for the CM to begin. Thankfully it did not Rain again during the CM.

The Cyclists began to come in a Trickle until there was around 40 ,a lot had Dressed up in Hollyween Garb of Ghouls and Goblins. So they all headed of eventually at 6.30 pm all laughing and Giggling and Whistling and giving the odd Shouts and offering encouragement to Cyclists and People to come and join us on their Bikes. We eventually ended up at the Garden of Rememberance on Parnell Square
and took some more Photo's and Cyclists gave the Victory Salute of raising their Bikes above their Heads. Then we all went off to the Social Club on Belvedere Court Shomra Spraoi/ Fun Room and looked at the Pedal Project Film of Cycling in Dublin London and Amsterdam . Highlighting the Contrast of the bad Infrastructure in Dublin and London and contrasting it to the best Practice of the Netherlands and the European Continent. Why can it not be like there,The Authorities are still Pandering to the Motorists and Promoting Car Dependency. Everybody had great Fun on CM and enjoyed the Bicycle Film.

Fixing Punctures and a Trip around the Phoenix Park last Weekend.

2010-10-16T02:12:00.001+01:00

The Phoenix Monument,Phoenix Park.

The Main Road in the Phoenix Park,Chesterfield Avenue

On way Home Seen these two Chaps with some nice Husky Dogs.

How to know a real Cyclists,all the Lumps on me Shinbones from the Thumps off the Bike.

Police HQ ,Garda Headquarters Phoenix Park on the Road out of the Park.

Fixed two Punctures on my two spare Inner Tubes

I had this Tube lying around for a while with the Puncture marked with an Elastic Band.

Putting the Patches on and then Tearing the Paper Backing off.

I put the Cement or Glue on and waited for it to nearly go Dry before putting Patch on.

Before you fix the Puncture Roughen the Area with some Sandpaper first.

My Puncture Kit Bag,I got this Bag from Yahoo Answers.

Rather than use another new Inner Tube I put on an Old Tube that I had fixed.The Previous Week I had gone to Tallaght Pronounced Talla to look at Cycle Super Store in Hibernian Industrial Estate on the Greenhills Road and got my first Puncture on my New Bike. So I put on a New Tube and after another 65 Km or 46 miles I got another Puncture but it was a slow one and I just Pumped it up,this was when I had gone to the Phoenix Park the Week afterwards. I noticed I went over a few bad Potholes and one I got an Horrific Jarring so that must have caused the Puncture. I felt the Bike was not comfortable and I could feel all the Lumps in the Road so I jumped off the Bike at Mountjoy Prison on the NCR and found the Tyre was soft. I was going to Pop the Wheel off but decided it was a Slow Puncture and just Pumped up the Wheel ,so it was Grand until I got Home and did not go down for two Hours afterwards.

So a few Days later I put on a fixed Inner Tube and then I fixed two more Inner Tubes rather than use a New Tube then I went of again to the Park as the Weather was still warm.

Odds and Ends in the Cycling Week,European Mobility Week,Car Free Day.

2010-09-26T21:44:00.002+01:00

The Shark Bike,funny Rubber Horn on bicycle in Abby Street Dublin last Friday Week.

I got another Saddle Cover from Bespoke Cyclery at the Dublin Flea Market,always very handy.

I got this Oval Canvas for Painting on at the Dublin Flea Market for €4 Euro which is very good.

At the Dublin Flea Market,no Bicycle Stands to Park your Bike on Newmarket Square.You just have to make do by Lashing it to Railings or anything you can find.

At the Dublin Flea Market,Bike with Basket type Shopping Panniers,this Bike is nearly always here anytime I go there.

The Dublin Flea Market ,Indoors in the Food Co Op.

At the Dublin Flea Market,of course there is no where to Park your Bike you just have to Lash it to anything you can find.

The Dublin Flea Market Newmarket Square,nice Friendle Girl poses for a Picture.

The Dublin Flea Market Newmarket Square,Sharp dressed Man looks like a Cyclist.

The Monthly Dublin Flea Market at the Food Co Op on Newmarket Square.

Today Sunday I went to the Marche de la puce á Dublin ,The Dublin Flea Market on Newmarket Square,Bespoke Cyclerey Stand, Selling Antique Italian Cycling Jerseys, Hats ,Saddle Covers, Mudguards and other bits and piece's.

Drury Street on Car Free Day ,Woman with her E Bike.

Drury Street on Car Free day,another unusual Bike.

Drury Street on Car Free Day ,The Dutch Bike Company Bear Bike's with one of their Oma's and a Georgia Bike Companies Cover on the Crate on the Actie Draegar or front Carrier.

Car Free Day on Drury Street ,Fade Street ,South William Street. This look's like a Danish Nihola Bike.

We had European Mobility Week and Car Free Day last Week and I went up to Drury Street to see what was happening and had a look at the Commercial Displays of various Bike Companies .There was some unusual Bicycle's like this one as part of The Bike CompanyCycleworks Display.

Same Car on the wrong side of Island at Fairview.

At the Malahide Road Fairview Last Week Car on the wrong side of the Traffic Island,It came down the Malahide Road on the Wrong side and Cars Blasted him out of it.

The Car Free Day last Thursday Week was just very Token as usual with just three Streets being Blocked off to Traffic instead of the Entire City. I was in the City at around 1.40 pm and went up to see what was happening in Drury Street and forgot about Sth William Street where there was more going on. I went back into Town that Night for the Open Air Film of the Tripplettes of Belville,That Quirky Funny French Cartoon Film about a Cycling Champion that was captured by the French Mafia set in the 1930ties. It was supposed to have Cyclists from the Audience supplying the Power for the Film by Pedaling on Bikes. Unfortunately after a very Hot Day it decided to Spill Rain in the Evening so it was shown in the Market Bar. The Sound was drowned out by the Crowd but it is mostly Silent anyway except for the Music so you could understand what was going on as well as Sub Titles. I enjoyed the Film,it was still very Hot especially in the Market Bar but it got very Cold again the next Day.

