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...
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:
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:
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:
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...
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.
