This morning was a great morning to be out with the Carrick Dole gang. The Dole gang gained their title during the recession when jobs were scarce in Carrick, but whilst the name remains, most members are now gainfully employed once again. Some now work shifts whilst others work Saturdays in order to have their…
Once the ball was rolling it took less than four weeks to fit out the new shop and completely relocate our business . We had a huge amount of help from friends and family and there were some pretty long days put in . A 5am start to a 10pm finish was not unusual . Now that we are getting settled in , it's great to see the reaction of customers who have all been very positive about our new store .
When you are out on the bike you always get plenty of time to think . That is , when you're not hurtling down a steep descent at almost 100 kph when you enter what Eckhart Tolle might call ' The now ' . Yesterday as I rode up over the climb of ' The…
One of the greatest advantages to owning and running a bike shop is the opportunity to work at something that you truly love doing . Both Ray and I are very lucky to be able to get up each morning and look forward to going to work . To have your consuming passion interwoven with…
Today there was uniformity in the group as all were in agreement to fall back on the old reliable , the inspiration for the 100k route of the Sean Kelly tour , the 'Ballymac ' spin . I decided that it was time to up my own training , especially having entered for the Etape…
Yesterday afternoon we were in a local supermarket when I bumped into a friend of mine who casually enquired if I had been out for a cycle that morning . I often wonder what image non-cyclists have when they ask that question . Of course it is a conversation piece when they know that you…
Recently , a very well accomplished domestic cyclist spent a weekend in Dublin . On the Friday night he partook in a number of sociable beverages with a few esteemed acquaintances . Saturday was spent volunteering his valuable time in the service of the greater good of cycling in Ireland before he retired early after…
Lance Armstrong comes from Austin Texas . The proximity of Texas to the Mexican border means that many Texans have a good grasp of the Spanish language . Lance is no exception . Like many other celebrities when he checks into a hotel he often does so under an assumed name . I can now…
This summer has been written off to experience regarding time spent on the bike . However , now the winter is here and the chance to start afresh . I can now have a clean slate all over again and begin my training programme afresh . That's the beauty of this time of year ,…
In 1987 Stephen Roche wore the green Irish jersey and won the WorldCycling Championships . Twenty one years later his son Nicholas who has just completed a fantastic Tour of Spain will wear the green Irish Jersey at this years world championships in Varese Italy . Stephen Roche 1987 [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uCgkpVdt4U] Nicholas Roche 2008 [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaV7wbynAC8] Barry…
Have you ever heard a song on the radio and immediately been reminded of being in another place at another time . It happened to me yesterday in the shop . As I was fitting a new rear gear cable into a Pinarello prince Alanis Morrisette came on the radio proclaiming that she had one…
Today is the first of September . I'm looking out the window at a clear blue sky and the shadow of a beech tree being cast upon the ground by some glorious sunshine . Someone once said that the first two weeks in September is the best time to book your holidays as it is…
When you work in a bike shop no two days are ever the same . Different people and different bikes are in and out every day . Also because it's our own business there's everything else that goes along with being self employed , accounts , orders , marketing etc. Whilst I'm not one for…
Have you ever watched one of those carlsberg ads on T.V. and wondered what it would be like if 'carlsberg did cycling ' . I have and here's what I've come up with ; You are awoken from a peace full nights very comfortable slumber by a member of the Brazilian national ladies cycling team…
Yesterday afternoon whilst recovering from another fantastic spin off road we were having lunch when a blast from the past appeared before us . Both Ray and myself had to do a double take when Shane O'Meara formerly of The Shannon Transport club in Limerick appeared before us . We had all raced together up…
Yet another tour and yet another doping scandal is in the pipeline . The words 'cycling' and 'drugs' have of recent years become almost one to the general public . However there is a much bigger picture which most are slow to acknowledge or even give the time to think about . An example of…
My boss from my first job after leaving school was in the shop recently and whilst we were chatting I was reminded of something he told me shortly after I began working with him . One day I was in his office and he asked me if I knew why I got the job over…
Day two thousand one hundred and fifty nine . 9.17 am : Housemates Ray and Barry arrive for work and to open the big brother house (shop) for Business at 9.30 am . 9.31 am : First customer of the day enters the showroom and makes his way towards the counter . Customer…
The knock or the bonk or whatever you wish to call it is something almost every cyclist experiences at some stage or other . And whilst Knock may be a place of pilgrimage for many Irish people 'the knock' is another form of pennance altogether . The most common location around us to view someone…
One of the most important ways to keep your bike running smoothly is to wash it often . It will save both money and frustration as it will improve chain wear and show up most minor problems before they develop into major ones . Here's how to do it properly ! What you will need :…
