Thursday 31 March 2011
March 29
A lost opportunity to ride to Redcliffe today, but I don't regret it. The needs of family, especially a new born, seemed more important this morning.
March 28
OK, this is the last week of my Ride To Work month. I just wish I could have actually ridden today.
The plan was to drive to Caboolture, come home and ride to a meeting at Deception Bay. The reality was that I didn't stick to the plan. I allowed myself to get distracted, ignored my planned timetable, and found I had to rush via the car to make the meeting.
Worse still, the cafe where I arranged the meeting was closed. *Sigh*. It's another clear signal that a little planning and adherence to a plan goes a long way. Riding a bike to and from work must be one of the best training grounds for proper planning.
The plan was to drive to Caboolture, come home and ride to a meeting at Deception Bay. The reality was that I didn't stick to the plan. I allowed myself to get distracted, ignored my planned timetable, and found I had to rush via the car to make the meeting.
Worse still, the cafe where I arranged the meeting was closed. *Sigh*. It's another clear signal that a little planning and adherence to a plan goes a long way. Riding a bike to and from work must be one of the best training grounds for proper planning.
Monday 28 March 2011
March 25
I'm coming up to the end of the month soon. I can see the finish line, as it were, but don't think it is the end of my cycling. Ride past the chequered flag, and keep going.
Today I worked from home. It's a good way to work, providing you can minismise distractions and keep disciplined. I am getting used to the concept that meeting the needs of a new-born baby is not a distraction. It is a welcome part of my working and everyday life.
If you can create a mental and physical space where most domestic demands and chores are invisible, I've found working from home gives you a greater sense of control, less stress, and you end up smiling more that you realise.
If you can't ride to work, try working from home. Be bold and push your boss for it - you might be surprised. If you can get a lap top and aircard, you can do some work from home.
Today I worked from home. It's a good way to work, providing you can minismise distractions and keep disciplined. I am getting used to the concept that meeting the needs of a new-born baby is not a distraction. It is a welcome part of my working and everyday life.
If you can create a mental and physical space where most domestic demands and chores are invisible, I've found working from home gives you a greater sense of control, less stress, and you end up smiling more that you realise.
If you can't ride to work, try working from home. Be bold and push your boss for it - you might be surprised. If you can get a lap top and aircard, you can do some work from home.
March 24
One of the things I have noticed since I started riding seriously was how much of your time a car actually demands from you. Each is a child that must be nutured, and have your attention.
What my car wanted to day was a new tyre. Like my son Guy when he cries to be feed, it is a need that must be met immediately. A tyre with a nail through it is hard to ignore.
So I drove to my meeting today at Strathpine, then took the car in for his new tyre. "His" new tyre? When did I start personalising my car? Interestingly, my bike does not have a gender nor an identity. When we are confronted with the time and psychological investment we make in cars, it's a bit disturbing.
What my car wanted to day was a new tyre. Like my son Guy when he cries to be feed, it is a need that must be met immediately. A tyre with a nail through it is hard to ignore.
So I drove to my meeting today at Strathpine, then took the car in for his new tyre. "His" new tyre? When did I start personalising my car? Interestingly, my bike does not have a gender nor an identity. When we are confronted with the time and psychological investment we make in cars, it's a bit disturbing.
March 23
Here's a humbling thought. I need to work in with the needs of the people I serve, not have them work in the with my need to ride my bike this month.
That's why I accepted a meeting at 7.30am today, so as these constitutents could have their say to me, then get to work. That's why I ended up driving to Beachmere after that, and not riding. The rest of the day was spent in the Caboolture office and at the Burpengary public consultations.
As I wrote previously, riding to work is a process of negotiation, often with myself, compromising between my conscience and my wants. Between my desire to do the right thing and the desire for comfort and convenience.
That's why I accepted a meeting at 7.30am today, so as these constitutents could have their say to me, then get to work. That's why I ended up driving to Beachmere after that, and not riding. The rest of the day was spent in the Caboolture office and at the Burpengary public consultations.
