tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950281679163772560.post2668781758825013266..comments2023-09-17T04:29:59.752-07:00Comments on mikespokes: Finally, a three speed in IrelandMikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03825454524437359677noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950281679163772560.post-33125159752072473322012-05-21T10:29:39.810-07:002012-05-21T10:29:39.810-07:00I don't think Mike's expectations were all...I don't think Mike's expectations were all that unreasonable. There are loads and loads of vintage English 3-speeds on the roads in Boston after all; I too thought that in Ireland there would be even more.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950281679163772560.post-57414380868778332992012-05-15T08:37:49.656-07:002012-05-15T08:37:49.656-07:00Good points, Malachi. We had less time in Belfast...Good points, Malachi. We had less time in Belfast proper this visit than most, and it was bucketing throughout that time. You're completely right about my off-base expectations -- which were mostly in jest, but still. I suppose I thought I'd see more bikes left over from the 70s and 80s, which you do in the States. One commenter from England reminded me that your weather probably does claim more vintage frames as victims than ours. Could be, I suppose. Maybe what's odd isn't the lack of 40-year-old bikes in Ireland, but the prevalence of them in California.<br /><br />As for the Antrim Coast, before I return, I'll impose on you for a point in the direction of the flat bits. And yes, the whole time I was in Katesbridge and the like in Down all I could think of was how perfect it would be for cycling. <br /><br />Next time! Thanks so much for visiting and commenting.Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03825454524437359677noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950281679163772560.post-63778849954354349642012-05-15T06:44:39.579-07:002012-05-15T06:44:39.579-07:00I think you're right to observe that there is ...I think you're right to observe that there is little cycling on the country roads, though I think the drumlins of county Down make lovely biking territory. However you would see hundreds of commuter cyclists in belfast, most of them on little hybrid bikes with big tyres that would be unsuitable for touring. You would also see a lot of leisure cyclists on the greenways and towpaths and along the flat section of the Antrim Coast, between Larne and Cushendun. But why would you expect us to be out on antique bikes dressed in tweeds?<br />many employees here get bicycles half price through tax releif to encourage them to cycle to work so there have been a huge growth in this in the city.Adminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05199966355165414581noreply@blogger.com