Going for a Ride

OK, so the latest mid-life crisis hobby has manifested itself. I bought a bicycle and have started commuting to work.

Here in New Zealand, they are also known as push-bikes. Prior to this, the last time I was on a bike was around my Sophomore year of high school (age 15). But, it is true what they say and I got back into it very quickly. I'm not terribly speedy yet, but that will hopefully come as my long-unused leg and butt muscles get more use! The bike is a hybrid bicycle which is a cross between a road bike and a dirt bike. Road bikes are designed for speed, but what I wanted was a bit more utilitarian. This bike is ideal for commuting, and I've even added a rack at the back for mounting saddle bags.

There I am, looking dorky and posing on the bike near Evans Bay Parade. That bike is sharp though, eh? In keeping with tradition, this latest vehicle is Darth Vader Black.

This is a map of the route I take, marked in blue. The total distance: (approximately) for my bike route is 9 kms (5.5 miles). It takes me about 30 minutes to get to work. My employer kindly offers a bike locker and shower facilities, too.

Wellingtonians who travel from the southeastern suburbs often refer to two different ways to travel into the central city. They might go Around the Bays (my bicycling route) or Through the Tunnel (which refers to going through the Mount Victoria tunnel). If I go through the tunnel, the route is shorter by about 2K but involves a lot more traffic to navigate and breathing car fumes. Yuck. The coastal route is much prettier, as you can see below.

Stacey took this action shot.

I really should point out that the above photo is very misleading. I can assure you that most of my commutes are not this idealic, nor do I look so happy. I often wonder if vehicle passengers that pass me laugh as I'm grunting, huffing and puffing slowly down the road. By the time I leave work it's dark and sometimes raining and windy. Until now, I did not really comprehend the distinctions between Northerly and Southerly prevailing winds, nor the Beaufort Scale. The other night I experienced a squall (yes, really!) when I turned the corner around Oriental Bay--torrential rain and sudden gusts of wind! It sounds terrible, and it kinda was, but I was also laughing uncontrollably. It was so ugly that I just had to.

Even so, I honestly can say that I love it and feel great doing it. Saving money, saving petrol and getting some exercise. Yeah, it's work and a bit of hassle, and the winter weather makes it harder. But I am having a good time and really looking forward to the summer when the riding will be fantastic. Winter will be a good test of my resilience and dedication in the meantime.