Autumn Sun in Phoenix Park, Problems with fitting a Bicycle Bell,Getting the Groceries.

2010-09-06T23:50:00.001+01:00

Wellington Monument Phoenix Park.

Two Girls enjoying the Autumn Sun on the Steps of the Wellington Monument Phoenix Park.

Les gens au le voyage L'Irlandais,Traveller Family Enjoying the Sun and having a Picnic beside the Wellington Monument.

Fallow Deer,Phoenix Park.

The Fallow Deer beside the Pope's Cross in Phoenix Park.

I finally found two long Screws to put the Bell on the Bike.

Bronze Frieze on the Wellington Monument Phoenix Park.

I was in the Monthly Dublin Flea Market in Newmarket Square which also Incorporates the Food Co Op on Sunday last Week and bought a Bell and a nice Saddle Cover for my new Dawes Bike From Bespoke Cyclery which has a Stall in the Market. The only problem was the Handlebars is too Thick for the Bell Fitting and I had to find long Screws to finally get it on the Bike. I had the same Problem with a Light and I had to use Plastic Ties to attach it to the Bike. I got an Orange Bell as the Bike is Silver so a Chrome Bell would be just to much Silver.

I was in the Phoenix Park on Friday for a Spin Enjoying the Autumn Sun and Stopped at this Picnic Table for some Bananas and Water to keep up my Strength for Cycling. The Weather Changed for the Worse on Saturday and nothing but Torrential Rain since then .

I got my Groceries on Wednesday on My Dutch Bike Gerty and this is the Load I brought Home in the Two Panniers.

Dublin Critical Mass Saint Stephens Green 6.00pm 27thAugust 2010

2010-08-27T22:23:00.002+01:00

At the End of the Critical Mass at the Garden of Rememberence,Giving the Victory Salute of Bikes.

Myself giving the Victory Salute .

Critical Mass coming down Dame Street.

Waiting for a few more Cyclists to turn up for C Mass At St Stephens Green.

Waiting for the Rain to stop before going on C Mass.

Ice Cream Bike Man waiting for the Rain to stop on St Stephens Green.

2010-08-26T03:10:00.000+01:00

Spins to Howth,Problem with a Saddle.

2010-08-26T00:25:00.006+01:00

On Sunday I took a leisurely spin out to Howth and Enroute I stopped at the Traffic Lights at Dollymount. Then when I got on the Saddle again to move off when the Lights changed to Green I fell a Lump under me. I felt around and did not seem to find anything wrong without actually getting off the Bike.

I had the strange sensation of being somewhat higher on the Bike and said that is strange. I eventually got to Howth and discovered the Saddle had Peeled back. I was just getting used to this Saddle when this happened as the Bike is only two months Old. I flipped it back and wondered if it was any use sticking it . When I had got on the Bike at the Lights back in Dollymount my Trousers Seam must have caught the Nose of the Saddle and pulled it back. I was able to Cycle around Howth and then go Home without me catching it again,I just had to be careful.

When I got Home I took the Leather Saddle I had on the Trek and put it on the Dawes and put the Bontrager Saddle back on the Trek as I will be selling this Bike Hopefully. Since I got the new Bike I have been gradually raising the Seat Stem every so often and adjusting the Saddle to make it more comfortable. This I did again when I put the Leather Saddle on so I went off on Monday to Howth again to check it out. I slapped on some Brooks Proofide Polish to Soften it up a bit more before heading off. Seems fine now and the Height of the Seat Stem is better less Strain on my Knees.

The first couple of Pictures are the Yacht School Sailing Boats heading for the Harbour as it was getting Choppy on the Sea. Next are two Pictures of the Harbour Seals. Then two Pics of the Laurence O'Toole Pipe Band one is of the Bagpipes being Tuned by an Electronic Tuner. Next two are of the broken Gel Saddle. Then Three of the Brooks B17 Champion Standard Saddle which I have for over a Year.

Tour to the Seat of the High Kings of Ireland Hill of Tara in Royal Meath14/8/2010

2010-08-16T12:14:00.013+01:00

On Saturday We Assembled at the Wellington Monument in the Phoenix Park Dublin at 9.30am and waited for some more of the Group to turn up then headed off at around 10.00am on a Marvelous Trip to the Hill of Tara. Our Leader and Pathfinder General on the Trip was a Young Frenchman called Jeremie who is mad into Cycling and thinks nothing of going up the Wicklow Mountains on his Carbon Fibre Bike .We had our Lunch at the Tourist Restaurant and Souvenir and Clothes Shop Maguire's of Tara.

We were plagued by a Deluge of Wasps as we Dined outside on Picnic Tables and Garry and Jeremie had a mad Glint in their Eyes as they tried to dispose of them in Beer or Cider.

A group of us headed up the Hill of Tara to have a look at the Ancient site of the High Kings Palace and Tomb. The Mounds of the Palace is still there ,I surmise the Wall's were Built with Timber which has disintegrated over the Centuries. There is two Pictures of the Tomb one is the Interior. We had a Photo Shoot on top of the Hill ,that is myself in the Blue TEE shirt.

We headed off then to an Old World Pub O'Connells for a Refreshing Drink in Skreen or Skryne which means Shrine The Church was Built in 954 and contained the Relic's of St Columba or Columcille but was later Sacked a few times and is now a Ruin.

I got Road Rash and I was not even on the Bike. The Chap from the Pub took a Picture of the Group and I moved back to Bunch up and I fell off the Plastic Chair onto the Gravel Ground and Bruised my Elbow and said it was a Pity he did not get me actually falling over .

Then we headed back to Dublin to the Phoenix Park to the Wellington Monument at 5.30 pm . I had a rest in the Evening Sunshine for a Half Hour before heading Home at 6.00pm. The Weather was marvelous on the Day not to Hot Typical Irish Summer of around 20 - 22 Celsius great Cycling Weather.

