I've been reading all week about the great success that Dublinbikes has been. It has been, and I quote "held up as an example of a design success story for Ireland's capital city". And apparently the system has captured the imagination of us, the public.
Well it certainly captured my curiosity, if not my imagination. So today being such a nice day I decided I would have a look and see just how enjoyable a bike ride around Dublin on a sunny day would be. It's been years since I was on a bike, I think the last time I rode one it had one big wheel at the front and a tiny one at the back....a penny farting!! Kidding!!
Anyway, I pass one of the hire stations on my way home on the bus everyday so I though I would start there. I got the bus into town and got off in Dame Street.
Dublin is in great form today after our Gaelic Football's team great victory yesterday over Tyrone. So lots of happy Dubliners and a very touristy atmosphere around. As I walked towards the bike station I noticed that none of the bikes were being used, they were all parked in a nice neat row attached to their locking devices. Hmmm...maybe we only use our imaginations during the week!
I checked them out and picked one that I wouldn't have to adjust the saddle on for my short legs. Found the instructions on the terminal, pressed all the right buttons, inserted my card and...ooh....getting excited now and....eh....nothing happened! OK, I tried again. Followed all the instructions, more carefully this time, and waited. Still nothing happened. The penny dropped. This station isn't working, that's why all the bikes are still here. Bah Humbug! I had a look at the map on the back of the terminal and found the next nearest station. There are two at Stephens Green. Happy Day's, and a nice walk up Grafton Street to get to them. On my way I bought a book in a second hand shop for €1, what a bargain. There was all sorts of activity on Grafton Street as usual, the most entertaining being a group of Cowboy Hat'ed Violin playing boys and girls who were rocking the joint!! Sorry would love to stay and watch but I have a bicycle to catch!
Walked around the Green to the station and noticed that all the bikes were parked here too. Oh no. But being the eternal optimist that I am, I decided to try my card at this station. But again no luck. Just my luck! The day I pick to try this great asset to our city, it's not working.
I was so disappointed....
Only one way to get over this disappointment, buy an ice-cream and sit in Stephens Green by the pond, eat it and watch the world go by. And after that a spot of shopping and still time to run back down Grafton Street and catch the end of the boy and girls in the hats!!
So not such a disappointing day in Dublin after all. I'll just have to come back again next week and try the bikes....
That's a clever idea! You have to be in a tourist trap town to rent a bike here. And, you have to go into a store to do it. One reason we Americans sit behind a steering wheel more often than not. Sounds like you had quite the adventure today...you earned the ice cream! I don't see a picture of you in my follower box?? Maybe blogger ate it like it did my other comment :)
ReplyDeleteP.S."penny farting" LOL!!!
ReplyDelete