I just couldn't go without thanking you all for organising such a great event as the Cycle to Work Challenge. It has me back "hooked" on cycling.

I started out getting "roped in" by the Woodside Team "Thirteen Dogs and a Lady", for the record I was one of the "dogs"! I started as a novice seeing as I hadn't ridden to work for more than 2 years and had barely touched my bike other than the odd Rottnest Island day out. Some years ago (many many years ago) I raced BMX bikes and had a real passion for cycling. Since then I have been a huge Tour de France fan watching every hour I could get on TV, but that had still not got me out of the lounge chair and onto the road. 

So I pulled my 14 year old commuter out of the shed pumped up the tyres and started back into riding to work. Here is a quick account of how your challenge sucked me back in to riding...... 
- Within a week I was already feeling better at work and making it up the little hills a little easier.
- By week two my competitive streak had started to kick back in and I made a point of passing as many other cyclists as I could on the way to work.
- In week three a friend of mine convinced me that I should buy a good bike and join them on their "mission" to get fit and ride in the Pyrenees next May. An audacious goal I know, but it got us thinking that we needed to get very fit, and take in some hill training. I bought myself a new Orbea "Vento" which I absolutely love.
- By late week three it became all about the weekend rides in addition to commuting to work. My friends and I did a 50km loop via Guilford and were enjoying it so much that we didn't want to go home - we added another 20 kms for good measure.
- Week four was a mission to climb "Col de Toodyay" heading up into the hills via Toodyay Rd across to Mundaring and back down the Great Eastern Hwy. We were amazed that we made it - 91kms in total.
- Week five was up Welshpool Road around Pickering Brook Rd to conquere what we called "Col de [Perth] Observatory" another big ride and great fun.
- At the end of the last week I cracked the 100km for the first time via the hills and past Mundaring Weir.
 
Thanks again for organising the challenge.... no surprise that I have lost approx 5kg, substantially improved my fitness and have found my way back to a sport that I love. I have a long way to go to get ready for next May in the Pyrenees, but I am on our my way with training and have already booked the flights. I am also now considering upgrading my commuter to a decent mountain bike to take on the Munda Biddi trail for some more training. All this and I rode to work every day, saved $600 in car parking and petrol (thats how I have justified the bike so far) and saved a bag of unnecessary emissions.

This is me on my latest ride. Headed up Welshpool Rd via Pickering Brook and Patterson Rd to the Mundaring weir on a 106km loop through the hills..... wildflowers were out, birds were singing, saw dolphins in the Swan River as I crossed it early morning and I swear the emus I saw were smiling - just loved it. 
Regards. Gary J (38 years young) - 13 Dogs and a Lady - Woodside
Gary wins a cycle instead prize.

We are now starting a regular friday lunchtime ride as part of our corporate health program.
 
The Department of Sport & Recreation as purchased 5 flat bar road bikes/tourers for staff use.
 
I am looking forward to next year’s Bike to Work Challenge and thanks to you and your team for all your hard work over the past 6 weeks of the challenge.
 
Cheers. Chris W - DSR Dream Team - Saint James to Leederville

After recently relocating, I now commute from South Lake to Perth. I can truly say I was a novice at heart and only ridden once a week or a few times a month (Even with the shorter distance rides which I had before).
 
After starting the bike to work challenge and being the team leader, there is some pressure to set a good example for my team members. Especially when my team members were more regular commuters to work than me!
 
Hence having to fulfil this role to the fullest, I trained for the challenge 2 weeks before the start of the challenge to get a feel for the longer ride. Due to the cold weather I experienced leg cramps at the beginning. The distance also took some time getting use to. I can say I no longer suffer any of that thank goodness! And persistence with good routine and stretching, rounds it up quite well.
 
I have managed to break the 200km barrier in the last week of the event and I am quite happy with my progress. On my road bike (and all the accessories on it!) I now take about 46 to 50mins one way trip depending on the wind factor. Usually I get a good run into the City. Most mornings are fairly calm conditions and sometimes I even tail wind and generally head wind for the ride back home.
 
After completing this event, I feel like riding is just another option to car travel, I would rather ride than take the bus that's for sure! Good for the heart, and better for the Environment I say. Especially with the nicer weather coming up, it's great! (Except for the increasing number of bugs flying around)
Cheers!. Jeremy P - Team Giro - South Lake to Perth - Hatch
Jeremy wins a cycle instead prize.

Please see the great pic attached by Sandy of staff cyclists with Cycle Instead Spring Challenge organisers Janet and David M outside the NMDC.
Thanks to all those who could make it this morning. Don't forget our morning tea next Wednesday 22 October on the deck at 10am, when we'll be distributing some rewards for our cycling teams’ efforts.
Cheers, Eloise D - Fishheads - Dep Fisheries - Mt Hawthorn to Hillarys

The Cycle Instead in Spring Challenge was embraced by a dedicated group of 11 bicycle riders at the City of Bunbury. 
Over the 6 weeks we rode 3111 km, saved: 342 litres of fuel, $520 and 0.79 tonnes of green house gases from being emitted into our atmosphere.
The challenge was great fun. Knowing that every km we road was being recorded gave us a great incentive to get on the bike and ride.
We are looking forward to next years challenge.
Colin S - Hitmen - Withers to Bunbury CBD - City of Bunbury
Colin wins a cycle instead prize.

I have been riding from South street Park ‘n’ ride to Milligan Street around a 14km ride for the last 6 months. It’s a pleasant if not slightly monotonous ride straight up the Kwinanna freeway. Over the last 6 months however this ride has had its interesting moments with detours over the freeway footbridges due to river bank redevelopment. Major flooding of the cycle way, waves from the river breaking over the banks, without mentioning the lovely head wind that is always against you and never with you.

Despite these challenges and the cycle way running parallel to the train line, I have not succumbed to the dry air-conditioned interior of a train carriage yet. In fact I have proceeded to purchase a new bike that can handle all these challenges that my old mountain bike was failing to match. However, possibly because of the new bike, I came very close last week after an incident involving a pedal clip and some spectacular gymnastics.