The Picture's begin from the bottom up ,The first couple are when we had a rest and Rehydration stop and a Snack in the general area of Rathoath in Nth County Dublin .A picture of a Thatched House and the Cyclists Enroute to Tara.

The next twelve are at Tara. The Peculiar Pillar shaped Stone object is Lia Fáil or the Pillar of Destiny like the Stone of Scone in Scotland.Two People playing the Bowrán/ pronounced Bowrawn an Ancient Irish Musical Instrument it set the Ambience of the Place very well.

The next group are at O'Connells Pub in Skreen,That is myself in Blue enjoying a Lager,Pictures of the Group and Bikes, my Bike against the front of O'Connels.

The last two Pictures are arriving back in the Phoenix Park at 5.30pm on the main Road Chesterfield Avenue facing the Wellington Monument.

Poscript ,Distance covered there and back around 90KM or 60Miles .

overall I covered about 104 KM or 70Miles.

Sunday.I was a bit sore but not to bad,the Saddle on this New Bike is Grand no problems with it Selle Italia. It is nice and comfortable,at least my Ar*e was not Sore. I got up late and had a Brunch rather than Breakfast at 12.00am or 12.30 am. I always seem to stay up late when I do a long Ride on the Bike. I eventually went for a Relaxing Spin out to Howth on Dawes about 10 KM or 7Miles at 4.45pm. The Village of Howth was absolutely Chockers with Cars,I have never seen so many at the Fishing Port in my Life. Should all be Banned for Polluting up the Beautiful Village. They were all along the Fishing Pier in their Cars,the Rubbish was all over the Place from the Farmers Market selling Food and the Bins was overflowing at that End. The Fish Restaurants and Pubs were thriving with Tourists and Natives and there were some Motor Homes and Caravans Parked on the Piers. I eventually went Home at 6.30 pm and had Dinner with a nice Czech Lager Bliss.

Trip to the Phoenix Park on Saturday July 31/7/10

2010-08-04T14:02:00.012+01:00

It was a nice Day on Saturday so I decided to go for a Spin in the Phoenix Park. That Marvelous Huge Park to the West of the Metropolitan Area of Dublin City. Besides which I was due to hand in the New Bike for it's first 30 Day Service on Tuesday and I wanted to put in a few more Miles on it to loosen it up as it were. I decided to look at the Cricket Match for awhile not really understanding the Rules of the Game after all these Years. It is very much like Baseball although played with a Rectangular Wooden Bat. I will tell you one thing it is very good for sending you to Sleep. I felt myself falling asleep Leaning against the Rail and only the slight fall of Rain kept me awake.

I then went off for a Spin around the Park and looked at the Fallow Deer,then past by the Abandoned Old Magazine Fort which Held all the Munitions for the British Army back in the Day. It is a Pity they do not use this for something what a waste,turn it into an Art Gallery or Museum.

Eventually I started off for Home around 4.30pm and when I got to Ballybough Road I ran into the Crowds coming out of the National Football Stadium Croke Park. Dublin and Tyrone were Playing against each other and there was other Matches on that Day .The Roads were Blocked and the only ones getting through were Cyclists like myself. They have actually put Cycle Parking outside the Grounds on Jones Road it is not much about 12 Parking Stands and it is those Wheel Benders that I Hate but still it is something.

At the Corner of Clonliffe Road I seen a Cycle Cop Dressed up like Judge Dredd or something out of Flash Gorden like one of the Vulcans from the Planet Vulcan. Someone was Selling Greasy Hamburgers and other Junk Food from their Three Wheel Bike Food Stand.

Cycling has really arrived when you see this ,bit by bit People are Selling Food and Ice Cream and Drinks from Three Wheeled Bike Stands.

Une Grande Petit Manifestation Critical Mass á Dublin 30/7/2010

2010-08-01T14:00:00.013+01:00

We had a Critical Mass as usual beginning at St Stephens Green on the last Friday of the Month A great Day was had by everybody. A few had Vuzvuzelas those annoying Plastic Bugles they are getting Banned from the English Premier League Soccer Games ,a Hangover from the South African World Cup. A few Girls with Bear Company Dutch Bikes and Grenaer Electric Bikes were Chatting away but they did not take part only the Guy with the Electric Bike.

We met a Couple of Hen Party Girls on Dame Street Heading off to a Party Presumably and I took two Photos and Talked to them for a few seconds before going after the Peloton again.We finally Ended up at the Garden of Rememberance on Parnell Square and Gave a Cyclists Victory Salute lifting our Bikes over our Heads.That is me with the Blue Striped Tee Shirt.

Then a lot of us headed off to Seomra Spraoi and had a look at the Film of New York Critical Mass of 2005 When the Police suddenly went Mad and Attacked the Cyclists very Brutally and Arrested over 400. Resulting in loads of Lawsuits against the Police.

Lastly my Dinner when I got Home,Organic Home Grown Potatoes and Cabbage and Mackeral Fish washed down with some nice Danish Tuborg Lager and a big Mug of Coffee.

Trip around the Phoenix Park last Saturday Week 10/7/2010

2010-07-18T18:54:00.008+01:00

I went on a Cycle with a Social Cycle Group last Saturday Week to the Phoenix Park. That marvelous huge City Park to the West of the Metropolitan Area of Dublin City. It is 1,760 Acres in Total and it has Fallow Deer,Horse Riding and Polo,A Cricket Club, Football Playing Fields,The Police Headquarters/AN Garda Siochana or Civic Guard,The American Ambassadors Residence,The Irish Presidents Residence,The Zoo,and Hundreds of Acres of Fields and Forestry to explore.

There was 8 Cyclists on the Trip or should I say Trek. I started off from Home at about 9.30am and got there after 10.00am after going 9 KM or 6 miles arriving at the Phoenix Monument Roundabout on Chesterfield Avenue otherwise known as the main Road through the Park. I was the first to arrive,and we eventually headed off at 10.45am.

