‘Tis the season to be bike commuting.

Looking for a great Black Friday deal? Well, you’ve come to the wrong place. Not only because this website doesn’t sell anything but also because there’s no such thing as a great Black Friday deal. If you’re buying a Black Friday “bargain” you’ve probably either been duped into buying something you wouldn’t have otherwise bought or it’s actually not a bargain and you’re paying too much. And if you’re making up reasons as to why I’m wrong about that, there’s an even greater chance I’m actually right.

So, instead of buying bullshit items you don’t need with money you don’t have, why not do, oh I dunno, pretty much anything else. Riding a bike is a good start. If it’s too hot, ride to somewhere you can swim or get a cold drink. Or you can skip the riding and cut straight to the swimming or walking the dog or playing monopoly or skimming rocks at a creek. I think you get the idea.

Life is short, freedom is fragile so for the love of Lob don’t hand any more of either than is absolutely necessary to the corporations who have created enough problems already. That is all.

Uganda Fixed: Night Flight to Kampala

Yep, it’s as simultaneously mad and inspiring as it sounds. In many respects, what these guys did and how they view riding bikes more generally constitutes the very soul and core of cycling – the simplicity, the minimalism, the rejection of the status quo and the absolutely true freedom. It’s worth a read.

If you’re looking for somewhere to ride, I may be able to help. Check out my routes and journeys in the main blog.

Bravely or stupidly, yesterday afternoon I decided I’d had enough of the great indoors,  grabbed a bike and headed towards a spot along the Pine River at Bald Hills. This despite the blobs of red and orange approaching on the weather radar. All was well until the sky decided it had given me enough chances to retreat and simply let ‘er rip. Shirt clinging to body, shoes full of water and brakes howling, I was holed up outside a nearby 7Eleven chewing on a piece of banana bread and sipping on a Coke for over half an hour before being able to head for home. It still beat sitting inside though and I’d definitely do it again.

British stoner/doom metal band Elephant Tree‘s 2014 album Theia is one of their earlier works but what I consider to be the “purest” of their output. The thick, heavy sound is a sweet, sweet, slow moving musical molasses that is in a totally different time and place.

Needing to get to multiple places in Brisbane today that I don’t normally go, the Brompton provided the perfect way. Doing a longer initial commuting stint then getting a lift with the Brompton in the boot of a car, then another short ride followed by a CityCat trip and finally another longer stint of riding, the Brompton was able to provide both fun and function. Carrying a change of clothes and toiletries for a freshen up plus a laptop and all the other requirements for the day, I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

What’s happening with the Brisbane City Council bike counters? This one at Victoria Park is one of many around Brisbane that’s been falsely showing zero as its count for quite some time despite the obviously high amount of bicycle and scooter traffic coming past throughout each day. What have I missed? Feel free to comment if you know the answer to this mystery.

Couldn’t go past this. Pedal People have been operating a bicycle powered rubbish collection business in the US for almost a quarter of a century and going strong. So many great things about this.

With the unusually hot days we’ve been having, it’s become even more apparent what a massive cooling effect tree cover has on the immediate environment. Riding on a hot day, when I transition from an open area to one covered by trees, it feels literally like riding into an air conditioned tunnel. Yet we continue to insist on clearing land and removing green spaces like Victoria Park for commercial purposes.

Finnish one man psychedelic/prog rock outfit Psychedelic Suns is really a gem of those music genres. The 2016 album Journey is as much a journey through sound as it is through the mind. With obvious influences from 60s and 70s Pink Floyd and other similar groups of the time, Psychedelic Suns carry on the tradition without but actually mimicking the style with thoughtful, original compositions that include the use of sitars, guitars and electronic elements to produce something that I think will stand the test of time.

Who remembered National Ride2Work Day? Well, for once I did and rolled over to the Queen’s Wharf on the way into the office for a free coffee. Pretty great start to the day.

The art of bicycle commuting reveals the heart of Brisbane.

I’m not sure of the details of why but the Story Bridge is open again to cyclists and pedestrians. It’s only one of the footpaths at the moment but that’s definitely better than nothing. So, without further ado, it was time ride today.

It was time once again for me to take a roll along the shores of the Ewen Maddock Dam starting near Mooloolah Valley on the Sunshine Coast. It’s a real gem of a trail making for an excellent slow, off-road roll along the western shore of the dam and into Landsborough for coffee and a snack. Although the events of my day caused me to drive there today, the trail is also accessible by train from Landsborough Station or, if you fancy a longer ride, from Mooloolah Station.

New write-up in the main blog has dropped. This time I test out the Bayview Conservation Park at the Redlands.

With a new work schedule comes a new bike commuting route and you know what they say – a change is as good as a holiday. And I love a good holiday, especially when there’s bikes involved.

Seriously though, this time of year is especially great for commuting to work by bike. It’s not too hot or cold and the sun is up early enough to get you up and have you at your office at a very respectable time.

For those in the mood for something electronic and high octane, Siu Mata‘s album Speed Dembow Vol 1 may be just what you seek. The mixture of an electronic core with skilfully executed percussion and vocals makes this like few electronic dance music styles which can sometimes be overly reliant on repetition. Speed Dembow Vol 1 is anything but repetitious offering a flowing but continually interesting river of high energy. If you like Speed Dembow Vol 1, volumes 2 and 3 are also available amongst various others.

Great morning for an inner city loop in Brisbane. I dusted off the road bike and took in the new Kangaroo Point Green Bridge, Kingsford-Smith Drive Bikeway and Kedron Brook Bikeway. Get after it while the temps are still mild and the weather is great!

Drawn into the Samford Pony Trails once again. And why wouldn’t you be? Ekka holiday today but this wins.