tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83675084056894911632024-03-18T21:29:51.508-07:00iWay BlogChris Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07209114875308594832noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8367508405689491163.post-61868563257117541812012-02-27T16:32:00.009-08:002012-02-27T18:00:26.576-08:00The Napier-Hastings Commute: Go By Bike BreakfastThis week our guest blogger, Tanya Winter, re-lives the Go By Bike Breakfast last Friday where a group of people rode from Napier to Hastings to support the cause.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKo-WiUjFJWQEJpJenZTzp9ULLz-9bnxToJiDZcMnoq9AKO-G1XDiIL5mJhHADl9gRMIaP8AtcEH6xY4Oo5Sb8s95P8cQDiYBhzpVP1UfP9DbO09RYFaqEETIFf0vZ3xA17J7f9p9H_I/s1600/P1120055.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKo-WiUjFJWQEJpJenZTzp9ULLz-9bnxToJiDZcMnoq9AKO-G1XDiIL5mJhHADl9gRMIaP8AtcEH6xY4Oo5Sb8s95P8cQDiYBhzpVP1UfP9DbO09RYFaqEETIFf0vZ3xA17J7f9p9H_I/s400/P1120055.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713984157673320210" /></a><br />Riding into the event after our ride from Napier <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgr0aOx7v9zsTZ-PPemOry9foiXCYbdtj3p7uhwFckaX7fMQbvpVZyJ3T0WnwRFVIrDLpr10oK0IJsHnp-pqk-532aAI7jYyF3Qfr0tHQWJFJJmsecaiN5HAw0nX1-HnCbLyF3EqhyphenhyphenNpg/s1600/P1120074.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgr0aOx7v9zsTZ-PPemOry9foiXCYbdtj3p7uhwFckaX7fMQbvpVZyJ3T0WnwRFVIrDLpr10oK0IJsHnp-pqk-532aAI7jYyF3Qfr0tHQWJFJJmsecaiN5HAw0nX1-HnCbLyF3EqhyphenhyphenNpg/s400/P1120074.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713983201858198770" /></a><br />The ''Napier crew'' L-R: Rochelle, me, Caroline, Craig, Raoul and Bruce<br /><br />Friday 24 February was Bike to Work day in the Hawke’s Bay. After a week of iffy weather the sun shone so that people who maybe wouldn’t ordinarily bike to work could dust off their Morrison ten-speed and join the throngs that descended on the Hawke’s Bay Opera House to celebrate cycling. Oh, and chomp on a bacon butty and sip on a delicious Opera Kitchen coffee.<br /><br />Our crews left Napier from two locations: Caroline, Bruce, myself and Mark Curthey from Transfield Worley left from the Ellison St/Marine Pde intersection; and Craig, Raoul and Rochelle left from McDonalds Taradale. We met at 6.50am at Meeanee to cruise to Hastings. I have talked about riding in bunches in previous blogs, but a bunch of 7 people all of varying cycling abilities requires everyone to be on full alert. Couple that with the mornings getting darker, and we needed to take extra care on our journey over. <br /><br />The journey was uneventful and fun, with everyone in high spirits. We arrived at the Opera House at 7.30 to a warm welcome, an even warmer bacon butty and a hot coffee. Ross Holden did a great job MCing the event, and a big thank you to the HDC staff who ensured everyone was fed and watered.<br /><br />Bike Wise month finishes this week. As at today, Hastings District Council staff have cycled 11,200km over the month, and 29% of staff have logged a ride. Fantastic effort.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8367508405689491163.post-71087145272377058312012-02-15T16:23:00.000-08:002012-02-15T16:33:23.898-08:00The Napier-Hastings Commute: Events in the BayThis week our Guest Blogger, Tanya Winter, combined two events together as she continues her commitment to Bike Wise month (despite the weather!) and supports Art Deco Week in the Bay.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygEzSm1bn1yFwep9GDibs09yzvl6O5VQwr_WdKzeNI12t5Ms4rFJ9pSJSW3QCdzlNm33iEDIr4Z0tiAzabcYJtWyZd5VyN-QnH-h62XjqWJIB292sC9cH7mVMXlGhzt4hkQhXkO9jNQg/s1600/tanya+art+deco.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygEzSm1bn1yFwep9GDibs09yzvl6O5VQwr_WdKzeNI12t5Ms4rFJ9pSJSW3QCdzlNm33iEDIr4Z0tiAzabcYJtWyZd5VyN-QnH-h62XjqWJIB292sC9cH7mVMXlGhzt4hkQhXkO9jNQg/s400/tanya+art+deco.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709523960129954402" /></a><br />This week has been the worst week for cycling in terms of the weather I have ever experienced. It has rained every day, which has proved to be most frustrating for those of us who are trying to clock up the kms for Bike Wise month. My aim to improve on the number of kms I did in 2011 is becoming a distant dream, unless I get out and do a couple of 100km rides between now and the end of the month! I can see the “Tui” billboard already.<br /><br />Contrary to what I said in an earlier blog about being a <a href="http://loveiway.blogspot.co.nz/2012/01/napier-hastings-commute-being-seen.html">fair weather cyclist</a>, I actually succumbed to cabin fever yesterday and biked into work anyway. It was OK coming in, but I got drenched on the way home. But it felt great being on my bike again.<br /><br />This week is Art Deco week in the Hawke’s Bay. Many think this is a “Napier thing”, but we have as many (if not more) Art Deco and Spanish Mission style buildings in Hastings, which means we have just as much right to party. <br /><br />I get a lot of “jibes” from my colleagues about how colour co-ordinated I am. Well, I think I pulled off the ultimate in accessory matching yesterday, when I wore my yellow and black Art Deco outfit. It was quickly pointed out by those around me that my bike is the same colours! How about that?<br /><br />We are lucky in the Bay that we are blessed with a wide range of fantastic events, and with our amazing cycling network many events and activities are accessible by bike. Some even combining the 2. For example, wine tours that can be done on bicycles; “Belles on Bikes” as part of Art Deco Week.<br /><br />So the clouds are supposed to break today or tomorrow. Get out and enjoy cycling, and also enjoy those events and activities that are on offer all around us!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8367508405689491163.post-20514326266255598692012-01-31T17:28:00.000-08:002012-01-31T18:08:14.142-08:00The Napier-Hastings Commute: Being seenWoo hoo, it's the first day of Bike Wise Month! To mark the occasion, we talked to our regular Guest Blogger, Tanya Winter, about her ride to work this morning and the importance of being seen while cycling.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeREdbPU3MyFRGhXVYIbp2OP4dvPhVXKaKlgeTcJT9HGB92JInlhmSkUw6VZTJ_YmfU61DvxH42QtcT1doY7JpZFsSkna1BXN9ZkUbDYmvYmdfpMvRXZKOlXQvst72q5hTdmqlNRsdHl4/s1600/tanya+new+blog.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeREdbPU3MyFRGhXVYIbp2OP4dvPhVXKaKlgeTcJT9HGB92JInlhmSkUw6VZTJ_YmfU61DvxH42QtcT1doY7JpZFsSkna1BXN9ZkUbDYmvYmdfpMvRXZKOlXQvst72q5hTdmqlNRsdHl4/s400/tanya+new+blog.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703973773143305730" /></a><br /><br />I’m going to sound like I have just come off the Ark, but when I first started cycling there was no such thing as fluro gear. <br /><br />You tried to wear bright-ish clothing and used big, heavy bike lights, where the “D” batteries lasted about 5 rides, but that was about it. You just hoped motorists and pedestrians saw you. <br /><br />I did have a few dodgy moments in the heart of Wellington in those days (not THOSE kind of dodgy moments!). Ones where I had car doors opened on me, people walk across the road in front of me, and cars not give way to me. Funny, I didn’t really put two and two together back then to conclude that they simply could not see me.<br /><br />Nowadays there is no excuse not to be seen on your bike. I’m not talking about being lit up like a Christmas tree or anything, but enough so people can see you from afew hundred metres away. Fluro clothing and small, energy efficient bike lights are relatively cheap and easy to come by. It is really important that other road (and cycle pathway) users can see you.<br /><br />This morning I cycled to work as it is day one of BikeWise month and I’m helping my team whip all the others in Council. But that is a different story! Although February is generally the hottest month in the Hawke’s Bay, I have noticed that the mornings are starting to get darker. I cycled in with my biking buddy Craig, and both of us had front and rear bike lights on. I also wore my fluro bike top, which I purchased for about $20 from a website called <a href="http://www.torpedo7.co.nz">Torpedo7</a>. And I bought a nifty fluro bike bag cover which slips over my back pack from Avanti Hastings, again for about $20. It’s amazing how confident and comfortable you feel when you know people can see you. <br /><br />For most of the journey this morning we were sharing the road with cars doing 100km/h. It is important they can see us.<br /><br />So, enjoy Bike Wise month everyone. Ride safe. Ride strong.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8367508405689491163.post-4142411777409446332012-01-18T19:46:00.001-08:002012-01-24T18:44:59.630-08:00Guest Bloggers: The Napier-Hastings Commute: FriendsTanya's been <a href="http://loveiway.blogspot.com/2012/01/guest-bloggers-napier-hastings-commute.html">commuting to work from Napier to Hastings a bit lately</a>. This week she talked to us about sharing the ride with friends...it sure beats riding 20km by yourself! Enjoy <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqGR9TtB5SXzFWBOagKX0MPpvOyuPFSLbvUfrpSXXRgFm1pwwLjVIZ8jn0PIzA1HPb9pVNDDbsIxNinyNDf9AboADPC_ER6z4N8a9lYMlkaOYmW4HWsy6TnNhWL2yEgijJxhEaVI1-Hk/s1600/2012-01-19+07.14.30.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqGR9TtB5SXzFWBOagKX0MPpvOyuPFSLbvUfrpSXXRgFm1pwwLjVIZ8jn0PIzA1HPb9pVNDDbsIxNinyNDf9AboADPC_ER6z4N8a9lYMlkaOYmW4HWsy6TnNhWL2yEgijJxhEaVI1-Hk/s400/2012-01-19+07.14.30.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699184933743057746" /></a><br /><br />The Beatles weren’t wrong when they said “You get by with a little help from your friends.” Today, I rode into work and managed to persuade my work mates Craig and Caroline (pictured above) to come with me. To be honest, there wasn’t a great deal of persuading required. These two are mad keen cyclists. Staring at the backsides of your colleagues is a great way to start the day, especially if they are cyclists with rather toned ones!