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Posts Tagged ‘Cycling’

When will the Mayhem stop? Cars vs Cyclists

26 Sep

Most of you know im an avid cyclist. I used to be 150kg and clearly very overweight. I used cycling help get me active as i lost weight, and of course started out slow.
Because i was larger 6km took me a long time to bike and was a epic journey, eventually i got better as i lost the weight.
Along the way i tried lots of cycling groups, but they all just went off and left me behind in the dust on the hills because i was larger.
Then i stumbled over a tiny group called the Pickled Pedallers in Albany.
Their motto? “We start together, we finish together”. I never got left behind, “Coach” would sit back with me (i think he liked the break to be honest!) and “Crash” would keep me amused with smart assed wise cracks.
I didnt always have the time to cycle with the group. but whenever i turned up i was welcomed.
As my cycling developed the group grew larger. When i moved to Cambridge from Auckland a year ago the one thing i missed more than anything was the cycling. I actually gave up cycling because the groups here just were not the same. Doing it alone just didnt do it for me (though i still cycle a lot too and from places).
I kept in touch via the forum and occasional visits and races.

So today i heard on twitter from @roadcycling (aka http://www.roadcycling.co.nz ) that her respects go out to the Pickled Pedallers who were involved in an accident today on the waterfront. My first though was ‘omg was anyone hurt’. As it turns out, there was. Unfortunatly the forum was down, however google reader cached the rss feed and i got this.

“Hi guys—-it is serious and it was our group. Greg Paterson is in a critical condition with head injuries, Dave also has a suspected head injury but some of us were talking to him in emergancy and he was quite lucid, cuts on ther left side of his face maybe a broken collarbone, Stev I last saw with a neck brace on and in emergancy but not sure of other injuries, Swampy has a bad cut to his left knee and Red Hot and I helped the doctor stitch him up—well we were there at the time! It is a nasty and deep cut.
Greg’s injuries are life threatening, so if you are into prayers, he needs them. I shall keep you posted.
The woman driver drove straight into the middle of the group so in some respects we are lucky there were not more of us injured.”

It even made the nzherald http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10599761 and several other places. (new update at http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10599817 )

At the moment im still stunned, and really gutted that Greg, and the other guys are now like this, because one person missed a stop sign. Something as small as that, has a guy in hospital unsure if hes even going to live, and if he does live what is his quality of life?

Whilst some of you may hate cyclists, do remember that there are always the ones that give everyone a bad name. The PP in particular were actively working on making sure they were never aggressive to other members on the road, never stopping in odd places, and never more than 2 people wide (or 1 if there was a car coming – PP forums http://pickledpedallers.forumcircle.com/viewforum.php?f=2 ).

To follow the story check out http://www.vorb.org.nz/crash-auckland-t100615-15.html

 
2 Comments

Posted in Diary, Personal

 

Cycling Fun jokes etc

13 Aug

Excellent Fixie vs Road Cyclists Rap

fail-owned-bike-repair-fail

YOU KNOW YOU’RE ADDICTED TO CYCLING IF….

  • You hear someone had a crash and your first question is “How’s the bike?”
  • You have stopped even trying to explain to your other half why you need more than one bike…you just go buy another one and figure it will all work out in the divorce settlement.
  • You buy your crutches instead of renting.
  • You see nothing wrong with discussing the connection between hydration and urine color.
  • You find your Shimano touring shoes to be more comfortable and stylish than your new trainers
  • You refuse to buy a settee because that patch of wall space is taken up by the bike.
  • You have more money invested in your bike clothes than in the rest of your combined wardrobe.
  • Biker chick means black lycra, not leather, and a Marinoni, not a Harley.
  • “Four cheeseburgers and four large French Fries” is for you.
  • You see a fit, tanned, Lycra-clad young thing ride by, and the first thing you check out is his or her bicycle.
  • You empathize with the roadkill.
  • Despite all that winter weight you put on, you’ll take off weight by buying titanium components
  • You use wax on your chain, but not on your legs (girls).
  • You use wax on your chain, AND on your legs (boys)
  • Your current bike is older than your grown up children.
  • Your first course when you eat out is a large banana split.
  • You yell “Car!” when passing another car, and “Bump!” when you see a pothole – while driving your car.
  • Your bike has more miles on its computer then your car’s odometer.
  • You wear your bike shorts swimming.
  • You wear Voodoo T-shirts all the time, including under dress shirts.
  • Your bikes are worth more than your car.
  • You buy a people-carrier and immediately remove the rear seats to allow your bike(s) to fit.
  • When you move to a new area the first thing you look for is a bike shop.
  • You have more bike jerseys than low-cut tops.
  • You take your bike along when you shop for a car – just to make sure the bike will fit inside.
  • You view crashes as an opportunity to upgrade components.
  • You clean your bike(s) more often then your house.
  • You spend weeks during the summer spraying arrows on the sides of roads.
  • You and your significant other have and wear identical riding clothes.
  • You put your bike in your car and the value of the total package increases by a factor of 4 (or better).
  • You can’t seem to get to work by 8:30 AM, even for important meetings, but you don’t have any problems at all meeting your mates at 5:30 AM for a hundred-miler.
  • You regard inter-gender discussion of your genital pain/size/shape/utility as normal.
  • Your New Years resolution is to put more miles on your bike than your car, and you do it.
  • You can tell your other half, with a straight face that it’s to hot to mow the lawn and then bike off for a century.
  • You know your cadence, but you have no idea what your speed is.
  • When driving your car you lean over the steering wheel, just like an aerobar.
  • Your kids bring a rear derailleur to “Show & Tell”.
  • Your car sits outside your garage because your garage is full of bikes and cycling gear.
  • Your surgeon tells you you need a heart valve replacement and you ask if you have a choice between Presta and Schrader.
  • A measurement of 44-36-40 doesn’t refer to the latest Playboy centrefold, but that new gear ratio you were considering.
  • You wear your heart monitor to bed to make sure you stay within your target zone during any extracurricular activities.
  • You experience an unreasonable envy over someone who has bar end extenders longer than yours.
  • You’re too tired for hanky-panky on a Friday night but pump out a five-hour century on Saturday.
  • There is no time like the present, for postponing what you ought to be doing, and go bicycling instead…
  • You no longer require a hankie to blow your nose.
  • You smile at your evening date, and she politely points out that you seem to have bugs in your teeth.
 
