Ronan Skehill

This mornings cycle was a wet and windy one.

Had to firmly sit on the poncho to stop it flying around the place.
It did it's job very well this morning.

Just a few more weeks until the 1926 Census data is released.
April 18th.
It's a big gap from the previous census in 1911 but we'll definitely learn something!

Many thanks & subtraction I can do! ;)

I guess you have to shorten the chain as well? Is there a way to figure out how many links to remove from the chain to match the crankset?

That is great piece of advice! Thanks!!

Thanks! I felt, the tent for a long tail, is susceptible to cross wind more so than the front bucket ones. I also felt the centre of gravity is higher with long tails, meaning if the bike falls, the kids fall from a higher point.

Yes, we had Dolly - we chose it over the orange longtail because the weather can be unpredictable and wanted the keep the kids dry no matter what we woke up to.
The trial also identified with the front bucket bike, not having a door was a pain. Now the kids can get in/out themselves.

* We are lucky to have so many bicycle lanes available to us and they make a big difference. You feel safer.

* We'll keep using it for as long as we can and hopefully they'll like cycling as much as I do and we'll be heading to school via bikes for many, many, years to come.
* End.

* A good few people have asked about it and my response is the same - go ask for a trial with limerickecargobike.bsky.social (Pat) and see how it works for you.
* For us - it is a game changer. Not going back.

* I've used it for shopping, going to the school, after-school, training, ballet, co-op, paint shops etc. It really is very versatile.
* The range is approx 65km so I charge once a week and I find I don't drive as much (down to 1 day a week now) if I can take the bike.

* We put Christmas lights on the bike during December and will dig out some green lights for next week!
* The kids love it and we're able to chat on our bike ride.. but to be honest I just love listening to their conversations and songs they sing as they go to school/sports/town etc.

* Anyhoo, with the bike - I have to say it was a good investment (bike to work scheme covers 3k).
* No sitting in traffic and our trip to school/creche always takes the same amount of time. Regardless of day/weather.
* The kids are well protected, kept dry, wind can't get in & they have a good view

* The traffic light system at Mungret gate works but is stacked against cyclist/pedestrians during busy morning periods.

* For the right turn at Avonmore it is hard (at times) to take the lane.
* The turn-right traffic filter doesn't pick up on bikes! :(
* At the roundabout I take the lane and take it early.
* Hopefully the roundabout will get some attention regarding cycle lanes (perhaps a dutch style one?)

* With both, I'm on full alert, using indicators via the helmet, hand signals, highly reflective clothing and yet I'm often invisible to drivers.
* Getting into position for turning right on to Avonmore road is tricky when the traffic is heavy. Cars don't see you or don't let you merge etc.

* I use the helmet because on certain parts of my commute I just didn't feel safe. I felt adding this (and a motion activated red light on the seat stem) was needed when in traffic. I wanted to 'speak' to the drivers in a language they know.
* 90% of our route is on cycle lanes except two places.

* The riding position is great so you have a great view of things ahead/side
* Backwards view: I've added a wing mirror (Decathlon)
* I've also bought a Lumos ultra smart bike helmet. You control the indicators on the back of the helmet via the LR button I've installed beside the mode selector.

* To release it.. simply push the bike forward, the springy thing springs back up and away you go!
* While walking with the bike if you push & hold the Mode selector UP - Walking Mode is activated and gives you a little assistance to walk the bike around.. but I rarely use it TBH.

* Some nice storage for bits and pieces (poncho for the really wet days, locks etc.) just under the handle bars.
* The parking mechanism is really easy to use. To park the bike you put your foot on the spring down thingy (bottom of pic) and pull the bike back. It is easy & the bike is v. stable.

* Getting kids in and out - is easy. The side door is great for access. Three kids is the max in the front box.
I think with my two - they'll be sitting opposite to each other as the years go by. Right now they are side-by-side. Bags will go on the back carrier as they get bigger.

* Every now and then the gears skip a beat (especially on Gear=3). Don't know why but it is odd thing and will raise it with Decathlon when servicing it.
* Top tip when changing gears - stop /ease off pedalling and then change gears. Makes a big difference.

* There are 5 gears. Internal hub, controlled on the right handled bar.
* The gears are fine for most trips. If there were long upward drags with 2 or 3 kids in it.. I think it would struggle. For my route - it is absolutely perfect.
* I cycle on average 50-60k a week and average speed is 19km/h

* The clock on the computer is hopeless.. it slips about 5 mins every week.. I have given up on resetting.
* When you get to 10% battery it switches to Eco mode
* When you get to 5% it turns off all assistance and leaves the lights on. With no - assistance you find out how heavy the bike is!

* Lights front and back when you turn the bike on. (You can't turn them off AFAIK)
* The computer is fine - I mainly use it to know the range. I cycle around in 'Tour' mode which is up from Eco and down from 'Sport'. You change mode with the Up/Down thingy on the handlebar. Range is approx 65km

* The front wheel is a good bit in front of you so you need to turn well ahead of the turn/corner compared to a normal bike. The cycling position is very good but can't see the front wheel - so again you need to learn when to turn. After a few turns it becomes very natural.

It is a F900e cargo bike. It has a little motor to assist you. It is a pleasure to cycle. A couple of things to note:
* When cycling you need to figure out the centre point of the bike - after a couple of rides you know where it is and you can go around corners knowing nothing bad will happen.

Longish thread about cycling a cargo bike around Limerick and the bike itself. After trialing a cargo bike Pat and @limerickecargobike.bsky.social - we decided to buy this bike from Decathlon. We have over 1000km done since October. We go every morning - regardless of the weather.

Kinvara Rock and Road 2026 completed.
As usual, so well organised, a lovely route and this year the weather was my perfect running weather. Couldn't ask for more.

We are back again 😎

A photo of an Irish road sign for Banna Strand

There’s always money in the