<br /><br />Logistics are important when you ride with friends. Caroline, Craig and I started the “what day will we ride in this week” conversation on Monday. We had to all align our diaries and personal commitments and find a day that suited all of us. We also live in different parts of Napier, so organising where to meet and at what times needed to be sorted. The great thing was it worked like magic today, and we had a great ride in.<br /><br />Riding with others is fabulous. There is the companionship you get on the way, and the trip goes by really quickly. Craig, Caroline and I are reasonably experienced cyclists so we drafted the whole way to work. This means one of us took a turn out at the front for a while with the other two tucked in behind and were sheltered from the wind. This provides an advantage to the following cyclists who essentially have a chance to recover their legs before it’s their turn to go out the front. We were riding between 28-30km/h most of the way in, which is much faster than I can do when I ride in by myself. There is also the motivating factor with others. You try your hardest to keep up because you are in a team situation and don’t want to let the side down.<br /><br />Riding with others also requires you to have an extra heightened sense of what is going on around you. We rode in a line one behind the other which is the safest way to ride. In this situation not only do the three of us need to be aware of the traffic around us, but we need to be in tune with the other riders. I was aware of where Craig and Caroline were in relation to me and our surroundings the whole time. If you think about how much physical energy is expended on a bike, and couple that with the mental energy required to stay alert, it gives you some idea of what fitness level would be required for an event like the Tour de France where they ride over 3,600km in 3 weeks! That’s roughly equivalent to Cape Reinga to Bluff and back, plus some. Amazing!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8367508405689491163.post-12023055702519566952012-01-18T19:41:00.000-08:002012-01-26T19:31:31.792-08:00Guest Bloggers: The best car drivers are people who cycleThis week we talked to Cheryl Paget who proves the best car drivers are people who cycle. Have a great weekend, the sun is meant to come out! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvJCyomuH94ZIDN5FyDhXr4cMZEhFESetcTqrBZxiBKc1Feq-egZLm4UblHGUfDtob6yLF3lX5gXV6x5BbhYJBxn2KcXu15RzvCSAES-5ch-ETuV7UXxnhXDzth5Pyrp7_Y-w7BQGZ58/s1600/tanya+027.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvJCyomuH94ZIDN5FyDhXr4cMZEhFESetcTqrBZxiBKc1Feq-egZLm4UblHGUfDtob6yLF3lX5gXV6x5BbhYJBxn2KcXu15RzvCSAES-5ch-ETuV7UXxnhXDzth5Pyrp7_Y-w7BQGZ58/s400/tanya+027.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701654294530720018" /></a><br /><br />So, two things happened in 2011: firstly my 77 year old Father-in-Law who has had two hip replacements cycled 1407km from Lands End to John O’Groat’s (the length of Great Britain) and secondly, my employer organised a “Shape Up for Summer” exercise and diet challenge for its staff. <br /><br />The latter made me realise just how deeply unfit and overweight I was, and the former made me wonder what on earth my excuse was not to cycle the paltry 5.6km from my house to work every day, especially considering that when I lived in England I cycled everywhere.<br /><br />Since moving to NZ I have adopted the kiwi way – that is, drive everywhere, and I really had run out of excuses for not getting on my bike. In England I used to plan my week around cycling – I would arrange my appointments on one or two days so that I would only use the car on those days, the rest I cycled. I saved a fortune in petrol and looked great from all that exercise. Then I moved to Hawke’s Bay, with all that amazing food, long lunches and wine, I stopped riding and took up eating! The bottom line (double pun intended) is that I needed to lose weight and biking is a really good way to keep trim, and compliments the swimming and walking I started doing during the “Shape up for Summer” challenge. <br /><br />So, shamed into action by my pensioner relative, I really had to get on the old bike. <br /><br />A quick and inexpensive trip to Revolution Bikes to have my trusty steed checked over, a few trial runs around the area to make sure the old adage that once you learn how to ride a bike is true - and I was ready. D-Day was chosen as the first day back at work after the Christmas break. Start the New Year off as you intend to carry on I thought. <br /><br />So I’m into the third week of cycling to work - there are odd days when I need to take the car, but I intend to cycle every day and plan when I need the car, rather than the other way round. <br /><br />If you think you can mostly drive and cycle in on a couple of days it just doesn’t work out, you need to completely change your attitude to your commute to stick at cycling to work. Well, that’s my theory! The challenge will be when schools start back, I just hope the need to operate “Mum’s taxi” will not impinge on my riding to work, but I will just need to plan my week a bit better I think.<br /><br />It is a tad hairy out there I admit, dodging car doors being opened onto you, swerving to avoid people who pull over into the cycle lane to park, narrowly missing people who overtake then immediately turn left, and you need to give drivers at intersections the evil eye to make sure they see you before they pull out, and I will confess, I avoid roundabouts if I can. But it’s no worse than being in a car, and let’s face it there are poor drivers out there who are a menace whatever vehicle you are in, and at least it gives me something to talk about (I’m a great Facebook ranter!) <br /><br />The net benefits outweigh the odds though, I feel much brighter when I get into work and mentally alert ready for the day. After all, there’s nothing your boss can throw at you that you can’t deal with if you feel that you dodge death daily on the roads! The fact is, the best car drivers are people who cycle, so if everyone rides a bike at some point they will be more considerate of cyclists. The road is safer for everyone if car drivers wait that extra nano-second for the bike to go past, or check their side mirrors before getting out the car, and the best way to understand what a cyclist is going to do on the road is to be one yourself.<br /><br />Even after two weeks I have noticed a difference in my fitness, I am less puffed out and not quite so bright red when I arrive, and I am experimenting with getting changed at work or just cycling in my work clothes. I am actually quite pleased that I can cycle up the hill to my house – a while ago I would get off at the bottom and push the bike up (one of my excuses for not cycling was “the hill”) two weeks ago I was getting halfway up and then getting off, this week I have actually managed to cycle to the top! OK, so I need a lie down and a beer when I get home, but hey I did it! In another couple of weeks I may be able to cycle up the hill without seeing stars, but I reckon I will still need the beer!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8367508405689491163.post-1467672860325996422012-01-12T12:07:00.001-08:002012-01-18T17:50:47.047-08:00Guest bloggers: New found courageThis one is a goodie! Marit was always a bit nervous on her bike after a scare with a big truck, but has since found the confidence and is now loving biking with friends to wineries and enjoying the scenery. Well done Marit! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYVquu_BpKeGzuaTbrDSf4_HAYuZT2bRXlOT3308TAYUCAh0UCXNgFhwcPE_91rf4jOLXDydzg9MmczbelpiSWOQ-BVP-bsERuoLRHspqPf6MXWONzaeJkrB7-07kIeiJQhsOr3HBzD8/s1600/marit+iway+blog.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYVquu_BpKeGzuaTbrDSf4_HAYuZT2bRXlOT3308TAYUCAh0UCXNgFhwcPE_91rf4jOLXDydzg9MmczbelpiSWOQ-BVP-bsERuoLRHspqPf6MXWONzaeJkrB7-07kIeiJQhsOr3HBzD8/s400/marit+iway+blog.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696954242199715394" /></a><br /><br />I hadn't ridden on my own bike for 21 years as I had a scare on St Georges Rd in the first few months we lived there. I didn't want to ride along the road there anymore because of a close encounter with a speeding truck and no room to safely get out the way on the narrow berm!<br /><br />However 5½ yrs ago, I was persuaded by my very keen sister, brother and sister-in-law to go on a bike wine trail, which we did – it was 24kms and a great day.<br /><br />And then this Christmas holidays my sister Bianca once again asked to go on a bike ride so we did with a group of friends (Cheryl Paget, Zoe Wilkinson and <a href="http://loveiway.blogspot.com/2011/06/guest-bloggers-with-social-cyclist.html">Julie Speers</a>). Four of us hired bikes at a bike hire place at East Rd, Te Awanga and Julie brought her own. <br /><br />We cycled down to Clifton Café for morning tea admiring gardens and pohutukawas in full flower. Then back to Clearview Estate for a very civilised lunch and glass of wine. After lunch we cut through the vineyards behind Clearview up to Park Rd, struggled up the steep hilll and down the gravel drive to Maggie T’s Pots. Then whizzed down the hill and back to the bike hire place where we left Zoe and Julie. Cheryl, Bianca and I continued biking around Haumoana and onto the cycle ways for another 8km ride. It was a great way to spend the day and the bikes were great – lovely comfortable seats and very simple (no gears). <br /><br />So the fun of cycling with family and friends (plus the bonus of café, pottery and winery visits along the way) has inspired me. My old bike has been taken out of the garage and after cleaning off the cobwebs and 21 years debris, we took it to the cycle shop last week to see if its resurrect able. <br /><br />I have not heard otherwise, so we pick it up on Friday and the cycling will recommence. It will start with a few rides to work with Cheryl and then registering in the Bikewise Challenge.