Life as a Cycling Commuter

It was very unfortunate reading the news of two cyclists dying on their way home from work last week.  One hit by a truck in Petone and the other run over by a truck when a Ute’s door was opened on them.

I pack my pants every day I ride on the road thinking, phew I just missed that one!

The memorial ride from Parliament to Petone and back was an experience.  300 cyclists turned up from all walks of life and with police escort we headed out to Petone for a minutes silence.

On to more humorous notes … the smell of burnt toast as I ride through Kelburn in the mornings, the squealing of my brakes as I slide down Clermont Terrace on wet days (this street is virtually granny gear steepness), the inhalation of fresh diesel fumes as you are sucking in the big ones climbing up the Nauranga Gorge (huge hill that the highway climbs up out of Wellington.

The thing with the Gorge is that it is only half way up the hill to home, so it is not over once you hit the top of that baby.

Two punctures within three days – Grr! It is the skinny tyres I am using letting all manner of spiky bits in.

I am using my old hard tail that has been converted for road use – it is great - light weight and old enough to leave locked under work.

There are definitely ‘groups’ when it comes to commuting.  There is the fluro coloured group that say Hi on their way past (that is me – I am not getting run over) and there is the roadies who do not acknowledge anyone (they do not wear any reflective gear or have lights) and there are the mountain bikers who bounce all over the curbs but are very friendly with one rear light.

Every night I have great delight in discussing my highs and lows of the to’s and fro’s between the office and home – whose butt did I kick on the way up the Gorge or who screamed past me on the Old Hutt Road on the way in to town.  What traffic nearly ran me over while it was coming out of driveways or carparks, car doors that opened on to me or trucks that nearly popped my 1m bubble.

45minutes each way is starting to show on my normal MTB rides – definitely faster up hills, legs stronger (learning to spin more for endurance riding) and aerobically fitter.

I still cannot handle any rides longer than 90minutes on the road bike non stop though – my sitting bones hurt like crazy.

Another Sunday Morning Interview

Craig’s mum was down for her annual pilgrimage to Welington to watch her boys soccer skills both as coach and player.  I took advantage of the opportunity for another ‘fun’ interview.  Have a squizz below

What do you do on Sunday mornings?  Not sleep in or watch the soccer! (Ed- Craig, this is not your interview)  I cannot have a day off! I have to feed the animals every morning. (Ed- Who? Ha ha Diane lives on a lifestyle block)  Then usually bookwork for my business (Ed- That must be where Craig gets his wheeling and dealing skills from)

Which is your favourite aisle in the supermarket?  I live in the supermarket, I know every aisle! I would have to say … meat.

What is your favourite vegetable?   Now that is a hard one, I like my veges.  There are a few I do not like: swede’s; brussel sprouts and broad beans. (Ed- Yes, I agree on that one)

Who do you think is the most stylish person of our time?  There are so many of them around. Rachel Hunter is just beautiful, she has gotten more beautiful as she has grown older.  With her curves and down to earth look, she is a good role model for the modern women.

What are you like at parties?  Depends on the company If with good friends and good music I have a ball.

What do you smell of?  Talcom Powder  (Ed- and, no, not the baby type)

Pasta or potato’s?  Can I put both?

Beatles or the Rolling Stones? Beatles

What is the biggest fashion mistake of our era?  I am showing my age here but I have great difficulty with the young girls puku’s hanging out and boys pants hanging down below their bums.

Pink or Red lipstick?  That is an easy one I do not wear lipstick!

Shave or Wax?  Shave.  Plucking my eyebrows is bad enough.

What is life’s greatest mystery?  Life is a mystery, we do not know when it is going to start or end and there are always surprises around the corner – in one word ‘life’.

Your best shoe memory?  Well, that is a tricky one, all my shoe memories are nightmares!

What three words best describe yourself? Caring, loving and loyal (Ed- …and mischievous)

Can you recommend a new age miracle worker?  My Osteopath in Papamoa as she also does deep tissue massage as well.

What part of your body do you neglect?  All of it! My weight (Ed- but she’s nice and cuddly)

Five materialistic items you can not live without? My TV, radio, beer (Ed- it is the sport) laptop, mobile phone (Ed- presents from Craig that are now embedded in Diane’s life)

Have you found yourself yet?  Starting to, it is a work in motion.

 

Miss GOYANZ Dance 2008

I had to endure another GOYANZ night in the weekend. Yes, that was said half heartedly. But once I was there I did find it entertaining, the meal was fabulous and for some it was a rather late night.

What is a “GOYANZ” evening I hear you ask? Well, it is a dinner and dance that the Greek community put on once a year and the nights fund raising proceeds go to the Olympic soccer club. GOYANZ is the Greek Orthodox Youth Association of New Zealand.

There is also a “Miss GOYANZ” selected each year from the younger females in the crowd. I am not sure of the criteria for this prize as it is not purely beauty.  I do recall giggling at a 16yr old trying to explain the criteria to me once.

Everyone is made up to the nines, hair, make-up and gorgeous little dresses.  One thing can be said for Greek youth they know how to dress – stunningly dressed males strutting their booties on the dance floor.

Interview with My Mum

Mum was down for the Queen’s Birthday long weekend and with me being out of action sports wise we had to fill our days with shopping and a little interview with Mum.  Enjoy the giggle.

What do you do on Sunday mornings?  Depends whether it is Summer or Winter; no Sunday is the same.

What is your favourite aisle in the supermarket?  The dairy section, all the delicious cheeses.

Hillary Clinton or Barrack Obama?  Who is Obama?

If you were to dress up as a celebrity who would you be?  (Ed-Still undecided on this one.)

Favourite vegetable?  Silver beet (Ed-Is she serious?!)

Who do you think is the most stylish person of our time?  Michelle Pfeiffer, she always looks great.

What are you like at parties?  Tipsy, always having fun (Ed-The Lush, drunken one in the corner)

Do you like Chocolate?  Not as much as coffee, but I love almond things (Ed-ok)

What do you smell of?  Chlorine (Ed-yes, mum is a Masters swimmer)

Pasta or potato’s?  Pasta!  I love macaroni cheese.

Beatles or the Rolling Stones?  Rolling Stones, but I don’t have any of their records now.

What is the biggest fashion mistake of our era?  Hipster pants, as the muffin look is hideous.

What is your favourite fruit?  Strawberries but I like Hokey Pokey ice cream or Rush Munro’s Feijoa (Ed-I don’t recall asking about the ice cream…)

Pink or Red lipstick?  Pink, I don’t want to look like an OL (Ed-old Lady)

Shave or Wax?  Shave… but I pluck.

What is life’s greatest mystery?  When you don’t know when you are going to die.

Your best shoe memory?  Buy one get one free!

What three words best describe your style?  Comfortable, loose… um “I don’t know”.

Can you recommend a new age miracle worker?  Teeth enamels (Ed-hmm).

What part of your body do you neglect?  My skin (Ed-Too much sunbathing!)

Have you found yourself yet?  Nooooo.

Anything you want to add?  I don’t have an electric blanket but I like a hottie (Ed-what type of hottie?) and I have bed hair in the mornings (Ed-I can vouch for that).