The Mid-Road Dress-Upper

(Bag) on the road

Why bother dressing up at home when you can do it on Dublin's main roads? All you need is to through your bag on the road.

The photo was taken on 17 April 2013. Leeson Street/Grand Canal. And there's a slightly different version:

Still looking for it...

The IFI Cyclist

Let's go to the movie

A cyclist doesn't have to say goodbye too his/her bike when s/he goes to a film. Some take their bicycle with them.

Took the photo on the 4th of May 2013 in the Irish Film Institute at Temple Bar.

The Newsreader

I read the news today oh boy

Cycling is fun, but some people complain it leaves them no time to do other activities, like reading. The short answer is that one can compensate the lost reading time by the time saved on commuting. Moreover, one car read a newspaper while on bike...

The guy might look busy for a long time, but in fact he holds an issue of Metro Herald he had got two metres from there. And don't forget, the people who give Metro also love cycling. A win-win situation.

I took the photo on the 15th of March 2013 on the junction of Leeson Street and the Grand Canal cycle route. There's a slightly different version of the very same occasion:

Cycle, read & recycle

The Cyclist Wannabe (2)

Buggies got FOUR wheels so they ain't BIcycles

We've already discussed how the Grand Canal cycle route is being used by road users other than cyclists (for example skateboarders). There are also plenty of joggers and other jokers without wheels at all who block the bicycle track. As you can see there are many other wheelers who don't fall into the cyclist category, yet use the cycle track, for instance parents who push a buggy.

However, it is hard to blame the poor young mother for risking her toddler or obstructing the bicycle traffic. The alternative route to the one she chose is to walk up and down a few steps and push the buggy along a rough narrow surface.  It's barely a pedestrian-friendly option and it's certainly hostile towards people with a buggy or on a wheelchair. In other words, the council didn't leave her a wheel-friendly choice, as you can see from the photo below:

Pavement is merely a few steps which lead to rough path

It's great the council improves the cycling infrastructure, but so long as pedestrians aren't taken into account, it's not a sustainable solution. Compare the pedestrian path above to the cycle path next to it:

Wide well-paved cycle track

I took the photo of the cyclists and the aspiring cyclist next to them (and the other two photos as well) on the 4th of April 2013 near Baggot Street.

Young Woody Allen On Bike

Young Woody Allen cycling in Dublin?

You might be familiar with the German term Doppelgänger or the double of a living person. Some say I look a lot like a Swedish rock star, but this post isn't about your faithful cyclist, but rather about the legendary comedian and filmmaker, Woody Allen. Cycling to work (in Dublin) the other day I found myself looking at Woody Allen riding a bike. I knew something ain't right in this mirage, for although it was 2013, this cyclist looked a lot like Woody Allen in the early 1970s. As thoughts unfolded in my head, I realised there are no time machines and it isn't NYC, so it can't be Woody. But who knows... :)

To understand how similar they look, have a check out this hilarious Subway scene from Allen's movie Bananas (1971. Featuring young Sylvester Stallone as one of the two thugs):

Alternatively, watch the following interview:

I took the picture along the Grand Canal on April 18th 2013. About a week later, on the 24th, I saw the same guy nearby again. After a closer examination, I ruled out the Woody Allen option. I guess they look the same only from a certain angle. Good enough for me...

Not so Woody Allen after all

The Hare Krishna Cyclist

Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna

As I was eating a very affordable and tasty meal in Govinda, a cyclist came in with his folding bike. He also had a darbouka (goblet drum) for chanting and dancing happy Hare Krishna songs. He seemed to be a regular customer (after all, it is a Hare Krishna venue). Thumb up for yet another business supporting cycling in Dublin :)

I took the picture on 20 April 2013 in Govinda, Abbey Street.

The Bray Beach Sitter

The Beach Boys

Cycling is not permitted on the promenade at Bray. Nevertheless, there are no restrictions on sitting there next to one's bike and look at the Irish Sea.

I shot the photo on 27 April 2013 at Bray beach, Co Wicklow (to the south of Dublin). For cyclists at the seaside in Howth (north of Dublin) see this cyclist.