3 Comments

Posted in Humour

 

For those who want to cross the auckland harbour bridge sunday 24th

16 May

One day in May, 1959…
50 years ago the Auckland
Harbour Bridge was opened to
pedestrians for one day;
since then only motor vehicles
have been permitted.

The NZ Transport Agency refuses to let Aucklanders walk and
cycle over the Auckland Harbour Bridge. But their reasons just
don’t stack up (see over for the facts). After years of trying to
negotiate with them, it’s clear that they just want to build more
roads for more motor vehicles. So join community leaders and
Walk Auckland for a peaceful march over the Bridge.
Come along, rain or shine!
Bring your family and friends
for a fun time and take part
in a unique demonstration of
support for the walk/cycle way!

meet at Point Erin (south side of the Bridge) at 9am for a 9:30am march

Will it be safe?

Yes. We’ve asked the NZ Transport Agency and Police to help
make this a safe event by keeping the Western clip-on lanes
closed for the morning. (These lanes are currently closed each
night for major strengthening work on the Bridge.) We will not
force our way onto the Bridge. But we will be very clear that we
want to get across. We have chosen a day and time to avoid
interrupting the traffic.

What if they don’t let us across the bridge?

We hope to get across. But if we don’t, we’ll still be showing
the NZ Transport Agency and government that many Auck-
landers strongly support the walk and cycle way.
This demonstration of people power will help overturn

NZ Transport Agency’s longstanding opposition. And if we’re turned back, we can always try again next month! ck, we can always try again next month!

Once we’re across, how do we get back?

There are several options. We’ve asked for the western clip-on
lanes to be closed to traffic until 11:30am. This gives plenty of
time to walk the 2 km in each direction. Otherwise, walk to
Akoranga Busway Station to catch a bus, or bring your bike and
cycle back using the Devonport or Bayswater ferries. See
www.maxx.co.nz for details of public transport options.
This demonstration of people power will help overturn
NZ Transport Agency’s longstanding opposition. And if
we’re turned back, we can always try again next month!

Can we afford it?

Yes. The Government’s just announced an extra $1 billion over
the next three years for the State Highway network, so the
money’s definitely available. In these tough economic times,
people need low-cost transport. Walking and cycling are the
cheapest (and most environmentally-friendly) options.

Why is this a priority for the region?

access will boost walking and cycling in the region. The
walk/cycleway will make Auckland’s harbour much more
accessible and enjoyable for all.

Could it be part of the National Cycleway?

Yes! The walk/cycleway will create many jobs while it’s being
built and will generate long-term tourism. It will make for a
spectacular day trip and encourage visitors to spend more time
in Auckland.
What would we call it?
The 10,000 who have already registered their support at
www.getacross.org.nz strongly prefer naming the walkway and
cycleway in honour of Sir Edmund Hillary.  This seems
appropriate: Sir Ed loved the Hauraki Gulf and encouraged
people to be physically active.
So why does the NZ Transport Agency oppose it?
The NZ Transport Agency are fundamentally road builders who
think they can solve transport problems with bigger roads.
They have a long history of giving motor vehicles priority over
walking and cycling. Their opposition to walking and cycling
access on the Bridge goes back many years and there is a
history of excuses and broken promises – see
www.getacross.org.nz for details and how each excuse can be
addressed. Their latest excuse is that the walk/cycleway would
affect the clip-ons’ ability to carry heavy trucks in the future.
But their recent decision to ban trucks from the clip-ons means
this reason no longer stacks up.
What else can you do?
• Visit http://www.getacross.org.nz to learn more and get the
latest updates. Read about the NZ Transport Agency’s history
of broken promises and excuses for not allowing walking and
cycling over Bridge
• Donate! Contributions to help cover printing and advertising
costs are much appreciated.  Please direct credit our ASB
bank a/c: 12-3057-0824362-01
• Pass it on to your friends and family, and invite them along -
we need as many people as possible
• Print or photocopy this flyer and put it around cafes, your
gym, your workplace… anywhere you think people may be
interested
To offer help or for further information that’s
not online contact:
Please contact us!…  e-mail andy.smith@livingstreets.org.nz or
phone 021 474 740

See you rain or shine at 9am Sunday 24 May!

Please excuse any weirdness in the text, its from copy/pasting between a PDF and my blog :)

 
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Posted in Informative

 
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