As I wrote previously, riding to work is a process of negotiation, often with myself, compromising between my conscience and my wants. Between my desire to do the right thing and the desire for comfort and convenience.
Thursday 24 March 2011
March 22
A quiet day. Riding is not really on my mind today.
The Council meeting was at Strathpine, so I drove to the train station and caught the train today.
At the Council meeting I learnt that the injured young man from last night has died. I remember the anguish, the sheer heartbreak of his family who arrived at the scene last night, and cannot imagine what they must be suffering today.
The Council meeting was at Strathpine, so I drove to the train station and caught the train today.
At the Council meeting I learnt that the injured young man from last night has died. I remember the anguish, the sheer heartbreak of his family who arrived at the scene last night, and cannot imagine what they must be suffering today.
March 21
Reflections. I am riding to work during March because I think we need to change how we live our lives. I want others to think about some choices in their lives as well.
Monday was a day you think about your choices in life. I saw a man suffer an injury that will take months to heal. I saw another man unconscious on the road, his life ebbing away.
We all have choices. Not only about how we get from one point to another, but how we behave when doing it. We take risks, we race, we do things we later regret.
Riding back from Beachmere lake, there was a man sitting in the middle of the pathway, next to his bike and looking stunned. Do you need help, I asked, and he groaned yes.
He had fallen off his bike and damaged his knee. He could not stand, and I guessed he had snapped a ligament in his knee or his thigh.
I called an ambulance, dragged him to sit against a fence, and waited in the sun with him. A neighbour walked his bike home, and the ambulance arrived.
The second time I saw an ambulance on Monday was when one arrived at the scene of a terrible accident on Deception Bay Road. A young man lay on the road, after having fallen out of a car, suffering what clearly were dire injuries.
Brian Hayes, Arthur Hayes and I, all from Deception Bay Lions Club, were amongst first on the scene. We directed traffic, called 000, and tried to comfort the family when they arrived. Brian Hayes and a passing doctor took turns to perform CPR.
When I got home, I just walked into my son's room and stared at him for as long as I could stand.
I know what I am doing with this bike riding thing is right. Somethimes we just have to change how we live our lives, whether it is for our planet's future, or simply for the future of our loved ones.
Reflections. We need to make sure we travel safely, get to where we are going in a way that doesn't put ourselves at risk, nor put others in danger.
We need to make the right choices, the big ones and the little ones, everyday, in our lives.
Monday was a day you think about your choices in life. I saw a man suffer an injury that will take months to heal. I saw another man unconscious on the road, his life ebbing away.
We all have choices. Not only about how we get from one point to another, but how we behave when doing it. We take risks, we race, we do things we later regret.
Riding back from Beachmere lake, there was a man sitting in the middle of the pathway, next to his bike and looking stunned. Do you need help, I asked, and he groaned yes.
He had fallen off his bike and damaged his knee. He could not stand, and I guessed he had snapped a ligament in his knee or his thigh.
I called an ambulance, dragged him to sit against a fence, and waited in the sun with him. A neighbour walked his bike home, and the ambulance arrived.
The second time I saw an ambulance on Monday was when one arrived at the scene of a terrible accident on Deception Bay Road. A young man lay on the road, after having fallen out of a car, suffering what clearly were dire injuries.
Brian Hayes, Arthur Hayes and I, all from Deception Bay Lions Club, were amongst first on the scene. We directed traffic, called 000, and tried to comfort the family when they arrived. Brian Hayes and a passing doctor took turns to perform CPR.
When I got home, I just walked into my son's room and stared at him for as long as I could stand.
I know what I am doing with this bike riding thing is right. Somethimes we just have to change how we live our lives, whether it is for our planet's future, or simply for the future of our loved ones.
Reflections. We need to make sure we travel safely, get to where we are going in a way that doesn't put ourselves at risk, nor put others in danger.
We need to make the right choices, the big ones and the little ones, everyday, in our lives.
Sunday 20 March 2011
March 19
How do you be two places at once? Impossible, you say, and you are right. I started out this morning at the season opening march past for the Caboolture Netball Association, which is a wonderful experience for anyone who loves to see hundreds of young people in a good, healthy local sports scene.