We did 4 Laps of the Valleys and Plains of the Park,it was marvelous as they have closed off most of the Roads to Traffic now over the Years. We estimated we did around 47 KM or 25 Miles ,It was not a Sportif thing more of an endurance Cycle .A leisurely Spin at a fair pace,one Young Chap on a High Performance Bike took off on his own around the Park a few times. The rest of us took our time and enjoyed the view. We stopped every so often for Water and some Bananas and Biccies mainly on the Inner Perimeter Road on the Cabra side.

We eventually stopped off at the Tea Rooms beside the Zoo and had some Coffee or Tea and Lunch we Elected that we would have another Lap and see if we would continue after that.
We then decided to separate and Head off Home after finishing the Lap. We had a marvelous Day out in the warm Sunshine unlike the Previous Day when it came down in a Deluge of Rain.

The New Bike performed great except it developed a Whistling sound off the Mudguard and I tried Bending it as we Cycled along. The Jokes from the Gang were Hilarious about the Whistling Bike. I must have gone 60KM or 37 Miles that Day altogether. I tried bending the Stays of the Mudguard the next Day and it corrected the Whistling.

Pictures are, The New Bike, Two French Cyclists and an Irish Girl in Pink,The Phoenix Monument Roundabout,Two Pics of the Cyclists enroute around the Trails,Group Photo with me on the left and a French Woman and a young French Guy and the Irish Girl in Pink,Two of the Happy Cyclists having Refreshments on the Inner Perimeter Road at the Cabra side of Park,The Duke of Wellington Monument Arthur Wellesy Commemorating the Battle of Waterlo, Park Keepers Lodge at Parkgate Street Entrance to Park, Two Pictures of the Phoenix Park Cycle Hire Company who were doing a brisk Business from the tourists and Locals alike.

New Dawes Bike,Bendy Buses,Bad Cycle Lanes,Park Life.

2010-07-10T22:12:00.006+01:00

I got a New Dawes Audax Style Bike last Thursday for Long Distance and Touring. It is a great Bike ,it is Steel and very Responsive and is very Nimble and fast. It was a Model that they had for a while and I got it cheaper than it normally was. The only thing I do not like about it is it is in Silver and a bit Garish looking,I would have preferred if it was Green or even Red but apart from that I like it very much.

The other thing about it is the Bars are to thick for the Light attachment Band to fit. I have 2 Lights but the Band does not fit around the Handlebars. This is the Light Brackets on the Trek Bars and they should fit it like this,also the Cateye Light. I was looking at the Blog People Powered from Andy in Germany and he did a Feature on making Gadgets out of Old Inner Tubes.One of the Respondents made a Band out of an Old Inner Tube and put 2 Holes in it to fit a Narrow Light and Wedge it around the Bar so this is something I could try. I thanked them for the Idea and said it is a good Gadget to try.

Woman in Saint Annes Park with Her Bike and a King Charles Spanial and a Basket on the Bike. One of those Bendy Buses they are trying out in Dublin beside Trinity College, CIE Dublin Bus has two,I hate them as they are Double the Length of a normal Bus and they can Trap you if you are not careful on your Bike.

One of our Rotten narrow little Cycle Lanes on O 'Connell Street where a Bus can catch you out stopping at a Bus Stop. They have very wide Paths along here they could easily make a dedicated Cycle Lane Here. The D.C .Council decided to Narrow the Road around Ten Years ago to make it Safer for Pedestrians but forgot about the Cyclists.

Dublin Critical Mass 25th June 2010 St Stephens Green.

2010-06-26T21:50:00.004+01:00

I went to the Dublin Critical Mass as Usual Starting at The Memorial Arch outside Saint Stephens Green Park at 5.30. It started of late at around 6.15 pm with more People arriving at the last minute. There usually is around 30 - 35 Cyclists but this time there was 50 starting off in the Glorious Warm Evening Sunshine.

It was a stirring Sight to see the Mass of Cyclists Reclaiming the Streets from the Cars. Showing that Cycling has arrived in Dublin. We headed off down Dawson Street then Nassau Street ,Trinity Street then Dame Street up to Christchurch Cathedral,down Winetavern Street then out onto Ormonde Quay on the River Liffey ,Bachelors Walk then into O 'Connnell Street then Finishing at the Garden of Rememberance Parnell Square.It was a nice Leisurely Cycle no Fuss.

When I got Home I had a nice Dinner Peas and Brown Rice and Mackerel with a Butter and Lemon and Pepper Marinade covered with a White Sauce and Washed down with some Czech Lager with Bananas for Dessert and a Mug of Strong Coffee, Cycling makes you very Hungry .

National Bike Week 13th- 20th June.

2010-06-21T12:21:00.008+01:00

At the beginning of the Week Monday Morning I was laid low with a Stomach upset,I think it was Food Poisoning. I starting getting Pains in my Stomach on Sunday Night and by Monday Morning I had a Dose of what can only be described as in Dublin Parlance as Johnny Jump up,in other words I had the Runs.

This continued until 11 am on Wednesday and I could not leave the House . I missed the Dublin Cycling Campaign AGM and anything that was happening for Bike Week. I tried getting to the Post Office to pay a Utility Bil but had to get back to the House when I started getting the Pains in my Stomach. I tried again on Tuesday and made it there and back with the Bill paid.

By Saturday I was feeling much better and decided to have a look at the Cycle Races in Dame Street which had been closed off all around the Cobblestoned Narrow Streets of Temple Bar then up Dame Street to Christchurch Cathedral and back around Templebar in a Circuit of around 2 KM or 1 1/2 Miles. I looked at the Womens Race but could not stay for the Mens as I had to get Food and get Home. I tried to stay but realised it would be very late by the time it was over after 8 pm. The Mens Race the Excitement for it was Building up by the time I had left at 5.30 pm,an Eclectic Group of Irish Riders from Irish POST Sean Kellys Team and others in a Five Nations Race, Ireland ,England,Scotland,Wales,France.