<br /><br />Marit :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8367508405689491163.post-89558879704147469012012-01-11T15:15:00.000-08:002012-01-15T14:30:40.787-08:00Guest Bloggers: The Napier-Hastings Commute: LogisticsThis week we talked to Tanya Winter who lives in Napier and often bikes to work, in Hastings! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CUklfALXJW36NbGomb5T_tCNZ3SqXw9cPJpOjQpb3ox3CmIKiW3W_GHEHSO_nnV_tzXBkQOdWBaR_bHTDhIsY3aZfMYKOwILZ03NzFxbXvFvH0jYoTUVf5Mb8SY_rAOTIJkbJEEwrho/s1600/tanya+006.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CUklfALXJW36NbGomb5T_tCNZ3SqXw9cPJpOjQpb3ox3CmIKiW3W_GHEHSO_nnV_tzXBkQOdWBaR_bHTDhIsY3aZfMYKOwILZ03NzFxbXvFvH0jYoTUVf5Mb8SY_rAOTIJkbJEEwrho/s400/tanya+006.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696538614791849106" /></a><br /><br />I have been cycling for 25 years and when I moved to the Hawke’s Bay I knew I would be spoilt for choice in terms of opportunities for cycling. My decision to live in Napier whilst working in Hastings was a conscious one, driven somewhat by the perfect commute distance of 20km between work and home. The only part of this that seems a tad unfair is the prevailing winds in the Hawke’s Bay seem to work against me. It is generally a South-West wind in the morning and a North-East wind in the afternoon. Some would say the resistance training is good for me. <br /><br />I biked into work today taking the Marine Parade walkway-Clive route. My decision to ride today was made last Sunday as it requires a number of things to line up. They are:<br /><br />- the weather – I keep an eye on the forecast about 5 days ahead of when I am going to ride in. Call me a wimp, but I actually want to ENJOY the ride to and from work, so it’s important that the weather is good.<br />- my work commitments – I often have meetings that start early or finish late. I try to find days where this is less likely to happen. The ideal time for leaving work to bike home is 5.30, as the initial rush of traffic has gone. I also try and find days where I don’t need a vehicle during the day, although I have used work cars if necessary.<br />- personal commitments – I ride on days where I don’t have personal commitments after work, unless they are later in the evening and I can get home with plenty of time to go out again!<br /><br />I left home today at 6.30am, and it’s a 45min ride from home to work. I carry all my work clothes in a pack on my back, and things like my swipe card, mobile phone, bread for breakfast, purse, sunglasses. I leave a towel and a fully kitted toilet bag in the shower facility at work. That lessens the load to carry. I don’t like ironing, so its relatively easy for me to find clothes that I can stuff into a backpack, and they come out the other end looking OK. I know for some people, particularly guys with shirts, this would be more difficult. For this reason, some people leave clothes at work.<br /><br />I shower in a building adjacent to the main offices which is frequently used by tradespeople...and that itself is an interesting exercise! I remember using the back shower one morning and coming out only in a towel to find one of the painters there. I’m sure it was a start to his day he would rather not have had. I guess we were both lucky I had the towel!<br /><br />I am able to make toast and a cup of tea and am ready to start my day just before 8.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8367508405689491163.post-54275394978340343222012-01-10T12:26:00.001-08:002012-01-10T12:41:38.259-08:00Guest Bloggers: New year, new challengesHappy 2012 everyone! We're pumped for a new year and new challenges. Today we talked to Rochelle again to see how she was feeling after Tour of the Bay last year and whether she'd continued cycling. Enjoy. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMJ522xjzIXFx15ohR4FWftIYy61zZYdI_lTgD5mc0QoBmF2lVq8JQ7C0g22oa-QQqrC_7Fm8G6z0Jd6uR3pD_-ifSD7Z4USyM5ayCWqX98GcRi506F4EWUuRj-PpHRGrXoyLgFto1PE/s1600/flat+tyre.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMJ522xjzIXFx15ohR4FWftIYy61zZYdI_lTgD5mc0QoBmF2lVq8JQ7C0g22oa-QQqrC_7Fm8G6z0Jd6uR3pD_-ifSD7Z4USyM5ayCWqX98GcRi506F4EWUuRj-PpHRGrXoyLgFto1PE/s400/flat+tyre.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696104808572931266" /></a><br /><br />Cycling is awesome, but I need to make it habit-forming. After the Tour of the Bay in October I got out of the habit. Determined to start cycling again, last weekend I pumped up the tyres, donned the lycra and headed off for an early morning bike.<br /><br />I was expecting it to be a lot harder than it was, funny how muscles work. It helped that cycling last year coupled with the Summer Challenge at work (measuring steps with a pedometer) got me walking more and eating healthier and then I shocked myself and joined a gym.<br /><br />Still going to the gym too, but that’s another story. I recommend everyone who doesn’t think the gym is for them to give it a go; I was one of those people and now look forward to my work outs!<br /><br />Anyway, the bike ride was a fizzer. I got 10kms in, heard a funny noise, kept going, noise didn’t stop. Decided to check it out and had a flat back tyre. Awesome. Luckily I’d bought a mini-pump for last years training and the tyre lasted until I got home. A bunch of lovely walkers along Puketapu Road stopped to check if I was okay too.<br /><br />Now I just need to keep up the gym, try to avoid takeaways and fix that puncture so I can go on good long bike rides.<br /><br />RochelleUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8367508405689491163.post-18932171126262918652011-10-18T20:34:00.000-07:002011-10-18T20:40:32.906-07:00Guest bloggers: Tour of the Bay success!Congrats to Rochelle who successfully completed, loved and couldn't get enough of this year's Tour of the Bay. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGmsYAUhT86RcEGfJQ69iTQkgVmQk1CKDp4m83g9qibmDJ5S6KuziDHsEOfHKuiVPWe79u5LHXqbfQI9GwqBlemfjL_uE065NW5nDX-SjgHFHhnYd5Q5vMdpQsIu0MIh-nyNH2XwLUI0/s1600/Rochelle+after+TOB.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGmsYAUhT86RcEGfJQ69iTQkgVmQk1CKDp4m83g9qibmDJ5S6KuziDHsEOfHKuiVPWe79u5LHXqbfQI9GwqBlemfjL_uE065NW5nDX-SjgHFHhnYd5Q5vMdpQsIu0MIh-nyNH2XwLUI0/s400/Rochelle+after+TOB.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665042011681270002" /></a><br /><br />The day of the 50km Tour of the Bay arrived too quickly. Feeling excited and more than a little nervous I ate my porridge, donned cycling gear and filled the water bottle with Powerade.<br /> <br />The Hastings Sports Park was packed with cars and cyclists and that’s when the heart really started racing. I walked my bike to the start line, hoping I’d done enough training to get up the hills. My family smiled and waved from the sideline as the countdown began and I did a wobbly smile back.<br /> <br />Then we were off! The group quickly spread out, with everyone giving each other plenty of room. I managed to get in behind a small bunch of cyclists on Omahu Road – Dad’s ‘slip steam’ training paying off.<br /> <br />The Ohiti Road hill loomed and I switched to my lowest gear and worked up it. It was an amazing feeling reaching the top and not having to get off my bike. \I knew then that I could finish the race. The remaining hills and straights passed by and I concentrated on keeping my speed up and eating the odd wine gum.<br /> <br />I finished the race in 2 hours 17 minutes. Apart from a slight mishap with a spoke breaking (I jammed it behind some others) all went well. No falling off, no passing out – I can actually do this! <br /><br />Next year, I’m aiming for under 2 hours.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8367508405689491163.post-70553513257878230132011-10-09T19:15:00.001-07:002011-10-11T13:28:03.356-07:00Guest Bloggers: Tour of the Bay one week to go!This week we caught up with Rochelle who did her last big training ride before the Tour of the Bay this weekend (ekkk). We're in love with her dog Emma too! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Q_UFXhJxSFjGOfPt970yi08cUNwbt5yNzXNPAbCsNTSKZuA2o2SHLA3aayfWJQ9ttAyLV1sv5AP4oNvK9VF445Hkm4Mci-Ko1Z0OfztmCz7canQr-mOU_1iloaiE_8f_1q7tk3OiE9k/s1600/Rochelle+and+Emma.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Q_UFXhJxSFjGOfPt970yi08cUNwbt5yNzXNPAbCsNTSKZuA2o2SHLA3aayfWJQ9ttAyLV1sv5AP4oNvK9VF445Hkm4Mci-Ko1Z0OfztmCz7canQr-mOU_1iloaiE_8f_1q7tk3OiE9k/s400/Rochelle+and+Emma.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662332622313140594" /></a><br /><br />Right, so now I’m feeling I may be able to finish this bike ride and not collapse in a jellied heap half way. Week four I actually did go for the 45km bike ride I’d planned. I put on the worn-once-before padded cycling pants and my new cycling top, not minding that I was wearing the Lycra. I cycled it in 2 hours 23 mins; 37 mins faster than the first time! Highlight: 59.8 km/hr down Apley Road, lowlight: 2 seconds after reaching top speed when a magpie dive-bombed me. I must admit, I swore a bit as I tried to keep going straight.<br /><br />Feeling quite good, I decided to drive around the course route that afternoon. I took my dog Emma to give her a walk in Pakowhai Park afterwards. It was at 60km on the car odometer I was working out my pulling-out email. By 75kms I was even more annoyed at the staff who measured the course. At 80kms it all happened at once – the realisation that I’d written down the 100km route, that I was almost out of petrol, and that Emma had just thrown up all over the back seat!<br /><br />It was a tense remainder 20kms. I found a petrol station just in time, proceeded to Pakowhai Park, gave Emma some water and she perked up and went for a run, then spent the afternoon washing the muddy dog and the back seat of my car. I also checked the 50km cycle route to make sure the huge climbing hill on Ohiti Road was only in the 100km one. Nope, it was in the 50km one too.