bikes

This year I cycled over 8,200 kilometres, mostly on a circuit around my beloved Blue Mountains. However, I�m extremely fortunate to have an occupation that requires regular travel. On these trips, I always take my bicycle, or hire one when I reach my destination. Here�s a Top Ten of my favourite bicycle trips for 2013. It�s divided between flat rides along beguiling paths and roads and invigorating climbs in the mountains.  Number 10 - The Brisbane River loop A gentle thirty-four kilometre meander on both sides of the muddy Brisbane River which includes a breezy cycle on dedicated bike paths beside the river and quiet roads through some of the leafy and wealthy suburbs of my home town. It�s a pedal down memory lane for me, although when I was ten years old, there were no cycle paths and thankfully, fewer aggressive motorists. Any city that has three dedicated cycle/pedestrian bridges earns my vote as the bike capital of Australia. It looks as though Queensland will also be the fir...

I ride my bicycle every day. I wave and say hello to each cyclist I see, from the Lycra-clad racer with his head down to the bearded guy at the shops riding an old clunker with plastic bags for panniers. I�m sure many people view me as a few spokes short of a complete wheel, but when I�m on a bike, the world is a beautiful place. I want to hug everyone.  Last week, the cycling world did its best to rid me of this beatific serenity.  In Melbourne, the Total Rush bicycle store held a party to celebrate a million dollar refit of its Punt Road premises. The owner chose to hire young topless women dressed in pink body paint, lace panties and high heels. When photos were posted on social media, the paint hit the fan.  Comments ranged from the outraged to vows to never shop at the store again. Many people took to the store�s Facebook page to express disappointment and anger. These comments appear to have been removed from the site, with only a smattering of �supportive� remarks...