Thorndon Quay-southbound – has been?

The cycleway out to Te Atatu is also fun. Coming out to it by way of St Lukes, Mt Albert, New Lynn and Kelston in morning rush hour, not quite so much, but traffic has never been something that bothers me.

The SH16 cycleway needs an upgrade to widen a?

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/new-zealand/auckland/232417626

good hills!

Another good option is to go over the old Mangere bridge and do a loop around Ambury Park, Wallace road, Greenwood, Oruarangi, Ihumatao. then a quick ride up George Bolt to Montgomerie?

My commute is possible via two main routes: right out of the drive then down to Donny Park, through the park (and it really is a?

The Arch Hill mountain bike tracks were more challenging than I had expected

I told you, didn't I? I now feel vindicated, as opposed to like a whiny noob ;-)

The long slow drag up the hill from Albany to the Highway also always seems to attract large groups of lycra-clad masochists, come rain or shine. Usually rain, come to think of?

An alternative to avoid the Ellerslie Panmure Hwy, is to hang a right after Ellerslie and head down to Gavin St, left onto Penrose Road through to Waipuna Rd, left onto Ireland Rd. That brings you to the Panmure roundabout nightmare, but that can be negotiated with the pedestrain?

I certainly can't fathom any other reason why people would want to go to Riverhead, anyway.

Hallertau!

Hallertau!

Yeah, it's ok but this year's beers have been a bit lacklustre for my tastes.

Interestingly the Riverhead Tavern has been bought and is undergoing renovation at the moment. Hopefully they'll be able to turn it into something a bit special. No pokies would be a start.

Slightly off-topic?

Actually the EPH and roundabout are the least of my worries (I have no compunction about approaching the roundabout in the centre lane, sticking my hand out and rolling around at 20km/h – it's not like the traffic is going any faster). The bad bits are the bridges?

Ok, me too, but I mainly stick to the country sealed and gravel roads out the back of Brightwater and Wakefield in Nelson. I don't like the iPod bobbling around too much to wreck my noise reduced playlist?

Most of the time this presents no problems. However, sometimes a cyclist can speed past you from behind with no warning.?

My usual rides are to Makara?

If you're a cyclist please yell out "cyclist behind" if you're approaching a runner or runners from behind and we'll happily move out of the way.

Fair call. I always try and make sure the runner/walker knows I'm coming.

The problem is sometimes that they're wearing earbuds and may not?

Prostetnic Vogon Joyce

Bahahahahahah! He of the Holiday Hyperspace Bypass?

Heh, look at all these middle aged men with their cycling bidnezz!

Dude, I'm 34. Please say that's not middle aged.

One of my more humbling experiences was when I was living in the UK, when I did my first audax ride. It was a 100k around East Anglia as?

The problem is sometimes that they're wearing earbuds and may not hear you even if you shout.

Get a bell. A nice loud ding-a-ling bell. Isabel necessary on a bicycle? Yes.

The only problem for me on my cycle to school is the amount of broken glass in the cycle lanes

I read about this somewhere. I used to hate this as well, and also wander why Murphy's Law meant I always got a puncture in the rain. Roads are designed?

Also like the country roads before the airport – over old Mangere bridge then kiwi esplanade and keep turning right until you run out of roads. On a cold early morning especially the Manukau can look stunning.

I think I'll have to add that to the portfolio — although it's?

Related: people's thoughts on drafting people you don't know?

It does annoy me when people draft without taking a turn or at least saying g'day. It does happen a bit.

Related: Do you acknowledge other cyclists? I usually try to do a little wave or raise eyebrows at the very?

My normal ride's a strictly utilitarian commute down from Marewa Road in Hataitai, through the Mt Vic tunnel?

I have also got over my qualms about lycra

But what about our qualms about lyrca? Perhaps there's a way to get motorists to like cyclists better...

bells

I don't have a bell on any of my bikes, for two main reasons:
1) I, personally, get really annoyed by people ringing their bells at me – it's a bit too "out of my way, peasant!". Rational, no, but I find it peremptory.
2) To ring a bell,?

