And now for something a little less bikey. If you enjoy atmospheric, downtempo sounds, moody guitars with a little electronic backing and poetic, emotive lyrics, check out the latest offering from Melbourne two piece outfit HTRK. Sample the rest of their catalogue while you’re there.
Category: Microfeed
Bite sized servings of mostly Brisbane cycling culture, news and related happenings.
This tall bike video is one of the best things I’ve seen for a while. It captures what I said a few days ago about bikes being artistically expressive and probably defiant of established norms. These sort of shenanigans are what it should be all about. Now, if only I could weld…
Happy Labour Day long weekend!! Or is it the Labor Day long weekend? I don’t know anymore. Either way, I have to say, I’m absolutely sparkling today and what better morning to ride my cargo bike to the local shops to get some chocolate chip muffins for morning tea. Of course, I’ll be washing those down with one or two Bundaberg Ginger Beers. Delicious 🙂 .
It seems to have become a week of night rides for me this week. I snuck out for another one tonight on a mountain bike to the Bunyaville Conservation Park this time (again just in the clothes I had on all day). It was mostly fire trails for me though I did discover once again that the trails around the dam are still closed as I mentioned a few days ago.
Night time is still the right time. Great evening weather makes for a great after work night ride around town. Impromptu is fine – I did this one in the t-shirt and shorts I wore all day. Remember your lights.
Whilst this website is about riding bicycles and not (usually) about politics, there is currently a federal election running and it’s only a few days from conclusion. Furthermore, getting much needed funding for cycling infrastructure and fighting for cyclists’ safety and rights to road space have always been political issues.
Having said that, I would be remiss not to urge those who care about riding bikes, scooters or any other type of active transport to have a think about who in the political spectrum is more likely to want to do the right thing by active transport users and who is more likely to preference doing only what the big end of town wants. Sure, it’s not a perfect political system but some contenders will definitely be better for active transport than others.
Personally, I’m going to crack open a lot more Bundaberg Ginger Beers before the election is over, as I have been since it started, and try to squeeze in as many rides as possible.
Another afternoon too good to let slip by. Headed out through Bald Hills, Brendale, Petrie, Lawnton and the bikeway along the North Pine River, into Old Petrie Town and on to the dam wall at McGavin View, Lake Samsonvale.
I often mention the concept of rambling on this website.
Loosely, to me, it’s a philosophy or attitude about riding bikes that is decidedly low performance, ad hoc, focused on immersion in one’s surroundings and allowing whatever bike you’re riding at the time to help you see the world through new eyes. To wander and explore. To escape. Done with equipment that’s mostly functional, perhaps artistically expressive and probably defiant of established norms. If that isn’t freedom, I don’t know what is.
This video resonated with me because it captures a lot of the qualities of rambling.
A few rays of sunshine this morning was a good enough excuse to grab a bike with fenders and go for a ride to DFO at the airport along the Kedron Brook to get some Bahn Mi.
I’m not a massive consumer of podcasts but I do like to take a listen sometimes to what’s happening in the bicycle world and The Cycling Independent produces some top quality material.
Further to my recent post about my anxiety regarding the general state of the world, John on TCI’s Paceline podcast had the following excellent quote on the subject; “Don’t get tangled in the wreckage of the future”.
He also added that he’ll be increasing his dose of bike riding this year as a way of self care.
It’s sage advice and although I’m not sure how good I’ll be at following all of it, I’m going to try my best.
The afternoon was too good today not to go out and ramble. Along the Cabbage Tree Creek bikeway, through Ironbark Gully and over to the Keperra Bushland. Keperra Bushland has some really steep climbs but the lookout is worth the effort.
With no further action or information on the Story Bridge path closures after more than a month, there has been a group ride organised on Saturday 19th April at 9:30am to ride over the bridge. The purpose of the ride is to convey a message to council that while the paths on the bridge are closed, one of the car lanes on the bridge should be closed to traffic and barricaded to allow pedestrians and cyclists to continue using the bridge.
See more details here if you’re interested in attending: https://www.facebook.com/events/1203236368063138/
Sudden closure of Story Bridge to cyclists shows ‘car is still king in Brisbane’
This is certainly one to keep an eye on for anyone using the Story Bridge for their commute. The lack of information about what’s going on seems suspicious so let’s hope the closure is just maintenance related and we can keep rolling sooner rather than later.
I’ve belted out a new article in the main blog for those keen for a longer read. It’s about something bikey that I don’t normally cover on this website. Check it out.
Those heading into Bunyaville be aware that track 7 (Steps) is still closed due to pumping of the dam (not sure exactly what that’s about). Most other tracks on the southern side of the Jinker Track appear to be closed too.
What does the 2025 Federal Election mean for cycling and active transport more broadly in Australia? While I can’t be sure what the wash up will be, I reckon increasing funding for active transport to 1.9% of the Federal Land Transport Budget would be a pretty good start and a very modest ask given the benefits provided. That’s what WeRide is recommending in their latest campaign. If you agree, please show your support.
Exploring Bribie Island today.
Sunsets are better on Bribie Island.
The rain has finally cleared and what an afternoon! Time for a quick spin on the Kedron Brook to break the cabin fever.
Still lots of patches of water out there though so be ready to wash the bike.
Get out there before the rain comes back 😉
Time flies when you have a cargo bike. I barely realised it but I’ve had my Yuba Boda Boda for over five years now. See here for the details.