i put a tiger in my bike

On Friday, after going out for a morning spin (which FYI was very good fun- dispite the roads being very wet!), I descided to head down to a bike art exhibition in Shoreditch- J'ai Mis un Tigre dans mon Velo (loosely translated as...I put a Tiger in my Bike).  With photography from Cedric Viollet, illustrations from Guillaume Jolly and paintings by Jerome Romain.

The show is sponsored by RVCA clothing, who have an Artist Network Programme set up.

From what I can gather, the exhibition has been touring around various different galleries around the world.  If you hear about it coming to a town near you, then you should definately go and check it out!

fill in the blank

I ____ snow...
The word there used to be love, but this winter my feelings have changed.  It comes down to the fact that I am now a cyclist.
Yesterday morning I opened my front door to that very magical sight of fresh snow... but I was sulking all day long.  I thought the residual snow from this last weeks fall had melted away enough that I could get out for a ride soon.  But then the heavens opened and brought us this dump.  (ok so it doesn't look deep, but trust me, there was plenty!)

Thankfully due to an amazing fluctuation in temperature, it is starting to melt away already today.  This has caused warnings nationwide of flash floods- lets hope it doesn't get too out of hand!

But I'm happy to say that this means I can go for a ride tomorrow on  my day off.  I cant wait!!!

And although I am now a cyclist, I am also a snowboarder...so I can't use the word hate.  I need to get out to the moutains soon to bring back the feelings of love for the snow!

lazy sunday

all the more reason

Ok so I'm a wuss, I haven't been riding into work.  I know the temperatures in London aren't all that cold (it's hovering around 0 degrees), but all the snow keeps melting and freezing all day long so it's leading to sheet ice.  I've already done the splits a few times just walking on the pavement!  So at the moment I'm only getting my bike out when I feel safe.  So I'm commuting in on the bus and tube.  Hell if the bus driver is only going 10mph then what luck would I have on the roads!

For 2010 the TfL have increaded the charges on all journeys.  Single journeys on the bus have risen from £1 to £1.20 and journeys on the tube from £1.60 to £1.80.  That really does add up over the course of a week.
So the economic motivation for commuting in on a bike is now even more...motivating.  Bring on some warmer weather!
Also a guy who works at head office of my shop (howies), posted this video on our website blog this morning.  In London we are all trying to steal a minute of time where we can...a need for speed!

Bike vs London Underground from Andreas Kambanis on Vimeo.

out with the parents

Last summer I went on bike rides along the canals with my dad...but only when my mum would let me hijack her bike.  Since I got my Roll we've been talking about the 3 of us going for a ride together. Well it's a new year and I'm trying to stop just talking about doing things and well...do them.   So today I managed to convince my parents to brave the cold, wrap up warm and get on their bikes.

They moved to London a few years ago and are living along the river front on the north bank of the Thames.  There are some really great bike rides along Wapping waterfront, Limehouse Marina and through to Victoria Park (not that we rode that far today though).

I was looking to forward to showing off my bike, as they hadn't seen it yet.  They were quite impressed with how light weight and agile it is.  And lets face it- it's so much faster than their bikes! ha ha

Our family has always had mountain bikes in the past because we lived near some beautiful forest trails.  A couple of years ago my mum bought an urban hybrid, which she's been enjoying riding around town.  My dad's bike is getting on a bit now, and he's considering buying a new one.  I let him have a little ride on the Roll, and I think he's strongly considering a single speed now...oh yes, a convert!

We turned back home when the night crept in, but we got a beautiful backdrop of Canary Wharf all lit up.

Loving this bike!!!

presents

Well I hope everyone had a great Christmas!?
I myself did what I set out to do (drank, ate and slept)...and feel very relaxed from it. 
Got some pretty great presents; including a tool pouch for my bike tools.  It even matches my bike- score! (I pasted this photo of it from their website, but man I really do wish I owned those shoes!!!)

I still don't know how to fix a puncture or adjust my brakes.  All the gear and no idea as it were!  Thankfully I haven't had a puncture as yet (touch wood).
I just found out about a website- London Cycling Campaign, set up to promote cycling, and to support it's members.  They give some pretty good step by step guides on bike maintenance, that I'm going to study.
It also has a link for the TfL (Transport for London) free cycle guides.  I had heard that you can get these maps, but totally forgot about it.  I have started to find my own routes to ride, but there may well be some better ones to try.  So I've ordered myself a couple.  Looking forward to finding canal paths and ways through the parks :)

Also I decided to buy myself a Christmas present, a helmet...and about time too.  I know I should have bought one straight away.  I wear a helmet when I snowboard, so it definately makes sense to when I'm riding on tarmac.

Well I'm going to brave the cold and get out on my bike a least a couple of days this week for a ride...got to work off all the Christmas snacking!

Merry Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve and I'm at work in the shop...  only one hour left to go and then I can start the Christmas celebrations- lots of food/drink and cheesy movies.  Already got on it last night actually, watched Little Women; an absolute classic!
It has actually been quite funny at work today- last minute Christmas shoppers are cr-azy!
But yes, cant wait to get over to my parents place :)