I've ridden to the bach on Waiheke.

From Avondale? I'm guessing you put extra air
in the tyres and added the outrigger training pontoons...
;- )

obey the cycles of the moon...

I should note that I have also got over my qualms about lycra, and now own...

good?

From Avondale? I'm guessing you put extra air
in the tyres and added the outrigger training pontoons...
;- )

I have seen amphibious bikes on YouTube. You think lycra looks silly?

It's pretty cool how the Waiheke ferry doesn't charge extra for bikes.

Knowing when to sound it gently rather?

Re. places to buy bikes, I'm not sure if they do finance, but I've always found Planet Cycles near the top of Dominion Rd. to be very helpful.

If I'm drafting you it's because you were faster and overtook me.

If I'm drafting you it's cause I've got an army and I'm gonna teach you how to act like a man.

Jackie: Bike Barn 50% off sale right now.

OTOH, I picked up a full-suspension Merida MTB at Velo's?

it's a bit of a bugger that the return trip to the Waitemata side via the SH20 cycleway involves a fairly taxing climb from sea level to Hillsborough Rd.

Agreed. I always take Onehunga Mall instead, but may try the climb once more with the new bridge crossing to partway?

Turns out, to the detriment of my waistline, that however much I love riding it just doesn't happen unless I have an errand to run. Perhaps a weekly treat from the Icebreaker outlet near the airport is in order?

I'm quite glad I don't commute. I'll still ride five days?

I think more cycle lanes are needed but, there will always be idiot's on the road whether they're in cars or on bikes makes not a lot of difference.

On that subject, my advice would be to spend an extra $100 and buy some really good puncture-proof tyres. I haven't had a puncture now in 9 months of daily riding, and it makes a lot of difference. Walking?

buy some really good puncture-proof tyres

Yeah, that was what I meant by the belt. I've not tried those belts that can be added between the tyre and inner tube. You and I agree about the puncture proof tyres, but some people don't like the way those stiffer tyres handle.

I should also say that they last longer, which means they work out similar in price over the longer term, and you're being even greener than you would otherwise?

As long as a bike hasn't been badly?

There is a particular bike in a particular rack in a particular bike shop that I just stared at?

This is the problem with falling in love with bicycles. One becomes such a sucker for every hot little number flirting cheekily from a bike shop window.

I think I'll enjoy building myself?

Te Atatatu Peninsular

Russell, as a resident I feel an obligation to correct you. It's Te Atatu Peninsula.
Or Te Atatu North, though some of the posher residents would have you up for that.
But never Te Atatatu Peninsular.
Just sayin.

I reckon we all should chip in and buy Jackie a bike! I would be a starter with $100.

Seriously, Jackie: got a Paypal account or something?

Te Atatatu Peninsular

Russell, as a resident I feel an obligation to correct you. It's Te Atatu Peninsula.
Or Te Atatu North, though some of the posher residents would have you up for that.

Peninsular and Orient
Steered Hoipolloi to an
Extra R

Meeting by occident
we find reorientation
out?

And not one you'd comfortably do on anything other than a hybrid. There's a brilliant stretch of the Peninsula trail where the corners are nicely banked and you can (bearing in?

I reckon we all should chip in and buy Jackie a bike! I would be a starter with $100.

Seriously, Jackie: got a Paypal account or something?

Yeah, I'm in too.

I've never been tempted by the replica team uniforms though, paying to wear all that advertising seems odd to me.

For the cost-conscious cyclist, wait until after the Tour de France and then pick up the replica kit from the minor teams for cheap. Probikekit.com usually have a fair bit?

Details here.

I'm going to have to do a combined NW/SH20 cycle run sometime in the future I think...

I'm going to have to do a combined NW/SH20 cycle run sometime in the future I think...

It's pretty straightforward — come off the SH16 path at Carrington Rd, then ride up Carrington then Richardson to the top of the path at the corner with Maioro Street.

Oddly, Google Maps?