The Wellington Archer

A cyclist at Wellington Arch

In Hyde Park Corner, London, not far from Buckingham Palace, stands a triumphal arch called Wellington Arch. As you can see, it's popular amongst cyclists. Its proximity to the royal palace determines that cyclists aren't the only riders around, but also many horseback riders use the very same infrastructure (All the King's Horses and all that). As a result, the traffic lights in this area are dedicated to both bicycle and horse riders, as you can see in the photo below:

Green light for bicycle and horse riders only

Additionally, quite high on the pole, there is a button for people to indicate they want to cross the road. It's hard to reach though. Normally, they place this type of buttons much lower, however, this isn't a standard button. As you can see it's meant for equestrians...

This horsey button is pretty high

No doubt London is a great place to visit. And it's wonderful for cycling too. Ask the Boris Bikers or the Tower Bridger. You can even leave your bicycle unattended (it's not recommended though). With this outstanding cycling repertoire, are you surprised some cyclists in Dublin try to look like the royal British guard? :)

I took all the pictures above on 6 December 2012.

The Shoe Coverer

Who needs Gore-Tex?

Cyclists in Dublin don't really know what does an outbreak of rain mean, for it never really stops raining. Just kidding. Nonetheless it rains in Dublin quite often, so most cyclists opt for a showerproof gear, which includes Gore-Tex or a similar solution to keep their feet dry. The guy above, however, solved the watery conundrum with two plastic bags, each covers a shoe. The raindrops certainly have a hard time making his shoes wet, but sweat can't evaporate either thus this solution stinks. Literally.

I took the picture on 25 April 2013 in Rathfarnham.

The Seaside Cyclist

Into the sea, you and me

Sadly (or not), about 70 per cent of our earth is covered by water, thus cyclists cannot use it (unless you reckon that Pedalo is the bicycle equivalent on water). Nevertheless, some cyclists still try to get as close as possible.

I took the picture on 28 May 2012 on the pier at Howth harbour. I shot two more photos when he reached the edge of the pier:

Blue, red & yellow

Ireland's EyePhone

The Music Lover

Cycling and all that jazz

With a guitar on his back and headphones on his head, this guy does not miss a minute of minuet or at least cycling to the beat.

I took the picture on January 7th 2013 on Wexford Street. It's just down the road from The Rainbow Cyclist and if you look carefully you will see a rainbow in this photograph too.

The Trafic Blocker

Don't mind cars

It's fascinating to see how one person on Dublin Bike can force a driver manoeuvre around him. Most drivers are skillful enough to do so, but I wouldn't want to be in this guy's place if a lorry was to take the same turn.

A moment later, the very same lad progressed a bit, still on red light, just in case a cyclist coming from Ranelagh would like to be obstructed. And why to go through all these troubles you ask? The answer lies in the docking station on the left...

Took the pictures along the Grand Canal cycle route on 23 April 2013.

Don't mind other cyclists either

The Traveller

Four-wheeled bicycle

As I was cycling down Terenure Road East, I saw this guy towing a huge trolley bag. I wondered whether he was on his way to Dublin Airport in the cheapest way possible.

It must have been some sort of a joke since I took the picture on April 1st 2013. In any case, I'm not quite sure he did actually drag this suitcase for himself. In the following photohraph you can see he was accompanied by his other half. It seems as if he helped her to carry the heavy bag in an unorthodox way.

Excess baggage

The Flower Girl

Cycling is a bunch of flowers

Non-cyclists sometimes refer to cyclists as a bunch of stinky people who come in to office sweaty and smelly. I have personally known some motorists and bus commuters who smell like rubbish as well, but that's not the point. The point is that one can definitely not say that about the cyclist above. She smelled like flowers :)

I was unlocking my bike in Rathmines when I noticed this woman cycling southbound while holding a big bouquet of flowers. She passed me and I was disappointed for I didn't manage to take a picture. I was happy to discover she was cycling very slowly when I caught up with her and cycled behind her up Rathgar Road. I then took a few more pictures (this one and that one). It was 25 March 2013.

Special delivery

Flowers & bicycle

The On-Line Stopper

I cycle the line

Considering the usual position cyclists choose to halt (see the cyclist on the left for example), stopping just on the pedestrian crossing line ain't that bad. He should have stopped on the line two or three metres behind though. This position might feel a little bit intimidating for the pedestrians.

I guess Johnny Cash could have written a song about this.

I took the picture in Richmond Street on 7 January 2013.

