Vie au Velo

Street Life Dublin 17th july 12 003

2012-07-18T04:05:00.001+01:00

Street Life Dublin 17th july 12 002

2012-07-18T02:51:00.001+01:00

Dublin Bike Week final day24th june 2012 Phoenix Park Dublin Ireland. 005.

2012-07-18T00:55:00.001+01:00

Ramble through Dublin on my Surly LHT 19.may. Part one12 036.MP4

2012-05-22T00:57:00.001+01:00

Brompton Folding Bike/ Vowfiets 5.5.12 Testing out the new Schwalbe Mara...

2012-05-06T02:10:00.001+01:00

Taking the Brompton out for a test run on new Schwalbe Marathon Tyres.

2012-04-24T08:04:00.001+01:00

Postman delivering Mail in Killester ,Dublin

Postman in Killester Dublin

St Annes Estate Park

St Annes Estate, Park

St Annes

St Annes.

Myself on the Brompton ,St Annes.

Howth Fishing Port, The Brompton with new Schwalbe Marathon plus Tyres.

I broke the Metal Clip on the Gear change Mechanism on the Plastic Connector and had to Jury rig it with wire or I would not be able to change Gear. The newer Bromptons have the Sturmy Archer Screw instead of the Plastic Conncetor. I will have to get this screw connector. I am losing a lower gear because of it. Notice the Bottle Dynamo.

The Brompton on the Cycleway at Clontarf.

Back Home.

Squirrel in St Annes,when I tried to get closer it disappeared in the Bushes.

The Tyres were fine ,I did not see much difference in Rolling Resistance ,perhaps a bit harder of a ride. I will have to adjust the nose of the Saddle downwards. I did not bring the Spanner with me. Have a look at the accompanying U Tube Video below on the other post to see me in Clontarf.

Testing Brompton and Schwalbe Marathon Tyres Clontarf Dublin Ireland 24....

2012-04-24T07:24:00.001+01:00

Saint Patricks Day Parade Dublin,Dublin Cycling Campaign.

2012-03-18T16:01:00.000+00:00

On Dorset Street waiting to begin,myself with the Dublin Cycling Campaign parade organiser with two other members father and son.

The Dublin Royal Coach which was restored back in 1970ties and dates from the 18 century/sicle now used by the Mayor /maire

Les cinque filles, The pretty penny bike company.

The Child fell asleep while being carried in its Mothers arms.This is a Dutch Irish Family who sell lovely Dutch Bicycles and their Children are used to being carried around in Bakfietszen. http//:dutchbikeshop.ie

This man Cycles on a peculiar Bike ,he rides side Saddle on a Bike he made himself.

It was lovely weather for the Parade with Sunshine,there was a brief light Shower for a few minutes and that was that.I took loads of Pictures and could have put more here but I have to draw the line somewhere ,concentrating on the Bicycles in the Parade.Iwill let the pictures speak for themselves.

The Theme of the Parade this year was Science ,So most of the Members of Dublin Cycling Campaign donned Doctors Coats. We also gave Apples to the People viewing the Parade,in Honour of Sir Isaac Newton.

Social outing with Dublin Cycling Campaign Sunday 19th feb 2012

2012-02-23T00:24:00.003+00:00

We met up at the IFSC St Georges Dock Nth Wall Quay at 11 AM//Rassemblement au IFSC Dock St Georges, Quay du mur nord 11am

A few turned up at 11 so we waited for a quarter of an hour and sure enough more began turning up.

We stopped for a while at Grand Canal Basin Hanover Quay/Le group reste pour meme minutes á Bassin Grand Canal,Quay Hanover.

New Cycleway along the Grand Canal Dublin./Le Chemin du velo nouveau Canal du Grand á Dublin

We Assembled at the IFSC on St Georges Dock at 11am on a nice crisp Sunday morning on the first Social Cycle of the Dublin Cycling campaign of the Year. The DCC promotes Cycling Advocacy in Dublin and is Affiliated to the other Cycling Groups in Ireland under the banner of cyclist .ie and has connections with the ECF The European Cyclist Federation and other International Cycling organisations. We headed off on the New Cycle way from East Wall to Portobello Rathmines. There is still some work going on before it is finished ,like fixing the Cycling Traffic lights and some Drainage work .

It was a nice leisurely Cycle ,Slow Cycling at its best in friendly company with everyone chatting away. There was all types of Cyclists from the Lycra clad to the ordinary Cyclists in normal Clothes and Dutch Bikes ,Mountain Bikes, Road Bikes,City Bikes, Families with Children.The majority of Cyclists did not wear Helmets,Le Grand majorite du Cyclists ne pas porte les casque plastique,tré bien. It was only a short spin of about 10KM or 7miles. We reached Rathmines and then turned back and stopped off at the Barge Public House and had some Coffees to relax .

