Dublin Critical Mass Saint Stephens Green 6.00pm 27thAugust 2010

At the End of the Critical Mass at the Garden of Rememberence,Giving the Victory Salute of Bikes.

 Myself giving the Victory Salute .

Critical Mass coming down Dame Street.

Waiting for a few more Cyclists to turn up for C Mass At St Stephens Green.

Waiting for the Rain to stop before going on C Mass.

Ice Cream Bike Man waiting for the Rain to stop on St Stephens Green.

Spins to Howth,Problem with a Saddle.

On Sunday I took a leisurely spin out to Howth and Enroute I stopped at the Traffic Lights at Dollymount. Then when I got on the Saddle again to move off when the Lights changed to Green I fell a Lump under me. I felt around and did not seem to find anything wrong without actually getting off the Bike.

I had the strange sensation of being somewhat higher on the Bike and said that is strange. I eventually got to Howth and discovered the Saddle had Peeled back. I was just getting used to this Saddle when this happened as the Bike is only two months Old. I flipped it back and wondered if it was any use sticking it . When I had got on the Bike at the Lights back in Dollymount my Trousers Seam must have caught the Nose of the Saddle and pulled it back. I was able to Cycle around Howth and then go Home without me catching it again,I just had to be careful.

When I got Home I took the Leather Saddle I had on the Trek and put it on the Dawes and put the Bontrager Saddle back on the Trek as I will be selling this Bike Hopefully. Since I got the new Bike I have been gradually raising the Seat Stem every so often and adjusting the Saddle to make it more comfortable. This I did again when I put the Leather Saddle on so I went off on Monday to Howth again to check it out. I slapped on some Brooks Proofide Polish to Soften it up a bit more before heading off. Seems fine now and the Height of the Seat Stem is better less Strain on my Knees.

The first couple of Pictures are the Yacht School Sailing Boats heading for the Harbour as it was getting Choppy on the Sea. Next are two Pictures of the Harbour Seals. Then two Pics of the Laurence O'Toole Pipe Band one is of the Bagpipes being Tuned by an Electronic Tuner. Next two are of the broken Gel Saddle. Then Three of the Brooks B17 Champion Standard Saddle which I have for over a Year.

Tour to the Seat of the High Kings of Ireland Hill of Tara in Royal Meath14/8/2010

On Saturday We Assembled at the Wellington Monument in the Phoenix Park Dublin at 9.30am and waited for some more of the Group to turn up then headed off at around 10.00am on a Marvelous Trip to the Hill of Tara. Our Leader and Pathfinder General on the Trip was a Young Frenchman called Jeremie who is mad into Cycling and thinks nothing of going up the Wicklow Mountains on his Carbon Fibre Bike .We had our Lunch at the Tourist Restaurant and Souvenir and Clothes Shop Maguire's of Tara.

We were plagued by a Deluge of Wasps as we Dined outside on Picnic Tables and Garry and Jeremie had a mad Glint in their Eyes as they tried to dispose of them in Beer or Cider.

A group of us headed up the Hill of Tara to have a look at the Ancient site of the High Kings Palace and Tomb. The Mounds of the Palace is still there ,I surmise the Wall's were Built with Timber which has disintegrated over the Centuries. There is two Pictures of the Tomb one is the Interior. We had a Photo Shoot on top of the Hill ,that is myself in the Blue TEE shirt.

We headed off then to an Old World Pub O'Connells for a Refreshing Drink in Skreen or Skryne which means Shrine The Church was Built in 954 and contained the Relic's of St Columba or Columcille but was later Sacked a few times and is now a Ruin.

I got Road Rash and I was not even on the Bike. The Chap from the Pub took a Picture of the Group and I moved back to Bunch up and I fell off the Plastic Chair onto the Gravel Ground and Bruised my Elbow and said it was a Pity he did not get me actually falling over .

Then we headed back to Dublin to the Phoenix Park to the Wellington Monument at 5.30 pm . I had a rest in the Evening Sunshine for a Half Hour before heading Home at 6.00pm. The Weather was marvelous on the Day not to Hot Typical Irish Summer of around 20 - 22 Celsius great Cycling Weather.

The Picture's begin from the bottom up ,The first couple are when we had a rest and Rehydration stop and a Snack in the general area of Rathoath in Nth County Dublin .A picture of a Thatched House and the Cyclists Enroute to Tara.

The next twelve are at Tara. The Peculiar Pillar shaped Stone object is Lia Fáil or the Pillar of Destiny like the Stone of Scone in Scotland.Two People playing the Bowrán/ pronounced Bowrawn an Ancient Irish Musical Instrument it set the Ambience of the Place very well.

The next group are at O'Connells Pub in Skreen,That is myself in Blue enjoying a Lager,Pictures of the Group and Bikes, my Bike against the front of O'Connels.

The last two Pictures are arriving back in the Phoenix Park at 5.30pm on the main Road Chesterfield Avenue facing the Wellington Monument.

Poscript ,Distance covered there and back around 90KM or 60Miles .

overall I covered about 104 KM or 70Miles.

Sunday.I was a bit sore but not to bad,the Saddle on this New Bike is Grand no problems with it Selle Italia. It is nice and comfortable,at least my Ar*e was not Sore. I got up late and had a Brunch rather than Breakfast at 12.00am or 12.30 am. I always seem to stay up late when I do a long Ride on the Bike. I eventually went for a Relaxing Spin out to Howth on Dawes about 10 KM or 7Miles at 4.45pm. The Village of Howth was absolutely Chockers with Cars,I have never seen so many at the Fishing Port in my Life. Should all be Banned for Polluting up the Beautiful Village. They were all along the Fishing Pier in their Cars,the Rubbish was all over the Place from the Farmers Market selling Food and the Bins was overflowing at that End. The Fish Restaurants and Pubs were thriving with Tourists and Natives and there were some Motor Homes and Caravans Parked on the Piers. I eventually went Home at 6.30 pm and had Dinner with a nice Czech Lager Bliss.