The Slovak Tricyclist

Reliant Regal Bicycle

For people who are afraid of two-wheeled rides, someone came up with the tricycle. It's pretty much like a bicycle, but it curbs manoeuvrability in favour of stability. A fair-trade off for some, unthinkable for others. Personally, I recognise the benefits, but I wouldn't use one myself.

I came across these two chatty girls in Namestovo, a small town in Northern Slovakia on 3 September 2012.

The Pink Bag Man

Don't give a damn what you think

It's not unusual to spot a lady cyclist with a pink bag in Dublin. However, when a guy cyclist has got one, as Tim Vine puts it, Alarm Bells... :) Or perhaps he is some sort of a clown, eg, take a look at his unevenly rolled trousers.

Or more likely,  this guy is a devoted father and cyclist from a well-wheeled family. He accompanied his daughter, who rides a scooter to school. Mystery solved.

I took the picture on 31 January 2013 on the canal cycle path.

The Painting Holder

L'art pour l'art

As I was waiting for a friend in Donnybrook I suddenly noticed a guy cycling along the N11, holding a framed painting in his hand. Then he crossed the road and continued cycling on the pavement. It is neither safe nor benevolent towards pedestrians, but an artist must do what an artist must do, art for art's sake.

I shot the photo on 5 April 2013 next to the entrance of Donnybrook Fair. Unfortunately, I was too slow and caught only the backside of the frame. It looked more impressive from the other side...

The Family Connector

Two cyclists, three wheels

In order to be a cyclist, one doesn't have to ride a bicycle. Half a bike and relative with the right equipment who's willing to tow you is all you need, as this young fellow demonstrates.

I was asked whether the adult in the photo is the former Irish footballer Liam Brady. Frankly, I have no idea. Is it him?

I took the picture on 12 May 2012 on Charlemont Street near Ranelagh.

The Coverer

Did you really need the car today?

Need to carry sensitive materials on your bike? No problem, cover your basket and your secret is safe. It's that easy.

On a different subject, how do you like her HiViz vest? It reads: "Did you need the car today"? Although some cynical motorist would repond positively, obviously the right answer is "no". Brilliant.

I shot the photo on 11 February 2013 on Grand Canal Street. As I tend to do in many occasions, I took another picture, this time focusing on the basket:

Don't judge a basket by its cover

The Tall-Booter

Cowgirl On Bike

The rain is lashing and puddles are everywhere? It's still not a good enough reason to give up cycling for the day. Long boots would do the trick and you don't even have to roll up the trousers.

The photo was shot in Grand Canal Street on 7 March 2013.

The Plastic Bag Sitter

Don't like me saddle gets dirty

It wasn't the first time I came across a cyclist who sits on a plastic bag rather than a proper saddle. After all, bicycles are a cheap mean of transport, so why spend money on replacing a part that is prone to get damaged or stolen soon after?

However, the previous ones matched the plastic bag on the seat to their clothes (or vice versa), either a white shirt or blue socks. This guy wasn't as fashionable as them.

I shot the photo on 27 July 2012 on Heytesbury Street, off South Circular Road.

The Chameleon

CC - Chameleon Cyclist

The chameleon is one of my favourite animals. I like the way it changes colour in order to camouflage (if you're looking for a great comedy film on this topic, I highly recommend Zelig by Woody Allen).

One day I saw the guy above, waiting for the green light on N11 while texting. Suddenly the Aircoach appeared and I almost could see the cyclist anymore. I was impressed how he blended in. I'm not quite sure, he might have even changed hue for that.

I shot the photo on the 5th of April 2013 just outside Donnybrook Fair. Note that he used his mobile on red light, so he wasn't at great risk, yet I would have got off the main road if I were him.

The Electric Biker

Half cyclist/half motorist

I haven't made up my mind about electric bikes. On one hand it feels like cheating, for the bicycle is not purely operated by muscle power. On the other hand there are still pedals and the cyclists does contribute to the journey. I even tried two models and couldn't decide whether I like it (really appreciated the effortless cycling uphill in mountainous Slovakia in a warm summer day) or not (it felt like fooling no one but my own lazy body. Sporting, it was not).

Let's remain inclusive and consider the few Dubliners on electric bicycles, like the the lady above, genuine cyclists. It does, after all, occupy far less space than the average car.

I took the picture on 15 February 2013 on the Grand Canal cycle path.