On Sunday I went with the Dublin Social Group on a Trip along the Grand Canal to Roberstown but we only went as far as Sallins because we were all Knackered Tired. The Pathway or former Towpath was nicely Smooth as far as Clondalkin because the City Council done a Grand Job on it but those Metal Barriers was Cruel trying to go under them over them and through the Gates. That was the only annoying thing about the Trip. After Clondalkin the Pathway became rough and Wild and you were Cycling through Long Grass then Gravel as you were in the Countryside. Also there was some Muddy Motorbike Tracks that I got caught in and fell of the Bike Twice. Most of the Group had MTB's with just three of us with ordinary Bike's.it would have been better with the Thick Tyres in the Rough Ground.

We stopped in Hazelhatch at a Canal side Pub for some Drinks at 12 am but it was still closed so we had some Lunch at the outside Picnic Tables.

Then continued on to Sallins and had our Lunch and Drinks there and Elected not to go any Further to Roberstown as we reckoned we had enough. The Sun was very Warm,it was just like the Mediterannean and these little Canal side Pubs are very Inviting. There was some kind of Pro IRA Festival going on in the Town with Bands and Singers Playing Rebel Songs and Loads of IRA Banners and the noise was Deafening,I found it Objectionable and so did the rest of the Group. So we coasted around to get some quiet Pub away from the Ru Rah Ra and Political Overtones.We Cycled up the Road then back down the Road of the Little Hamlet of Sallins,the Police were in force directing the Traffic Jam which had Developed. Then we found ourselves back at Square one at a Pub on the Canal side and settled back to some Food and Drinks.

After an hour or two we headed back to Dublin and at Leeson Street we gradually said our Goodbyes until the next trip. I was accompanied by a Polish Girl to the Malahide Road then we both went our separate way and said Goodbye until the next meet up.

It was very enjoyable and I estimate we went 65 km or 40miles 33 out and 33 back. It was sapping on the Energy because of the rough Ground and also those annoying Barriers to keep the Joy Riders off the Paths.
Pictures are 5 Pics of the Womens Cycle Race around Templebar and Dame Street ( All Hail the Conquering Champions ) the three Winners.

Dublin Social Cycle Group ,Trip to Sallins along the Grand canal Dublin, Ornate Pub at Hazelhatch,Englisman and his wife Browseing at the Canal side and Canal Barges. The Group having Lunch at Hazelhatch,two Polish Girls one English Chap and the rest of us Irish.
Along the way Ornate Cottage stop for Rest and Pictures.

June 12th Odyssey around Dublin in search of the perfect Bicycle.

2010-06-13T15:44:00.011+01:00

Saturday was a perfect Day lovely and warm with the Sun Splitting the Tree's.I had heard the previous Day there was to be an Phillipines Independence Day Celebration in St Annes Parkland Raheny, The former Estate of a Relation of the Guinness Family and I wanted to have a look at it.

The event started after 10 O Clock Mass they are very Religeous The Phillipino's. I arrived after 12.00am and I was surrounded by Thousands of Phillipino's from the Four Corners of Ireland. There was Pavillions all over the Park Celebrating all things Phillipino,Food,various Groups like Photography,Nursing,Culture Etc. I then went down to the Red Stable Farmers Market and had Lunch of a Crepé and Coffee from the Creperié then headed off to the south side of the City to Sandymount.

There was hardly any Traffic on the Roads it was perfect for cycling. After Coming across the Liffey at Ringsend (Called Ray Town by the local's because it was once a Fishing Centre)The Toll Bridge and Shipping in Alexandra Basin.

I wanted to have a look at the New Bicycle Shop in the Village of Sandymount ,in Sandymount Green( twowheels.ie ). I was very impressed by the amount of Bicycles and the great amount of Dutch Bikes for Sale particulary this Bakfiets from Gazelle. I asked them about a Touring Bike and they mentioned a Trek I think it was a 520 that they took on Touring themselves. I said was it Steel and he said it was. Trek does not do Touring specific Bikes as far as I know but most bikes can be used for Touring ,they said they could get one on Order if I was interested. So I started to head off when I spotted this Cycle Chick in the Village looking at the Art on the Railings and took a Picture. Statue of a Girl in the Village Enjoying the Joys of Spring,must be a Cyclist after completing her Ride and is Happy. Childrens Bikes outside the Spar Shop in the Village.

Coming up the Ringsend Road over the Grand Canal Bridge,Bicycle Tour Group of the City,nice Bicycles but why do they have to wear those Stupid Helmet's. Nice Road Bicycle in an Apartment Window about 4 Floors up about 2 Hundred Metres further on in Pearse Street. I arrived in Merrion Square Park and took a Photo of Oscar Will's Fingal O'Flaherty Wilde otherwise known as Oscar Wilde The Great Irish Dramatist and Writer of the 1880ties then some Photo's of the Memorial to the Irish Defence Forces Commemorating the Personnel who Died on Active Service mainly with the United Nations.

I then went off to Penny Farthing Cycles in Camden Street to see what they had and had a look at MC Donald Cycles in Wexford Street. Then back to the City Centre and City Cycles in Parnell Street,I ended up buying a new Pump and a Jar of Assos Cream then I went Home.It was a Brilliant Day,the next Day Sunday it was back to the Wind and Rain but after 4.00pm it has stopped and it is getting nice now.So I will have to think about getting a new Tourer,it involves some Monetary Pain.

I mean to do a lot of long Distance Cycling and my Bottom End Tends to get very Sore so the Assos Cream will Alleviate this hopefully .Last Pictures are,I got this Magnetic Saucer lately to prevent my Screws and Nuts and Bolts getting lost while I am Fixing the Tyres and Punctures on my Bikes,two new Inner Tubes for the Brompton I have been meaning to change the Inner Tube for this Bike for a few Months now,the new Specialized more compact Pump and the Old Zefal Pump. The New Pump fixed on the Trek.

Bicycles,Dogs and Demonstrations.June Bank Holiday Weekend.