I was riding home and had settled into my usual cycling tempo aiming to lower my average speed for the trip. I now have pedal clipping shoes so I am able to pull up as well as push down while cycling, in an effort to increase my speed. When in the last 500m on a little S bend leading into the South Street Car park disaster struck. Leaning right and braking hard I leaned far enough to clip the ground with my right peddle, this resulted in a reflex pull by my left arm turning the handle bars 90 degrees to the cycle path and locking my front brake.

One person who witnessed the resulting crash gave me 8 out of 10 for style. I had proceeded directly over the front handlebars with my clipped in feet bringing my bike with them. I suffered bad bruising to my right shoulder, hip and knee followed by my left knee, hip and shoulder and general bruising to all my ribs as my backpack stomach strap had threatened to cut me in half. Fortunately very little scratches or grazing, although this means I have no ‘war’ wounds to show for my crash. Luckily also no damage to the new bike just some scratching to the pedal end and handle bar end.
I still managed to ride to work the next day
Mark B - Hitmen - Burswood to Perth - BG&E
Mark wins a cycle instead prize.

Thanks again for organising the event for this year. It has helped several people here get back on their bikes.
Regards. David C - City of Swan - Maylands to Midland

Find attached some photos of me riding this morning - of particular interest is the imminent magpie attack circled in Maggie & Tim!

Cheers. Tim L - Southern Seas - Hamilton Hill to Hillarys Boat Harbour - Dep Fisheries

Tim wins a cycle instead prize.

Response to David M's (Dodgy Bikers) letter "flat tyres again" dated 8 October:
David - You write about Gatorskin tough tyres for $50. I have bought a number of CST EPS (Extreme Puncture Safety) Flatfighter tyres. I have never (touch wood!) had a puncture since putting these on the bike, and the back one is worn right down to the protective layer (Thinks - must replace that soon.......) The best thing is these tyres retail for around $35, from memory, a bit of a saving on the Gatorskin.
Peter B - We cycle CoS - Karrinyup to Stirling - City of Stirling
Peter wins a cycle instead prize.

It is said that six is a 'perfect number' in the mathematical world and so it was that six X-men made there way up North in the early hours of Sunday morning for the first team cycle event 'Lancelin Hell of the North' and it certainly lived up to its name. The organisers had dubbed this a 'flat' course but that was far from the truth. In fact, it turned out to be a very undulating course which, would certainly test the legs on the stretch home of this 100km trip.  It was a beautiful sunny day with a very slight breeze and the number of people and colours turning out to Lancelin seemed to bring the sleepy coastal town to life. 
 
As the X-men left the starting grid the group settled into a steady rhythm. Team spirit was brilliant, members smiling, laughing, grimmacing, swearing ('I thought this route was flat!'), joking and turning the pedals of course with a rhythm as smooth as a Marvin Gaye record. The only ethos of the group was 'everyone will start and more importantly finish together and no one will get left behind'. This ethos was carried through all the way round the course and it made the ride far more enjoyable.
 
After cycling for a couple of years, you would think that you've seen everything; but as life is beautiful and strange as it is wonderful, mother nature can certainly surprise you. Picture the scene; a group of cyclists ahead of you with around a 10m gap when suddenly a kangaroo decides to cross the road (jokes a plenty in that one) and almost takes out the rear cyclists of the group ahead. However, with amazing agility, the kangaroo somehow just incredibly leaps 'over' the cyclists and into the bush having had a lucky escape for all parties. As you can imagine, this provided much amusement and amazement and was one of the highlights of the ride. I'm sure this will keep the tongues wagging for a few weeks yet.
 
Apart from the amusing incident above, the first stretch to the turning point went smoothly and this is when the faster groups were starting to feel the rolling hills on the route, and the X-men started picking up cyclists along the way and even giving them a rest bite and a free ride! A few of the X-men tested out some of the other teams on some of the rolling hills and noticed legs were getting tired, which shows that the X-men have a formidable team for the hilly events to come. After around 3.5 hours the group finished together for a well earned cold beer and some lunch. What a way to end a fantastic day. Ed
Francis B - X-Men - Everywhere - Xodus Group
Francis wins a cycle instead prize.

My first bike was a Kmart special- A blue and white, 2 tonne "huffy"  that was assembled incorrectly by the helpful, though inexperienced Kmart staff. Only I didn't know any better at the time. I started riding regularly 3.5 years ago, and the trip to work was a 5 km stretch which seemed to last about an hour. I was pretty unfit at the time, and looked at this heavy piece of machinery as a training tool. I dragged it up the momentous hills, and arrived at work every day dripping in sweat and red in the face, so people at work thought I rode 30kms to get there. People passed me every day- and the small competitiveness that was in me began to grow- I just wanted to pass one person, one day! About a year and a half later my training tool was retired. I realise now that that Kmart special did a lot for my fitness! I graduated to a brand new bike- a hybrid with the cushiest seat ever! I loved its cruisiness. . . . I continued to ride my 5km to work, but it was getting easier and I suggested to myself "I must be fitter" , though I was still being passed on the bike path! My beloved hybrid was stolen from my house (along with hubby's mountain bike) while I was overseas. I. I then spent some time on a friends beautiful Giant mountain bike, with suspension and disc brakes- very grand for my tastes. I went from ony just being able to ride 5kms on a sealed path, to doing my very first adventure race- out in the rugged hills down in the southern bushland. It was not easy but extremely fun and rewarding (also very muddy and dirty!). I was then offered a road bike, a second hand giant OCR- my first taste of a racer. I went for it and got the pedals and cleats for completeness. I endured months of bruises and scratches as I learnt to use these foreign contraptions that supposedly helped riders utulise more leg muscles. This year, I did my first race with a team of girls to complete the 90km bike leg of a triathlon.Very proud! A long way from my inital 5kms that I struggled to do. Right now I'm riding a mountain bike, with a mandatory jump with has been erected next to the east perth underpass, just for fun. I sometimes do a 20km loop to get to work if I'm on my roadie- up to the narrows and around the river. . .its never gets dull and people still pass me, even on my roadie. It now takes me 10 - 15 mintues to get to work and that momentous hill was only ever a slight bump in the road!

I'm not sure what I'll be riding next. . . . though I saw someone on a unicycle. Looks like fun!
Hong T - Pill Poppers - Maylands to Perth - Royal Perth Hospital
Hong wins a cycle instead prize.

