Dublin City Lunch Time Bike Ride

instinct

Apologies if this was already posted but it looks like it could be some buzz.

http://www.dublincitycycling.ie/blog/index.php/2011/06/lunchtime-bike-ride/

Chips Lovell

They've done this a few times (but I'm not sure if there was one last year). They used to do it in the evenings and I think one year it was on Sunday morning.

Undercover Elephant

There are prizes for best dressed cyclists, so don't forget your helmets.

And if anyone finds a way of having lunch in Ely for a tenner, do let us know.

check_six

The last section of this spin includes a section over cobbles (Grand Canal Quay)for the Paris-Roubaix fans amongst you.

I predict a bunch sprint finish, who's volunteering for my leadout train...?

(On a more serious note, I did sign up for this, there have been promises of free things in a bag!)

Lumen

Undercover Elephant wrote: »

And if anyone finds a way of having lunch in Ely for a tenner, do let us know.

They used to do soup and a sang'ich for a tenner. Haven't been in recently.

coolbeans

Undercover Elephant wrote: »

There are prizes for best dressed cyclists, so don't forget your helmets.

Helmets are in no way chic. I'd be leaving mine behind

Undercover Elephant

coolbeans wrote: »

Helmets are in no way chic.

Don't be a fool, it's not un-cool!

This post has been brought to you by Acquired Brain Injury Ireland - using questionable marketing strategies since 2008.

christeb

I'll be here on the yellow bike in a "The Flash" costume. Can they give me 2 prizes?

manwithaplan

Is the idea that I cycle slowly around town for half an hour during my lunch break tomorrow?
Will I be making a point?
What is it?
Is it that riding a bike is a normal thing to do?
Does this sort of thing not make it seem otherwise?

daragh_

I'm going down because they said there would be free stuff.
If there isn't I'll be straight on here to gripe.

Will there be a podium?

manwithaplan

daragh_ wrote: »

Will there be a podium?

Can't resist the urge to dance?

daragh_

manwithaplan wrote: »

Can't resist the urge to dance?

I'm just high on life....

Undercover Elephant

manwithaplan wrote: »

Is the idea that I cycle slowly around town for half an hour during my lunch break tomorrow?
Will I be making a point?
What is it?
Is it that riding a bike is a normal thing to do?
Does this sort of thing not make it seem otherwise?

Oh, it gets better:

SUN, RAIN OR SNOW...LETS GO!!

Congratulations! You are one of the lucky first 500 people to register for Bike to Work Day’s leisurely lunchtime cycle TOMORROW, Wednesday 22nd June.

You will need to bring this e-mail with you to collect your goodie bag filled with lots of treats. Goodie bags can be collected from the Collection Point stall after the cycle. And that’s not all; everyone who pre-registered will also be in with a chance to win an Apple iPad2.

Cyclists are asked to gather in Grand Canal Square, Dublin Docklands at 12.30pmfor a 1.00pm start. This leisurely lunchtime cycle through the streets of Dublin will take in the Samuel Beckett Bridge, City Quay, Merrion Square, The Pepper Canister Church and part of the new Premium Cycle Route along the Grand Canal.

This leisurely lunchtime cycle will conclude in Grand Canal Square with market stalls selling food so participants can grab a quick bite before returning to work. In addition to the food stalls, the fun atmosphere will feature the announcement of the winners of various prizes by 98FM, including best dressed competitions, and best company prize.

It is important that you prepare accordingly for the event. We recommend that you wear sunscreen and/or a hat if it is sunny and bring proper waterproof clothing if it is raining. It is also important to keep hydrated so please bring along a bottle of water. Remember no sharp items in accompanying rucksacks and bags.

There will be stewards at different points of the cycle so please ask for help should you need it.

Happy and safe cycling.

Best regards

The Bike to Work team
Dublin City Council

www.DublinCityCycling.ie

Yeah, the bag of free stuff is starting to look a bit less appealing.

On the bright side, maybe someone will explain as we go over the Samuel Beckett Bridge what the living bejesus the planners were thinking.

manwithaplan

This is supposed to make cycling attractive? 30 minutes on a bike and they give the impression that you have to prepare as if you were launching an assault on the north face of the Eiger.

I am off home now on my bike. I may be some time.

tomasrojo

manwithaplan wrote: »

This is supposed to make cycling attractive? 30 minutes on a bike and they give the impression that you have to prepare as if you were launching an assault on the north face of the Eiger.

I am off home now on my bike. I may be some time.

I didn't quite see what the complaint about the email was, but I see it now. It's well-meant, but it really does make it look as if you need a lot of preparation before cycling, and are in constant danger of dehydration.

Peterx

hard to please you lot, i can only imagine the angst if they had dared to mention head protection other than sunscreen or a hat.
Dublin bikes are making cycling attractive, this is a well meaning bit of fluff that will give someone an ipad, not too shabby at all.

whatcanIsay

I hear there is a bike flash mob at Walkinstown roundabout this Weds (22nd) at 11am. That should be something. Have a look at Psyclown Round on Facebook

Lumen

whatcanIsay wrote: »

I hear there is a bike flash mob at Walkinstown roundabout this Weds (22nd) at 11am. That should be something. Have a look at Psyclown Round on Facebook

Yeah, I think you mentioned that already. About 13 times.

