Ness Likes to Review Things

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.

I bought a new pair of boots recently, and to my delight this morning, discovered that rather than making it impossible to ride, they actually act as a form of cycling clip, making me a lot faster and better at riding in boots. My comment on these boots being made to ride in is that recently, with the commencement of the cycling challenge, Glamour Push and Pin Pals my recent interest in girls cycling comfort and style has peaked. I like wearing things that I think are cool and therefore, I don't want to have to change clothes to ride or carry a spare chage with me. Fussy, I know, but I think you should be able to do it. I've had chats about cycling calendars and pocket mirrors, riding in heels and in dresses, helmets and baskets, they all seem vastly important in my personal experience of cycling. I think mainly this is because they all make my experience easier.

On this note I have been talking to Felicity about things that girls might like for cycling, or things that we would think were awesome. Baskets are right up there as well as skate helmets and riding gloves. I have some ideas for pouches with pocket mirrors, folding brushes and other bits and pieces. Jo came up with the great concept of a draw string and screen printed bag to place within your basket. If only I had more time I would most certainly make these things, but I don't, and I don't have the money to pay for friends to make them... or a bike shop to sell them in.

The point is, I think more women would cycle if they thought they could do it in comfort and in style, and I think that a bunch of girls on a girls cycling team who cycle together and often never touch lycra could be well placed to do something, however small, about it. I think I am going to add a cycling style section to this blog and to the photo albums and update with images of awesome actresses on bikes, photos of the Pin Pals cycling in style and also... maybe of random strangers. I honed those skills in Melbourne, in theory I could do it again... I don't know. I think the poster girl for cycling in style should be Ellen Page though, because she is AMAZING, owns and rides a bunch of cool bikes and does it all looking very cool.

Also, a huge welcome to our new Pin Pal Jane!!! I think if nothing else this challenge means that we have accomplished getting some people riding, dining and talking!