This year’s challenge got me started again and reminded me of what a pleasure it is to ride to and from work. Thank you for organising such an event; it gets people going and enjoying our wonderful State.
Cheers. Gavan J - Lost on Tour - Duncraig to Perth - Dep Attorney General

Here are the Woodvale Wobblers enjoying brekky this morning. The carpark is empty!
thanks for all your encourangement over the past six weeks – its been a fun challenge.
Regards. Kathy S - Woodvale Wobblers - Beldon to Woodvale - Dep Environment & Conservation
Kathy’s Team wins cycle instead prizes.

At long last, and hopefully not too late, here is a picture of part of the Water Cycle team. It has been a great team and I am amazed about how far some of our members have been riding!
Thanks for a great effort, everyone!

Regards. Cheers!. Ute G - Water Cycle - Heathridge to Perth - Dep of Water
Ute wins a cycle instead prize.

Here’s an newsletter about our team last year. This year we have increased to 26 participants spread over 6 teams.

Here is a link to a story on DTF Shared Services's Teams.
Natalie M - CIAO - DTF Shared Services - Ferndale to Cannington
Natalie wins a cycle instead prize.

Technip Oceania include cycling as part of their travelsmart program.

Check out their workplace facilities to aid the cycling cause.

Here is a link to a story on Technip Oceania's Travelsmart program.
Sean K - Tour d'Technip - Bedford to West Perth - Technip Oceania
Sean wins a cycle instead prize.

Everyone in the team has enjoyed being part of something within our branch and also part of something much bigger, so on behalf of all 5 of us, many thanks for running this.

We look forward to tomorrow and next year’s competition where we’ll hopefully convince more to get on their bikes!

All the best, Gareth M - DECsters - Bassendean to Perth - Dep Environment & Conservation

The calm serenity of a bright Sunday morning greeted the two riders together with a cold winter’s air which chilled the body down to the bone. I've not experienced this type of cold since the Christmas Day ride last year in Aberdeen, Scotland; a true winter’s day indeed.

The ride commenced from the Swan Bells and followed the cycle route along Albany Highway for 30km; conversation was kept to a minimum, the body using available internal resources to get the blood flowing round the body. On top of this, I had to contend with a new saddle which although comfortable felt like I needed a few more layers of fat on my bum!

After the relative flat and uninteresting kilometres, the real work started and a steady pace began up the Brookton Highway. It felt much harder than last time, the cold making it difficult to get your breath and the legs still completely cold with the fingers just about able to feel the gear shift levers and brakes. After about 5km of steady climbing, both riders made it up together to the top of the Brookton and with the riders passing through alternating doses of shade and sunshine, it felt at last that some warmth was seeping through.

A short descent followed before the turning into Canning Road and more climbing followed before turning again on to Pickering Brook Road and eventually into Glen Isla Road. The road weaved and undulated through the Perth hills with the tranquility and scenery of the route leaving each rider with their own thoughts; silence is golden sometimes. All this hard work was then rewarded in equal measure with a view that could have come straight from a Robert Frost Novel. Beauty is everywhere, sometimes you just have to recognise it.

After passing a few other riders, there was more climbing to come; this time it was up Mundaring Weir Road. A slight detour followed then the intended route and it was decided that Mundaring would be the port of call for the much deserved cafe stop. The road to Mundaring although not a steep climb by any means, still had the heart rate pumping and providing no rest bite for the body. There was still work to be done.

Eventually the café was reached and the warm sunshine soon engulfed the riders as they took a seat outside and enjoyed piling in the calories and warm drinks. After the cafe stop and the body parts defrosted, it was time to go home via the Great Eastern Highway and a lovely long 5km descent brought us into Midland before the final leg home to Perth. It was a job well done and an aura of satisfaction for both riders having completed a tough ride. The legs with 120km were feeling good and there was still some left in the tank. This is what's it’s about, stretching and pushing your own limits further.

Finally when you’re thinking why we put ourselves through the pain barrier, here is a quote from Henri Desgrange, founder of the Tour de France and who cryptically claimed ‘Suffering on the bike is noble as it equates to the full evolution of the will’
Ed
As usual our on the spot reporter was there to catch the highlights and sound bites:-

'You know Ed, one day us cyclists are going to revolt on these crazy hilly rides you makes us do and bury you along Mundaring Weir Road!' Afton G

Halfway up the Brookton Highway and Ed turns to Afton (who's breathing hard).'Gone on tell us a joke will you?' At which the response was 'No, bugger off'.

On the slight change of route from the original Editors Classic 'You boys are going to have to toughen up and start injecting some cement into the system; everyone is dropping like flies at the moment!' Ed

And finally on the last stretch home 'What more could you want, a nice tail wind and Ed doing a steady 33kph in the front, perfect' Afton G

Next Sunday: Its a flat run for a change and a trip to Mandurah and back. An ideal ride for those undertaking the Bussleton Iron Man later this year. There will be a cafe stop in Mandurah. Details to follow.
Mebs B - X-Men - Everywhere - Xodus Group
Mebs wins a cycle instead prize.

Well the 6 week challenge is over and as team motivator and emailer, I feel that my team has performed a stellar job.  So good that I am going to give them all a kids size packet of smarties. You know, the ones that have about 6 smarties in them, after all, this 6 week challenge has enabled me to see the ultimate, elite athlete in all of them. I would like to tell a little about the Team. We started out with 3 gals, just before I was about to sign us up, what do you know, another gal decided that she was in. So we began the 6 week challenge with 4, however, the late starter failed to ride but I believe that she had good intentions, and sometimes that is enough (Sigh).

After week 2, we scored ourselves a recruit. YAY. Now she was said to be dynamite and we were more than happy to have her on board. After the second week, we had 4 dedicated riders, I needed to work on my motivation skills since it was now the end of the second week and one of the girls still had not ridden. Hmph!

So came and went the third week, by now we had finally been able to convince the gals to pedal (I should point out that I used guilt but she told me at the beginning that I had to make her and calling her names just wasn’t working. J). Not only had the team member ridden to work this week but she recruited another person so all was forgiven. We were now up to 6 members.

