15 posts tagged “bike”
Prepping my mountainbike for sale (I never use it) and a big part of that is cleaning. So Genevieve says "Daddy, can I clean my bike?"
It was so cute.
We didn't quite get onto this yesterday, so we had to do it today. This time last year, VV and I did the 50km ride in Around the Bay in a Day. This year, the weather was a bit flukey, so I decided against committing. But, I did want to take her down to the bike expo.
We loaded up the CargoBike and headed down to Alexandra Gardens. She loved riding her RunBike around, and answering everyone's questions. In all seriousness, I could've sold 50 of the suckers today - she has a killer sales pitch ;)
She found a bike for me, and a bike for mummy (and interestingly, we would've LOVED to have had the ones she chose... hmm... taste may be rubbing off?) We decided to get out of there before the ATBiaDers started arriving back in droves - but there was even things to be seen as we left, including a stilt-walking butterfly.
She does complain when we have to take the car.
When we got there, there's a very steep incline down from where you can park, to the riverside where the stalls are. She loved the (cautious) trip down, and scooting around the stalls. She got quite a few comments from people (as did her sister, flirting with people with her smiles).
We saw a few kids on bikes - some with parental-push-handles, some not. But all with training wheels. On the whole though, they looked like they were struggling more than Genevieve. I was amazed at how just a small rise in the path would require the kid to jump off and walk beside their bike, heaving it up the gradient. Gravel, or mud, similarly. Genevieve, however, rode everywhere.
When we were headed back to the car, it appears that (without any prompting from us) she had NO intention of ever getting off. She just rode it all the way back up. (After all, that's what yr supposed to do... isn't it?) And as I said - it was pretty steep.
She's well aware that Naomi and I carry things on our bikes, and, of course, she knows the CargoBike better than any of us. So... it was time to convert her runbike into a utility bike. An icecream container, some duct tape, a texta and a few stickers and it was all done. She was VERY proud, and she quickly rode some toys down to the loungeroom to show Mummy.
Friends dropped around, including Genevieve's best friend. They dropped her off a gingerbread man and rang the bell, then spoke to us from the safety of the street. Poor little kid... he didn't seem to happy he couldn't play with Genevieve.
So... I decided to ring DHS. Quite a quick conversation, and the woman I spoke to confirmed that the current quarantine requirements were that those in contact with a known case, but who were not symptomatic no longer needed to be quarantined, and that those who were confirmed and had been taking Tamiflu for three days no longer needed to be quarantined. So for us, that was a 'check' and a 'check' which meant
We were free!
It was about lunchtime by that stage, so as quickly as we could (under the requirements of Juliette's patterns...) we packed up the tribe in the pram and walked a few kms to a little cafe where we had a $40 voucher. Freedom never tasted SO good!
Last year Naomi and I did the 210km Around the Bay in a Day. The mid-high 30 temperatures made it one of the hardest things we've ever done. This year, it was Naomi stepped out, and someone else took up the challenge.
I was initially going to tow VV in her trailer in the 50km event (yes... I had received a bit of ribbing from mates - why don't I tow her for the full 210km?) However, when I went to register I actually managed to glance at the Terms and Conditions, and they expressly forbid trailers (as well as child seats, tagalongs and any riders under 12). The 50km event was slightly more friendly... that also allowed Unicycles. (Of which there were two - nice guys! MASSIVE wheel!)
I emailed Bicycle Victoria and long story (about 7 emails) short, they weren't changing their policy. A LOT of BV members were very upset, as this was supposedly the 'family' distance, and many couldn't participate with their family. But I thought there was another way.
I certainly didn't purchase the CargoBike to do the 50km ATBiaD ride, however I did have in the back of my mind that if I felt capable, I'd potentially give it a go. Well, the bike was certainly up for it, and I'd taken the girl on a few semi-extended rides (15, and 20km) to see if she was OK, and so it was on.
The girl didn't wake too early, and the RMIT crew were due to be meeting near the start at 8am. By the time I left home (after 3 - countem - aborted attempts) I would've got to the start around 9:10. So, we just headed towards Williamstown ourselves. Almost exclusively bike/shared paths, and a few bike lanes. Had a wee stop (false alarm) and VV took my photo.
Before we knew it, we were at the half-way point in Altona. I'd managed to hook up with a few RMIT riders (who I met for the first time there) so we propped and had some food and collectively got pretty cold. I was wearing a merino first layer beneath my jersey which was PERFECT while riding. But since we'd stopped, I'd been slowly but surely chilling down.
So, we didn't wait too long before heading off again. We received so much attention - both coz of the bike, and from Genevieve's singing to her baby pink bear - everyone loved us.
A bit of weaving around and we were close to home, turning south again to go up the Westgate. I'd actually bothered grabbing a few Gu's, so I sucked one down (bleagh) not knowing what the bridge would be like on the CargoBike. It worked out pretty good, and I lost count at 32 bikes I passed going up (again, remember, it is the beginner's ride). But, having said that, it was good to reach the top.
The trip to the finish, in Alexandra Gardens, had more and more bikes gathering. The sun also came out to join us, so with the finish about a km away, I whipped off VV's canopy - hopefully the various official photographers will have got a couple of good ones of us.
