Cycling in New Zealand 16 October 2010

OK so I can't resist to add another episode.

I've now cycled to work and back about 10 times and once to McDonalds and back. Cycling to work isn't too bad. It is down hill from home to Titahi Bay Road, and I love cycling along Porirua Harbour and looking at all the birds using the mudflats. The hill up to work is manageable and the last bit is down hill again.

Going home isn't too bad for the first half, although the bit along Titahi Bay Road along the harbour isn't as much fun because you can't really see too much of the mud flats. Then the road gets steeper. It has taken me 10 trips to finally manage to cycle the whole way up without stopping once - and that might have been because I came via a different slightly flatter route having gone to look at the beach first.

The last two trips have resulted in a slow leak of the rear tyre - found a very small sharp bit this second time. Probably a small fragment of glass - there is heaps of broken glass along the route, especially on Mondays after the recycling has been picked up. It's been tricky getting new inner tubes for the tyres - our German made bicycles have larger wheels than most NZ bicycles have. Trying to source some kevlar tyres or some plastic inserts to reduce the puncture rate. At least I've now learned to patch inner tubes and I can do it all by myself after George has taught me all his tricks :-)

It is quite different to cycling in the Netherlands. You have to be very conscious of the traffic because they don't really take much notice of people on bicycles. Helmets are compulsory and I am wearing a fluoro orange jacket to increase visibility. The grills that cover the storm-water drains at the side of the road vary between tyre catching parallel slots and slightly friendlier right angle to the road slots. There is one completely missing along the route at the moment leaving a hole easily big enough to suck up a wheel. Wellington is also notoriously windy and is has been difficult to cycle in a straight line some days.

Still I'm going to persevere, and keep cycling, want to stay fit and get fitter.