Week 4 of the challenge. This was the hump, we were now on the down hill run, the novelty was wearing thin for some. My bicycle humour wasn’t doing the job anymore and besides, I now realise how crappy my 10 year old mountain bike is and how important it is to get them serviced. I was informed that they need regular servicing. My old thing cost $100 (I bought it from my sister) and it had never had a service. I am surprised that none of the wheels came off or something equally disastrous. I did however purchase myself a new bike seat at this point and OMG!!! I am sure that I was getting a calloused butt before that. Now I am sitting on a cloud!!! (Sigh). And this is where things change, we gained another recruit, however this time it was a boy!!!! We welcomed in with open arms and words of encouragement. To us he was one of the girls. This took us to 7 members.

Week 5 – our recruitment drive had plateaued out. However, the whether was warming up and I was constantly on the look out for reptiles (particularly the ones with absent legs, eerrr). I enjoy riding and looking over the water seeing what the tide it doing, what birds are out, seeing if any sharks are following the skiers on the river, (sigh) all is well. And then it happened. I saw a snake.  I would be interested in knowing if any other cyclers saw it. It was just north of canning Bridge, where the bicycle path changes from black to that reddy colour. Now I am one of those riders that if I am looking at a certain spot then that is where I will ride. So there I was looking at the snake, thinking “What is that? OMG that’s a snake” and I swerved just in time to miss it. Anyway, that snake was there for the rest of the week and into the 6th week as well. I ended up taking a photo of it see attached. When I told members of my team my ‘near brush with death’ and this snake, I got mixed reactions. I would just like to point out that I never lied. It is a real snake, when I swerved I could have fell off, just because it is a lolly snake, doesn’t make my story any less real. Humph!!

Now it is the end of week 6 and we gained 2 more recruits (which now made 9 members) who have helped to beef up our weekly tally’s and gave me more people to provided emails to. I am proud to say that from what I have heard from my great little team, we are doing the event on Wednesday, and some people are going to ride in on other days of the week as well.  And the week after. Cycling is just the gift that keeps on giving.

In all seriousness, I have enjoyed this and being part of a team has motivated me to ride even when I didn’t feel like it and the weather was bad. I am looking forward to next year because I know that I can have more fun now that I know what I am doing. I know that I have waffled on about our little team but I hope that you can take the time to give it a little read and see how much fun we had. 

Signing off. Helmet Heads (And the answer is “no” I didn’t know that this had rude connotations when I signed up. I’ll put more thought into a name next year).
Julia S - Helmet Heads - Brentwood to Perth - Dep Environment & Conservation
Julia’s team wins four new bicycle bells.

Subway had a competition, buy 4 subs, collect the tokens, pay $50 and you get a bike. After putting the bike together I rode to work a few times before winter but then I got a flat tyre so I stopped riding. The Ride to work in Spring competition got me motivated to fix the tire and start riding again, and there are a few stories to go with my journey to work. I Live in Lynwood and work at the South Perth Ag Department. To get there I cross the Canning River, through Hester Park, It is a peaceful 10km, 30 min ride.
Problem 1, Day 1, I rode to the bridge to cross the river and find it’s CLOSED for maintenance. I have to ride an extra 3km to get to work, which really emphasises the fact that I am unfit.
Problem 2. Several days later when riding home the handlebars started to make a squeaking noise, and then progressively move to the left as I put pressure on the bars. Eventually they were free from the brace and moving freely. Slightly scary when you try to turn a corner and the handlebars provide no support at all.
Problem 3. I fixed the handlebars by tightening the screw and was ready for the next week of riding. After riding half way to work, the bar began squeaking again and came loose. I manage to make it to work in one piece and the workshop staff welded the handle bars directly to the bike. They still make an annoying squeak but don't come loose.
Problem 4. I was told that high tire pressure makes it easier to ride, true, but 50 psi in the tires has caused the tire rim to buckle slightly so that the brakes just touch the rim at certain points, slowing me down. I think it effectively adds an extra km or two to my trip.
Problem 5. There is currently a funny noise coming from the pedal bearings. I hope they last.
Problem 6. When I put a lot of load on to the pedals and change gears at the same time the chain comes off and gets caught in the axel. Not handy when you are trying to race through a set of lights.

Sure there have been a few problems, but it has been nice to ride to work, I have got a lot fitter and now realise that my bike needs more gears. I have come to the conclusion that a $50 bike is only worth $50, and it may be worth investing in a better bike, or even better, I might win a bike thanks to the Cycle Instead in Spring.
Justin L - Dep Agriculture & Food WA - LRAM cyclists - Lynwood to South Perth.
Justin wins a cycle instead prize.

Why would you drive a car (traffic stress) or catch a train (crammed into a carriage with hundreds) when you can ride to work along the Swan river from Bullcreek to Perth. Some days I am luckier enough to see dolphins. The vast birdlife is fascinating to watch right through the year. I especially love seeing the pelicans that sit on the freeway light stands. I ride all year and love the different seasons with the varied moods of the river. And to top it all off ‘cyclists’ are the most friendliest group of people.
Annette W - Woodside Peleton - Bullcreek to Perth.
Annette wins a cycle instead prize.

I guess everyone has a story and here's a short one about my last bike….It's a Peugeot which I bought here in Perth when I arrived with the family in 1990. The guy in the shop really wasn't happy about selling it to me because it was far too big for me, but it was love at first sight for me, a bit like my wife Jenny, who was, and still is, tooo tall for me!!.

It was the colour that really got me (azzurro blue) which was identical to my DB6….(I would have liked to have said Jennys eyes, but it was the DB6)

I persevered with my Peugeot for 15 years riding it every week until I finally saw some sense and succumbed to purchasing a wee Giant from a good friend. I have renewed nearly everything on the Giant over the last few years and it's still going great and has many more miles left in it. Sadly the trusty Peugeot is in the garage collecting dust, and as I had to let go of the DB6 it's a daily reminder of that marvellous piece of craftsmanship. I took the Peugeot to Aberdeen a few years ago and in the 2-1/2 years we were there I only managed to get out on it once and with a service bill for a hundred pounds it was a costly ride.

I am considering a good home for it so if this makes it to the blog, happy for interested folks to get in touch with me  on 0408923539….

PS the photo was taken in 1991, I don't have much hair left now and the wee girl in the photo is 21 next month, how time flys, but the Peugeot still looks like new!
Cheers, Phil R - Thirteen Dogs and a Lady - Booragoon to West Perth.
Phil wins a cycle instead prize.