But I had to go off early to the Community Open Day for the brand-new Beachmere Community Kindergarten, which was literally going on at the same time. It has to be best designed kindy I have ever seen, initiated by a single-minded community. Both great events, and to go to both, I needed to use the Batmobile.
And where was the bike in all this? In the garage, looking forlorn and rejected. Too bad, bikey, you'll be whingeing at the end of the coming week. I hope.
But I had to go off early to the Community Open Day for the brand-new Beachmere Community Kindergarten, which was literally going on at the same time. It has to be best designed kindy I have ever seen, initiated by a single-minded community. Both great events, and to go to both, I needed to use the Batmobile.
And where was the bike in all this? In the garage, looking forlorn and rejected. Too bad, bikey, you'll be whingeing at the end of the coming week. I hope.
March 18
Today became a non-riding day today, probably one of my few work days without any cycling.
It was "suit time" in the morning, going to the Better Business Breakfast at Murrumba Downs Tavern. And in the afternoon, it was "cloth cap" time for the golf fundraiser for the Coastal Suns basketball team. A worthy cause.
Yes, I could have riden to Caboolture Golf Club. In hindsight, it was a wise decision not to do so: all the golf carts were booked out, so local MP Mark Ryan and I walked the 18 holes. I feared the chaffing, but at the end it was my dodgy knees that were making me walk like a duck - a lame duck. To ride back home after that may have been a wee bit too much to ask this 44-year-old frame.
It was "suit time" in the morning, going to the Better Business Breakfast at Murrumba Downs Tavern. And in the afternoon, it was "cloth cap" time for the golf fundraiser for the Coastal Suns basketball team. A worthy cause.
Yes, I could have riden to Caboolture Golf Club. In hindsight, it was a wise decision not to do so: all the golf carts were booked out, so local MP Mark Ryan and I walked the 18 holes. I feared the chaffing, but at the end it was my dodgy knees that were making me walk like a duck - a lame duck. To ride back home after that may have been a wee bit too much to ask this 44-year-old frame.
Thursday 17 March 2011
March 17
Bike ride today: up to Caboolture and back. Car drive today: to two meetings at Caboolture and Deception Bay. Once again, I can do what I need to do, if I balance riding and driving. And if my legs hold out.
Political part: we need more on road bike lanes, that is clear. Not just wider path ways, or wider road verges. Dedicated bike lanes around our major urban centres encourage you to get out and about on your bike, as they are safer and more convenient.
Political part: we need more on road bike lanes, that is clear. Not just wider path ways, or wider road verges. Dedicated bike lanes around our major urban centres encourage you to get out and about on your bike, as they are safer and more convenient.
March 16
Must be halfway through my month of riding to work. And I am getting used to it - the little extra time I need to get somewhere, the extra planning. If I have lost some weight, surely my wife would tell me ...
I quite like the ride to Beachmere, which I did again today from Caboolture. It's about an hour round trip. If I did it by car, it would be 40 minutes. I really do not lose much time out of my day by riding.
Some people have questioned my sanity, once they find out I ride to Beachmere. Surely the narrow road and the 100k speed limit make it dangerous?
Nah. Drivers seem to give me a wide berth on Beachmere Road. Maybe they have suspicions about my sanity as well.
I quite like the ride to Beachmere, which I did again today from Caboolture. It's about an hour round trip. If I did it by car, it would be 40 minutes. I really do not lose much time out of my day by riding.
Some people have questioned my sanity, once they find out I ride to Beachmere. Surely the narrow road and the 100k speed limit make it dangerous?
Nah. Drivers seem to give me a wide berth on Beachmere Road. Maybe they have suspicions about my sanity as well.
Tuesday 15 March 2011
March 15
Today was one of Council's Ride To Work events. Council put on a breakfast - a healthy breakfast, of course - at Caboolture's Centenary Lakes for the hardy souls who rode to work today . Well done Nicole Reid for organising this.
And well done to the enthusiastic workers who rode from Redcliffe to Caboolture today. That's a serious ride. You're either braver or fitter than I am.
