Tag Archives: cool

Happy New Year

Dear Rouleurs,

This is my  last blog for 2015.  At the start of the year, I set myself a goal to ride 5000 km before 1st January 2016. Despite illness and a couple of really enjoyable holidays I was able to achieve this easily.  I’m actually pretty chuffed. The grand total was 5947.39 km from 432 individual rides.

So this my ride log care of my GPS ->2015-Bikelog

And this my monthly ride total -> November and December were great months.

2015-KM-by-Month-01

As I have a fetish for charts here’s another 2.  This time its my weekly total below,

2015-KM-by-Week-01

and ‘worm’ charts showing progress to target.

2015-KM-by-Week-02

Woo hoo…I’m off to a barbeque.  Happy New Year, see you all in 2016.

Marv

Hello Rapha, Goodbye Pocket Money

 

Dear Roulers,

I guess it had to happen…finally Rapha have an outlet, all be it short lived, in Melbourne. I have to say… about bloody time guys. Every time I go to Sydney, I visit Rapha on Crown St and bemoan the fact that this is only place in Australia were you can see the full range of gear.

The Melbourne popup shop, located in Little Lonsdale St, follows the Rapha formula, providing good service, an interesting place to visit and a decent coffee service on the ground floor. It’s really well presented and gives a gentle nod to the history and culture of cycling via old black and white photos and heritage gear. The upper floor has a mechanics shop and meeting area.  Here’s a few pics from my last visit.

Rapha-1-sml Rapha-2-sml Rapha-3-sml
The front door Upstairs workshop A list of mountains I’ll never climb 😉

As Rapha clothing is designed for people that clearly have a lower percentage of body fat than I do, trying the gear on is essential. Yes I’m living XXL, although happily its a lot less snug than it used to be. I’m dreaming of the day that I’m able to invoke a jersey swap for a smaller size. Hopefully that offer will be around for a while yet.  Hopefully the store will stick around too.

Caio until next time…

Marv

Melbourne City’s Cycling Plan

Dear Roulers,

Occasionally, I’m prone to having a winge about why Melbourne Councils and the Victorian State Government don’t do more to encourage people in inner suburbs to commute to work.   The other when I was doing a search for cycling infographics I stumbled upon this -> http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/AboutCouncil/PlansandPublications/strategies/Pages/Bikeplan.aspx

I have to say was impressed.  However, the current plan finishes 2016 and the Council have commenced seeking engagement and feedback on the next plan for 2016-2020.  All I can say is get involved -> http://participate.melbourne.vic.gov.au/projects/draft-bicycle-plan-2016-2020/

Any way here’s the current cycle plan’s infographic and I think its pretty kewl.

See you on the roads.

Marv

20150608-MelbourneCyclingPlan

 

More reasons why Melbourne should be like Copenhagen

Occasionally, I read articles in the mainstream press about relative merits of cars vs bicycles as a means of commuting.  Inevitably cars win regardless of the merits of short range bicycle commuting or mixed mode using public transport.  Then I find something like this on the Internet  that convinces me that we really aren’t trying hard enough 🙂

http://www.cykelvalg.dk/bike-city-copenhagen/

 

Copenhagen bikes rule