<br /><br />I didn’t go for a bike ride on week 5. I told myself I was saving my energy for the event the following weekend, but really I’m a tad nervous.<br /><br />Rochelle :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8367508405689491163.post-82440845559830998102011-09-28T15:13:00.000-07:002011-09-28T15:21:47.168-07:00Spin class as Tour of the Bay training<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3wyMqvAqRbxWejXLU5EkUuFGyeBCpiIxrzOYPea8Pgp4fO9fMlJ5ElDfP4gijC55m0eJZp1UxYa4GvcRID4MM5lLf2P5Iy7LO9ndIxvU879FMq3nA4Gv7YY5N7ixrLYIWAcvTaDtYbE/s1600/spinclass.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3wyMqvAqRbxWejXLU5EkUuFGyeBCpiIxrzOYPea8Pgp4fO9fMlJ5ElDfP4gijC55m0eJZp1UxYa4GvcRID4MM5lLf2P5Iy7LO9ndIxvU879FMq3nA4Gv7YY5N7ixrLYIWAcvTaDtYbE/s400/spinclass.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657538689986758754" /></a><br />My Tour of the Bay training hasn't been as good as I'd hoped. I don't even have an excuse with daylight savings and the perfect weather we've been having. <br /><br />In saying that, I did get up early this morning and go to a spin class with a friend. <br /><br />Cue 45 minutes of an over energetic instructor yelling at you to 'climb that hill' and 'be aggressive' minutes after you've woken up, and with a belly void of food I might add. <br /><br />During the six minute hill climbs and the sprints to the finish line, I was hating the class, but in all honestly afterwards I felt great.<br /><br />Apparently you burn 1,000 calories doing a spin class, and what better way to train for the race. This weekend I'll get out in the sun (it's meant to be raining on Saturday so Sunday it is). <br /><br />How's your training going?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8367508405689491163.post-76179875955443680952011-09-28T13:54:00.000-07:002011-10-05T18:09:13.554-07:00Guest Bloggers: Tour of the Bay training scheduleThis week's Guest Blogger is Rochelle who's completing the 50km Tour of the Bay next weekend (eekkk). Hear how her training is going. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXX2ZWZVOJLkqSTFOKeuavsEx9kafL7LgPBKTIJC1gr0PaA68Ar7_1YW0hwbJOnjXkZRD7DzGtp7b9xN9uNgpsnSl63n5k2bEfWE-fwjB6-uR6BQQlnSC1q02qLZPFKxGR-7Z3XNfPCOs/s1600/Rochelle+on+bike+Oct+11.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXX2ZWZVOJLkqSTFOKeuavsEx9kafL7LgPBKTIJC1gr0PaA68Ar7_1YW0hwbJOnjXkZRD7DzGtp7b9xN9uNgpsnSl63n5k2bEfWE-fwjB6-uR6BQQlnSC1q02qLZPFKxGR-7Z3XNfPCOs/s400/Rochelle+on+bike+Oct+11.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660179403368765458" /></a><br />After initial feelings of ‘what have I got myself into’ and questions to laughing colleges like ‘How far is 50 kms, is that more than from Napier to Hastings?’ I decided I might as well get into it. So on week one, I completed my first bike ride to the Avanti shop in Taradale and back to Tamatea.<br /><br />The friendly staff serviced my bike while I shopped. Turns out I needed new brake pads. That was lucky. The knowledgeable lady helped me with arm warmers, a bike pump and a flash odometer thing so I can see how fast I’m going. Really impressed with their service; they attached the odometer, new front light, bottle holder and pump while I continued shopping!<br /><br />The next weekend I decided more of a challenge was needed. So, ignoring my Dad’s advise of a small loop on the map, I decided on some different roads that looked a bit longer and biked off, new arm warmers on and odometer ready. Maps don’t show hills. Three hours and 45kms later and after puffing around Puketapu, Puketitiri, Apley and Dartmoor Roads I arrived home exhausted but happy I’d accomplished it. <br /><br />Every cyclist I met waved and said “hello”, it was a great experience. It was only sheer determination of “if that person can bike up the hill without getting off, so can I” that got me through it. <br /><br />Highlight: 52.4 km/hr down a hill on Apley Road, yeeee haa!<br /><br />On week three I biked with a group of people, including my Dad. He taught me how to bike in the slipstream of the person in front and how to rotate who the leader is. Like the lycra-clad cyclists speeding around the velodrome. Except there was no velodrome and thank god, no lycra. It was a bit scary at first, but by the end of the 38kms I was more comfortable with it.<br /><br />I didn’t go for a bike ride last weekend, but may do the 45km route again this Sunday and try to improve my time. That’s what I’m planning from the warm comfort of my office chair, anyway.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8367508405689491163.post-51052169326162469012011-09-21T15:42:00.000-07:002011-09-21T20:06:38.053-07:00Guest Bloggers: Tour of the Bay novicesThis week we talked to Rochelle Elgie who's cycling with myself and two others from Hastings District Council in the Tour the Bay 50km event next month. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuirniRiE-dhribgurwRYfWymg0NfJZawGld4jKODb7K61Gel9s6OvWZKvRSPVw9qsJdYwr98QqzFuaWjL9e7VR4FRWj8oy8cvY5Qupx6mmKRMsciLeQp_CJUbOUh-6WCSZN__dmWEhE/s1600/IMG_1538.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuirniRiE-dhribgurwRYfWymg0NfJZawGld4jKODb7K61Gel9s6OvWZKvRSPVw9qsJdYwr98QqzFuaWjL9e7VR4FRWj8oy8cvY5Qupx6mmKRMsciLeQp_CJUbOUh-6WCSZN__dmWEhE/s400/IMG_1538.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655011932229211522" /></a><br />Karen, (me) and Rochelle ready for the challenge!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">How much cycling do you do?<br /></span>None this year. Last year I worked for the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and biked there a handful of times, but I live in Napier so it wasn’t far.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">When you are planning on biking into work<br /></span>That’s a bit daunting at the moment, I’m used to the car radio and doing 100 kmph on the expressway! I might try a weekend bike in a few weeks just to see how long it takes and if I can do it and be functional for work. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What other training will you do?</span><br />Weekend bike rides<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What kind of bike will you ride?</span><br />An Avanti Women’s road bike. The one with the normal sized tyres and comfy seat.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">How competent a rider you are?</span><br />Average. I’m a bit nervous about biking with a bunch of people, I don’t want to fall off!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Have you entered in anything like this before</span><br />No! <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">So why are you entering the Tour the Bay?</span><br />I want to improve my fitness and get in shape a bit and this is the perfect motivation.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8367508405689491163.post-2422156160584483762011-09-15T12:34:00.000-07:002011-09-15T20:50:31.388-07:00Guest Bloggers: Angela Hirst's fancy new wheels<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5_beFeP-d-rIzEx38QiT5dNds9pnhxSATqcHkwiwxHR2Ky3lTPsxuwo-D_B-6evZZNRsgJYmEVLPqaJw-jSKcMc29idy2vuLwWHN5DSJ-ef6VBYPpgdnWFnE5aQ7pW7oZ4YPsMZBWtU/s1600/IMG_1478.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5_beFeP-d-rIzEx38QiT5dNds9pnhxSATqcHkwiwxHR2Ky3lTPsxuwo-D_B-6evZZNRsgJYmEVLPqaJw-jSKcMc29idy2vuLwWHN5DSJ-ef6VBYPpgdnWFnE5aQ7pW7oZ4YPsMZBWtU/s400/IMG_1478.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652799296400052050" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>This week we talked to Angela Hirst who recently purchased a new bike to cruise with her six year old son Jack. A real flash bike too we might add! Enjoy :)<div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-JrSyU8S89IYwRPvB8b5BLM9QqEDCNlVaB5S88E4TgW-UAR4oiT4iR3X4c4s_SueuUmsWJp1CKkIzCkWDBLGXTo52-48Svh9ipYGDy-L3aelYPutlCRfUxp2bD06KPpP9s26mup4Puo/s1600/angela+hirst.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-JrSyU8S89IYwRPvB8b5BLM9QqEDCNlVaB5S88E4TgW-UAR4oiT4iR3X4c4s_SueuUmsWJp1CKkIzCkWDBLGXTo52-48Svh9ipYGDy-L3aelYPutlCRfUxp2bD06KPpP9s26mup4Puo/s400/angela+hirst.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652673306794496338" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-JrSyU8S89IYwRPvB8b5BLM9QqEDCNlVaB5S88E4TgW-UAR4oiT4iR3X4c4s_SueuUmsWJp1CKkIzCkWDBLGXTo52-48Svh9ipYGDy-L3aelYPutlCRfUxp2bD06KPpP9s26mup4Puo/s1600/angela+hirst.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-JrSyU8S89IYwRPvB8b5BLM9QqEDCNlVaB5S88E4TgW-UAR4oiT4iR3X4c4s_SueuUmsWJp1CKkIzCkWDBLGXTo52-48Svh9ipYGDy-L3aelYPutlCRfUxp2bD06KPpP9s26mup4Puo/s1600/angela+hirst.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-JrSyU8S89IYwRPvB8b5BLM9QqEDCNlVaB5S88E4TgW-UAR4oiT4iR3X4c4s_SueuUmsWJp1CKkIzCkWDBLGXTo52-48Svh9ipYGDy-L3aelYPutlCRfUxp2bD06KPpP9s26mup4Puo/s1600/angela+hirst.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-JrSyU8S89IYwRPvB8b5BLM9QqEDCNlVaB5S88E4TgW-UAR4oiT4iR3X4c4s_SueuUmsWJp1CKkIzCkWDBLGXTo52-48Svh9ipYGDy-L3aelYPutlCRfUxp2bD06KPpP9s26mup4Puo/s1600/angela+hirst.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>O3 September 2011: Today I am officially a bike owner. But not just any bike.<br /><br />For years I said I would never be caught dead on a bike. I have a real dislike for lycra and I don’t do exercise at the best of times.<br /><br />The tipping point came a few weeks ago when Jack, my six year old told me that I should not be scared to ride a bike and that I could get trainer wheels if I am shaky. He went on to say that if I was really scared his dad (my husband) could hold the back of the seat and run while I got used to it. I assured him I would not need any help and that I had rode a bike many years ago. I really didn’t think he believed me though!