2010-06-13T00:19:00.008+01:00

Last Saturday during the Bank Holiday Weekend there was a large Demonstration in Dublin Protesting against the Israeli Government Hijacking the Humanitarian Aid Ship to Gaza and Killing 9People in the process. So I decided to take part in it and I went off on the Trek into the City to the Garden of Rememberance. On reaching Fairview I noticed this sign warning Motorist to be careful of Cyclists and Pedestrians. This is a new thing lately but they do not leave it up all the time unfortunately,it is only because of the Holiday when they are surmising there are Pedestrians and a lot of Inexperienced Cyclists on the Roads and they change the sign after the Holiday is over.

The last few Years because Cycling has become so Popular,People are taking their Bikes everywhere and it is not unusual to see loads of Bikes at Demos as well as Dogs and Children. This is me in the Red Shirt with the Cycling Gloves and the next Picture is my Bike beside someone else's. The Procession eventually Ended up at the Department of Foreign Affairs,Iveagh House on Saint Stephens Green . There was many Speeches calling for the Government to Expel the Israeli Ambassador and a Boycott on Israeli Goods,but the Government was Fudging as usual.

They Condemned the Israeli Government but did not do anything else ,it is just typical. After awhile it will be all forgotten about except that there is a Load of Pressure Building up to do something about it. Certainly the ordinary People will be having a Boycott of Israeli Goods and these are the ones that will force the Government to stop doing nothing.

Everywhere you go Bicycles are everywhere,this is a new Golden age if only the Infrastructure would improve it would be really great.

Leisurely Cycle to Howth and back to Clontarf,Wednesday 2nd June 2010

2010-06-02T23:06:00.009+01:00

The Weather is Beautiful for awhile with no Rain and Warm and Sunny so I decided to go for a Spin and see where it would take me. I eventually Ended up in Howth Fishing Village in Nth County Dublin. There was a slight Headwind on the way out and I decided to take it nice and easy no rush. If you decide to go fast in these conditions you only succeed in tiring yourself out and you do not enjoy the Ride. I eventually left the House at 3.40 pm and was in Howth around 4.30pm. I had got a New Camera on Thursday and tried it out taking Pictures on the way out and back. I was in Sutton where the Road is bad for a few Years and the Camera hopped out of it's Bag in my Pocket and bounced off the Road. I said o no it is bashed up what a waste,but it was just scuffed on the side a bit and is still working. I left Howth at 5.10 pm and got Home around 6.10. I decided to go the long way back to Clontarf to enjoy the off Road Cycle Way on the Seafront. I eventually had my Dinner at 7.00pm,Cabbage and Potato with Onion and Garlic with some Cottage Cheese on top and Roast Chicken. Washed down with some Polish Beer which tasted like Stella Artois the Belgian Beer very nice and some Brie Cheese followed by a Mug of Coffee.

Pictures are Me at the small Lighthouse in Howth,The main Lighthouse,The RNLI Lifeboat Roy Barker 11 arriving in the Harbour, Fishing Boat with the Immortal Words( Póg mo Thoin )Presenté á vous bises sur mon fessee, two pic's feeding the Harbour Seals with Plaice, Sign on the Cycle way in Sutton Enroute to Howth Slí na Slainte the Healthy Way and the unhealthy way in the Texaco Garage across the Road ,Two Pictures of Dublin Cycle Chic's on the Cycleway at Sutton, 5 pic's of Cyclists in Clontarf and you can see all the Traffic coming from the City it is Chockers, Pothole stretching the width of the Road at the entrance to my Estate,it has been like this now Months, Dinner.

Dublin Food Cycle Saturday 22nd May 2010, Four Cycle Groups Converge in Iveagh Gdns.

2010-05-25T19:13:00.015+01:00

On Saturday we went on the Dublin Food Cycle.Organised by Dublin Cycling Campaign and the Dublin Community Growers. If you scratch an Irish Person deeply enough no matter if they are a City Slicker they will show a great Yearning to own a bit of Land to grow Food in,it seems to be embedded in the Psychic and sooner or later it was natural to hold something like this to do with Food and Hobby Farming on Allotments.

It is four Groups of Cyclists setting out from different parts of the Suburbs of Dublin Visiting the different Community Growers in various Gdns ,some very large and some quiet small. Our Group set out from Saint Annes Estate Parkland Allotments. These are only new and there are 80 Plots of Land and because there is so much interest a lottery is getting held to get a Plot of 6+6metres 20+20feet. The Park Ranger gave us a Talk about the History of the Great House that once stood in the Grounds but Burned down in the 1940ties and about the new Allotments.

I am in the Fourth Picture in Olive Green Tee Shirt. The next Picture Cycling along the Clontarf Road.Next 6 Pictures in the Community Gdns in Nth Summer Street. Next 3 in De Coursey Square Community Gdns in Glasnevin. Two Pictures of one of the two Members of the Irish Police Bicycle Unit that accompanied us as far as Great Western Square in his Judge Dredd Uniform( an Garda Siochana)The Civic Guards They were two very friendly Chaps who loved Talking about Cycling as we went along the Road. Next two Pictures en route to Great Western Square in Phibsborough. Next three Pictures in the Community Gdns in Great Western Square.

Last Pictures in the Iveagh Gardens off Harcourt Street and Earlsfort Terrace and behind St Stephens Green South,It is Dublins Secret Garden hidden away that not many People realise Exists. The last Picture is the Park Keepers House.

At every Garden we went to we were treated like Royalty with the Members giving us loads of Fruit Drinks Tea and Biscuits and Cake. We Ended up in the Iveagh Gardens with the other three Cycling Groups who all converged together and we had a Great Picnic and a Chat in the Blazing Hot Sun. It was an amazing Day out for all the Cyclists.

Dublin Cycling Campaign Annual Lecture.20th May Trinity College 7.30 pm

2010-05-12T20:20:00.003+01:00

The Dublin Cycling Campaign Annual Lecture ,to be held in the Edmund Burke Theatre,Arts Building ,Trinity College Dublin on Thursday 20th May at 7.30 pm just off Nassau Street.

