Guest blog by Jane Admore,
Jane is our highly effective Membership Secretary and an adventurous cycle tourist. We admire Jane’s ‘gently, gently’ approach to expand our city’s cycling numbers.
Finally – the best cycling weather – get a gang together!
If you’ve got that pedaling feeling but aren’t into the joys of solo cycling, why not share the delight with a few friends?
I had several friends who said they envied me as a ‘cyclist for pleasure’ but never quite got around to it. Three years ago I set up a tentative email list of them, set a date & time and place to start in a local park. Meeting place is now my house (my privilege) and once a month on a weekend morning I emerge to see who has been tempted by the reminder I sent out on a Thursday night (no RSVP). We set off with between 3 and 9 (some third of the 30 on the list haven’t been yet but want to stay informed for when they feel the time is right!). I’m sure Facebook would be a good tool for equivalent results.
Length of ride varies from B8 to 45 Km with some people avoiding longer (or shorter!) rides. We usually have a purpose; Pa Homestead and the Wallace collection is a winter regular, the smaller markets are fun and we are slowly ‘knocking off’ the Auckland Maunga (Volcanic cones) which are surprisingly do-able for our not-so- young participant profile. December and January I indulge a passion for a swim & ride. We’ve a had a couple of over-nighters (inspired by our own travels in France where we cycle tour & camp).
I’ve gathered a few great puncture repairers & have a good pump available before we set off. I link together off-road routes wherever possible. Its been a great way to keep in touch with a wider group friends (and friends of friends) without (always) meeting over food.
My group, loosely named ‘Mixte’ after a female-friendly type bicycle frame, is mainly addressed to women but we have several blokes who are regulars & we don’t turn anyone away. I do like to keep It local so there’s no loading bike on cars.