<br /><br />04 September 2011: It’s a beautiful day. Jack really wanted to go out for a ride. So by 4pm I had given in. I told Jack that as it was my first bike ride in years so we needed to take it easy and keep it short. Up onto the marine parade we went. It was beautiful on the pathway and what a thrill to have the sea breeze and the wind in my hair.<br /><br />We passed some tourist who actually had the balls to point at my bike. Jack said ''Don’t worry Mum, they’re just jealous of your flash ride.” I had to agree. I love my new bike!</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8367508405689491163.post-6876531938387156582011-09-07T18:35:00.000-07:002011-09-07T18:47:20.529-07:00Guest Bloggers: Remembering the first timeThis week we took a trip down memory lane with Abbie Harker who remembers what it was like to learn to ride a bike without training wheels. We're sure a lot of iWay fans will relate to this weeks post :) Happy weekend everyone xx<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPckBto4TLvhZxy3Do6pXp1OyqRJdzL8PBom4-Y__vD59wEsTQq9T7EQWBgoGQWPH3rOrqbKBWTLCuGWiI-aq1BVOOpW6OKdYyXGR-UyDAk8sW33xFyyDfly8COcItIOotthjg-FkqyU/s1600/DSC04218.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPckBto4TLvhZxy3Do6pXp1OyqRJdzL8PBom4-Y__vD59wEsTQq9T7EQWBgoGQWPH3rOrqbKBWTLCuGWiI-aq1BVOOpW6OKdYyXGR-UyDAk8sW33xFyyDfly8COcItIOotthjg-FkqyU/s400/DSC04218.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649798110334974130"></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghDd-OrZzyLCEts3DBOAoovbNw0-f0xsdH6yN8I3Rdgvo-1EAur74ckUF9L77flR0WSJF1Dz9RNvcZTwKhFRRBHQx_eClkT-LMvTFkPgV8uT99IhGbMIf3w4NVKG4TTsXUaH3rei31-M/s1600/DSC04222.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghDd-OrZzyLCEts3DBOAoovbNw0-f0xsdH6yN8I3Rdgvo-1EAur74ckUF9L77flR0WSJF1Dz9RNvcZTwKhFRRBHQx_eClkT-LMvTFkPgV8uT99IhGbMIf3w4NVKG4TTsXUaH3rei31-M/s400/DSC04222.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649798104201642706"></a><br /><br />Recently my four year old daughter Nat decided she was ready to pass another of life’s big milestones – riding her two wheel bike without training wheels.<br /><br />Finally sun and a Sunday afternoon coincided so we headed down to the Domain to give it a go. <br /><br />This brought my own memories flooding back. That summery day wobbling along the grass at home feeling so proud at how fast I was going and so impressed that dad was keeping up (he was of course holding onto my seat to keep me upright). And as I looked over my shoulder to give him a cheeky grin as if to say ‘yay us’ I realised he wasn’t there ... I was riding all by myself! <br /><br />There’s been no looking back since then. I can remember mum campaigning for everyone to have helmets, family bike rides with kids strategically placed next to the footpath, heading to the river with friends and (before I was too ‘cool’ for a helmet and walked) my daily ride to school. While I never went on to ride Tour de France or launch myself down a steep narrow track on the side of a mountain, I did spend a lot of time on my bike as a child/teen growing up in The Bay. So when we got to the Domain the other weekend with Nat’s newly training-wheel-less bike I’m not sure who was more excited at what lay ahead – Nat or I! <br /><br />Fully briefed, Nat was ready to go with her Pop-pop holding her up. There were a few inevitable spills but determined wee thing that she is, she bounced back up to keep trying. <br /><br />The elation in her voice when she got to riding solo was undeniable. After an hour (and a worn out support crew) the offer of a bit of a play in the playground was most emphatically refused. Nope, must keep practicing. And now we’re off to the park to practice on a regular basis and looking forward to making the most of the Rotary pathways this summer. Which I guess means I should get myself a bike. Apparently you never really forget how to ride which is a good thing as I have no doubt I’ll be pretty rusty!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8367508405689491163.post-65108510153964386392011-08-31T15:15:00.000-07:002011-08-31T19:04:48.736-07:00Guest Blogger: Ditch the car and take the bikeThis week we spoke to Hastings Mum, Mandy and her 3 year old daughter Danica who bike to kindy twice a week. They've even ditched the family second car!
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNMPsmnxTnb0I7GZGak-F5eaJJq39K6wgXdT2WtBBBNIQ8VoDk_vzqvRdBewNpkOZ7Ywt49gwkY6gyEeE0QtHyhjqlkcm9QhYqltVVnwIykxoAamp-k5ru2H5kspwOutIBr3dhCou260o/s1600/mandy+004.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNMPsmnxTnb0I7GZGak-F5eaJJq39K6wgXdT2WtBBBNIQ8VoDk_vzqvRdBewNpkOZ7Ywt49gwkY6gyEeE0QtHyhjqlkcm9QhYqltVVnwIykxoAamp-k5ru2H5kspwOutIBr3dhCou260o/s400/mandy+004.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647204934000945938" /></a>
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<br />This all started with a New Years resolution to ditch the car and walk to work for the 2 days a week that I work. Was lovely walking in the summer and Miss 3 loved her walk to Nana and Poppa’s on the days that I was working. We also walked to kindy most days as well. The walking soon turned to biking as this was the quicker option and sometimes getting home at the end of the day was a struggle – tiredness on small legs made for some long slow trips.
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<br />We were offered a small bike for Danica to learn to ride, she was whizzing around after 10 minutes. After some practice at the weekend on the Rotary Pathways and mastering the brakes we started the commute with her biking to Nana’s with me along side on the road. Some simple commands made this easy for us. She learnt to stop when I said stop and also to stop and wait at road crossings as she whizzed ahead of me most of the time. Biking to kindy became normal, far more exciting than being strapped into a car. Even with the cooler weather coming she was keen to bike, so the second car some weeks would not move off the driveway. A few layers of clothing and some gloves and we are off even when it was cold. A few spots of rain did not faze her either, some days it added to the adventure.
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<br />Seemed like a good idea to get rid of the second car so that left the driveway in June.
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<br />We are now keen to use other forms of transport – our favorite is going by bike. This is easy, either locally we bike together or a little further we use the seat on my bike. There are a few things that we cannot manage so have to wait for the weekend for the car to be available (like the weekly supermarket trip). But we can easily pop to the supermarket or veggie shop for small top-ups during the week.
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<br />I wear normal clothes to bike in, even heels if needed for work! (no nasty unflattering lycra) – the only important kit is my high visibility jacket. Not only is this wind proof (a must on cold mornings), but it keeps the rain away also. In the summer I just pop a high viz vest on.
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<br />We have also started to use the bus – our first real adventure was going to Napier on a Friday afternoon to meet Daddy after work for dinner. Danica has used the bus with her Nana lots and thinks this is a better way to travel than in the car.
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<br />We are committed to keeping up with the alternates – not only does this provide a good dose of exercise every day (and makes me feel good), but the cost savings are amazing. I would suggest to others that they give it a go for a while, borrow a bike and try the Pathways. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8367508405689491163.post-86204936508141647112011-08-18T20:21:00.001-07:002011-08-18T20:25:07.412-07:00Friday inspiration<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3L_oQb_kjrr3-hng-ce0QtMSsGHYFMbz1KAr-eDwXanwtznCCpJHZv3cnM3jPnfjehW2bcuLy6x_r-dD1tJzreRPRUoTuTn7SJCLyaPiBbk4YyEzK6SMlXzDywhmqLuQ35CUQmBX-oEc/s1600/san+fran.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 348px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3L_oQb_kjrr3-hng-ce0QtMSsGHYFMbz1KAr-eDwXanwtznCCpJHZv3cnM3jPnfjehW2bcuLy6x_r-dD1tJzreRPRUoTuTn7SJCLyaPiBbk4YyEzK6SMlXzDywhmqLuQ35CUQmBX-oEc/s400/san+fran.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642402316978426722" /></a>
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<br />Another end to a long week. Although the weather hasn't been too great for a bike ride, I still feel inspired by this image. Roll on Summer and your long days and light nights!
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<br />Guest Blogger (or is it Bloggers!?) to come Monday sorry! Awaiting a spectacular pic to accompany the story.
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<br />Enjoy your weekend everyone. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8367508405689491163.post-30311117293822189342011-08-18T20:14:00.000-07:002011-08-25T13:16:07.785-07:00Guest Bloggers: It's a biking gangThis week's Guest Bloggers are Shane, Craig, Kate and Simon from here at council. They bike in most days of the week together so I thought I'd get them to contribute to the blog about why they love cycling. Happy reading and happy weekend.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rK5blfRxuvHSFSTxw_Owe1whmY2YKudI40WMpqIfnyrL4Gdw7QShlKAl432MI1GDmPUwfoHbcZoqskgOJSxIzKOdfOLjF3U33gJZZkEfOmR3Dy0llOAAwVMBKLFCjPJT19OCguqLefY/s1600/biking+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rK5blfRxuvHSFSTxw_Owe1whmY2YKudI40WMpqIfnyrL4Gdw7QShlKAl432MI1GDmPUwfoHbcZoqskgOJSxIzKOdfOLjF3U33gJZZkEfOmR3Dy0llOAAwVMBKLFCjPJT19OCguqLefY/s400/biking+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644889153026617298" /></a>
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<br />Watch out! You’ve been warned. There’s a new gang in town. We all wear flouro. We are fast. We are cool. We don’t chafe.