The Followers

We're coming dad

Good parents accompany their children on the way to school. Parents that are even better do it on bicycle. The kids do some physical activity before school, which helps them concentrate in class (a link about the link between physical activity and concentration). In addition, in an ever chubbier nation, every little activity helps.

I shot the photo on 7 February on Leinster Road in Harold's Cross. I've seen these lovely family quite often on this route. Well done.

The Rubbish Carrier

This baby is rubbish!

The authorities in Copenhagen installed trash bins that had been specifically designed with cyclists in mind (see one of the photos in Copenhagenize). In Dublin, however, we are not there yet, thus cyclists need to carry their rubbish with them all along.

The photo was shot on the 15th of March 2013 along the Grand Canal. And another photo from a slightly wider angle:

Newspapers are rubbish

The Trouser-Roller

Roll up

One of the down sides of cycling, at least in the eyes of some people, is that the greasy chain can make the trousers dirty. It's probably not a big deal when one wears a special cycling gear, but may have disastrous consequences for the common urban commuters.

On the face of it, it sounds like a valid reason to prefer other means of transport. However, as the cyclist above shows, it is merely an excuse and one can easily roll up the trouser legs. When there's a will, there's a way to cycle.

I took the picture on 31 January 2013 on the Canal cycle path. And there's one more photo:

When there's a will there's a way

The Men Lover

I like men

What could we say about this cyclist? She's obviously into men and not afraid to show it (not that there's anything wrong with that) :)

I came across her along the canal cycle path off Charlemont Street on 21 February 2013. And there's another zoomed out version:

Waiting

The Superman On Bike

What was a man with a cape doin' with my father?

Dublin can get very blustery from time to time. The wind can turn every showerproof jacket into a superhero cape. While I was waiting for green light I imagined this cyclist fighting all the villain motorists out there... :)

I shot the photo above on 21 March 2013 in Rathmines.

The Pedestrian Disturber

Get out of MY way!

Cynical motorists would say that it's a shame how 99% of the cyclists give the rest a bad name. True, not all the cyclists in Dublin are law-abiding citizens (amusingly enough, Dublin's motto in Latin is "Obedientia Civium Urbis Felicitas" or in English: "The citizens' obedience is the city's happiness". Think about it the next time you hang around). Yet, the situation ain't that bad and it's not limited to cyclists (jaywalking and bad driving are the norm). And it can always get much worse. :)

Sometimes, however, I come across cyclists that the only relief I have seeing them cycling is that they could have been even more harmful behind the steering wheel of a car. Take for example the girl in the blurry photo above. She had overtaken me by breaking the red light in three traffic lights before the picture was taken, just for me to pass her again a hundred yard down the road. Eventually she stopped at the red light, blocking oncoming cyclists (like the arrow-misreader or even closer to the racers). I took out the camera and was ready to shoot when the light changed. As you can easily see she turned right, cutting off pedestrians who crossed while they had green.

How rude. This is certainly not the right way to win the hearts of other road users. I guess she just didn't care.

I took the picture on 23 January along the canal path.

The Queuers

To infinity and beyond

One evening, as I was cycling along the Grand Canal, I came to turn left towards Harold's Cross when I noticed ten (10!) people on bike queueing, waiting for the red light to change. There were two more cyclists behind the woman in purple that aren't visible in this picture so it adds up to 12 or 13 cyclists including your humble cyclist.

A few years ago such a wonderful view would have been virtually unseen in Dublin. Nowadays it's a commonplace.

As you can see from the photograph, so many people can fit into such a narrow space when on bike. Conversely, as an average automobile carries about 1.5 persons, try to imagine how would it look like if all these cyclists were to use a car instead...

Feel free to send a link to this post the next time you hear a driver complaining about cyclists who supposedly get into their way...

I took the picture on Robert Emmet Bridge on the 19th of March 2013. I took another one, just in case:

Cyclist X 10

The Metro Cyclist

Paper boy

I'm not a big fan of the Metro Herald newspaper. Frankly, It's rubbish (luckily a recyclable rubbish, even though, sadly, it's not always being recycled by its readers). Nonetheless, I admire the brave guys who give out this paper. They stand there, always with a smile, rain or shine (or more recently, snow), daylight or darkness, trying desperately to push the paper to whoever happens to pass by. Marketing in its most crude form. And above all, I spot many of them cycling to/from work. Well done!

I took the picture on Barrow Street on the 18th of February 2013.