It's pretty straightforward — come off the SH16 path at Carrington Rd, then ride up Carrington then Richardson to the top of the path at the corner with Maioro Street.

Excellent – or I suppose you could build the Oakley Creek track in, and then go up through/past Unitec to?

Excellent – or I suppose you could build the Oakley Creek track in, and then go up through/past Unitec to join Richardson?

You could, but you'd be going through Unitec to get to Oakley Creek, then finding a way back to where you would have been anyway. On weekends, I'll?

You could, but you'd be going through Unitec to get to Oakley Creek, then finding a way back to where you would have been anyway. On weekends, I'll sometimes go via Unitec's back road,?

You don't need to go through the Tech to get to the creek. There is a path off Gt North Rd, just near the bottom.

Ah, all good for you Westies, but I think Sam's coming from the other direction.

My bike to work is sometimes as good as the day gets, so at least every day?

The path continues on for another km or so to a dead end on the far side of the railway from Pak'n'save, trap for young players.

Ah yes, did that not so very long ago...

Watch out bombing the cycleway by the tech too, I was nearly collected by some?

There is a series of walkways from Cox's bay directly to Grey Lynn Park that most people don't know about

Including me! Will explore.

There is a series of walkways from Cox's bay directly to Grey Lynn Park that most people don't know about

Yep, you basically follow the creek till you hit Richmond Road right next to Countdown. You then need to cross the main road and ride past the Mitre 10 and?

My morning commute is travelling West to East, into the rising winter sun, as it brings light to a foggy Hagley Park. A magic moment, always enjoyed at the end of Kilmarnoch St.

My bike to work is sometimes as good as the day gets, so at least every day?

Also I don't want to go?

a wonderful slope and so easy to get carried away, but if you meet a pedestrian along the way down you're going to regret it...

Yes, pedestrians don't really know what to do when they see someone hurtling along the footpath at upwards of 40kmh. "Keep Left" isn't really that?

I'll be in Mission Bay & going back & forth from the city so may need something less casual, but I'll definitely see what they can do.

It's a bit of an oversight of them not to have a collection/dropoff point in Mission Bay – Tamaki Drive is one of the most popular rides in Auckland, and?

Browsing the mouthwatering goodies (and things to eat) while chatting and drinking is a great thing. Also watching Le?

Hi Slightly off topic but can anyone tell me where the Oakley Creek bike/walking path path starts? Is it behind the BP on Great North Rd? does it eventually come out near Pak N Save?

If you're going west, it's just past the overbridge, on the left.

And no, sadly,?

And I hope all the Hamilton cyclists have been to the (fairly) new Velo Espresso in Garden Place.

Thanks, Steve. I have noticed the new addition with interest. Must cycle on down there soon. Garden Place certainly needs something like that.

I have been doing a bit of late night?

Also on topic, I bought one of these on Monday. It beats riding my old ten-speed. Very fast and comfortable – I put 10kgs of groceries?

My morning commute is travelling West to East, into the rising winter sun, as it brings light to a foggy Hagley Park. A magic moment, always enjoyed at the end of Kilmarnoch St.

I have memories of the surreal sight of cycle-powered disembodied heads floating along, above the Hagley morning?

They're great for carrying a small amount of stuff, takes about 2 seconds to hook them over the bar. Cheap as chips too, Warehouse and K-mart have them for under $20 for a wire frame one. If you want style, of course you'll pay more.

Mine is a sturdy wire-frame?

I've taken home an office chair strapped into it.

So that wouldn't be you with a sofa strapped into it snapped a few weeks ago and featured in Sideswipe?

So that wouldn't be you with a sofa strapped into it snapped a few weeks ago and featured in Sideswipe?

Very much on topic: Canberra's couch-bicycle-boat beast, the SS Mitzie. It has to be seen to be believed.

Mt Albert: Not all that high a climb, but most of it's in a straight line over the first kilometre. Steep, and nothing much to do or see when you get up there.

Mt Eden: If you're reasonably fit, you should be able to?