Pushie.cc

You don't need a $3,000 road bike and head-to-toe lycra team kit to enjoy the health and financial benefits of commuting by bike in Geelong. You just need a pushie and some motivation.

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Warm weather brings out the Geelong bike commuters

I counted 13 bike commuters on the way to work this morning and 11 on the way home. That's more than double what I've seen any other day. Maybe it's because I was riding 20 minutes earlier today (out and back), or maybe it's just the warm weather. The ride in this morning was magic - still, fresh, slightly dewy. Whatever the reason, it's great to see a good number of bike commuters out and about on Geelong's cycling network.

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James and I enjoying the 24km Rainforest Ride in Apollo Bay last Sunday.

I busted another spoke on the rear wheel though. That’s the third. It seems to happen when the child seat (and James) is on the back, so instead of replacing the single spoke, this time I had the wheel rebuilt with new heavier duty DT Swiss Competition spokes at Geelong West’s Bicycle Factory (following a recommendation by Greg from Fuel).

Fingers crossed it’s the last one for a while.

On a happier note, I can ride to work again now. I didn't enjoy driving in last week. Good weather for riding coming too - high 20s and low 30s all week.

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Felt lazy today so drove halfway. It was 38 degrees, after all. (at South Geelong)

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Wasn't easy getting this angle :-)

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Kathmandu Lite Ace Vest V4

I have three items of clothing that I bought specifically for commuting to work: an Endura Luminite jacket, a Kathmandu Kuja 1/4 Zip top, and a Kathmandu Lite Ace Vest V4. 

I'll write about the Endura jacket and the Kuja top another time. Tonight I felt like writing about the Lite Ace vest.

First up, the price. RRP is $140, but Summit Club members can currently get it for $84. I snagged it for $40 in their latest sale. Score.

Here's the blurb from the Kathmandu website:

Using a mesh fabric in specific areas this garment uses climaticZONING to regulate body temperature for optimal performance.  

Zip front with chin guard

Dropped back hem with draw cord

One zipped chest security pocket with key clip 

One back zipped pocket

Reflective print detail

Jacket packs into chest pocket

Side, back neck and back stretch mesh panels for extra ventilation

Lightweight wind resistant shell fabric with DWR finish

Contrast polyester eyelet knit panelled into key heat zones

Knit fabric has wicking finish to improve moisture management

Fabric

100% Polyester

It packs into its own chest pocket, which is also a handy iPhone size (this I have tested), and claims to be water repellent (haven't needed to test this yet). I don't care about weight, but for those who do, it weighs next to nothing. 

To date it's performed well as a wind barrier, although probably nowhere near as well as a proper WindStopper would. But then again it doesn't claim to, and there's no need for a full WindStopper during spring, summer and autumn in Geelong anyway. You can feel the difference when you unzip it, so it must be doing something right.

There are reflective strips all over it, which will be handy as the daylight hours reduce towards autumn, and although I was initially hesitant about buying a grey cycling top, for some reason the contrasting white and grey stands out really well when I spot my reflection in the shop windows up Moorabool St. Nobody wears vests in real life, so it's not exactly street-inspired cyclewear, but it doesn't look too garish or try-hard. At least, I don't think it does.

All up, unbeatable value at $40 and still good value at $80. I'm not sure I'd pay $140 for it, but nobody ever pays full price at Kathmandu anyway!

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Possibly the only separated #bikelane in #Geelong. #welcomed #moreplease #bikecommuting #lonsdalestreet (at South Geelong)

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The obligatory "route to work" post

I've been using the Split! GPS iPhone app by Shotzoom to journal my rides. It works pretty well - I like how you can select the activity (walk, cycle, run, snowboard etc), unlike the Nike+ app which I use for running. I'll write a review of Split! GPS another time. Tonight I just wanted post up the map of my route to work.

I live in a suburb with Heights in its name, so my morning ride to work is somewhat easier than my ride home ;-) Even so, I'm averaging 25mins on the way in and 28mins home, so the difference isn't huge. Plus every ride seems to be getting shorter, which is weird. I guess the legs and mind are getting used to it.

The route itself is as flat and as car-less as I've been able to find. I wiggle my way through the back streets of Highton, then cruise down super-smooth Barrabool Rd (they finally got around to resurfacing it, thankfully) to the Barwon River. I ride the north bank so that I can duck past the rowing sheds and up Yarra Street, then turn left onto Malop Street and right onto Moorabool. The only road on that route that has a clear, wide bike lane is Yarra Street, but there are marked lanes on Barrabool Rd and Malop St too. 

All up it's a really nice cruise, especially the section along the river. I don't go hard, but it only takes me 10 minutes longer than if I drive (15min vs 25min), and I save at least $35 a week in parking money (which I usually invest into my bike and gear, unless Scotchmans Hill Pinot Noir is on special).

Over time I'll be featuring other bike commuters and their routes here too.

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#fromwhereiride #bikecommute #looknohands

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Perfect #pushie #commuting weather this morning. (at Barwon River, Belmont)

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Hard to top this as the epitome of pushie.cc.

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It does not matter how slow you go so long as you do not stop.

Confucius. Seems apt for pushie.cc's first post.