The trip home was fine, and then we hooked up with Tim and Harry for a swim. During that, she completely blew my socks off (figuratively, as I did have any in the pool) by showing me how she could use 'torpedo arms' push off the side, glide and then kick a good 20 ft to me. Err... MY GAWD!
So all in all, apart from the fact that I can barely see the screen I'm so tired (didn't sleep well last night with excitement/nervousness), it was a totally AWESOME day!
The Dutch call it a 'Bakfiets' - literally, a 'Box-Bike'. The English equivalent tends to be 'CargoBike'. YES, it's easy to ride. YES, it can carry a really heavy load. YES, it has gears (8, broadly spaced ones, so good on all but the steepest hills). And YES, Vievey LOVES it!
I got onto these online (through a variety of sources) and I've managed to become mates with the importer. There's a photo exhibition on at Federation Square, all about Dutch Bike Culture, starting this week. I suggested that if he lends me one, I'll ride it to Fed Square and park it out the front every day. He was rapt. (And so am I).
I picked it up this morning from Coburg, and rode it home (on the Upfield Bike Path... as I was a bit wary to ride it in traffic on the first ride). It was fah-reekin weird for the first 3-5 mins, and then, it's just seemless. It rides like any other bike. I think it was more the very 'upright' stance that I had to get used to, more than the fact that you're riding a wheelbarrow.
After I got it home, Genevieve and her little buddy Harry had a quick ride (not a long one, as we didn't have a helmet for Harry, so just up and down the street). Then, we did a decent trip, to the supermarket.
Genevieve absolutely LOVED it, chatting with me and saying hello to people and looking at things I pointed out "Look... there's a dog". Certainly very different to having her in the trailer (or even in the car, for that matter).
We loaded it up with quite a LOT of shopping, including 10 bottles of ginger beer, and a big olive oil can. Heavy load. If anything, it was even more stable with the load. John, our next door neighbour had a ride too. After a few minutes, he was loving it also.
I've gotta say, I'm really, REALLY impressed.
Yes, got a few ideas, and dunno.
Both of the potential schools for Genevieve are easily within walking distance. So, that would make them within cycling distance too - which (potentially) would be a little easier time-wise. Currently, I walk with her in the backpack and me pushing my bike, so I can ride to work from there. She would (sometimes) like to walk, but in the morning, that would just take too long. And the bike trailer is a bit of a pain to hitch/unhitch every day.
I have thought about getting one of these - which I would favour over a rear-mounted bike seat.
The WeeRide is a great idea, but what we have now is working pretty well as the distance from our place to the Childcare Centre is so short.
But, when she's ready for school, she'll probably have a (real) bike of her own!
That's where the TrailGator may come in.
What does this mean? If they want to ride, they can ride. If they don't want to ride, they can be towed - safely! Best of both worlds I reckon.
Still got a few years to think about it anyway - but I've already set up the eBay Seach/email.
A big weekend on the bike for me. Yesterday, Dean gave me the virtually impromptu invite to do the 'Melburn-Roobaix' ride. That was great fun, riding all over Melbourne inner-city, on back streets, bike paths and alleyways.
Today is Moreland City Council's 'Cyclovia' festival. There weren't as many bikes as I expected (especially when compared to yesterday), nor the variety, but it was great to see mums, dads and kids out together. And, seeing how VV is so cute, we got interviewed by about 3 different film crews (but I think they're all from Ch31).
Well, I can see that each of the main transport proposals as part of the Eddington Report, train tunnel, car tunnel and bicycle routes are slated to have an impact at our house.
I'll start with the good news (pdf of summary brochure). The existing bike paths at the Maribyrnong are to be upgraded and the somewhat 'suggested' bike route past our house is to be formalised as a proper bike path. 'Copenhagen style' lanes mean a bike lane that is separated from the road, between the road and the footpath. This will continue up our place and around the corner and then turning right at Arden St where it will continue on into the city.
Arden St currently crosses the railway line with a footbridge - so not exactly sure how a formal bike route will handle stairs - but there you go hey?
OK - next are the tunnels.
The train tunnel (pdf of summary brochure) is planned to go from Footscray under the city to Caulfield. It will open up rail access to the Hospital and University district, as well as St Kilda Road/Domain, and intersect with Melbourne Central and Flinders St stations.
This is one that we would welcome, and it seems to make sense.
As you can see, it will run 'under Kensington Adjacent to J.J. Holland Park'. They don't have graphic of where, exactly, but that could mean under our house. I think, however, as they are suggesting that it will head towards the Hospitals, that it's more likely to be the North side of the park, where Kensington Road runs.
The last bit is the car tunnel (pdf of summary brochure). This, is HUGE. In order to build it, they will be using both 'boring' and 'cut and fill' techniques. And, as I mentioned previously, they have earmarked J.J. Holland park as a 'staging area'. Whether that means just trucks and dirt, or actual digging remains to be seen, but seeing how it seems to align with the route of the tunnel, the worst-case scenario could be that what they don't dig up, they'll store huge mounds of dirt/rock on.
So... where too from here? We'll keep you posted. Off to the Kensington Association meeting on Monday.
My Groups
-
Love where you live Updated: 2 hours ago
-
Parents helping Parents Updated: Yesterday
-
Melbournites Updated: Yesterday
Neighborhood
Explore friends, family, friends & family, or entire neighborhood.