And well done to the enthusiastic workers who rode from Redcliffe to Caboolture today. That's a serious ride. You're either braver or fitter than I am.
March 14
Bike Week officially starts today. I want to see some puffing & panting & sweating out there, as people pump up their tires and pump up their heart rates.
For those readers who have just discovered this blog, here is the story of what I am doing in March to promote National Bike Week.
I am attempting to ride to work every day, to encourage others to commute by bike to work. And here is how I did today.
Points today for riding into the office at Caboolture from Burpengary, a good ride along the worringly-narrow O'Brien Road.
Points off for taking the car to Deception Bay, to the AGM of the Kullaroo Trefoil Guides, a marvellous active groups of older Guides and Guide leaders. However, I won't be too harsh on the deduction of points, as the trip did save me the energy for the bike ride to the office.
For those readers who have just discovered this blog, here is the story of what I am doing in March to promote National Bike Week.
I am attempting to ride to work every day, to encourage others to commute by bike to work. And here is how I did today.
Points today for riding into the office at Caboolture from Burpengary, a good ride along the worringly-narrow O'Brien Road.
Points off for taking the car to Deception Bay, to the AGM of the Kullaroo Trefoil Guides, a marvellous active groups of older Guides and Guide leaders. However, I won't be too harsh on the deduction of points, as the trip did save me the energy for the bike ride to the office.
Sunday 13 March 2011
March 11
Another quiet day, working from home. One of the things that helps us work from home and reduce our car travel is the capacity to work from home, thanks to the laptop and it's dial-in connections.
I travelled by car to two events. One was a meeting with Pastor David Rauchle, a great man and a rock in the Deception Bay community. I agreed to put our draft Deception Bay Vision on my website: I am being carried upon his current of enthusiam on this project.
The second was the opening of the Artisans Guild Gallery in Old Bay Road, Burpengary. Tranplanted from their gallery in King St, Caboolture, their own enthusiam will make this new location a success.
I travelled by car to two events. One was a meeting with Pastor David Rauchle, a great man and a rock in the Deception Bay community. I agreed to put our draft Deception Bay Vision on my website: I am being carried upon his current of enthusiam on this project.
The second was the opening of the Artisans Guild Gallery in Old Bay Road, Burpengary. Tranplanted from their gallery in King St, Caboolture, their own enthusiam will make this new location a success.
March 10
Ergh. Not well today, so it is stay home and no cycling. Whatever I've got, it is making me feel every joint injury I have suffered.
Wednesday 9 March 2011
March 9
A quiet day today, cycle-wise. I started with the car, as I had meetings at Beachmere, then immediately followed by three meetings at Caboolture. The plan was to drive home, and ride to my public consulations at the Burpengary Library.
By late afternoon, lethargy and mental dissolution set in, so I drove straight to the library. Yes, I wimped out. But now at home, the lethargy is becoming a joint-aching immobility. Looks like this cyclist is crook. Well, that would assuage my guilt.
By late afternoon, lethargy and mental dissolution set in, so I drove straight to the library. Yes, I wimped out. But now at home, the lethargy is becoming a joint-aching immobility. Looks like this cyclist is crook. Well, that would assuage my guilt.
Tuesday 8 March 2011
March 8
Off to Redcliffe today for the weekly Council meeting: now that is a good long ride from Burpengary.
It's a ride I sometimes do, as it takes about an hour to get there, and I can cycle back in the afternoon after the Council meeting. There are some good cycle paths on the route.
But it can be a tough one, as it was today. The breeze was against me on the the way there, and the sun was fierce on the way back. And I can feel it in my legs: hopefully I won't be walking like a duck tonight.
It's a ride I sometimes do, as it takes about an hour to get there, and I can cycle back in the afternoon after the Council meeting. There are some good cycle paths on the route.
But it can be a tough one, as it was today. The breeze was against me on the the way there, and the sun was fierce on the way back. And I can feel it in my legs: hopefully I won't be walking like a duck tonight.
