Wellington has a long way to go...

http://www.streetfilms.org/ciclovia/

Interesting article about the chief financial officer of Giant Manufacturing, the world’s biggest bicycle maker, aka “the godmother of bicycles”.

"By and large, the world thinks of bikes as an exercise in machismo on wheels, from muddy mountain bikers to lycra-clad road cyclists or commuters taking their chances with the lorries and taxis that seem to claim ownership of the roads. Ms Tu has other ideas"

The bike in the image is a Giant Suede, ideal for riding on the next frocks on bikes ride. While I would not be caught dead one one I'm greatly in favour of the diversification of bikes so that theres a model for everone.

From stuff

"Work on the first $3 million leg of the Government’s job summit-inspired national cycle way has begun."

In conjunction with CAW and 350.org another great ride is coming up. There were a bunch of us there last time for the ride arround the basin who feature in the photo above. Unfortunately I am not going to be in Wellington for the ride, I was really looking forward to doing it on my single speed. My consolation prise is I get to try out the fixie up in Wanganui.

Here is the blurb as it appeared in my inbox:

 

Kia ora tatau

On 22 August, over 150 of you came out to support safer cycle lanes in Wellington and the 350 movement, promoting cycling as a low carbon form of transport. (photo attached)

Cycle Aware Wellington (www.caw.org.nz) is organizing another huge cycle ride bringing awareness to these two very important causes – and, of course, because cycling is fun, fast and free!

This time, we are drawing attention to the Great Harbour Way, Wellington’s beautiful coastline, and the necessity for a safe cycle route connecting Eastbourne, Hutt City and Wellington City.  So mark your calendars for Saturday, 24 October, oil your chain, grab your helmet, water bottle, patch kit, sunscreen and let’s ride! 

Apologies if you've received this communication multiple times but please do forward this email to your networks, friends and lovers of 2-wheeled transport!  You don't need to be an excellent cyclist to come along - the route is about 17km but is all flat and it won't be a race! So come join the fun - but you cannot ride with us without a helmet!

The Route: Start in Days Bay, Eastbourne, through to Wellington Waterfront. Final destination is the International Day of Climate Action Festival, Taranaki St Wharf by Mac’s Brewery: www.350.org.nz/wellington

Meeting Spots:

Days Bay Wharf: 10.30am

Petone, westernmost pulloff on the Esplanade (opposite south end of Waione St): 11.00am

Ngauranga (East side of Hutt Road): 11.40am

Wellington Railway Station: 12pm

 

For those in Wellington City: The East by West ferry to Days Bay couldn’t commit to having room for more than a few cycles so CAW has arranged for a special ferry to take us across.  Meet at Queens Wharf at 9.15am.  We’re asking for a $10 koha to help cover ferry hire.  We’ll enjoy a coffee/tea in Days Bay while we wait for any late-comers on the 10.00am ferry (which has VERY limited space for cycles so if you can make the CAW ferry at 9.30 that’s a much better idea!)

Please RSVP if you’ll be ferrying with us so I can reserve you a spot!

Important Notes:

At the pick up spots the pack of cyclists will slow down enough for others to start pedaling and join in.  We won’t be stopping so when you see us coming, get ready to ride!

We will be obeying all road rules and everyone should signal all turns and lane changes.  If the pack gets split up, the one ahead will slow right down until the latter catches up.

We will have a leader keeping the pace of the pack.  If you get a puncture, please pull over and let us know so that a ‘Cycle Champion’ can stop with you and patch you up.  If you are keen to BE a “Cycle Champion” please let me know.  We can never have enough!!

We’ll be riding as much on cycle paths as possible but there are points where cycle lanes do not exist.  Confident road cyclists should take the outside lane next to traffic.  Please listen to the Cycle Champions or Marshalls if they tell you to move in. They are looking out for all our safety!

If you have any questions, concerns please do not hesitate to contact me.  Also, again please do RSVP for the ferry to Days Bay so we can ensure enough spaces.

**For those cyclists not wanting to cross the water, there will be a ride starting in Island Bay and cycling the Wellington bays around to the Festival.  Meet at Shorland Park at 11am.  Contact Willemijn for more info: vermaat@feestpaleis.net

Look forward to seeing many of you there for an awesome ride.

 

Yours in sustainable cycling, 

Christina and Cycle Aware Wellington

021 150 3536

It looks like I'll be doing the full 160km round Taupo this year so I have been thinking about perhaps doing a bit of training. Most people will also know I've just bought myself a single speed commuter bike. I am planning to do a blog post all about it but suffice to say I absolutely love it to bits, its one of the best things I've ever bought.

I've been quite curious about just how steep a hill is needed to make getting up it on the single speed impossible so I've decided to put the two together and do a lot of hills on the new bike.

So far I've done these:

1. Up Brooklyn Road, up Brooklyn side of Bidwell, half way up Bell Rd.
2. Oriental Bay, Up Mt Vic via Grafton Rd, round Hataitai side, 30 sec breather half way up.
3. Oriental Bay, Up Mt Vic via Grafton Rd, breather at top before Lookout Road, up lookout Road to top.
4. Up Brooklyn Road to Brooklyn lights, up Cleavland onto Washington Ave, up to Connaught Terrace.

So far I've made everything I've tried first time so I'm not too sure where the limits are but I'm pretty sure I'm going to hit them soon.

My goals before Taupo:

1. Get to the turbine with no breathers.
2. Get to Richards house in Karori (most of the way up Wrights Hill) via Aro Valley with no breathers.

Non goals would include:

Going up Bidwell, Everton Terrace or Aurora Terrace.

Oh and my gears are 48/18 (2.666667).

The Bike Wise Battle is running this month in New Zealand. Basically its a competition to see which organization can get the highest percentage of its staff to ride at least 2km in the month. To compete all you have to do is ride 2km sometime in the month. As well as signing up for an organization you can also designate a department within your organization. During the month you login and record your km.

The Wellington City Council in their wisdom have decided not to endorse this years go by bike day. Luckily we can still go by bike anyway, people are meeting in Civic Square at 8am on 18 Feb 2009. BYO breakfast this year.

NZ Cycle Safety 9-Point Plan petition, sign it if you haven't already.