Posts by Sam F
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Hard News: Dressing for the Road,
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I've used pretty much the same kind of cycling attire for the last seven years in Auckland: lightweight breathable tees (I have a couple of cheap but effective Diadora tops and another no-name version in white, my preferred commuting colour), sneakers with either ankle socks or longer ones folded down in a pinch, and a pair of Matix shorts which work as comfy, quick drying bike clothing despite actually being designed for the beach.
If it's raining I'll pack an extra pair of socks and shorts in case the other ones don't dry over the day at work (most of the time they do). If the rain's likely to drench rather than just dampen I have a nylon shell jacket but anything more just soaks from the inside out thanks to Auckland humidity + perspiration.
Yes, I do have an orange vest for city riding, but a close-fitting one in a decent colour which I flatter myself almost looks smart. I also have a helmet mounted Cateye lamp set to flash - great for catching peds and drivers' eyes.
I was interested to read the comments upthread regarding cycle chic. I admire those who can pull it off and feel that people dressed fashionably on bikes can do a great deal of good for perceptions of the mode - but I'm suspicious of the way it can sometime slip from a call for freedom and sartorial fun to promulgating (however politely and cheerily) a minimum dress code along middle-upper class lines, below which you're a "road warrior" cycle prole and not really a valued supporter of the cause.
I agonised over what to wear to a recent CAA conference for exactly these reasons, but finally decided I might as well go in my usual tee and shorts mode - if we're talking about cycling in your everyday clothes, that's how I most authentically exist for at least half of the year anyway. If anyone ever insists that I ought to raise my standards, I will happily invite them to either pick up my tab at the nearest mens' outfitters or get over themselves. Hasn't happened so far...
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Hard News: What did you do yesterday?,
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Got up respectably late, had yum char with the SO on the North Shore (and pretty busy it was too), helped Dad with the last stage of working on deck repairs - hopefully - and then went down to Pt Chev Beach which was not far off standing room only in some places.
Also tried to avoid spending too much time completing multiple Waitangi Day Bingo cards via *that* locally infamous Twitter user...
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OnPoint: MSD's Leaky Servers, in reply to Sacha,
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My bad for introducing the whole mess.
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Summerfield also writes opinion and articles for NZ Autocar IIRC.
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You're welcome... no, it is not satire, and no, I won't subject anyone to another link to that site...
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Thread would not be complete without this properly hatstand effort from a name familiar to some...
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..imes
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OnPoint: MSD's Leaky Servers, in reply to Ross Mason,
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Checked Kiwiblog (for my sins) and pleasingly most people were quite happy with Keith's work - only the one huffy type who told DPF he didn't give money to "socialist losers" voluntarily. You can't please them all...
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Was going to reply then wondered if Danyl had already said it better, and yes he has:
It’s nice to see that Shane Jones still takes a casual interest in New Zealand politics. Bit of a shame the only thing that motivates him is his passionate hatred of Labour’s largest viable coalition partner, and not, say, National Party policy. But after four years of total silence on all of his portfolio areas, his vehement opposition to a satirical ad parodying a company he used to chair, and that paid him $10,000 during the last election campaign is a deft way to remind us all what Jones stands for.
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Hard News: Do me a favour ...,
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Was great to see the show on air again. It would have been great to hear more from Sapna Samant but overall definitely worth the watch.
Hilary notes the motion on the screen in the background - I found this a little distracting with the old Media7 screens too, but otherwise no quibbles with the look (and actually I kinda liked the thumbs up from stage right at the very end of the credits :) )