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<br />Our leader is ‘Dan Ackroyd’, who likes to lead from the front, though he wishes to only to be known by his mysterious alias. ‘Dan’ powers along in his super high visibility jacket, he shows the way for our office-worker-based gang as we all cycle home.
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<br />There are usually at least four of us: Dan, Kate, Simon and Shane, though in the summer our following multiplies.
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<br />‘Dan’ says:
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<br />“I must say, biking in a group has its advantages, not only can you have a chat to your mates about how much your boss rocks, how cool your job is (no seriously, I’m not trying to suck up to anyone), especially on side streets which don’t have much traffic!!! But you are also far more visible in a pack than you are on your own. Even at the busiest time of the day, people will see your biking posse control their patch of the street. In all seriousness though, whilst I’ve had a few close calls from cars not seeing me biking by myself, I’ve never had a problem biking in a group.
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<br />As for biking in general, I took up biking to work over two years ago when I moved to Havelock, and have never looked back. Now that I live in Parkvale, I find it takes pretty much the same time as driving during peak hour. The best thing about it is you get to work in the morning awake and refreshed. Sometimes I don’t think we utilize the great attributes of Hawkes Bay enough, we have great weather, and everywhere is flat!!! This is perfect for people of all ages and ability to get out in the fresh air and onto a bike, hardly anywhere in New Zealand do people have it as good as us.”
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<br />Kate says:
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<br />“I am probably not the most consistent cyclist of ‘the gang’, however I have to say that I have cycled to work often enough now to feel quite guilty when I drive! I always feel better having cycled in the morning – it wakes me up and there is never a hastle defrosting the car. Cycling home there’s always great company and it’s great to see the looks on some people’s faces when they see the flouro gang cycling past! I think it’s great that Hastings District Council are making cycling safer in Hastings, the new cycle lanes are great. Yes we wear fluoro. Yes we are fast. And yes we are very cool.”
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<br />Shane says:
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<br />''I bike to work pretty much every day now, rain or shine, and I used to come to work by car. I find being 2kms from work its actually slightly quicker going by bike and I don’t have to search for a car park and can conveniently park my bike at work. This gives me a very enjoyable start and finish to my day, and as I work in an office, getting a bit of air and getting the blood pumping make me feel good. The new bike lane on St Aubyn Street is real handy and cars are very good at giving me space on there, I even get the occasional smile from those nice patient drivers you sometimes find at roundabouts (its true they are out there!)
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<br />I think the Iway initiative is great for Hastings, Havelock and Flaxmere, and as my kids grow up will be pleased to see them being able to make good use of cycle paths and walking routes. It’s funny how in New Zealand most of us associate the best places we like to be as our great outdoor landscapes, whereas if you are lucky enough to visit Europe it is often the cities that are the best places to be – Paris, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Barcelona, Prague, Budapest etc etc. the thing is those places are designed for people first. It is great to see that Hastings is gradually turning round to focus on its people first and not cars and to make our city a good place for us to be. Better cycling and walking facilities all add to this.''
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<br />Simon says:
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<br />“Put your hands on your head”
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8367508405689491163.post-10932713410233555262011-08-04T15:25:00.001-07:002011-08-11T15:55:12.418-07:00Guest Bloggers: Happy cyclist Katrina BruntonThis week's Guest Blogger is Katrina Brunton, who comes to work with a smile on her face after cycling in from Havelock North each day - what a star! Enjoy - happy weekend everyone x.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikF7gb4VU6EDDfY_85WtRrQoNBmktGI8SC1jvMrd7xVdC0IUtymCOwGtRhcsuGSPOrehubVhaqdo6VGRt3ZR8kBR1Hh7JJuEjfsGIBHExVB29UtHBvCfbJgdEMXYeoe2aFRtsSBmvrZYQ/s1600/new+bike+racks+354.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikF7gb4VU6EDDfY_85WtRrQoNBmktGI8SC1jvMrd7xVdC0IUtymCOwGtRhcsuGSPOrehubVhaqdo6VGRt3ZR8kBR1Hh7JJuEjfsGIBHExVB29UtHBvCfbJgdEMXYeoe2aFRtsSBmvrZYQ/s400/new+bike+racks+354.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637135563368722482" /></a>
<br />I am 34 years old. I am a wife and mother of one. I love all kinds of sports and have been involved in a fair few over the years; bodybuilding, running, swimming, cycling, triathlons and I have played netball for most of my life. Recently, while playing netball I dislocated my knee, tore some cartilage and am now waiting for surgery. So, while I wait for surgery, the netball has ceased, as has the running and every other sport that I love to do, that is all except the cycling.
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<br />To my pleasant surprise, cycling is the only exercise or sport that doesn’t hurt my knee.
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<br />Before moving to the Hawke’s Bay we lived in Stratford in Taranaki. I worked in New Plymouth, which at the time took me 45mins to drive to and from work every day. I despised the commute and used to wish I didn’t live so far from work. Then just over a year ago, I got a job in Hastings and we moved to Havelock North.
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<br />Since moving to the Hawke’s Bay I have been cycling to work most days. It is the first time I have lived within cycling distance of work and I love the fact that I not only get some extra exercise in my day, but I have saved huge amounts of money on petrol and car expenses.
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<br />While I know there are lots of reasons why driving to work is easier; no changing of clothes required, no backpack to carry your suit and your heels, you can turn the heater on and it is most likely faster, the benefits of cycling are truly great; you get fit, thanks to the endorphins you are happier when you arrive to work, it is actually fun and you definitely get to see more on the commute. Given the significant health and financial benefits I find myself constantly questioning why there are not more people cycling?!
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<br />As you can see from the photo of me cycling to work on Thursday, you don’t actually need to wear lycra, or any special cycling gear, you can cycle wearing almost anything as I did in the rain on Thursday, maybe not your heels, but I just leave those at work. The heater isn’t needed as you will no doubt be warm by the time you get to work and think of all of those calories you have just burnt getting there!
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<br />Now, I know cycling in the rain doesn’t actually sound like that much fun, but let me tell you it is honestly better than sitting in the car and realistically in the Hawke’s Bay it is very rarely raining.
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<br />It feels good passing all those motorists sitting in their cars crawling through the streets trying to make their way to work. Where there are cycle lanes, I simply pass them all by.
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<br />I am always amazed by the kids I see every morning cycling, or on their scooters or walking. More often than not, they are smiling and laughing and I often think to myself how you don’t often see people sitting in a car smiling or laughing. Maybe exercise is truly the key to happiness? There is a poem about sharing a smile and it comes back to you, well cycling in the morning and seeing these kids enjoying life is a bit like that. It makes me smile and when I get to work, I am in a much better mood than I would ever be if I had driven.
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<br />When we moved to the Bay, my husband owned a Chevrolet 4x4 and I had my own car. As I was cycling to work and didn’t need two cars, we decided to sell the 4x4 and keep only the one car. My husband then bought us both a mountain bike (I have tended to only ever own a road bike). We also bought a toddler seat that goes on either bike for our four year old son. During the majority of the summer, my husband cycled most days to take our son to daycare and anywhere else they wanted to go. My husband says it beats driving through town any day! and I think secretly they both like the attention they get from the people who stop and stare and no doubt think it looks quite cute.
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<br />As a family, we are always on our bikes, and more often than not will choose our bikes to go to the supermarket for that bottle of milk, or to go to our favourite cafe for brunch on the weekend. Our son will quite often beg us to go for a bike ride after work or on the weekend and now gets grumpy if he can’t use his own bike - because he is a big boy now don’t you know!
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<br />So in short, we have made cycling an everyday part of our lives and we feel much better for it. It hasn’t been difficult and I suppose it helps we still have a car as well, but it rarely gets used compared to our previous life. My worry is that here, I am preaching to the converted; however I am hoping that consistency is the key to success of getting more people on bikes. The more we ride our bikes daily, the more it becomes a consistent theme in the daily experiences of those drivers and hopefully the accepted norm. While I don’t think we will ever see more bikes than cars on our roads, if I can just encourage one other person to cycle to work every day, I think I will have made a difference. Imagine if all of us who cycle convinced just one other person...
