tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post8325189347869478149..comments2024-03-27T05:14:23.738-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: Taming TreesVelouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-34157526005736907382015-06-11T06:03:09.767-04:002015-06-11T06:03:09.767-04:00Assuming you're asking about the June 8th post...Assuming you're asking about the June 8th post here. It's a Conklin Crescent filler with a stub nib. Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-53295470490247535072015-06-09T17:21:48.937-04:002015-06-09T17:21:48.937-04:00I'm wondering if the trees' distinctive sh...I'm wondering if the trees' distinctive shape has something to do with the combination of relatively mild weather with very low light levels. That or may be the little folk swinging on them all night...MaxUtilnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-12472687327732889792015-06-09T11:36:29.779-04:002015-06-09T11:36:29.779-04:00I can't quite identify the fountain pen in the...I can't quite identify the fountain pen in the photo, tell about it. I'm sure there are other cyclists who are devoted to them.Alhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18203375260619680974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-47570820294323135402015-06-08T12:35:01.716-04:002015-06-08T12:35:01.716-04:00Shillelagh is one of my new favourite words. I don...Shillelagh is one of my new favourite words. I don’t live in Ireland but I’d want one, not just to go out walking with but so that I can tell everyone what it’s called. Blackthorn berries are sloe berries, apparently (the things I learn from your blog!), so if Raymond tells you where he gets his sticks you could make some sloe gin or vodka or whiskey or cider or whatever. And then write a post about what it’s like to cycle when you’re drunk (if you can remember!) – you could call it “CUI”... :)fletchernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-530975075957496832015-06-08T12:29:50.066-04:002015-06-08T12:29:50.066-04:00I’ve been trying to figure out a way of getting a ...I’ve been trying to figure out a way of getting a 6 ft. length of scaffolding pipe home from the builder’s yard to use as a cheater bar to remove a resolutely stuck bottom bracket fixed cup, and I guess this would be the only way to do it by bicycle (it’s four buses otherwise). My Q-factor will be increased more than a bit – I figure I might have to lower the saddle, go ‘bandy-legged’, splay my feet and pedal with my heels – and I might get some funny looks, but it would be worth the effort – the fixed cup has been stuck for years and the LBS couldn’t shift it. I’ll probably walk like a cowhand afterwards, but thanks for the idea.fletchernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-7656705950289318712015-06-08T11:22:39.709-04:002015-06-08T11:22:39.709-04:00Someone should weld a do-hickey that resembles the...Someone should weld a do-hickey that resembles the lines of this staff and call the bike an Urban Racer and sign it Sacha White, designer to the new cognoscenti. Or something. GR Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01145811568384053426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-32224443398109921812015-06-08T10:53:54.098-04:002015-06-08T10:53:54.098-04:00Your comment about chemicals is thought provoking....Your comment about chemicals is thought provoking.<br /><br /> Perhaps, and I'm merely speculating here, Irish tree's are no different in appearance than any other, and the perceived differences may be accounted for by possibly altered perceptions of the people who live in Ireland? <br /><br />There's a certain amount of cultural evidence to prompt one to consider the possibility. The preponderance of locally produced liquid dietary supplements for one, the long history of fantastic fauna and mystics, etc. And of course the whole James Joyce thing defies conventional explanation. <br /><br />I am from Texas after all, so the idea that a place may affect the people who live there in unaccountable ways is not new to me... It can't all be caused by Diesel fumes and Peat smoke or Bushmills and Lone Star, but... <br /><br />Spindizzy<br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-49349706975027563382015-06-08T04:31:03.003-04:002015-06-08T04:31:03.003-04:00For countries lacking in such resources, I am sure...For countries lacking in such resources, I am sure sightings of Irish-style trees can be achieved with chemical help.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-48249796831873603372015-06-08T04:29:21.382-04:002015-06-08T04:29:21.382-04:00People tend to call them blackthorns here as well....People tend to call them blackthorns here as well. Could be because the original Irish which "shillelagh" is based on actually means "willow." Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-74175460949387969342015-06-08T04:22:59.384-04:002015-06-08T04:22:59.384-04:00Oh I'm sure there's a "stuff I tied t...Oh I'm sure there's a "stuff I tied to my top tube today" flickr group. And hashtag. Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-43337801186172765392015-06-07T21:48:40.089-04:002015-06-07T21:48:40.089-04:00Believe me, you're not the first by a long sho...Believe me, you're not the first by a long shot ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-26421292855007825082015-06-07T17:40:16.112-04:002015-06-07T17:40:16.112-04:00I'm surprised that North America isn't mor...I'm surprised that North America isn't more windy and better provided with twisted trees than we are! Where does Tim Burton get his aesthetic from?<br /><br />Ciaran, BelfastAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-15382617061399782362015-06-07T04:53:46.100-04:002015-06-07T04:53:46.100-04:00I've carried stuff tied to my top tube before;...I've carried stuff tied to my top tube before; it's sort of the obvious place to attach anything long and narrow. But normally when this happens it's on my way home, with just a few miles to go. This was my first time incorporating TT-portage into an actual 30+mile road ride, which stepped things up a notch. Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-17039958145776839502015-06-07T04:44:55.458-04:002015-06-07T04:44:55.458-04:00Thank Veloria for this post. It isn't only abo...Thank Veloria for this post. It isn't only about the bicycle, but about what it helps us discover. Now if you will excuse me I am off to browse images of fishing priests!Tomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-54363801775299299882015-06-07T03:35:37.878-04:002015-06-07T03:35:37.878-04:00I've used the same method to carry a broom. Wh...I've used the same method to carry a broom. When I posted it on Facebook, I was asked if it was a flying bike. It would actually make a great Halloween bike idea!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-64223521033623786212015-06-06T22:52:28.918-04:002015-06-06T22:52:28.918-04:00A couple years ago….Road bike, hardware store, rak...A couple years ago….Road bike, hardware store, rake and shovel and a bit of twine, and a similar set-up. Worked fine. The hardware folks were scratching their beards at first but then admitted, 'yup' you're good to go. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-44390493078797302972015-06-06T14:25:37.679-04:002015-06-06T14:25:37.679-04:00And a beautifully executed knot, to boot.