This is about my Schroder (the 'o' is actually an almost un-pronounceable "ur' sound) bike purchased in Denmark in March 1989. Since then the bike has had several different lives on 6 continents - summarized below:

1989-1991: Copenhagen, Denmark: Commuter bike; single speed, coaster brake, aero handlebars, mud guards; Heavy Columbus tubing.
1991-1993: Bogotá, Colombia: Installed derailleures, calliper brakes;  Back-up road bike (active road racing scene in Colombia) and lots of time on the wind trainer.
1993-1996: Partitioned Neutral Zone; Kuwait / Saudi Arabia: Ditto.
1997-2000: Tulsa Oklahoma, USA: Ditto.
2000-2003: Luanda, Angola: Surprisingly encountered a road racing scene in Luanda. Road raced in Angola for one year on the Schroder before getting my racing bike (Pinarello Prince) to Angola. After that, the Schroder reverted to the Trainer.
2003-2005: Austin, Tx, USA: Retired the Schroder to the garage as could race year around there.
2005 - Now: Perth, Australia: The Schroder is now back to it's original purpose - commuting to and from work.

So, she has been a good bike fitting into different circumstances in Europe, South America, Asia, North America, Africa, and now Australia.  No plans yet to move to Antarctica.
Regards, Clark B - Thirteen Dogs and a Lady - Cottesloe to West Perth.
Clark wins a cycle instead prize.

On one of the wettest September days, I took off into the rain this morning, bright yellow rain jacket on, head down to avoid the rain on the glasses. Why hasn’t someone invented wind-screen wipers for glasses? Just about to reach the Reid Hway underpass, and I was surprised to see two ducks waddling across the path. I know the weather was perfect for them, but the nearest lake was several Km’s away. They were polite enough to waddle off the path before I reached them.
 
The bad weather must have convinced several commuters not to cycle in as the dual-use paths were empty this morning. Don’t let the wet weather stop you from riding, take a spare set of clothes and enjoy the experience of riding in the rain.
 
On the second day of the Cycle instead in Spring event (3rd September), I was fortunate to see a family of swans emerge from a lake at Gwelup. I quickly grabbed the mobile phone to take a shot as this marked the beginning of Spring for me.
You don’t see these sights when you commute by car. 
Roland P – LandCorp – Terra Corpus Team 1 – Duncraig to Perth.
Roland wins a cycle instead prize.

It's currently a hard time of year for cycling in the Pilbara, temperatures have just jumped back up to 35C and the easterlies are having their last fling for the year. As I've turned out from my home street every morning this week the wind has been gusting to 45km/hr or worse which really tests the resolve to continue the 9km east through town and out towards the LIA to work.

Our head office is situated 1.5km off the main road and is completely isolated so we're always watching out for the Kangaroos on the final stretch as occasionally they will decide that a cyclist is a perfect opportunity to practice bouncing off obstacles.

The plus to the gentle zephyrs is that on the way home I can go around the other side of the "rectangle" which takes me down to the NW Coastal Highway (7km), west with the tail breeze for 9km and then a quiet meander north for another 9km to home. If the wind is in the right direction you can cruise along at 45-50km/hr and forget the pain of the morning slog. If it's a still (relatively) day I  add on a few more k's by heading out along our "new" road which heads 90km south towards Millstream. It only opened in August and offers smooth (ish) riding with little traffic and great wildflower displays on both sides of the road.

The other option in the cooler months is to pull out the Mountain Bike and take the back route to work - only 6k's and quicker than using the road. Then on the way home there's always a few hills or trails to extend the trip with!

As an aside to David M - gatorskins are the only way to go. I've used them for about 6 years and the first flat on a tire is usually the sign they have worn down to the canvas!
Cheers, Roman R - Pedal Power - Horizon Power - Nickol to Stovehill Karratha
Roman wins a cycle instead prize.

I've been cycling to work for around 25 years now. In my early days, mainly from Booragoon, Bateman, Winthrop and now Canning Vale. The peak lane on South Street has made it so much safer to get to the Murdoch Station/Kwinana Fwy bikepath start. Its around 27kms in total one way to get from Canning Vale to Northbridge.
I have a bike I call Sparkles (so named because the fellow that painted it put metallic flakes under the clear coat making the whole bike actually sparkle in the sun) and my commuter bike Ernie (named after Ernesto Colnago), a bright yellow and red road bike with nice German mudguards and many assorted bit and pieces. I've encouraged many fellow workers at the ATO to commute into work. We have around 50 to 60 people that regularly commute in.
I am obsessed about passing people (or being passed). You'd think at 44yo I'd be over this competitive urge but I can't seem to shake it. I have a good light set as well as a reflective ankle strap (very effective for night time traffic seeing me). I've encountered emu's on the bike track (near Baldivis), tiger snakes just north of Mt Henry (yes, that close in), Quenda's, Bobtail lizards, rats, etc, etc.
Its funny because I pass the same people every day yet we don't actually greet each other. I wear distinctive orange gloves and orange socks….and Sparkles is also orange!!! I've saved countless thousands of dollars cycling in to work and the dolphins, swans, kayakers, rowers, fishermen, sea eagles, pelicans and assorted boats all make for an interesting ride in.
I've eaten 10 weetbix every morning for the past 25 years and I've calculated my cycle in to work burns up around 6 of these instantly. I always call hazards to fellow cyclists, always use my bell and always stop to help out fellow cyclists with punctures (been there, had plenty of those)
My employer provides lockers, showers and secure underground parking for the bike. It’s a very important 2hours of every day for me and I can't think of a better way to start or finish my working day.
I will tell you all about the gauntlet. This is the section of bikepath from the Mill Point Rd flyover to the scout hall. When the Westerlies are howling, the gauntlet requires excellent judgment as waves crash over the retainer walls. And in the summer, I always have the afternoon Sou'Wester to look forward to.
I have to agree with tyres such as Gatorskins for commuting. Also, a product called Slime tyre liners  (as opposed to Slime tubes). The tyre liners are an extra layer of protection to avoid punctures. Very effective.
My cycling has seen me involved in activities such as the Bike to Work brekky, Cyclosportif, Aust Time Trial Association, Busselton Ironmand and Half Ironman and even a crazy endurance event called a 'Painathlon'.
So that's a snapshot of my cycle commuting. If you see the orange gloves, orange socks and orange bike, yell out 'Gidday Christo' !!!
'CHRISTO' - Paul C - WorleyParsons Allsorts - URSCorp - Canning Vale to Perth.
Paul wins a cycle instead prize.