7 March
The dilemma of "it's too far to ride": it doesn't have to stop you riding your bike. Try driving half way or part of the way to your destination, take your bike out the car, and ride the rest of the way.
Brilliant! That's what I did today to get to Beachmere. I put the bike in the car (a bit more difficult these days with a baby seat), drove to Caboolture, and cycled back and forth to Beachmere from there. Half an hour there, 25 minutes back to Caboolture, courtesy of a sea breeze at my back.
The dilemma of shoes: does a cyclist have to carry a pair of heavy ol' boots in their back pack? This cyclist says no. I bought a pair of good quality, leather Timberland shoes that looks good with mountain bike pants, and looks dressy enough to go with jeans. Generally, that's all I need.
Goodness, this is starting to sound like a fashion blog. How to accesorise with your bike ....
Brilliant! That's what I did today to get to Beachmere. I put the bike in the car (a bit more difficult these days with a baby seat), drove to Caboolture, and cycled back and forth to Beachmere from there. Half an hour there, 25 minutes back to Caboolture, courtesy of a sea breeze at my back.
The dilemma of shoes: does a cyclist have to carry a pair of heavy ol' boots in their back pack? This cyclist says no. I bought a pair of good quality, leather Timberland shoes that looks good with mountain bike pants, and looks dressy enough to go with jeans. Generally, that's all I need.
Goodness, this is starting to sound like a fashion blog. How to accesorise with your bike ....
Sunday 6 March 2011
March 6
It was Clean Up Australia Day today. Appropriate, probably, that I cycle to the CUAD events at Deception Bay - contributing to a cleaner environment in two ways.
So I traipsed through the mud and marshes of the Deception Bay Conservation Park, filled up bags, and dragged them back.
Smeared with a film of mangrove mud and the attendant fragrance, I then cycled to the Deception Bay Guides AGM. Luckily, most people at the AGM had also filled bags with rubbish from the foreshore, so they forgave my odour (I think).
I had a flashing sensation of pleasure today on the bike, as I cycled outwards. Riding down the hill to Burpengary Creek, I felt the cool breeze of an autumn morning for the first time this year. The seasons are about to change, and it's a sensation I would not have experienced in a car.
And it was a satisfying feeling on the cycle homewards, when I used up my left-over energy and pedalled as fast as I could. I arrived home sweaty, smelly, but with a feeling of exercise-induced satisfaction.
So I traipsed through the mud and marshes of the Deception Bay Conservation Park, filled up bags, and dragged them back.
Smeared with a film of mangrove mud and the attendant fragrance, I then cycled to the Deception Bay Guides AGM. Luckily, most people at the AGM had also filled bags with rubbish from the foreshore, so they forgave my odour (I think).
I had a flashing sensation of pleasure today on the bike, as I cycled outwards. Riding down the hill to Burpengary Creek, I felt the cool breeze of an autumn morning for the first time this year. The seasons are about to change, and it's a sensation I would not have experienced in a car.
And it was a satisfying feeling on the cycle homewards, when I used up my left-over energy and pedalled as fast as I could. I arrived home sweaty, smelly, but with a feeling of exercise-induced satisfaction.
Saturday 5 March 2011
March 4
Q: What happens if it rains when you are riding a bike?
A: You get wet.
Addendum: You get dry again.
It's one of the reasons why some avoid riding. They say, "Oh I can't possibly ride my bike. I might get wet".
Yeah, I did get wet today. It rained as soon as I left the house. It stopped as soon as I got there.
Never mind: with preparation , you can minimise sogginess. Get a rain cover for your bag. Did I mention bike riders need a good quality back pack? Take a change of lightweight clothes, including, as I found today, spare socks and a small sports towel.
Yeah, I did get wet, but yes, I did dry off. The lighter, activewear clothes have got good evaporation qualities, especially if you get a bit of speed up. All I needed was an extra ten minutes to change when I arrived.
The worst bit was getting back into damp clothes for the ride back home.
The compromise for the day was that I did in fact drive out to Beachmere in the morning. Perhaps the well-timed rain burst was punishment enough.
A: You get wet.
Addendum: You get dry again.
