Be Inspired! Be Empowered!

Although I have been very busy doing various training for my new job (I am now trained as a Bikeability Level 1 and Level 2 instructor and CTC Mountain Bike Trail Leader), I have been keeping my mind open as to what to next post about on my blog.

 My friend, Claire, who I mentioned in a previous post is continuing to test the roads of Newcastle and the world of cycle-commuting. It's great to hear of her adventures and experiences on her new bicycle. We've discussed loads: from safe road use, feminine pannier/bag skills and how to wear a long skirt on a bike. After a conversation about tips on cycling on the roads, Claire says she has felt so empowered whilst on the roads. This is so good to hear as I believe it to be so true! Cycling around on a bicycle and getting from A to B does make you feel empowered and strongly independent.

  One tip I gave Claire was to make sure she looks drivers in the eye - particularly when approaching a roundabout and facing traffic from a number of directions. Looking a driver in the eye not only reassures you that the driver has seen you but also prompts the driver's conscience to recognise you as a human being - something that is surprisingly easy for them to forget whilst on the road. Claire said that she had a moment where she approached some rather challenging roundabouts in Newcastle and taking my advice on board decided to stake her ground on the roundabout and act confident, looking each driver in the eye as she safely made her way around the roundabout. Not only am I proud of her for doing this but it clearly worked as well - not only did she manage to cycle safely and securely around the roundabouts but she also said the experience was extremely empowering and she felt like she was truly part of the road - not just some nuisance that drivers wish didn't exist. Way to go.

 Also, I got a text from an old university friend the other day. I've never known her to cycle before and she now lives in London. Her text mirrored the feelings that Claire has had:

 "Hey, Just got a bike, I am loving the freedom it gives you!"

 Get on your bikes people and feel the freedom! If you need a helping hand to do this or want some advice - there's plenty about. Most cyclists are pretty friendly people and would love the chance to share some advice with other people who are keen to take up the two-wheels-and-pedals combo. If you're in Newcastle - get in touch with me and I can help you out or signpost you to people and organisations who can.

 Pedal on and feel empowered.

The photo here came from this article: http://ecosalon.com/88bikes-asha-2012-program-empowering-girls-with-bicycles/ and only further emphasises the empowerment a bicycle can bring to a human being. It reminds me of a brilliant article I read on the Guardian Bike Blog last year: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/bike-blog/2011/nov/25/cycling-indian-schoolgirls-bike-blog Read and enjoy.

Craft project?

I'm really intrigued by this idea for a crocheted dress guard:

This one is done by Miriam Farrington but I found them here as I'm determined to find a stylish but practical solution to many of my female friends who complain about not being able to wear longer dresses or skirts on a bike. Any suggestions out there?

Bike maintenance #1 - Puncture repair

Hurrah for bike maintenance!

As part of my job I have attended a mechanics training course to train me up good and proper to fix bikes and get them ship-shape and road-worthy. Some parts I find simple, other parts baffle me. And either way, the strange terminology of some tools and parts just made me giggle. I mean come on, 'nipples' and 'noodles' - really?!

But anyway, whether it baffles you or not, bike maintenance is an extremely useful craft(?) to master, or at least know about a little bit. It will also save you buckets of dosh as you don't have to take it to a bike shop to have them tweak a couple of wires and then charge you £50.

So, perhaps in an attempt to practice and revise what I have learnt, I am going to share little gems of bike maintenance knowledge with you. First and foremost: the puncture repair. Check out this snazzy link for a simple yet thorough guide to fixing a puncture. Extra brownie points for being able to remove a tyre without tyre levers (or spoons)...but alas my own fair hands have not yet managed this trick yet. With practice though I'm determined to master it! That'll be a fine party trick...right? :-P

Start afresh

Well hello there.

I have DEFINITELY neglected this blog for the past few weeks. I apologise. All I can say is I have been swept off my feet in the world of a new job and my life has been filled with training, bikes, new policies and procedures and generally trying to get my head around this new job! It's great and I've enjoyed every minute but it has meant that a lot of things have been put on the back burner whilst I get my bearings.

Those said bearings are starting to be gathered and I have resurfaced with fresh ideas and fresh enthusiasm for my blog. One particular motivation for getting back to this blog is my friend, Claire. Claire is new to commuter-cycling and cycling in an urban environment but is keen to use a bike to get to the train station where she gets the train to work. Ace. I'm all for it! After a little bit of discussion here and there and a couple of loans of a bike, Claire bought herself a gorgeous new bike from Edinburgh Bike Coop and is embracing the first few weeks of cycling. She has already told me that she simply loves the experience of exploring a city on a bike. This just makes me grin :-)

I think I shall use Claire as my 'tool' (if you like) for material for this blog, as well as material I come across from my job. Claire is new to cycling and the world of bikes but is keen to give it a go. I, on the otherhand, am not new to it but I am determined to show Claire (and others) that it is a fantastic way of getting about, with oodles of benefits and fun along the way. I'm also determined to prove you can look good cycling too! It's not just men in lycra. Or at least it won't be if I've got anything to do about it! Trust this girl.

Exciting times

So I am just on Day 2 of new job and it's incredible. Better than I imagined (which I thought would be impossible!) and it is all very exciting. I'm learning lots about bikes and cycling and feeling even more passionate and empowered about creating a cycling culture and getting more people to discover the joys of bikes and active travel.

More to come, but for now, I'll leave you with something I came across whilst trying to get inspiration for things to personalize my new bike with (any ideas - please send them to me!)

Awesome huh?

Un petit repos

Yesterday was my last day at my (now old) job. It was a sad day but mixed with feelings of excitement for starting my new job and future opportunities.

I also realised that I will be cutting out my train commute now and so won't be using the Brompton as much. Very sad times. It's nice to think I will be using my other bike, a Ridgeback Velocity, a bit more (and I have been giving it some TLC and attention in preparation!) but I will miss my commuter buddy, the Brompton.

I'm off on a 4 day break to Paris to stay with an old friend and give myself some down time. When I get back though I'm going to give the Brompton a good clean and research the best way to look after a bike that doesn't get used that much. Who knows though; I'm sure to find many moments to use my natty friend.

New beginnings are exciting. I can see my new job giving me more excuses/opportunities to blog more so watch this space!

Au revoir for now. À tout.

Inspire - The benefits of a bicycle