To be Presented by Dr Dave Horton Lancaster University.

Visit dublincycling.ie for Details.

This should be very Exciting if you are in Dublin then this is a must see Entree Gratuit free of charge. It presents the need of a Bicycle Culture in Dublin and what needs to be done. An Opening Address will be given by Mr Noel Dempsey Minister of Transport who has been very well Disposed to Cycling in Ireland and then followed by the Lecture by Dr Dave Horton.

Dublin Cycling Campaign Representatives will be there and if you want to Join the Cycling Campaign they will gladly Accept your Membership. I also believe they will be Selling their Wonderful Cycling Campaign Tee Shirts as well. It should be a great Night

Getting Garden Accoutrements,Plants ,Top Soil etc by Bicycle.

2010-05-10T23:53:00.006+01:00

I was in the City of Dublin on Friday getting Vegetable Plants for my Garden,Tomato and Pepper Plants and some Pea Plants.I was coming down Abby Street from the Junction with O'Connell Street and seen this Girl on her Bike and She was done up like a Trout in Tinfoil ready to be Cooked all covered up with a Scarf wrapped around her Mouth and a Helmet together with what looked like a Flag on the back of the Bike,this is Overkill. She stopped behind a Tram at the Lights instead of going alongside to the left. I would not stop behind a Tram myself it would just bore me. A lot of Potholes in the Roads now because of the Harsh Winter and nobody filling them in.Lethal if your Bike has narrow Wheels it can get caught in them.

I was in Woodies DIY and Hardware on the Malahide Road Coolock on Saturday and Sunday getting a Vegetable Grow Bag for the Tomatoes and some Rockery Plants and Top Soil on Sunday . In all the Years of coming to Woodies they never Bothered to put in any Cycling Parking Stands. It is Geared to Cars with a huge Carpark and you have to go down the other End of the Complex to where Halfords Bicycle Store and Lidl the Supermmarket is to find a few Parking Stands. I mentioned this to the Sales Girl at the Check out and she said she would mention it to someone about Cycling Parking. I also got a Steel Magnetic Saucer for Holding Screws and Nuts,very Handy when changing your Wheel when fixing a Puncture or doing Repairs. I always drop Nuts and bits of Metallic Parts behind the Couch and it is annoying when hard to find them.
I had a small Pool and the Black Plastic Liner sprung a Leak so I eventually just filled it in and got Top Soil at the Weekend to top it off and Planted it with Sprouts Leeks and Cabbage the Previous Week and already the Slugs have been at a couple of the Cabbages. This is the Bike Heading Home with the Top Soil in the second last Picture.

So the last Picture is of the former Pool and the New Rockery with some Alpine Plants at the front of the Rear Garden Patio.

Dublin Critical Mass St Stephen's Green Friday 30th April 2010

2010-05-05T13:57:00.009+01:00

I went on the Critical Mass as usual in Dublin Assembling at the Front Gates The Memorial Arch Dedicated to the Dublin Fusiliers who took part in the Boer War.This is around the Fourth or Fifth New Dublin Critical Mass ,The last ones were around 10 Years ago and we are only starting up again and things are a little disorganised. Around 30 Cyclists took part as usual ,it is a pity not more turns up for it as it is great fun and shows Cycling has arrived in Dublin. We started off a bit later than usual at 6.15pm instead of 6.00pm as we were waiting for the Music Boom Box to arrive. It is the first time to have a bit of Music and it was just Great listening to it as we Cycled along.

By the time we Reached the Bank of Ireland in Westmoreland Street the Rain came down in Buckets,I was alright as I had put my Overtrousers on at Stephens Green because it was started to Drip a bit. But many of the others were not prepared and while they were waiting for the rest to catch up they Sheltered under the Overhang of the Large Portico of the Bank. In spite of this we enjoyed ourselves and eventually Ended up in 10 Belvedere Court Shomra Spraoi and Had Tea and Watched part of the Pedal Project Bicycle Film by DCTV about the Three Cities Dublin, Amsterdam, and London ,about Cycling Advocacy. First Picture shows myself and my Trek Bike, The other Pictures are of the Intrepid Warriors who took Part, The Logo on the Boom Box Bike Crossbar in Gaelic means Up Bikes out with Cars or make Bike not Car.

Cycling Bit's & Bob's.The Week.

2010-04-28T15:06:00.011+01:00

Nice Photo of an Ad Promoting Cycling by Dublin City Council on a Bus Stop Shelter.My Dutch Bike Gerty Loaded up ready to go Home from The Supermarket Tesco's Artaine Castle Artane.

Picture of My Groceries which contained Three Chickens,Toilet Rolls,Bread ,Croissants, Bottle of Wine Le Tugets from Gascogne The Gers, Jar of Blackcurrant Jam to put on the Croissants, Flora Buttery Margarine,Bottle of Don Carlos Olive Oil, Cabbage, Turnip Swede, Oranges Grapes,Potato's I forget the rest but it was 15 kilo which in English is 30 LBS plus and the Business Community say that Cyclists dont buy much. They buy the same amount of Goods as everybody else.

Arriving Home from the Garden Centre with Vegetable Compost for Growing my Veggies.

On the Shared Cycle Path at Fairview Park always at the Weekend Cars are Parked on the Cycle Path why is this Allowed,they are probably those Playing Football on the Football Pitches in the Park. Why is the Police not Fining them for Parking there it is very low on their Priorities.

Passed by this Puppet Festival in the Park at Jervis Street,this was once the Graveyard of St Marys Church Nearby which was Turned into a Pub and Restaurant, Bronze Bull, Puppet Show , French Puppet Theatre Company,The Wagon from the Puppet Show on RTE Television from the 1960ties to 1975 or so Wanderly Wagon.

Corner of O'Connell Street and Bachelors Walk Dangerous Potholes,I am glad that there are Wide Tyres on my Dutch Bike.I was coming home from my favourite Garden Shop Mr Midleton in Mary Street at the time.