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8367508405689491163.post-6367326432368536452011-08-02T13:00:00.000-07:002011-08-04T13:21:15.528-07:00Guest Bloggers: Debbie Weeds from ChristchurchA post this week from ex-Christchurch resident Debbie Weeds who spent a month here after the devastating quake. Thanks Debbie for sharing your thoughts on our region. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmr8SHILHNZeQIfrxeiFsPhdxbrGLgfHKc6HesuWx25ZkhrWXhe5etgkE5IfaQbCH__41wlAf6TMGhU9TfAnCuozICIBPF7oQ-FYVywfJxTAY7QhrPzAS6XMccr1weXFEFhKoW49h0aV4/s1600/debbie_weeds.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmr8SHILHNZeQIfrxeiFsPhdxbrGLgfHKc6HesuWx25ZkhrWXhe5etgkE5IfaQbCH__41wlAf6TMGhU9TfAnCuozICIBPF7oQ-FYVywfJxTAY7QhrPzAS6XMccr1weXFEFhKoW49h0aV4/s400/debbie_weeds.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636351546808574866" /></a><br /><br />We were recent guests of the Hawke's Bay. For one month our family got to escape shaky Christchurch and spend time in the beautiful, friendly, sunny and very cycle-friendly region.<br /><br />We were so impressed by the cycle facilities in the Hawke's Bay. It seemed like everywhere we went there were fantastic cycle ways just waiting to take people on an adventure. Alas we did not have our bikes with us but I certainly would have gone biking on the Marine Parade cycle way in particular. The cycle ways must be a wonderful asset for people who are cycle training or commuting as well as being brilliant for a stroll with the dog. <br /><br />Obviously Christchurch is at the start of a long rebuilding process and Napier/ Hastings will certainly provide inspiration for the iconic architecture that can replace what is lost, but I also think that Christchurch can be inspired by the cycleways in the Hawke's Bay. <br /><br />Pre-earthquake, Christchurch had a decent cycle network and plans to improve it further, but now there is even more opportunity for creating cycle lanes and cycle ways. A common response from Christchurch residents when asked what they want from the rebuilt city is for it to be green and to have a world class private and public transport network. Interconnected cycleways like those in the Hawke's Bay certainly could contribute to a greener and safer Christchurch.<br /><br />Happy cycling everyone. What a great part of the country the Hawke's Bay is.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8367508405689491163.post-88879673716290091322011-08-01T20:35:00.000-07:002011-08-02T12:54:28.836-07:00Calling all coffee-loving cyclistsHa! What better incentive to get on your bike than a free coffee?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexOqiaKHZDZhnZ8V_kgEkCmGpS1lvhlJABqOQn4Gmte4Fn68ADHipHGvja_nWcK54rNamUMlA9C9iSQ5b-ZDlOKQ9j8ln-QxFdohonawVNFYpLOMGnw87bj3VK3zZtORcAArtAcvNRGo/s1600/IMG_1204.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexOqiaKHZDZhnZ8V_kgEkCmGpS1lvhlJABqOQn4Gmte4Fn68ADHipHGvja_nWcK54rNamUMlA9C9iSQ5b-ZDlOKQ9j8ln-QxFdohonawVNFYpLOMGnw87bj3VK3zZtORcAArtAcvNRGo/s400/IMG_1204.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636101531632202978" /></a></div><br /><br />Today iWay launched the iCafe coffee card where every fifth coffee is free when you show you've cycled to coffee shops Bay Espresso, Opera Kitchen, Taste Cornucopia, Jackons on Joll or Aurum. Each of these coffee shops also have a bike stand outside for easy parking.<br /><br />I got my first stamp this morning at Opera Kitchen.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4NvlAZCWqVoFiAeZGxogwXJ82HsYtKq00QWrUM-dBoEMICQMw9tQ3BciTCfcGgX41sZmZLpgP3MFzu3Hmbdd08NQ5-3hHY4qVzJBCYddPTup7oV_NdT4dwKSXzrv5GiUCFyJN2X47MM/s1600/iCafe1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 379px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4NvlAZCWqVoFiAeZGxogwXJ82HsYtKq00QWrUM-dBoEMICQMw9tQ3BciTCfcGgX41sZmZLpgP3MFzu3Hmbdd08NQ5-3hHY4qVzJBCYddPTup7oV_NdT4dwKSXzrv5GiUCFyJN2X47MM/s400/iCafe1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636101526614718178" /></a><br /><br />Cards are available from these coffee shops, or the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hastingsnz">Hastings i-SITE</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8367508405689491163.post-70083486257956228992011-08-01T20:21:00.001-07:002011-08-01T20:26:45.171-07:00Feeling inspired for a TuesdayLoving these pics on a sunny Hawke's Bay Tuesday.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYouNNL5dzym_HTGmmNCclhDNZTb_eXQRDrGZn6DAknFvOFxtFHDrZoYHWxrAi6M7LqA5KG0_zP6_zw7BZCkBf4IMUr7Gw0njJg43Yg1wwM3bCNJav-apgvT4aZ6J5LlX2y9J1ovkelM/s1600/tumblr_lp60s6nUdd1qziyrno1_500.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYouNNL5dzym_HTGmmNCclhDNZTb_eXQRDrGZn6DAknFvOFxtFHDrZoYHWxrAi6M7LqA5KG0_zP6_zw7BZCkBf4IMUr7Gw0njJg43Yg1wwM3bCNJav-apgvT4aZ6J5LlX2y9J1ovkelM/s400/tumblr_lp60s6nUdd1qziyrno1_500.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636094525735677682" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGmhplBqvARIWBLTvtyAt6QmxKRT5mI-93FQIWJgMaVWyu5RSpG4QIvuf03n4pHnCfmC8XAAra99lc1a1hmvZS84rdnraYQy_HHusNyQidCyF4aC4Wywu_N3O1-oto9d8z7lnE_wGPh0/s1600/tumblr_lnk22retgf1qg44mto1_1280.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGmhplBqvARIWBLTvtyAt6QmxKRT5mI-93FQIWJgMaVWyu5RSpG4QIvuf03n4pHnCfmC8XAAra99lc1a1hmvZS84rdnraYQy_HHusNyQidCyF4aC4Wywu_N3O1-oto9d8z7lnE_wGPh0/s400/tumblr_lnk22retgf1qg44mto1_1280.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636094531953012530" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh896pynEySX8rGLedoYiD26OPkJaU0J3HzPHh1PU886sUPUOezMNDCQmRGbu5R-F-rhCfh8N_ajL4kN9cx8V_AoaphQhBnis_9j1DefI14WY2U0vYUWv2dVzUkBFrm5HJoraMp0mMRRyg/s1600/tumblr_lnzi5ylCR61qgqju7o1_1280.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh896pynEySX8rGLedoYiD26OPkJaU0J3HzPHh1PU886sUPUOezMNDCQmRGbu5R-F-rhCfh8N_ajL4kN9cx8V_AoaphQhBnis_9j1DefI14WY2U0vYUWv2dVzUkBFrm5HJoraMp0mMRRyg/s400/tumblr_lnzi5ylCR61qgqju7o1_1280.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636094530306823170" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMF9UW-G1tRsLc0V_xPqkjQi_NE0HoFpFZhACkTYp5RmYseIXSJfesKXYgbocK4Ho9QZpKKZpDGm56AMMdmQXzJZ4GCLQaZAK060Neh4eI3-v4NjyVzNjcb55LSriAdb85FpGHbODgjPk/s1600/tumblr_lo4ura3TQZ1qastypo1_500.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMF9UW-G1tRsLc0V_xPqkjQi_NE0HoFpFZhACkTYp5RmYseIXSJfesKXYgbocK4Ho9QZpKKZpDGm56AMMdmQXzJZ4GCLQaZAK060Neh4eI3-v4NjyVzNjcb55LSriAdb85FpGHbODgjPk/s400/tumblr_lo4ura3TQZ1qastypo1_500.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636094536184651186" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIbqU_FB2OpwiewE_NfKgXC1i0_56G33c2znHreOBu80f6Ef7U9uRst49qdHSDlA_rb8q0u6c43BKefnN5WWoJap0nFoJGJmUVp4VgSXop8Ff4QbpOz-J_FiRGABhIPkGTun2d8LN3aQ/s1600/tumblr_lob8dp42b21qzpmcio1_500.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIbqU_FB2OpwiewE_NfKgXC1i0_56G33c2znHreOBu80f6Ef7U9uRst49qdHSDlA_rb8q0u6c43BKefnN5WWoJap0nFoJGJmUVp4VgSXop8Ff4QbpOz-J_FiRGABhIPkGTun2d8LN3aQ/s400/tumblr_lob8dp42b21qzpmcio1_500.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636094535896437202" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8367508405689491163.post-65157437649910810172011-07-31T13:41:00.001-07:002011-07-31T13:48:33.517-07:00Guest Blogger: Anti-iWay supporter, Pedro the petrol canThis week we talk to an unusual Guest Blogger, Pedro - who’s in fact a petrol can. Pedro first approached us after he thought iWay and our messages were a bit one-sided. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7O2B56gENsNRwsSTeTk5uqLnqgDmmzMx300hbCkLUlARJd3JIPd4mrPIGQ6PvWcFhJUro0kdsSOIjci2dwaX6XZjSBy3OGZHeWfC_WljjC0Z6lVbpg-P44sOJf6yONFlmLnEkCRSxftc/s1600/pedro_02.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 336px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7O2B56gENsNRwsSTeTk5uqLnqgDmmzMx300hbCkLUlARJd3JIPd4mrPIGQ6PvWcFhJUro0kdsSOIjci2dwaX6XZjSBy3OGZHeWfC_WljjC0Z6lVbpg-P44sOJf6yONFlmLnEkCRSxftc/s400/pedro_02.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635620230861212466" /></a><br /><br />I am Pedro Supremo and I am here to bring some common sense and balance to the iWay programme.<br /> <br />Oil and car companies spend billions of dollars every year promoting their products, and the common people love to hear from them. But do ever see any of this mentioned on iWay? Of course not - and I’m going to put that right.<br /> <br />This week, the iWay team will be promoting something really big. And I’m telling you straight: DON’T GET INVOLVED. Stay home, watch telly, pick your nose, whatever. I don’t care.<br /> <br />I have many important opinions, but some of them are so important that you need to understand them right away.<br /><br />I call this the “Pedro Supremo Manifesto”. Why not print it out and keep it?<br /><br />1. <span style="font-weight:bold;">100% journeys by car</span> – by 2020 I aim to see every short trip being made in a car. Even for really short journeys, like putting the bins out.<br /><br />2. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Quit whinging about the cost of fuel.</span> Petrol is great value per litre (compared to perfume). That hundred bucks you just spent filling up? I earn that in half an hour.