It's one of the reasons why some avoid riding. They say, "Oh I can't possibly ride my bike. I might get wet".
Yeah, I did get wet today. It rained as soon as I left the house. It stopped as soon as I got there.
Never mind: with preparation , you can minimise sogginess. Get a rain cover for your bag. Did I mention bike riders need a good quality back pack? Take a change of lightweight clothes, including, as I found today, spare socks and a small sports towel.
Yeah, I did get wet, but yes, I did dry off. The lighter, activewear clothes have got good evaporation qualities, especially if you get a bit of speed up. All I needed was an extra ten minutes to change when I arrived.
The worst bit was getting back into damp clothes for the ride back home.
The compromise for the day was that I did in fact drive out to Beachmere in the morning. Perhaps the well-timed rain burst was punishment enough.
Thursday 3 March 2011
March 3
Well, a hot day, but I was no red sweaty mess. I rode down to the train station and caught the train to Strathpine for a morning of Council briefings. The bike parking facilities at Burpengary Station are excellent.
The first of the car compromises. I had public consultations at Burpengary Library between 3pm and 5pm, then at the Deception Bay Library between 5pm and 7pm. No real choice but to drive. If I was thinking in bike-rider mode, I would have put the appointments on different days.
I've rearranged one appointment for tomorrow, so as I can ride, but I have another public consulation at Beachmere Library tomorrow morning. That's a good ride from Caboolture, but too far from Burpengary. *Sigh*
The first of the car compromises. I had public consultations at Burpengary Library between 3pm and 5pm, then at the Deception Bay Library between 5pm and 7pm. No real choice but to drive. If I was thinking in bike-rider mode, I would have put the appointments on different days.
I've rearranged one appointment for tomorrow, so as I can ride, but I have another public consulation at Beachmere Library tomorrow morning. That's a good ride from Caboolture, but too far from Burpengary. *Sigh*
March 2
In my last post, I talked about the importance of preparation, a lesson I promptly ignored. Today I noticed I have arranged a lot of meetings right on top of each other, and a couple of those at distant locations. I'm still in car-driver mode.
When you rely on a car, you get used to simply hopping in and charging off. You don't need to plan ahead. That's one of the deep psychological joys of driving a car. Freedom, acting on impulse.
On a bike, I have to think the night before about where I am going, and how long it will take to get there. In fact, I need to think about it a couple of days before hand.
I will rearrange a couple of appointments in the coming days, so I don't turn myself into a red sweaty mess.
When you rely on a car, you get used to simply hopping in and charging off. You don't need to plan ahead. That's one of the deep psychological joys of driving a car. Freedom, acting on impulse.
On a bike, I have to think the night before about where I am going, and how long it will take to get there. In fact, I need to think about it a couple of days before hand.
I will rearrange a couple of appointments in the coming days, so I don't turn myself into a red sweaty mess.
March 1
Here's a good idea: to promote National Bike Week, I will attempt to ride to work every day during March. Bike Week itself is from March 12 to 20.
I'm encouraging people to use their bike more often, so I need to lead the way. I don't think I will have a perfect record, but I will persevere and try my best.
So: if you want to ride your bike more often, here's some tips. First is to get used to planning ahead. I mean days ahead. No good just getting up and charging off. More on this later.
Second is to get some decent bike riding clothes. If eye-popping lycra is not to your taste (nor of those who wish to see you), go to your local outdoorsy-adventure store and buy a pair of mountain bike pants. These look like board shorts, but have the necessary padding. And get a couple of light, active wear shirts.
I'm encouraging people to use their bike more often, so I need to lead the way. I don't think I will have a perfect record, but I will persevere and try my best.
So: if you want to ride your bike more often, here's some tips. First is to get used to planning ahead. I mean days ahead. No good just getting up and charging off. More on this later.
Second is to get some decent bike riding clothes. If eye-popping lycra is not to your taste (nor of those who wish to see you), go to your local outdoorsy-adventure store and buy a pair of mountain bike pants. These look like board shorts, but have the necessary padding. And get a couple of light, active wear shirts.
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