People with a little Pony and Cart with two young Girls on the Cart, They look like a Traveller Family The Irish own Version of the Gypsies . This will be the Fate of Car Drivers when the Oil runs out,back to the Horse and Cart. Or if they have Enough Electricity in the Power Stations to Charge up all those Electric Cars.

Trip to the Wicklow Gap,beside Tonglegee Mountain Sunday 11th April

2010-04-13T20:23:00.010+01:00

It was fine Summery Weather on Sunday so I took a Spin on Mr Trek out to the Wicklow Mountains and up to the Wicklow Gap 470 Metres above Sea Level. I had to walk up a Mountain Road beside the Sugarloaf Mountain outside Kilmacanogue for around two Hours. I passed through Glendalough and stopped for two Sandwiches and a Drink of Water before Walking 9 K up to the Gap beside Tonglegee Mountain. I was trying to get passed the Gap before Nightfall. I reached the Gap before 900pm just as the Sun was going down and I took a few Pictures before heading on to Hollywood Village and then Blessington then Tallaght and the Lights of Dublin City then Home at 3.00am. A Grand Total of around 70 - 80 Miles. It was Pitch Black on these Country Roads no Lights at all. I had to use the Yellow Dashes of the Hard Shoulder and the White Lines in the Centre of the Road as a guide because it was so Dark.I went through several Pot Holes I just did not see them in the Dark and I just hoped I did not Crock up my Wheel. The only Lights were when you got to a Village or Town.
Pics are The Dargle River outside Bray, Mountain Road you could get the Coconut Smell of the Yellow Gorse sort of like Hair Oil at the side of the Road marvelous , The Sugarloaf Mountain A lot of People were walking up this Mountain, Roundwood Church, Roses Tea Rooms the Cyclists Tea rooms Annamoe Village,me at the Wicklow Gap, someone took Pot Shots at this Sign, Saint Kevins Way and a little ruined Church, very Friendly Goat Monsiur Chevaux It let me Pet it on the Head. Loads of Cyclists in the Mountains on Racing Bikes and one on a Recumbent. There is a Cycle Race around Glendalough on the 17th of April.

The way of Health.

2010-03-30T15:18:00.009+01:00

Last Week the Weather was very Mild for Saint Patrick's Weekend ,People were able to use Tee Shirts it was so Warm. Now this Week with the Change of the Clock's to Summertime it is back to the Winter with Sleet and Rain and the Weather gone very Cold.

I had an Electricity Bill to pay but did not want to leave the House it was so bad . So reluctantly I put on my Pull up Wet Weather Trousers and my Gore Tex Jacket and my Waterproof Avenir Bike Gloves and got out my Trek Bike intending to only go to the Post Office in the Supermarket as quick as I could then back Home. I paid the Bill and got outside and decided to go for a Spin around the Clontarf Coast inspite of the Rain. I ended up on Bull Island watching the Ships coming in. This is a favourite Walking and Cycling Area for Dubliners and the only really Decent Area for Cycling on the Coastal Cycleway from Clontarf Railway Bridge out to Sutton and then Howth.

Pics are The Wooden Bridge out to Bull Island Dollymount, My Bike on the Promonade, Stena Line Ferries leaving and arriving in Dublin Port,one Ferry bringing in Bikes for the Chain Halfords in a Container on the Stern.People walking on the Promonade. One Cyclist on the Cycleway at Sutton . Various Signs promoting Cycling and Walking with the Words in Gaelic Slí Na Sláinte The Way of Health. Pics of Saint Annes Parkland. I was actually glad I went for a spin on my Bike very Invigorating,I warmed up very quickly. It is truthfully the way of Health Cycling Slí Na Sláinte .

Shared use Cycle Lanes,good or bad.

2010-03-24T12:43:00.005Z

These shared use Cycle Lanes only really work well on the outskirts of the City where you will not find many People if at all walking on the Paths. Choosing rather to Travel by Motorcar or Bus in most circumstances and hardy ever by Bike. The closer you get to the City you will have increased levels of Pedestrians vying for the space on the Pathways.

My Pictures shows starting from the bottom up approaching the City of Dublin from about 4km then eventually about 2km. At Fairview Park you can find People often Walking on the Cycleway oblivious of Approaching Cyclists from behind in spite of the Bike Markings on the shared use Path. You will notice a Bus stop,when People are Queuing for a Bus that means less space for those walking by and also the Cyclists,often there can be a large amount of People waiting for a Bus which means they will be standing on the Cycle Path causing less Room.

This is a Major Commuting Route for Cyclists which means there can be very fast Cyclists Trundling their way into the City in the Morning coming up against Pedestrians walking on the Cycling area. So you tinkle your Bell if you have one ,then you have to raise your Voice but often they just do not hear or care . It is not really their fault but the bad infrastructure in place. You have a very wide Road,the obvious thing would be to narrow that Road and put in proper off Road Cycle Lanes. On this stretch of Road you have a further Hazard with that Pedestrian Bridge over the main Road. When you come to it you suddenly have to turn at a Sharp Right Angle to the left to avoid it to get back on the Cycle Path,it is even worse if you meet a Pedestrian walking on it and possibly with a Dog on a long Lead. It has happened to me a couple of times People with Dogs on long Trailing Leads. Some Cyclists actually go to the right of those Bridge Supports it can be safer to do this.

About a further 1 1/2km further on you come to the North Strand,further Hazards with another Bus stop. Then you come to a small crossing and go to the far side of Road where you attempt to go on the marked Cycle Lane and find that the Path is not Champered in line with the Cycle Path. If you continually use this route you will know about this but a Stranger using this Route for the first time could be thrown off their Bike if they Automatically believed the Champered Curb was in line with the Cycle Lane. There are instances of this all over Dublin and Ireland generally,it is just bad Infrastructure. These are the little things that do not cost much Money to fix and are so obvious to all but the Planners.