Critical Mass Dublin - Halloween Cycle

Halloween edition of Critical Mass in Dublin

On the last Friday of the month, cyclists come together in cities all over the world to take part in Critical Mass where they cycle in a group for safety and to raise awareness of cyclists.

For the Halloween edition of Dublin Critical Mass, many participants dressed up in costume or lit up their bikes.

I wore an illuminous skull mask along with my helmet.

The picture above shows me waiting to join the cyclists at Stephens Green.  The event starts at Parnell Square on the Northside and continues over to the South Side and then swings in to the city centre.  From Parnell Square it goes down the newly traffic free Capel Street.  But for me, it is most convenient to join at Stephens Green after getting the train to Pearce Street after work,

You can check out a video on twitter here that shows all the great costumes - love the Tennenbaum family!!

Let me know if you are interested in joining the next cycle in November or even the one in December which will probably be Christmas themed.........I need to start planning a costume for that one very soon - or at the very least get some lights to string around my bike!

You can get full information about Critical Mass Dublin here on I Bike Dublin

Wow weather in Ireland!

We've had the most beautiful weather for the past few days here in Dublin. It's been so good that I have been getting out and about lots on my bike.  

Friday

On Friday, I went in to the city after work and hooked up with the "I Bike" Crowd who had organised a critical mass cycle through Dublin. I joined up with them at Stephens Green apposite the MOLI Museum of Irish Literature and it was exhilarating to cycle around town in a group with music blaring and bells and whistles making a lot of noise. There was great interest from people as we passed by with lots of them cheering and waving at us.

Saturday

Then on Saturday, it was another cycle. This was part of an expedition over to the other side of the city for Ciaran to drop a van back to a friend. He had a loan of the van but needed to return it on Saturday as on pretty much a whim he decided to travel to Malaga to meet up with a friend who was there. So we drove to the my parents house and visited with them for a little bit and then travelled on to return the van. We had out foldup bikes in the back of the vehicle so we took them out and then cycled to Coolmine Train Station. We got on the train which then took us to Connolly Station and from there we headed towards Ranelagh but stopped off on Baggot Street and got coffees in Insomnia which we then brought over to a little park (Wilton Park?) on the other side of the canal where we sat and chatted in the sun. Then it was back on the bike and a quick cycle home to start getting ready for a big dinner event later that evening. 

Sunday

We lost an hour due to daylights saving this weekend, so when Ciaran got up to go to the airport it was 7am rather than the 8am it was saying on the clock. He took the blue Aircoach to the airport just before 9am and after saying goodbye at the bus stop I went for a walk around Ranelagh doing my usual Sunday morning litter pick!

Dublin Airport turned out to be an absolute nightmare. After giving himself nearly 3 hours before his flight, Ciaran made it to the plane with minutes to spare. Other passengers were not so lucky with the plane taking off half empty with security delays causing lots of people to miss flights. Staff shortages caused hours long queues just to get in to security and then in security there were only a few lanes open which caused even further delays, He said it was mayhem and looking on twitter it looked terrible with anxious people queuing for hours and then going on to miss their flight.  If you are travelling in the next few weeks, the delays are forecast to continue to get to the airport extra early with plenty of time to spare!!

Mother's Day

And then on Sunday I was back on the bike again and cycled back in to to town and got on the train at Connolly Station. I got off at Ashtown and cycled the short ride up to my parents house (with flowers, chocolates and a small gift in my bike bag). The weather was incredible and my mother and I just sat in the front garden and took in the sun for two hours or so. To get home after my visit I took the train to Broombridge where I got off and then took the Luas to Ranelagh and from there is was a stop off in Tesco and then another quick cycle home.

When I got home I sat out in the garden with Bones keeping me company while I read "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

Loving my bike!

So after all that cycling I can tell you that I am loving my bike and it makes me so happy when I am cycling around - particularly when the weather is fine. But here's something that made me really happy. As I was cycling up through Ranelagh after getting off the Luas, a guy approached me and as he got closer I checked his bike out which was a bright orange Brompton. At the same time he looked my bike over (it's a basic black Brompton). After checking each other's bike out we then looked up at each other and he gave me the biggest friendly smile and nod and I gave him a big smile too. So much fun! I wish I had given a big wave too....but I didn't really have time.

I always enjoyed when I used to drive my Smart, giving a wave to other Smart drivers and now I love doing the same to other fellow Brompton cyclists!