On the Bike
Published by Matt Glover January 5th, 2007 in Family & ParentingWhen I was a kid and then a teen, I used to ride my bike everywhere. They were the days before helmets were a legal requirement and dragsters were way cooler than a BMX.
Then I got my licence and didn’t touch a bike for about ten years.
But I got back into it just before I start as a pastor at MBC. All of the guys in the small group I joined were keen cyclists and we trained for the “Bay in a Day” ride - 210km around Port Philip Bay in Melbourne. It was great fun and I was probably the fittest I’d ever been.
Then we had kids and the bike began to gather dust once more.
Anyway, in the last week I’ve removed the spider webs and got the bike out again. Yesterday, I rode to the office and back which I hope to make at least a weekly experience this year.
I think I’m the heaviest and least fit than I have ever been at the moment, so I was totally stuffed when I got home. But it felt good knowing that I had done something good for the environment, something good for my health and something good for my wallet!
Reading this article today, I realised that many of my fellow Melburnians are feeling the same. For the first time in ages, sales of bikes have outstripped the sales of cars in Australia. Some companies are even offering their staff fleet bikes instead of fleet vehicles, and our roadways are slowly being transformed to be more bike friendly.
After I saw a fatal bike accident about 15 years ago, I’ve always been nervous riding on the road. Fortunately, the network of bike tracks around Melbourne is superb, and I can enjoy a nice ride through the bush over the ten kms from home to church, with only the last little bit being through back streets.
It’s not really a new years resolution, but something I thought I should mention here so you can ask me from time to time how I am going. Last time I was riding regulalry, I found it did wonders for my prayer life too, so I’m hopping the same will happen this time.
Anyway, if you see a short guy with a silver bike and a blue helmet riding along the Mullum Mullum trail, wave and say hi!
Bikers of the world unite!
I’m about to sell my car entirely, as we have found that we don’t need it any more. Most parts of inner Melbourne are great for cycling. Just some attitude shifts in drivers who most seem arrogant towards cyclists, and it would be perfect.
Keep it up mate!
Decades ago, living in Wollongong, I used to ride the 10 km or so to work each day on the bike track along the northern beachces there. On a good day, it was just fantastic. The worst days were when a southerly in the morning was replaced by a stiff nor’ easter in the afternoon- I lived north of the city.
Now I live in Narrabri in northern NSW. It’s flat, but very spread out because of the several creeks and flood pains that pass through the town. There are few buses or bike tracks, and selling the car is definitely not an option!
Funny, I thought when you were a kid Penny Farthings were all the rage.
Ha. I can still beat you anyday General…
So how’s the riding been going? Still keeping at it?
I’ve done a fair bit of riding over the years. It’s the only way to get from A to B …. and C, D, E, F all the way through to Z.
It’s been going great!!
Managed to the office 2 - 3 times a week with a couple of night rides as well. I purchased some decent lights which meant riding at night along the trails isn’t a problem anymore. Problem is, everytime I’ve gone out in the dark I’ve got a puncture!!
Not being able to find the hole in the dark has meant some long walks home!
You need to carry a hand held light too, for finding the puncture!