Undercover Elephant

Peterx wrote: »

hard to please you lot, i can only imagine the angst if they had dared to mention head protection other than sunscreen or a hat.
Dublin bikes are making cycling attractive, this is a well meaning bit of fluff that will give someone an ipad, not too shabby at all.

Sure. It might be a bit of craic. But it was never clear how it was supposed to promote cycling, except possibly by just the show of numbers. And when they start this nonsense about preparation, it seems more counterproductive than productive. I have the same problem with the ludicrous approved accessory list for BTW.

It isn't DCC's job to provide entertainment, that is secondary. I don't doubt their bona fides, but wanting to promote cycling is not the same thing as actually promoting cycling.

blorg

Fail to plan, plan to fail. It would be foolhardy to underestimate the preparation required for a 30 minute spin around Dublin city. Sunburn, frostbite, hypothermia, anything is possible. A properly prepared cyclist is a happy cyclist that will enjoy the experience and may do it again. One waiting in A&E for ten hours to have half their fingers and toes amputated, not so likely. Don't forget your lights!

tomasrojo

To be fair, I half-expected them not to allow people to participate if they weren't wearing high-visibility vest, so it could be worse. I seem to remember other public rides having this condition, and the attendants forcing a vest on you if you didn't arrive with one.

whatcanIsay

Lumen wrote: »

Yeah, I think you mentioned that already. About 13 times.

you're a funny guy Lumen !

Yakuza

blorg wrote: »

Fail to plan, plan to fail. It would be foolhardy to underestimate the preparation required for a 30 minute spin around Dublin city. Sunburn, frostbite, hypothermia, anything is possible. A properly prepared cyclist is a happy cyclist that will enjoy the experience and may do it again. One waiting in A&E for ten hours to have half their fingers and toes amputated, not so likely. Don't forget your lights!

ROFL - well said!

It really is a shame that they have to even mention this stuff in case what...it rains and someone gets a cold and sues because "no one told me to bring a raingear, so SOMEONE MUST PAY, damnit". What kind of people have we become? Bloody Health and Safety PC bull5h1t gone too far, IMHO.

Vélo

Well that's my 1st sportive out of the way this year.

Happy enough witht the time, 30mins for approx 6 km's. I think it's a new record for me.


Joking aside, it was ok. I just did it for something different to do at lunchtime. I had a pizza for €6 at the end along with a free can of orange.

The goodie bag consisted of a hi-viz jacket (Surprise Surprise), an Elevenses Bar and a water bottle, maybe I'll win the Apple IPad2.

Inroduced myself to Christeb and his banana bike.

daragh_

Was good craic if a little damp.

Tried to get a group together for the final sprint but there were no takers.

Irate woman on Westland Row shouting about red lights to several hundred cyclists with a garda escort was the highlight for me.

No food stops or commemorative jersey/medal sadly.

whatcanIsay

went along to the Flash mob event at Walkinstown roundabout. about 70 there, mainly school children. started to rain just before the start but spirits were high and it was a good laugh. All with painted faces and red noses. Gardai closed the roundabout to traffic for about 3 mins so it was like a reclaim the streets event.
Goodie bags included frisbees ! Well done to South Dublin Co. Co. on this one.

Peterx

T'was Good craic, always nice to cycle around the city with hundreds of fellow cyclists.
Westland Row lady was giving it loads alright.

fenris

I thought that the nice lady was just cheering us on and appreciating the tinkle of the bells

Tenshot

I enjoyed this - good crowd, good buzz, what else are you going to be doing at lunchtime anyway?

I don't know how many bikes turned up, but seemed like there was little difficulty filling Grand Canal Square.

The ride itself was fine, not a bad route. 'Twas my first chance to try out the new cycleways along Grand Canal, will be a good addition when they're finished.

As for the goodie bag, the bag itself is probably what I'll be hanging onto - it's a decent size and handy for bringing a few bits and pieces with me on the bike.

rachel

Tenshot wrote: »

I enjoyed this - good crowd, good buzz, what else are you going to be doing at lunchtime anyway?

I agree, it beat sitting at my desk for lunch. It was nice to get out with a big group and it seemed well organised, nice to be the reason for a garda escort (in a postive way) for once.
Weather held up ok as well, apart from the hail at the very start!

jaqian

Great craic even if it was nearly a wash out. Some photos...

etak

Good pics. Just reminded me how wet it got! Really enjoyed the cycle though. First time to do something like this and I'll certainly do it again despite the rain. Thought the goodie bag wasn't bad, really appreciate the hi-vis ruck sack cover, non plused about the rest, bag itself useful.

jaqian

Unfortunately I didn't register it was more a last minute thing. Would defo go again. Did anyone else hear the muppet outrside Pearse station shouting because we went through a red light? Some journo in front of me gave him short shrift