And a beautifully executed knot, to boot.<br />Corey Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15381826721030941179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-41552784686155639962015-06-06T12:42:37.060-04:002015-06-06T12:42:37.060-04:00Blackthorn sticks used to be standard issue for of...Blackthorn sticks used to be standard issue for officers in Irish regiments and they would carry them on parade (I don't know if this is still the case)<br /><br />I have several blackthorns passed down by my father, who was in the army. They have the regimental badge mounted on their head.<br /><br />For some reason, he always used to refer to them as a blackthorn, rather than a shillelagh, whereas his military headgear was referred to using the Irish derived word "caubeen".Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12826498172261997737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-52350890596158658842015-06-06T12:38:02.710-04:002015-06-06T12:38:02.710-04:00Sorry - It's a @hotmail.co.uk address (I didn&...Sorry - It's a @hotmail.co.uk address (I didn't specify the UK part). <br />If that doesn't work, phone him at +447849417800 Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-78403731414043370662015-06-06T11:16:04.456-04:002015-06-06T11:16:04.456-04:00Thought of it all by myself. But his twine was a n...Thought of it all by myself. But his twine was a nice touch compared to the shabby bit of rope I was planning to use.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-70090916665372355292015-06-06T11:11:38.911-04:002015-06-06T11:11:38.911-04:00Here in Southern England a lot of the trees look w...Here in Southern England a lot of the trees look weird (compared to the US) because of ancient pollarding and coppicing.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07915236881847778010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-31813400477072292112015-06-06T09:15:07.247-04:002015-06-06T09:15:07.247-04:00"Dentritic trees", your beautiful first ..."Dentritic trees", your beautiful first picture reminds of this phrase to me (written by yourself, I don't know when).<br />Powerful winds make their own bonsai.<br />In my country it's said that your coastal area provides special qualities of grey: for example a kind of blue with a small touch of acid green ....<br /><br />L. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-9832690013107623822015-06-06T08:48:31.627-04:002015-06-06T08:48:31.627-04:00When I think about my fantasy Bike Grand Tour thro...When I think about my fantasy Bike Grand Tour through Britain and Europe, I always wonder how I'm going to ride more than a few miles a day for all the stopping to draw stone bridges, cottages and trees. When I look at your pictures of Ireland I realize I should just skip that place altogether or just leave the bike somewhere and plan on spending a month filling sketchbooks with trees.<br /><br />We've planted many dozens of trees on our 3 acres and nurtured some of the volunteers as well (although the war I'm waging on the Honey Locust and Mulberry is becoming decidedly grim and bad-natured), my favorites are the ones that have taken on strange shapes and postures, developing personalities and character the crayon drawing lollipop trees never will. There's a Hickory that apparently thinks it's an acacia, branching low and beginning to spread wide to embrace the yard instead of shooting up to scrape the clouds out of the sky like the others I planted the same day.<br /><br /> At our old house I encouraged 2 scrubby Maples that appeared by the fence in the back yard till they were 8 foot tall beauties with crooked stems and various branches gesturing like Kabuki Dancers. Than one day while I was at work my Father In Law pruned them into submission, turning them from fabulous future sites for tree houses and daydreaming to crippled War Wounded. Absolutely Great Guy, wretched Arborist. I came home from work that evening, saw those poor unfortunate things standing humiliated in the yard and had to make myself stay chill and remember that I cared more for my Father In Law than I did for a couple of trees. When I would look out the window and see those Maples I'd just say "screw it" and apparently that's what the trees did too, just said "screw it" and never really recovered from the insult. They were the first and only things to give up and die when we had 2 summers of drought a few years later. I suspect Irish trees would have risen up in Vengeance and Malice and taken over the yard...<br /><br />SpindizzyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-85914375740502176012015-06-06T08:46:53.375-04:002015-06-06T08:46:53.375-04:00Lovely article. I found your blog just recently a...Lovely article. I found your blog just recently and am thoroughly enjoying it. <br /><br />I tried to get in touch with Raymond Boyd about purchasing one; but the address you provided failed. Could you fix me up with a good one. Thanks so much. Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09567794876773230192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-80171125286571235392015-06-06T06:04:26.174-04:002015-06-06T06:04:26.174-04:00Thank you for this beautiful reflection. One of th...Thank you for this beautiful reflection. One of the gifts of bicycling is being closer to nature wherever we are and feeling the forces of wind, rain, sun, cold, and warmth experienced by all living things in our own bodies and spirits. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com