<br /><br />3. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Stop encouraging kids to cycle.</span> Years ago we all cycled as children, but now we all drive and that makes it too dangerous for our kids now. Why should they get the same opportunities we did when we were kids? I don’t like kids anyway and I don’t want to spend any money on other peoples.<br /><br />4. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Remove the new cycle lanes.</span> No one cycles anyway, at least no-one I like. Which is not very many people, actually.<br /><br />5. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Cyclists must pay for the cycle lanes. </span> I know I just said there were no cyclists, but if there were some, why don’t they pay ?? And here’s something else that annoys me: do pedestrians pay for the footpaths ? Do kids pay to use the park ? NO THEY DON’T!<br /><br />6. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Let’s be generous.</span> Almost all the money we spend on cars and petrol goes abroad, rather than staying here in NZ. I met someone from Kuwait the other day, and he told me how desperately this cash is needed to support good causes over there.<br /><br />7. <a href="http://www.iway.org.nz/sharetheroad">Share the Road</a>? Pah! I don’t share my car, I don’t share my dinner, and I certainly don’t share any of the profits from my company. Why the hell would I want to share the road?<br /><br />8. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Don’t ever call me a “fuel can”</span><br /><br />I’m not particularly interested in your opinions. But if you would like to talk about mine, just email me at pedro.supremo@myself.comUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8367508405689491163.post-70626551868219815882011-07-21T19:24:00.000-07:002011-07-21T21:42:45.689-07:00Guest Bloggers: Ruby Evans, Sunday bikerThis week we spoke with 2-year-old Ruby Evans, who every Sunday bikes with her Dad to a local coffee shop for fluffys and good chats.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghi00xyV9G0X9HEEmcbyS3iwBZHmx6CEEuRhxuX8BxdbMve5iDNZ-dL6UJYrJntBBBh7Rq0Xm0s6gTkQwFw4mIAP1iEmV8xrAoYRVUkFJtHAZHAGYGUU11iwyRhjDshHnMzGrDjGmouvM/s1600/Ruby+on+her+sweet+ride.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghi00xyV9G0X9HEEmcbyS3iwBZHmx6CEEuRhxuX8BxdbMve5iDNZ-dL6UJYrJntBBBh7Rq0Xm0s6gTkQwFw4mIAP1iEmV8xrAoYRVUkFJtHAZHAGYGUU11iwyRhjDshHnMzGrDjGmouvM/s400/Ruby+on+her+sweet+ride.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632000981696359314"></a><div style="text-align: center;">This is me heading out the door</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbyK66XsMhPaVumIBjsrM8dEpHa8DzG_OwvT_u6Ct91VbV9GJ-sXrdgUs8Q4FbrUo0EPxwfc1DFrStPMlaUgMmRtjf3X2Or__-Ty5x1kxGeOfXB0-44FkisbKC67rXBqzs-VCaIGZAoMA/s1600/Ruby+Bike.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbyK66XsMhPaVumIBjsrM8dEpHa8DzG_OwvT_u6Ct91VbV9GJ-sXrdgUs8Q4FbrUo0EPxwfc1DFrStPMlaUgMmRtjf3X2Or__-Ty5x1kxGeOfXB0-44FkisbKC67rXBqzs-VCaIGZAoMA/s400/Ruby+Bike.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632001105001751874"></a><div style="text-align: center;">My new bike Mum and Dad bought me with an extra long handle for when peddaling gets a bit tough</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5vs_UdlGsDpEQ9e-KVSQHitplvtzGLr0_4LtjTt7CkmxVa0DJHB5eDkBivJzsRs5gAREiQbh-ys5RhzIurNLmLkxtoWMMIWoGheBanhoa-uK-YS3TQs79p5x_J_TbBdwiMJxXgAdB96Y/s1600/Dads+breakfast.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5vs_UdlGsDpEQ9e-KVSQHitplvtzGLr0_4LtjTt7CkmxVa0DJHB5eDkBivJzsRs5gAREiQbh-ys5RhzIurNLmLkxtoWMMIWoGheBanhoa-uK-YS3TQs79p5x_J_TbBdwiMJxXgAdB96Y/s400/Dads+breakfast.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632001260259416194"></a><div style="text-align: center;">Dad's yummy breakfast last Sunday</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgx5FtzXBZqjmmWZADapq5ShWhylGJPRjNjJr1MATMghni-q8R6PAxZJJP8Xxeq5Si3qh2y7w78TP62hLYR8Ht1cECQZysJouCyGTpuSzejLejVilEu1dZaWsyWrpUftqMUBdFI4CDB4/s1600/Ruby+at+a+cafe+in+Vanuatu.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgx5FtzXBZqjmmWZADapq5ShWhylGJPRjNjJr1MATMghni-q8R6PAxZJJP8Xxeq5Si3qh2y7w78TP62hLYR8Ht1cECQZysJouCyGTpuSzejLejVilEu1dZaWsyWrpUftqMUBdFI4CDB4/s400/Ruby+at+a+cafe+in+Vanuatu.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632001317232201154"></a><div style="text-align: center;">Oh and this is me on a recent family holiday to Vanuatu - we still visited a local cafe on Sunday!</div><br />I like Sundays. Sundays are the day when me and Dad get on our bikes and bike to our local coffee shop. <div><br /></div><div>I get to hear how his week has been at work, and I tell him as best I can about my week and the kids at daycare. </div><div><br /></div><div>The best bit - apart from the food and coffee (fluffy for me) - is the bike ride. Especially because Mum and Dad just bought me a brand new bike. It’s got a super long handle at the back too for when I get a bit tired from all the biking and Dad can take a load off. </div><div><br /></div><div>We bike along the Rotary Pathway on the waterfront and I am amazed at the birds and other people out and about at that time of the morning. </div><div><br /></div><div>Parking our bikes outside the coffee shop is a breeze as I’m allowed to take mine inside with us. Sometimes I see the other kids looking at my bike and I am happy that it belongs to me. </div><div><br /></div><div>Once we’ve filled up on warm drinks and yummy breakfasts (see Dad’s breakfast last Sunday above) we’re off again. Sometimes I don't want the bike ride to end, well that's most of the time but eventually we have to head back home. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8367508405689491163.post-3272104562952964502011-07-14T19:01:00.000-07:002011-07-14T19:50:05.512-07:00A confession<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX54_ql8f97PDY4dEIEk4sjlqR8GG0AKqDjGWEt1KnYVauLRKFZX5Y6rgbEy2OYzZcRi8mNsl0x42zM4owEVyp_zHfdB3lKZnLsLPceIk85QCsgfs42hqmLb6e_5Erm3jTZ5D2qXYvJiA/s1600/fiji+4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX54_ql8f97PDY4dEIEk4sjlqR8GG0AKqDjGWEt1KnYVauLRKFZX5Y6rgbEy2OYzZcRi8mNsl0x42zM4owEVyp_zHfdB3lKZnLsLPceIk85QCsgfs42hqmLb6e_5Erm3jTZ5D2qXYvJiA/s400/fiji+4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629400677692933682" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ibnNG-VPeiefWUCuGJnb69wBbGhURs1XoZcVtq0iRcU9E4vWhp9w215I0qy-knSJtjp8gij5GDBHtKvXwajM1opdC_WwlE59oJpYOAasuvCRZA557C30PZAjHsg7wPVtEW89npftL3M/s1600/fiji+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ibnNG-VPeiefWUCuGJnb69wBbGhURs1XoZcVtq0iRcU9E4vWhp9w215I0qy-knSJtjp8gij5GDBHtKvXwajM1opdC_WwlE59oJpYOAasuvCRZA557C30PZAjHsg7wPVtEW89npftL3M/s400/fiji+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629400664948679362" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7QkeIetByycbU-1butr_vq-rlKSXTKbalLRW5Sf40Xx12-XzqCc7GebBYg1T0n-rTQKhfYUCjDgScRn39LmvMrwV84qaepjO3I0evNH9TPohvia8JW_6IAEsQd2tgjgGUuLtvNh8vfw/s1600/fiji+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7QkeIetByycbU-1butr_vq-rlKSXTKbalLRW5Sf40Xx12-XzqCc7GebBYg1T0n-rTQKhfYUCjDgScRn39LmvMrwV84qaepjO3I0evNH9TPohvia8JW_6IAEsQd2tgjgGUuLtvNh8vfw/s400/fiji+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629400655874832002" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwv33uqFSPiOTDmMcW9Ca79B_aGisEq3kURtsrPGyH5q4KMTbJ6sdGEJ-firOeTz9fgImYY6B0B9_P7iyflD2M1HCdMvtQqPAhvqW2q-XaJA1BtyKmLORkSoPZ6wtI-C3M_cA-MrvpjKs/s1600/fiji+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwv33uqFSPiOTDmMcW9Ca79B_aGisEq3kURtsrPGyH5q4KMTbJ6sdGEJ-firOeTz9fgImYY6B0B9_P7iyflD2M1HCdMvtQqPAhvqW2q-XaJA1BtyKmLORkSoPZ6wtI-C3M_cA-MrvpjKs/s400/fiji+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629400651805048818" /></a><br /><br />I've got a confession to make: I don't have a Guest Blogger for you this week. Yes I know, I'm slack. But, in my defense, returning from a week in Fiji (think 28 degrees, white sandy beaches and crystal clear water - photos above to make you even more envious) has proven to be a little more difficult than expected. There was the 70-odd emails on my return, an unexpected very expensive roaming mobile phone bill, and the numerous ''how was your holiday'' questions all to contend with. <br /><br />So, this week I thought I'd share with you some interesting numbers about what iWay's achieved in the one year since its birth. <br /><br />- 25 kilometres of new cycle lanes <br />- 55 new bike racks<br />- 177 kids trained in cycle safety <br />- 480 iWalk Challenge walkers<br />- 52 fashion models on bikes at the Heels on Wheels Fashion Show<br />- 49 bikes fixed up for local kids at the Hawke’s Bay Prison <br />- 2.1 kilometres of off road cycle lanes developed<br />- 378 bikes fixed at Big Bike Fixups<br />- 17 iWay events <br />- 1200 iWay water bottles given out<br />- Over 14 thousand kilometres cycled by Hastings District Council staff in February<br />- 748 iway friends on Facebook <br />- 139 intersections upgraded<br /><br />I hope you all have a great weekend in sunny Hawke's Bay.<br /><br />xUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0