Having been advised by the surgeon before my knee reconstruction in 2002 that cycling was the best way to full recovery, six years later I find myself commuting everyday from Bibra Lake to the City. After the knee surgery, I worked for a while in the UK and continued to commute by bike. The commuting distance was short but eventful. The dodgy weather, and the dodgier drivers helped maintain my fitness but certainly sharpened my reflexes and survival instincts. Now living in Perth, I don't understand why everyone doesn't ride to work! In the main, the car-free cycle paths, gorgeous climate and beautiful river views really are blissful riding conditions. The fact that petrol prices and congestion on the roads is ever increasing, Australia is one of the fattest nations in the world and climate change is at the top of the environmental agenda; are there any good reasons left why people can't dedicate a couple of journeys a week by bike? Chris T - Spandex Superheroes - URS - Bibra Lake to Perth.
Chris wins a cycle instead prize.

Well seems that cycling is indeed taking a strong presence out and about with current fuel pricings etc. I indeed must admit to taking a rest from cycling for a short period of approx 20yr until work came a little closer to home. Being a mere 4km home to work (actually quicker than driving) it was too attractive a deal not to get back on the bike. This trip now extends to either a 20, 23 or 36km round trip dependant on conditions.
The mid 1980's era Gordonson's "Steele Bishop Biopace Special" was pulled out of mothballs or from upside the back shed and given a new life. Having reinitiated the cycling bug it became clear that keeping the old horse going was going to be an ongoing nightmare for not only myself but my local store also. Hence she was sent out to pasture at the back of the warehouse - far too many memories to be disposed of! My local somehow persuaded me to adopt a Giant Hybrid comfort bike which with a few modifications is now coping quite well with the conditions.
The ride consists of the Dixon Road race track across to the Rockingham café strip and follows the coast around through Shoalwater, Safety Bay and Warnbro. I recommend this route as being very scenic and well provided for with either a fully formed shared cycle way or nice wide clearly marked shoulder which avoids the majority of traffic. This then links up with the sand dune cycle way linking Warnbro foreshore to its final destination at Long Point / Port Kennedy Resort and then return. The past 5 weeks in Rockingham have seen almost all conditions from mornings of 1 degree in temp through to afternoons with sunshine, rain squalls and gales in excess of 60km bringing back distant memories of why I had that short break!  Now however it appears the weather is changing for the better and conditions on the sand hill cycle way are improving greatly for all the dog lovers amongst us, the brakes are definitely due new rubbers following the past month. The warmer afternoons now also bring out the wonderful creatures of nature and the skills of dodging or jumping your cycle over the various species of lizards, snakes and scantily clad beach goers basking in the sun makes one think perhaps the Mountain Bike could have been the desired purchase?
Cycle to Work in Spring has indeed given me the kick start required to get back into it and I must admit it did ignite that competitive spark that had been dormant for quite some time. Kind Regards PJ.
Pete C - Team ANZAC - Stuart - Rockingham to Warnbro.
Pete wins a cycle instead prize.

I have only very recently joined DEC after moving from South Australia a couple of months ago. I didn’t ride to work in South Australia, and in fact hadn’t ridden a bike at all since I was about 15 or 16, but when Helen asked if I’d like to join her bike team I agreed. I went straight out that weekend and bought myself a hybrid bike (great for commuting, I’m told) and then rode to work on the Sunday just to make sure I would be able to make it.

Now I ride to work every day, even when it’s windy and raining. Our bike team has started meeting for a Friday afternoon drink at the local pub and have convinced other ‘drivers’ from the office to join us. I’m so glad I joined the DECheads, otherwise I probably never would have got the drive to buy a bike and start riding on my own. Now I’m trying to convince my partner to buy a bike as well so we can go riding on the weekend… wish me luck!
Cheers, Tegan L - DECheads - Rivervale - Kensington.
Tegan wins a cycle instead prize.

I have been a weekend cycler for about 15 years, and am lucky enough to have a large 42kg white German Shepherd dog, called K2, who loves to go for a run alongside the bike. Why is that lucky? Well I don’t have to be self motivated, the dog watches me like a hawk and whenever I go near the garage where the bikes are kept, he starts with the leaping and twisting  and running indicating he is wildly excited about the prospect of a ride and run. If that does not gain my immediate attention, then its onto the mournful whining and sooking, and if expectations are still not met it’s the deep guttural moan and laying in the doorways obstructing all traffic. Hence I ride regularly.
 
All that exercise made me think I was reasonably fit, usually doing a 6km ride with the dog then a snappy 12 km ride along the beach by myself. I would do that 6 to 8 times a month.
 
When I started work at DSR I became aware of the “Cycle Instead” campaign and decided to become a part of it. I checked out the DPI web site, downloaded the cycleway maps in pdf form and studied them, planned my cycle route and on the nominated day did the big ride. Google had told me the ride would be 15.5 km, I was used to 18km twice a weekend so I though “no worries”. I planned for a 45 to 55 minute ride.
 
The early September day was cold and sunny, I noticed a chill breeze coming from my right hand side as I headed off down the hill towards Carine open space. The ride up the hill towards the freeway in the cold air had my heart rate at around 160 and by the time I got to the top I thought that was me done, can I finish now. Unfortunately there was still 12 km to go, or so I thought.
 
Construction in Osborne Park had closed the cycle way, and the detour signs took me out to the main road, not back to the cycle way, and when I finally got out of suburbia, to Hutton Street, I must have been tired from pushing into the now brisk head wind that I missed the sign taking me over the Freeway at Hutton and had a little magical mystery tour for another couple of Km.

Once decided I was on the wrong path I managed to backtrack and ended up having a lovely ride along the non freeway side of Lake Monger.  Lovely scenery and so much birdlife it was beautiful, except for that dratted head wind.

