Guest bloggers: Paul Tiaiti changes lifestyle habits

This week we were lucky to talk to Paul Tiaiti, who organises HikoiforLife which is a social bike group cycling every Sunday morning around the beautiful Hawke’s Bay. Enjoy and bring on the weekend!


Hikoi4life go out every Sunday for a cycle. We are so lucky to be surrounded with picturesque vistas here in the Bay and we’ve been going near-on two years now firstly for various events around our province like Duathlons and Half Ironmans and now we just get together and go for a cycle.

I organise our Hikoi every week and make sure it’s safe and that the guys and gals know what route to take - trust me there’s nothing worse than trying to find a cyclist who didn’t listen and gets lost LOLl! We even have a support car which looks after our cyclists.

But the greatest pleasure being out with the group is the socialising aspect and how close you become to your friends and how many other cyclists you see that are out there enjoying the thrill of cycling. There’s also the diverse range of cyclists from newbies to professionals that we encounter on our journeys - that’s what cycling has done for us, it has certainly changed our lifestyle habits. And why wouldn’t you, with great roads and scenery around our province?

We also try hard not to leave anyone behind. I suppose there is nothing worse than a (newbie cyclist as we call them) to be discouraged and left on their own.

For me I am looking forward to the challenge as I am a Paraplegic. I want to experience what my friends do every weekend - why you say? Because it looks like a whole lot of fun and I seriously think I’m missing out on it even though you get the odd grumble because we tackled a couple of hills. So for me, I am half way through fundraising for a Handcycle which will give me that experience that my friends enjoy every weekend.

Sometimes there is 13 of us and at other times just six but we enjoy getting out there and enjoying our roads whether it be in the city limits or along the countryside Highways. We love cycling so much it’s hard to imagine us missing out a weekend. It’s as simple as grabbing a bike and giving it a go cause. If anyone can, kiwis can.

Paul

This one runs on fat and saves you money

As well as running on fat and saving you money, we can think of 30 more reasons why cycling is good for you:

1. You get fit
2. You save money on petrol
3. You don’t have to pay vehicle registration
4. There’s minimal maintenance needed on a bike compared to a vehicle
5. Better for the environment
6. It’s social
7. It’s fun
8. You get outdoors and breathe fresh air
9. Exercise releases positive endorphins
10. If you don’t have a car it’s a great alternative
11. Cycling can be faster than driving a car
12. Cycling is a good stress reliever
13. Almost anyone can ride a bike
14. The commute to work can be the best part of your day instead of the worst
15. Exercise increases productivity at work
16. Don’t need to buy a gym membership - you can exercise for free
17. Cycling is nearly a life-long activity
18. A great way to spend time with your family
19. Cycling is low impact on the body
20. Cycling in your neighborhood is a great way to meet your neighbors and build community
21. Camaraderie of cyclists makes it a great way to meet a nice stranger with a similar interest
22. Free and easier parking
23. Leaving your car at home provides a parking space for someone less fortunate
24. Reduces the demand for new roads and paving the earth with asphalt and concrete
25. Reduces the demand for parking lots and paving the earth
26. Reduces air pollution
27. Reduces greenhouse gas emissions
28. Reduces noise pollution
29. Easy to vary your route by bike
30. Cycling is cool

Have we left any out?

Guest bloggers: Biking saves time

This week Andrea Taaffe gives us an insight into her morning routine! Enjoy.



Should I drive or should I bike?

Well when you find out the distance I have to drive you will shake your head and say “that’s an easy answer’’! I live 1km from the centre of town (give or take a few 100 meters – that is actually quite important to a lady, it’s the difference between a lettuce leaf or a meatball at 10am!) Anyway as you can imagine whenever possible I ride my bike to work, or the shops, library and on occasion to an establishment of social engagements – stay focused!

To my amazement by the time I find my car keys (they have legs and are always on the move), start and warm up the car, get out of the car, open the gate, close the gate, get back into the car, get caught in traffic, find a carpark then walk to work it takes me 10 minutes longer than it does for me to get my bike out, open and shut the gate and bike straight to work avoiding traffic queues and parking problems. Now even easier with all the funky bike racks around! Plus not paying ridiculous petrol prices or getting stressed about being stuck in a queue – yes I am a tad impatient, hence cycling is the perfect solution for me. Trust me the next time you cycle past a queue of cars have a quick peek at the expressions on the drivers faces – something not far off a dehydrated mouldy lemon!

So get out there and enjoy the benefits of cycling, I am yet to see the down side and I am a changed woman – wait until you hear about Gloria (yes, I’ve named my bike)!

Andrea :)

Guest bloggers: With social cyclist, Julie Speers

We are starting a new feature on our blog - Guest Bloggers. Each week will be asking a new friend of iWay to do an individual post for us. To kick it off we’ve got Hastings resident, Julie Speers.

Julie cycles almost every day looking super smart. We asked her why she chooses to cycle and what she gets up to. Enjoy!



June 17th, shouldn’t it be cold, wet and miserable, after all it is only a few days from the shortest day. Well not here in the sunny District of Hastings, it’s another absolutely glorious day. So what do I do on a day like today? Get on my bike of course, and why do I get on my bike?

- I’ve got chores to do in town and why get the car out for a small trip when I can save on petrol, parking costs and I can always get a park (check out the cool new bike stands in the CBD)

- I’ve got friends to catch up with – what a great way to socialise by having a leisurely ride on one of the pathways, grab some fresh air, some sun shine, see some new sights and have a chat along the way. Of course there is always the coffee or wine at the end of the ride!

- I need to get some exercise and recharge the brain, what better way to do it by combining it with a cycle trip, either to run an errand or a visit a friend, what a time saver.

Of course what I like most about riding around central Hastings and surrounds is that it’s mainly flat roads – I don’t like hills!!

Julie x

In love with folding bikes

I first set eyes on these bikes in London while on The Tube. People in their suits and work attire would jump in the carriage effortlessly with these bikes by their side.

Anyone know where you can buy these in NZ?

Happy Friday...stay dry!

New cycle trails website launched

It's Friday avo so thought you'd all be interested in checking out a cool new website Nga Haerenga, The New Zealand Cycle Trail www.nzcycletrail.com

Featuring 18 of the best cycle trails in the country including none other than our very own Hawke's Bay pathways!

There's heaps of great images, maps and info - it might even inspire you to take a trip to visit some of the other trails, I know it inspired me.

Enjoy the long weekend...