Fixed wheelers: culture, sport or training tool?

Fixed wheel: for the purists, this is the only bicycle worthy of riding. Photo: Hugh Martin

Like the TV show Funniest Home Videos this comes with a warning: “Don’t all try this on the road until practised in a safe environment!”.

Is it possible to reinvent the wheel? Some may well think they have.  It is a bit like fashion, keep it in the wardrobe long enough it will become fashionable again, or the old adage there is nothing new under the sun we have seen it all before. We have seen them on the velodrome all going the same way at reasonably the same high speed, but now the fences of the track and velodrome no longer are the boundaries that can contain them.

Happy birthday: Australia Post turns 200

Postie: Archie Lenten enjoys the outdoor life. Photo: Eddie Barkla

Two hundred years ago on 26 June 1809, Australia’s first Postmaster collected 36 letters which had just arrived from England marking the beginning of Australia’s oldest continually operating commercial organisation: Australia Post.

The first Postmaster was Isaac Nichols, a former convict who had arrived on the Second Fleet. He was appointed in 1809 because letters and parcels were being stolen from ships arriving at the port of Sydney.

“Life was often bleak and lonely for the first settlers as they waited for news from home. It would often be months before a ship was sighted offshore which was enough to create pandemonium on the wharves,” said Australia Post Managing Director, Graeme John. “From linking the colonies to distant Europe, forging overland mail routes and building the nation’s communications infrastructure, the postal service has left an indelible impression on Australia. “

Words of wisdom from experienced cyclists

Riders line up for the start of a race: The measure of the man is not how strong he starts or finishes but how he worked till the finish.

There are all sorts of strange sayings in the world of cycling. What do they mean?

“Don’t Be A Half Wheel Harry”

One of the most annoying things about riding with someone new to the sport is the “Half Wheeler”. Many probably don’t know they are doing it or understand why it’s annoying so here’s the low down.

Half wheeling is when you ride half a wheel or more ahead of the person you are cycling beside. Half wheeling is an annoying cycling faux pas that should be avoided at all costs. Half wheeling your riding partner is like saying “you’re rubbish and I’m putting my front wheel ahead of your to remind you of that”.

You may get a subtle comment like “I didn’t realise that your bike is longer than mine”. A less subtle approach will be having the pressure applied to the point where you are blown up as the pace is beyond your measure. Don’t be a “Half wheel Harry” your buddies and strangers alike will thank you for it.