Once at work, I checked the bikes Cats Eye odometer, 23.5 km and an hour and a half. I was so exhausted from pushing into the head wind that I could not even walk up the stairs. Two days later I rode home, another 90 minute epic with my heart rate sitting between 160 and 170. Once again I could not even walk up the stairs and I was moaning so pitifully my kids though I was dying.  I had to make some changes. I decided then and there to stop using my dirt bike that was sprung front and rear with a gel seat. I borrowed a brand new firms bike, a “Giant” with slimline slick tyres, and all the mod cons. Got on the exercise bike at home for 20 minutes of cardio 3 nights in a row, and on the nominated day off I went.  Sixtyfive Minutes and still exhausted. The ride back was into the not nice head wind again, 65 minutes.

After more cycle cardio in front of the news, next it was 55 minutes and the head wind was viewed as pleasant as it kept the air fresh. The next week I had a meeting to attend and got held up departing with deadlines, so I had to put in some effort. Fortyfive minutes at a heart rate of 170 and when I got home I ran up the stairs. I noticed a change in the way I viewed running for the train, and friends started commenting I was looking trimmer, I was starting to look forward to Tuesdays and Thursdays for my trip on the “DSR Sportscar” as I called the firms “Giant”

We have signed up for the “Active Family Challenge”, and so I’ve got the kids bikes sorted now and we do the family ride every second weekend as I have them week about. We do about 15km and take in the ocean breeze and a milk shake at Scarborough Beach. I do a couple of rides for the dog and drag a kid along mid week, that’s 6km. I had to buy my daughter a smaller size pair of jeans, and that made us both very happy. We put it down to the bike riding.

I have to agree with some of the other bloggers who say they don’t want to get into the lycra, at 47 I am kind of proud of my baggy brown shorts and faded baggy T-Shirts. My exercise is strenuous, but I always exercise with my own heart rate monitor strapped on. My Doctor says you should work to a maximum rate of 220 less your age, that’s 173 for me, and I find 175 to be a good max, and feel a bit funny when I get to 185. Anyone around that 50 mark should consider a heart rate monitor as it takes the guess work out of things and allows you to confidently exercise.
Len L - DSR Dream Team - Carine to Leederville
Len wins a cycle instead prize.

I’m going to confess to a blonde moment… It had been a long time between cycles and I found my first ride to work a huge effort and very tiring. I bumbled out of bed late, gathered my things and blearily hopped on my bike with no further preparation. As I puffed my way into work, I blamed my extreme lack of fitness (yes, that was a factor); a head wind (hmm, no, it was very calm); the topography (…I never realised there was an enormous hill here)... my bike tyres (…maybe they’re a bit flat) the glass of red I’d had the night before (not such a good idea in hindsight). But no, when I finally struggled home at the end of the day and bothered to inspect my bike more closely, I found (to my extreme satisfaction) that the front brake was touching the side of the wheel and stopping it from spinning freely. Needless to say, my subsequent rides to work have been much easier, and a lot of fun. And thanks to all those passing cyclists who, on that first excruciating morning, called ‘keep going mate’ as they whizzed past me… even if I didn’t really appreciate it at the time!
Jacinta O - Creepy Crawleys - Dep Environment & Conservation - Yokine to Crawley.
Jacinta wins a cycle instead prize.

A bit of background to my riding – I have been riding to work at DHW for the past 23 years, initially on a very basic road bike for the first 5-6 years originally purchased for $170 from when I won the footy tipping contest the second year I was at DHW. My daily ride was from East Victoria Park initially then I moved to Ferndale. With a basic road bike I actually only rode 2-3 times per week and after a few years came to hate the ride, I decided to either try riding every day to see whether that improved my attitude or give it away completely.

To my benefit I began to enjoy the every day routine so much so I actually wore out the bike after 7 years and progressed to a Repco road bike –not a big step up but still enjoyable, unfortunately this was written off in an accident and replaced with a Peugeot which lasted for 18 months before being involved in another accident. A friend then donated a Merida 504 road bike to me and there began an appreciation that a higher quality bike made the riding even more enjoyable, a ride in the first Great Bike Ride around the bridges really cemented having a smooth functioning quality bike.

Six years ago, however, this was stolen and fortunately an insurance claim resulted in myself acquiring a Giant OCR2, 27 speed road bike.  Over the following 5 years I managed to clock over 18,000Km on this impressively configured roadie until early this year this too was stolen from my house.  Yes, you guessed it, insurance came the to party again and I now am the owner of a Giant OCR1 and my enjoyment for riding continues.

I guess the qualities I looked for in a bike were mainly centred around the quality of the gearing to suit my travelling habits, the Shimano Tiagra gear set are a good quality for the not so serious rider but who is wanting a smooth and enjoyable experience, all I have added to the original specs is a change in tyres and the normal bike computer, lights, etc.

The last 2 bikes have seen me enjoy participating in the Freeway bike hike and the Great bike ride plus the annual Bike Week events.

I guess the benefits of my riding to work for the past 20 odd years is that both of my sons also ride to work and have quality bikes to enjoy themselves. 
Thanks, Derek R - Cycopaths - Dep Housing & Works - Ferndale to Perth.
Derek wins a cycle instead prize.

I am a regular bicycle commuter travelling from Canningvale to Perth daily to work and home. One way is about 24kms taking the freeway cycle path and take me about 50 minutes, going home slightly longer due to the dreaded Easterlies. Its a beautiful ride in the morning and what a way to a start the day! , the cycle ways are busy which is great and all other commuters being joggers, walkers and cyclists are always courteous. Its great to see the large group rides going past. My ride is GIANT OCR3 which I have now owned for about 3 years since I caught the cycling bug, but I also love to get out on the weekends and mountain bike ride in the hills.

Every day is a new story, whether it be a group of riders joining together to create a pellaton trying to beat their personal best time or the ever so helpful commuters asking if I need a hand should I be on the side fixing a puncture,  yes for some reason breaking glass has become a national pastime. Attached is a picture of me from last years great bike challenge in November, I am looking forward to doing it again this year.
Cheers, Hosam A - Western Power 1 - Canningvale to Perth.
Hosam wins a cycle instead prize.

