Everlasting Fire.

Today Martin suggested we all ride up and see the wildflowers in Kings Park. Apparently they are very beautiful. The ground in Kings Park is carpeted currently with Martin's favourite flower, Everlastings. They are tall and small and blanket the area in a sea of pink and white, seamlessly flowing together between the trees and attracting various insects with their colourful array.

I've performed google searches to discover the power of Everlastings, and granted I haven't been at it long, but I don't think I have found anything that captures the boundless beauty of what Martin so eloquently described to me. I feel like it is pointless to believe that the essence of their appeal, the way that they reach out and metaphorically touch the viewer, could ever be captured by a photograph. I can only hope Martin goes up to Kings Park and takes some photos riding amongst the Everlastings, as I so greatly want to do, but cannot due to my allergies.

What I have found are a few images that set the scene; really start to inspire the imagination as to what Martin is truly talking about. I would have uploaded these to an album entitled "Everlasting Fire", but the cycle instead in spring website isn't equipt for the sheer number of photos and blog posts that I have assaulted it with. Alas I will have to merely send these on to those who are interested and allow you all to imagine their stunning relevance. Personally, I think cyclists prefer to ride through or past fields of sunflowers, or at least that's what seemed to happened during the Tour De France, but not Martin, I think he's carrying the torch for West Australian riders, asking us to think not of those in France or around the world, cycling past golden fields or forests of green, but to think of our backyard, the sweeping banks of pinks and whites that blow in the sea breeze and make Kings Park a special place. Martin, WA salutes you.

To the Hyatt! Avast!

Today I had training at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and I rode my bike from my house all the way there. It was lengthy and plesant and I managed to not hit cars or pedestrians. I rode through glass too (this is not something you should do but I can) because Mark and I have found and put bomb proof tubes in my tyres. It makes me live on the cycling wild side occassionally. Ditched my bike crossing the curb to the Hyatt but thankfully I was walking my bike. Those things are not human friendly let along bike friendly, it's stupid. This curb was substantially taller than others so you wouldn't have wanted to try to jump it on a regular bike let alone on B. Locked my bike to a tree and started panicking that it was going to get stolen. I'm telling you, there is not much worse than seeing an empty street (see photo in the album) with your bike locked up in it and thinking it is done for. Thankfully I was using Mark's massive cable lock.

The training was really awesome and I emerged finding my bike not stolen and in fact, still locked to the tree. SUCCESS!!! I proceeded back to work dodging cyclist and pedestrians at lunch and managed to soak up some much needed sun and fresh air.

We intend, this afternoon, to ride up to the rock climbing gym. I realise given that I am blogging about cycling a lot and have now mentioned rock climbing, that some of you might think that I am into fitness and health. This assumption would be incorrect. I dislike this predominantly, but actually riding and actually climbing with people you like is actually fun. Actually. Which means that any fitness gains are secondary for me. I just like to roll around and occassionally climb some walls while being terrified. Actually.

In other news my dear team mate Carmel has linked me a really cool site detailing some of Ellen Page's efforts re:cycling and cycling design. Given she is a previous Pin Up Lady on my blog I will link this stellar read here:

http://www.ellenpage.org/news/newsscript.php?rssid=222

and post another picture of Ellen and her bike in the Pin Up album. This one is of her on her cute pink ladies bike in suitably cool denim waistcoat, t-shirt, scarf, jeans and chucks. The lady has it down.



And on the subject of our Star Lady Pin Up's I am going to upload today's star lady in the move back to a more glamourous focus; miss Zooey Deschanel. Here pictured in super cute crop top with pedal pushers and red heels to match her stunning red ladies push bike. Zooey has many pictures with her bike in various styles, like Ellen, and if the website permits me with its limited space, I will upload these in the future.

In closing I received an email (a group email) from David Meyer yesterday on the Cycling in Spring Challenge. In it is states the following: "PRIZES TO BE WON: BikeWest is giving away Bicycle Packs and prizes for riders using the website features. We'll give away prizes to riders with a Profile picture on their page. Prizes will be awarded for the best pictures plus random winners. Also prizes will be given for the best Bicycle Quote plus random Quotes will win a prize. So upload your Profile picture and Bicycle Quote this week to win." Turns out that what Deanne thinks is a silly and lame attempt for me to win prizes is actually legitimate. I think I have a good case if I don't win a prize and I hope I win a good prize. Because I have been utilizing the website in a BIG way people. And because I want a new bike with gears. No really. Hills are hard.