HEALTHY TRANSPORT HOBART

Just got back on this bike after quite a while of travelling on my drop bar commuter. Wow it felt great. Soft bouncy spring filled seat, cruisy curly bars positioned in a way to make one sit up straight and some killer mud guards for a rainy day. Much appreciated Hobart Bike Kitchen.

Posted for the love of sitting up straight.

It twas an absolute pleasure to have the company and leading direction of the South Island Sirens roller derby crew on Fridays October Critical Mass ride. Skill, style, flair, crashes, laughs. They’ve got it all. Allegedly they have a match coming up in Launceston this weekend in the Roller Derby League, and then in March next year we’ll have the chance to check em out in Hobart. They set the best pace for the ride ever I reckon, and even benefited from having bikes to hold onto on the way down steep hills. Brilliant! Read the rest of this entry »

Now all I’m condoning in this photo is the wearing of good protective head gear. Nice bike too. A true sit back in style bike.

Posted for the love of felt hats by Liam.C

I met a man with style on Friday afternoon before the big ride. He was riding this humble machine. Decades old and imported from somewhere in Europe, personally collected from Melbourne. I didn’t think it was possible to meet a nice power assisted petrol bicycle but turns out one exists. 200 watts apparently. I had a go around Franklin Square and felt like a real hoon. A pleasure to meet a man with pride in his bicycle.

Posted for the love an experience to change an opinion by Liam.C.

One hundred and more bicycle users hit up Hobarts summery streets to celebrate the bicycle and a beautiful city and evening. Led by the South Island Siren roller skater gang the ride lapped around the city and descended through Sandy Bay. Absolutely fantastic to be riding with such a great bunch of people. May the good times roll on.

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Came across one of the Melbourne parkiteer bike cages the other day at a train station out in the burbs. Probably not peak demand time as it was 1830 but twas a hot looking cage. Check em out at: http://www.bv.com.au/bike-parking/43422/. Heres to hoping that the kingston park and ride station gets a similar concept going. Read the rest of this entry »

Spec gets tended to

Prior to my departure to Melbourne, my idea of bike maintenance was putting on some sexy lingere, puckering up and asking Liam to pretty please fix my bike. These days, I’m fending for myself in the big smoke. My eyelash bleating, flirty smiles and small-town-innocence get-up is yet to result in nothing more than free replacement batteries for my lights and a discounted helmet from the tattooed lads in the bike shop. Darling Spec has been falling into disrepair and I’ve ridden on (noisily) like a guilty parent.

Things have been rather hectic lately, with work and study combining to create new levels of procrastination inspiration. I know my assignments are seriously overdue when bike maintenance suddenly becomes attractive and necessary. So, boys and girls- exciting news- for the first time in my cycling history I have cleaned and oiled the chain, pumped up the tires, tightened the brake cables, repositioned the bells and polished up the frame. Most importantly, I have finally destroyed a revolting white top I purchased from k-mart 3 years ago which was too low quality to convert to waxing strips but which I felt was too ugly to donate to lifeline. Yeehah!

This turned up. And we were all green with envy of the luck lass that rode it home from the Bike Kitchen on Sunday. Once it was tuned I had to take it down to the shore for some posing. Enjoy. Look out for more coastal showcase of bikes through HBK in the coming weeks. Read the rest of this entry »

Saw this great little sneaky little short cut coming down onto Invermay Rd in Launceston. This is what I reckon is a brilliant example of bicycles being factored into the roadscape. All the more evidence for consulting bicycle users when upgrading roads. Read the rest of this entry »

This gentleman was flashing his style and smile at last wednesdays ride to work day. Just so happens to be a soon to be doctor as well. I’m envious of his flash shirt, tie and suit and damn fine shoes. Hobart, Cold, Rain and Ride to Work Day equals get yo suit on.

Posted for the love of suited up ridetouni legends by Liam.C

Who'd turn down a ride to school like this

Made it to Burnie last week and stayed with a mate who’d young son is an avid rider to school. Thought I’d join them and glad I did because it highlighted a) how long its been since I’ve been hassled by the year 6′s at primary school and b) why off road paths connecting homes with schools are splendid opportunities for active transport amongst youngsters.

Posted for the love of the ride to school by Liam.C

Parked outside the Launceston City Council

The other day I made my way to Launceston (by car, shock horror), but I used this unique opportunity to park at my mate Adam’s place in West Launceston and then ride into the city where I had a meeting. After driving for 2.5 hours it was the perfect end to my journey and gave my legs a lovely stretch before sitting down again. The alternative was to drive round and round in circles looking for a park in peak hour in an unfamiliar city. Bugger that. If you can’t ride the whole way, ride a little way, it feels bloody great. Read the rest of this entry »