As I sat down tonight to write this post it has occurred to me that it's exactly one year (to the day) that I started this blog. My posting has dwindled as I've realized that I don't do many interesting things that people would want to read about, and when I do, I don't have time to write about them!
I have however gotten over my fear of talking to complete strangers (all 3 of you), and although I doubt my writing skills have Improved it was worth it for that alone.
I think my blogging days are almost over, but I do have time for one quick post...
I went to my first one last year and really enjoyed the experience, so I was keen to make it along this year.
They are held all over New Zealand to encourage day-to-day cycling and my local one is but a few miles (and hills) down the road in Takapuna. I wanted to take the Pugsley again as people really get a kick out of it, but it's currently geared for the dirt only so I rode The Nasty Evil Bike instead so I could get back in time for work.
With the hours I work I'm normally out on the roads alone so it's wonderful mixing with fellow cyclists at an event like this. It was probably about two-thirds lycra-cowboys, but there were a lot of normal looking riders there as well and the racks had their fair share of older road bikes and mountainbikes retired for commuting duties like mine.
No goody-bags this year, but if you filled out a cycling survey for the city council you got a free cycling t-shirt. I got a small one for my boys so they can wear it mountainbiking.
There was tons of free food and drink, music, helmet-hairdressing, product displays, bike checks and information on upcoming cycling initiatives in our area. All good stuff - I'll be back next year.
By the time I dragged out the camera most people had gone to work so it all looks a bit empty in the following photos, but there was a good crowd there. I think It's important for the cyclists in our community to show their numbers at events like this so we can stand up and be counted (excuse the pun), as the motoring lobby gets most of the councils attention.
This old thing was my favourite bike there
Free bike-checks under the blue marquee
Another Surly sighting in Auckland! That's two Pugsleys and a Karate-Monkey.
(The Nasty Evil Bike lurks in the background feeling jealous)
Smile T-Shirt ladies, smile. You're on candid blog camera.
Tony from unicycle.co.nz (where I purchased my 29er Muni) put on a really funny and entertaining show.
11 comments:
Chas King is a strange combination of Chris King & Chas Roberts - I've never seen one before!
I am not familiar with the brand either. I assumed it was a smaller British builder, It just sort of sounds English.
Hey, if you're tired of writing, post pics. You have a beautiful country to share!
Marla, I do that on Flickr which I find a lot more user-friendly than the Blogger interface. (I wonder if Wordpress is better?)
We also have incredibly slow and expensive broadband in NZ which makes uploading photos a bit of a chore.
I'll keep posting sporadically but I'm not the type to write diary-type entries. I do enjoy reading other peoples stuff though!
Chas King was an English guy who built frames in Auckland during the 70s and 80s, maybe earlier. He was a bronze medallist in the 1936 Olympics (Team Pursuit).
DB
That first post of yours inspired me to check out our Bike-to-work-day last May for the first time. I'm glad I did and I'll be back this year.
Anonymous DB: So it's a British bike made in NZ. There's a lot of miles under those wheels by the look of it.
Doug: The last year has just flown by. One more and I might have that C-C on the road!
Kia Ora Antoine,
Found your blog the other day when looking for local NuVinci info. Don't worry if you can't post often - that's what RSS is for.
Glad you enjoyed the breakfast. We had a fair crowd in Auckland City, but no free t-shirts. Got to check out two Surly LHTs which I first noticed at last month's Critical Mass.
Since you're keen on Surly's, I'll also mention that I saw a Traveller's Cheque that week. Just loitering outside a dairy in Mt Albert, complete with Rohloff hub. Go figure.
the Scarlet Manuka: Nice to hear from you.
- A Rohloff Traveller's Cheque! - WooHoo, that's a dreambike right there.
- I would dearly love to go to an Auckland Critical Mass but I work at night so it never happens.
Oh, forgot to mention - Dave the NZ Surly importer (Cycle Supplies in CHCH) has been evaluating the NuVinci Hub. He may be able to help you out.
Don't quit writing! Motivation to write comes and goes.
We're planning our Bike to Work Week now. There is much more enthusiasm from the community this year, and that's exciting.
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