Le Printemp c'est arrive á Dublin en L'Irlande

2012-02-13T03:36:00.013+00:00

Blackrock Station/Le gare Blackrock

Cycle Parking at the Station/Prochaine á le gare, velo parking

At end of Blackrock Park/Haute de le parc Blackrock

Cycleways Bike Shop on Parnell St,

Girl undoing her Bike Lock on Parnell St

O'Connell St Dublin at 5.15pm

Careful Cyclist.

Prix du essence sans plumb litre €1.59.9 prix diesel€1.55.9 tré cher Chute le voiture et achat un velo/Unleaded Petrol €1.59.9 Diesel€1. 55.9 a litre, very dear dump the Car and buy a Bicycle.

Jai achat un nouveau track pump dans le solde en Cycleways/bought a new Track Pump in Cycleways

Le cinq Lumiere á Strand du nord/The five Lamps in Nth Strand

Jai Achat le poisson en dublin et porte dans le sac bleau sur le rack baggage/ Bought Fish in Dublin and kept it on the Carrier in the blue bag

Le poisson culin pour diner./ Cod Fish for dinner

Poisson et Vegetal Grillade pour diner/ Fish and grilled Vegetables for Dinner

Parc Fairview et les 'hommes joue le match du foot semaine hebdomadaire/Fairview Park where men play Soccer every weekend.

Parc Blackrock Printemp/Blackrock Park Springtime

Handy little Allyway nice shortcut/Le passeralle haute de la Parc Blackrock

La gare Blackrock Haute de la Passeralle

Chemin du velo Blackrock/Cycleway Blackrock

Monument au 19th sicle commemore le Jubilee la regne Victoria, Ville Dunlaoghaire/ 19th Century Queen Victoria Jubilee Monument Dunlaoghaire,formerly Kingstown before Independence for 100 years then changed back to its original name.

Parc du peuple, ville Dunlaoghaire/the Peoples Park Dunlaoghaire

Atelier Velo reparation Parc du Peuple ville Dunlaoghaire/Bicycle Repairman and Seller ,Dunlaoghaire Peoples Park

Port du Pesche Bulloch, ville du Dalky/ Bulloch Harbour Dalky

Port du Pesche Bulloch ville du Dalky/ Bulloch Harbour Dalky

L'Irlande ne pas souffere le grande froid du L'Europe ,le meteo tré ambiente et calme temps 8c ou 10c per jour et 4c ou 6c per nuit. Dimanche jai voyage vers le bai du dublin sur mon velo á Dalky. In Ireland we did not suffer the terrible Cold like the rest of Europe .It was grand very mild ,temps were 8c to 10c in the Daytime and around 4c to 6c at night. I went off for a spin around Dublin Bay today Sunday to Bulloch Harbour Dalky.

Bike Radio.

2012-02-02T00:52:00.004+00:00

I have an old Bike Radio lying around that I have not used in years. It was just too awkward and annoying and kept getting bashed off the Bike. There are a few bits missing off it like the Lense and a bit of Rubber off a switch. I would say it is about 20 years old. It is quite Clunky about 20cm long or 8 inches by 10cm or 4 inches high by 10cm or 4 inches wide.I have bits and pieces of all sorts to do with bikes in the House mostly Junk .

Cycle Café Fade Street and other bits of Cycling stuff.

2012-01-30T00:27:00.000+00:00

Some Photo's of the new Cycle Café on Fade Street the first in Dublin . Run by the Rothar group who recycles Bicycles and also repairs Bikes, Rothar means Bicycle in Gaelic. .The Workshop downstairs in Cycle Café. A Vandalised Bike on Fade Street beside a Dutch Bear Bike. Two Pictures of a Postman on Merrion Road with his Postbike not many Postmen on Bikes left in Dublin now. A Dutch Babboe Bike outside the Library in Ringsend,Three Wheeler. My Dawes Audax getting its Tyres checked they were flat but not Punctured,I just hadt to pump them up. I had not used the Bike in a few Months. Two pictures of a Bike Parking ring on Mary Street Dublin,these are relatively new.

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.

2011-03-24T23:49:00.005+00:00

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.

2011-03-18T01:27:00.006+00:00

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

2011-03-15T21:03:00.005+00:00

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

2011-03-08T00:35:00.006+00:00

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.

2011-03-07T22:48:00.000+00:00

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

2011-02-15T15:32:00.013+00:00

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.

2011-02-02T17:06:00.003+00:00

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

2011-01-31T17:03:00.010+00:00

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.

2011-01-21T00:03:00.009+00:00

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.

2010-12-28T20:55:00.007+00:00

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.

2010-12-24T22:32:00.000+00:00

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.

2010-12-21T01:53:00.000+00:00

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.