riding in luxembourg

spring has sprung

I haven't written in a while...the weather here has been fickle...and so too have I!
I have been out for a little raz here and there when the weather has been kind, but nothing note worthy.
Still loving the bike, although it's forcing me to see how unfit I have gotten over the winter months!  Now that spring has sprung I am going to start riding in to work and back (soon), which will be a round trip of about 2 hours a day.  A little daunting...but I am stoked about it.  I started out as very anxious cycling the streets of London, but gradually I have gotten more and more relaxed.  Riding out of the saddle, indicating, reading the roads better, are becoming more natural than...well 5 months ago.  Let me be clear, I am by no means cocky about my abilities!

Anyways, last week me and my dad drove to Luxembourg for a short trip.  I grew up there for a few years, and my parents still have a house there.  They've decided to sell up, and they recently found a buyer.  So I went over to say my good byes to the house, the village, the country (I don't know if I will ever return)...but most importantly while I was there I needed to sort through all my old belongings, and pack up what I wanted to keep.  There was a lot to sort through- and I ended up clearing out 2 full car loads worth of recycling!!

I managed to persuade my dad to let me bring my bike away with us.  So when all the boxes were sorted through we went down to the river front and I had a ride around.  It was a beautiful 19 degrees over there, the hottest day yet this year (not scorching but I whapped my shorts on never the less)!

I did take some photos...and I will post them up as soon as my computer stops playing up.

So I'm back blogging, and am really looking forward to Spring :)

impressed

So I've been going through the cycle maps, and I've started checking out some of the marked roads.  I figured the only difference with the marked routes would be that the roads are quieter.  I have been pleasantly surprised to find that generally the roads are flatter, in better condition and are covered in cyclist stencils so drivers cannot help but be aware that we are around...more exploring next week I think :)

The government are currently investing £17.5 million into improving our roads for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.  There is a lot of upheaval at the moment with road works, but it's really going to pay off.
There is also a massive project from the TfL taking place, to create 12 cycle superhighways connecting cyclists from the outskirts of London into the city centre.  Very impressive!

taking the lead

A few days ago my sister came up to London from Brighton to visit me.  The main objective while she was here was to go clothes shopping as the January sales are on.  Now I love London, but to most who don't live here they find it way too hectic.  And my sister Fiona is certainly not the exception to that rule.  It is very hard to convince her to come up here for a visit, so I usually cave and end up going down to Brighton.
So while she was here, on this occassion I wanted to show her the more chilled out side to the city.  This started out as a morning bike ride around where I live and the local park. 

This was a big deal for me because it was my first time leading someone else around the roads, but I felt confident enough to do it.  It was really good fun, I don't think we've riden together for about 10 years!  She said she felt really happy having me leading, although I didn't look back to check where she was behind me enough-woops.

I really shouldn't have worn a dress to ride in- not compatable!

When we got to the park we bombed it about and I showed her the allotments for the local farmers market and the deer, rabbits and chickens that are kept there. 
Then of course it was time to get on with shopping, but it was a great way to start the day off for her!  I think this is the start of her coming to visit more- yey :)

critical mass

So I've been psyching myself up to doing an organised bike ride around London for a while now.  A few months back I heard about Critical Mass.  It was an idea spawned in San Francisco in th early 90s, and a few years later one was formed in London.  They meet at 6pm on the last Friday of every month by the National Film Theatre on the Southbank, with no set route or intent for each event, it forms its own agenda.  This month it is this coming Friday (the 29th), and as luck would have it I cannot get out of work.  In November I was in India, December it was Christmas Day, (there was no way I wanted to do it then!) so February 26th I'm in...

Photo courtesy of bbc.co.uk

mappin' it

So I received the free London cycle maps in the post last week.  I've been looking over them and attempting to memorise the routes (I don't want to look like a tourist by pulling over and getting out my massive maps- it's a faux pas!)

Routes are clearly mapped out by colour.  Yellow is for quieter roads recommended for cyclists.  Blue is routes signed for cyclists that may be on busier roads.  Brown indicates there are provisions for cyclists adjacent to busy roads.  Light green is routes through parks.  Dark green is for canal paths.

I think the main thing is to remember visual landmarks, so I've been making mental notes for these at each turning.

But the most genius thing on these maps (which appeals to my sense of humour) is the Mayor's introduction...

"Cycling is a splendid way to discover London, which is a beautiful and diverse city with a wealth of both iconic sights and unique hidden gems.

More and more people are becoming switched on to the joys of cycling, and this guide will help you to join them- exploring some of the thousands of short cuts and little known routes that open up new and exciting sides of the city.

As a keen cyclist myself I know that London can provide some trully stunning biking experiences.  I hope this guide helps you enjoy cycling as much as I do."

Too true Boris...too true!

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!