My Mam lives about 16km away and I usually use a combination of a DART and a bus to visit her. If I time it right it takes an hour, but it can take 20~30 minutes more if I miss connections. A combination of my Android phone, a Dublin Bus app, a DART app and the bus stop arrival signs usually keep me on track.
But yesterday I had a mad idea – I’d cycle!
I used to cycle a lot, but I also used to be fitter and a stone and a half lighter!
Still, undeterred by the mere detail of lack of practice I went ahead.
I picked a route that made the trip a little longer, 19km, as I wanted to go over the Samuel Beckett Bridge and join the new Canal Cycleway. Knowing that I had to come back on my bike (I forgot that bikes can be taken on board a DART off-peak) I didn’t push myself too much.
After 7km I was finding it a bit tough! After 10km I got into a rhythm. After 13km I was climbing again. By the time I reached my Mam’s all I could think of was a glass of water. But I did it and I felt good.
It was a bit mad though, especially considering the most I’ve cycled recently has been no more than 30 minutes and this trip took over an hour. Notice I measure cycling effort by time on the saddle and not distance as after “too long” on a bike my arms and my backside start to feel it. It’s only later that my legs start giving out.
The return journey was fine until I crossed the Liffey. Then everything started to feel sore and I wanted the journey to be over. Seeing the Wooden Bridge I realised I was near Restaurant 1014 and I decided I needed fuel. A 20 min stop for a scone and a coffee and I was able to finish what I started.
I was surprised by how much I missed cycling around Dublin. There are a lot more cycling lanes these days but many are useless because cars can park on them, there are plenty of pot-holes to give a lively cycling experience and there still are drivers who don’t want to share the road with anything on two wheels. But it was great fun.
The cobbles on Grand Canal Quay weren’t fun, certainly not on the way back. This is where you follow the Canal Cycleway from Clanwilliam Place, left along Lower Grand Canal Street followed by a quick right taking you bouncing along Grand Canal Quay and on to Sir John Rogerson’s Quay close to the Samuel Beckett Bridge.
I love cobbled streets but I admit I could have done without them at 30km.
The last 7km was the toughest. The wind was against me (or so I thought) the road was uphill, and I was really feeling it. So to keep going I started signing a silly cycling song that kept my spirits up – the sort of thing Winnie-the-Pooh might do if felt like sing the Cycling Blues…
I’m a cycling man
I’m a cycling man
Tyres are pumped
Chain is smooth
I’m a cycling manI’m a cycling man
I’m a cycling man
Road is flat
Sky is blue
I’m a cycling manI’m a cycling man
I’m a cycling man
Through the docks
Then over Sam
I’m a cycling manI’m a cycling man
I’m a cycling man
Cycle lane
What cycle lane?
I’m a cycling manI’m a cycling man
I’m a cycling man
Don’t step out
Watch the door
I’m a cycling manI’m a cycling man
I’m a cycling man
Sore backside
Shaking arms
I’m a cycling manI’m a cycling man
I’m a cycling man
Rubber legs
Pot-hole again
I’m a cycling manI’m a cycling man
I’m a cycling man
That feckin’ wind
The bloody climb
I’m a cycling man
