Resurrecting the old for a new culture

Subsistence: these old bikes are being recycled as trendy single-speeds. Photo: Eddie Barkla

Subsistence is a social enterprise, run by three Long Gully residents, Cam Farrall, Finn den Otter and Ali Turnbull. They build quality single speed bikes from old men’s racers. Most of the old bikes are from steel recycle bins around the place as well as from the council recovery yards. They also receive bike donations from other enterprises run by CVGT and St. Lukes.

The oldest and most simple bikes were fixed gear single speed – i.e. if the bike is in motion, then the pedals are moving. In the past this was more necessity than choice. Now there are a number of reasons people are choosing these types of bike over more complex geared bikes.

Inspiration from family

Fund raising: the Beechworth Bakery cycle team aims to raise funds for the Special Development School. Photo: Roger Fuller

There are many reasons to get on a bike and ride long distances. It could be for recreation, fitness, social, fundraising, a challenge, or all of the above and even some not mentioned.

After not riding competitively for more than 15 years, in 2004 Roger Fuller purchased an older Norco bike from a work mate with the idea that it would increase his fitness and drop a bit of weight. Getting hold of an old helmet and some plain bike clothes and an old pair of bike shoes Roger rode out of the drive, around the corner and up the very small hill with the realization how unfit he really was. However over the two months with perseverance and commitment in being consistent,  fitness increased along with the enjoyment of riding.

Trials of life make for a strong trials rider

Lucky 13th: Lachlan Sens hopes to improve his placing at next year's World Titles for MTB trials in Canada. Photo: Sens family

Lachlan Sens has just returned from the World Titles held in Canberra for Mountain Bike Trials and posted a creditable 13th place in his first event on the world stage. What is required of a young rider to be able to balance life in this highly skilled sport and an education and sustain a family connection?

Lachlan spends 6 to 7 hours per week trials training on his trials bike balancing, jumping up and across obstacles like old 44 gallon drums, piles of pallets and big rocks (all over his mothers garden!). This year he saved enough money with a part-time job to get a gym membership where he trains with weights 4 to 5 hours per week. Lachlan also puts in 3 to 4 hours training on his road bike per week. He is extremely self motivated and sets high standards and personal goals and is quiet and unassuming of nature off the bike.

Frank’s shed

Frank's shed - if these walls could talk you'd hear many a tale of fame and woe. Photo: Eddie Barkla

Google is a wonderful tool when seeking to find out about people, what has been written about them or media interviews that they may have conducted or a history of accolades of their sporting prowess. Well that was the case when researching this article.

We could write a book that is full of achievements but quite often they fail to paint a picture that bears resemblance of the person’s real character that is reflected when not on public stage and view. Record books of cycling hold many accounts of this person’s cycling ability and past history but what they don’t reflect is the multitude of cyclists that at some time, somehow, were a recipient of assistance from the humble dwelling of Frank’s Shed.

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. “

Local star makes world titles

Life is like riding a bicycle – in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving.  ~Albert Einstein

Lachlan Sens puts his bike through its paces. Photo: Samantha Allen

Where there is a high degree of difficulty, massive concentration on technique along with skill, ability and agility, mixed with heightened risk, challenge and thrills that has high ambitions and world class potential, it more than likely you will find a Sens family member.

Renewed enthusiasm after break for BMX Champion

Come back: Brock Tuckerman is back in action on the BMX (Photo: Corey Gibson - http://blog.inlina.com/)

Brock Tuckerman after 3 years of football had developed a knee problem. In 1997 at the age of 12, he started BMX. A friend mentioned the BMX racing and that he was going to give it a try. It was not long before Brock was hooked.

The Bendigo club was one of the biggest in Australia. BMX racing was very popular, the club was well organised, race meets at a club level 100+ riders and OPEN meetings 250+ riders from across the State would attend.

BMX has two basic class groups, Challenge and Elite. Challenge for younger riders up to 17 and from that age anyone that doesn’t feel they are at a professional level can simply ride in their age bracket (eg, 17-24 men or women, 30-34 men or women etc.) The elite class is made up of two categories, JNR ELITE (17-18yrs) and ELITE (19+).

Like most other sports BMX has club, state, national, world and now Olympic level. Brock reached National level in both challenge and Elite classes, with 10th in Australia in the 15 boy’s age class.

Festival of the Wheel Castlemaine

The weekend of 25th-26th October 2008 will host an exciting  inaugural event for Castlemaine. A major fun, fitness and environment event in and around the town for all sorts of cyclists will usher in the first annual Festival of the Wheel’.

The Mount Alexander Sustainability Group, or MASG, which was established in 2006 and boasts nearly 800 members, is organizing the multiple rides, the night of entertainment and the Don KRC Family Day in the Botanical Gardens as a fundraiser to support its efforts to cut our greenhouse gas emissions and build a more sustainable world.

Over the past few years, bike riding has boomed in Castlemaine. As well as road and trail riding in abundance, bikes are now used for carrying freight (including bread delivery), passengers (via the new MASG trishaw) and for getting kids to school on the front or back. Riding to work has also become increasingly popular. The Festival will build on this trend and stage a terrific weekend of cycling for all levels and types of riders. There will also be great entertainment on the Saturday night and Sunday.

The bicycle built for two

David spends about an hour a day pedalling, but he hasn’t been outside on a bike since he was a kid and had enough vision to see the driveway of his home. 

When the Lions Club of Strathfieldsaye recently donated a brand new tandem to Vision Australia, David was first down at the Tom Flood track to try it out.

First rule with a new machine is get to know your bike. So he went over every inch of it and asked questions about everything. Finally he decided: enough of the theory, let’s test this out!

The bicycle built for two

Best seat in the house

David spends about an hour a day pedalling, but he hasn’t been outside on a bike since he was a kid and had enough vision to see the driveway of his home. 

When the Lions Club of Strathfieldsaye recently donated a brand new tandem to Vision Australia, David was first down at the Tom Flood track to try it out.

First rule with a new machine is get to know your bike. So he went over every inch of it and asked questions about everything. Finally he decided: enough of the theory, let’s test this out!

The person on the back of a tandem is known as the stoker. They get to pedal and enjoy the ride leaving all the hard work to the captain.

The captain is the eyes of a tandem team. They manage the steering, braking and gear changing.

Whether the stoker is blind or sighted, the captain must keep them informed about what’s coming up. If you upset your stoker you’ll lose your riding companion.