Smithfield was the start and finish line for today’s Great Dublin Bike Ride, a yearly event in which some 5,000 intrepid volunteers risk life and limb to ride 60 or 100KM for nothing more than a sore arse, a medal and a bowl of pasta.
Dublin, or in the native tongue Baile Átha Cliath (literally translated as City of the Potholes), is likely one of the most dangerous Western European capitals for cycling, with bugger all cycle lanes and even less respect for cyclists, who are viewed by many motorists as demons spewed from hell. Yes, we do have pretty white lines painted close to the side of a road or two with cute little bicycle drawings stencilled in them, but these serve only as additional parking spaces for motor vehicles and set down spots for delivery vans.
Thus, once a year the city council demonstrates to the city's cyclists that Dublin is indeed cycle safety heaven by dispatching 5,000 riders to negotiate 60-100Km of closed roads at 08.30 on a Sunday morning, escorted by Garda out-riders
Moaning apart, the weather was kind and there was a festival atmosphere on the square as each of the returning riders was encouraged across the finish line by commentary from FM104 and presented with a medal and a banana.
The first arrived back around 10.30 and by 11.15am about 500 had completed the course and were happily munching away on the vitals provided at the large tables in the centre of the square.
One inspired couple completed the ride on a tandem, two perhaps less inspired on cargo bikes, but the ‘it seemed like a good idea at the time’ prizes of the day must go to the guy riding 100km on a little fold-up and the pilot of this weird and wonderful two-wheel contraption.
There's nowt so queer as folk!