When I first started at LandCorp 5 years ago I would talk to a couple of fellow workers who rode into work and I would say "I should do that I only live 6k's from work". It took me 2 years to buy a bike and then another 12 months to actually start riding. Then I got addicted - so rain or shine (definately not hail though) I ride to work. I wore out my first bike within 18 months (only a cheapy - just in case I didn't keep it up). Then my husband bought me a flash new bike for Mothers Day last year and that has definately improved my times.

I enjoy the break that riding offers between work and home and with a 2yr old daughter it is the only time I can fit any exercise into my busy day.

This mornings ride in was a combination of highs and lows. After dropping my daughter at child care I get back home and hop on my bike and head off along Great Eastern Hwy and then through Burswood Park and today there was a couple of dolphins in the river (high) just north of the Causeway Bridge then round the corner and over the bridge and I catch up with a fellow worker on her run around the bridges and then after a quick chat I head off towards the Riverside Drive cycleway only to get yet another flat tyre (definate low). Subsequently I get passed by my running friend and try pumping up the front tyre and hope it is enough to get me to work (yes thankfully) - I really do need to buy a tyre repair kit.  
Ellen S - LandCorp - Rivervale to Perth.
Ellen wins a cycle instead prize.

How time flies! It’s been 6 weeks already since I, along with a group of others, were asked to participate in the “Cycle instead in Spring” challenge. After a little deliberation, thinking should we or shouldn’t we, a team of 8 was duly registered. It’s now the last week for the challenge and some of us might be asking ourselves do we continue to cycle to work. For me the answer is simple, hell yeah, of course! and for the following reasons:
1)       No peak hour traffic
2)       Save $$$ on fuel
3)       No gym membership required
4)       Women love men in lycra with shaved legs
5)       Exercise to and from work
6)       Healthier and weight loss
7)       Contribution to improving the environment
Spring and the warmer weather were a little slow in getting here but the warmer weather is here to stay, with Summer just around the corner, so really for me it’s a no brainer, Cycle Instead!
Would rather a river view than contending with the morning hustle and bustle!!
2 photos
Rob O - Kyjuro Daniro - Warwick to Perth.
Rob wins a cycle instead prize.

I’ve got a supply of Bicycle bells to give away. If you need a new bell for your bike let me know so I can give them to the needy.
David M - Dodgy Bikers- IHF - Padbury to Perth.

I used to get a flat nearly every time I went for a long ride. But I’ve managed to stop getting any flats at all by buying a tougher tyre. I bought probably the cheapest of the tough brands - a Gatorskin for around $50. I haven’t had a flat with these tyres and they are hard wearing. You can buy more expensive tyres that will last even longer and hopefully no more flats. Previously I tried Slime tubes that plug leaks as you get a puncture but the tube eventually goes and is really messy to deal with. Other remedies suggested are protective bands in the tyre but they can add weight. Has anyone else out there beat the flat tyre curse?
David M - Dodgy Bikers- IHF - Padbury to Perth.

I leave my office at Tech Park, Bentley at 4.45pm-ish, slightly weary from a day in doors & sporting my computer screen tan. As soon as I put my helmet on and hit the road I'm ready for a ride that allows me to maximise the last of the afternoon sun. From Bentley I head to the Swan River foreshore, on past Burswood, over the Windan Bridge and right at East Perth. I pedal slightly uphill towards Maylands on the most 'interactive' cycle path in Perth. Hello’s from regular and new rides abound long this path.  From Maylands, I take to the road and watch as the continuation of the cycle path is built beside me. Passing under Tonkin Hwy and crossing over the railway line has me peddling fast towards Bassendean station.

From here I meander my way through the suburb to Lord Street, for a cautious and nicely paced ride with cars. Right at the Benara Road round-about, short and fast downhill run to West Swan Road, where rusty red tin roofs & grapevines make up the foreground, with the distant Darling Range as a backdrop. I take a left turn and make my way into the heart of the Swan Valley.  By now the sun is almost set. Long shadows from my bike fall across the grapevines, lavender gardens and pasture. Sunlight hue bathes the valley and distant hills, pink & grey's cross my path, and farm animals ignore my passage, except for the occasional dog. Whilst there is an 'interestingly' designed cycle path featuring yellow painted power poles in the middle, I choose to use the original cycle path (rough red path) road easement. Mostly because there is less glass, its straight, has no power poles and no one reverses out of their driveway onto the road.  

In July 08 West Swan Road speed limit was lowered from 80kms to 70kms and generally most users abide by this rule.  I have to cross Roe Hwy and compete for space with trucks, horse floats and cars.  I’m given plenty of space, often get a wave from the regular drivers who recognise my bike and if I have to fix a flat tyre, both car drivers & bike rides alike check I’m okay.  

I arrive at my car having ridden 30kms one-way. I load my bike and set of for my home in the hills another 30kms away. I return the next day and start my ride in reverse at 6am, 3 days a week. From time to time I do the complete journey… but that’s another story.
Cheers. Fleur C - Pedal Power - Horizon Power - Swan Valley to Bentley.
Fleur wins a cycle instead pack.

My main bike is an Avanti Blade. I’ve tried to get bit more speed out of it by replacing the tyres with narrower Gatorskin slicks and replacing the seat with a slim model found in the bargain bin. I like the upright hybrid over the drop handlebars. Even though I’ve streamlined it to get more speed, trying to keep up with Janet, I think I’ve got to work on the engine.

For the rougher tracks Janet and I have bought a couple of Avanti Escape Mountain bikes(see pic below). We have dreams of taking them offroad on the trails down at Margaret River and visit a few wineries.
DPI will be giving away two Avanti Blade bikes to a couple of lucky cyclists from the Challenge this year.
David M - Dodgy Bikers- IHF - Padbury to Perth.

I bought a new bike this year after I was finally persuaded to replace my 20 year old Repco. A good bike which was the closest I could find to a women’s specific bike in those days. I had it refitted to keep it in tune. But now I have a Women’s specific bike, a Subzero. Just the entry level model but tuned up to bring out the best. It even has carbon fibre forks after the repair shop replaced the forks for free. Carbon fibre seat post for the bumps and Gator slick tyres for more speed. I’ve been getting fitter and faster since I started riding into Perth from Padbury regularly each week. With the regular cycling I now take the lead when I ride with hubby and have a lot of waiting time as he tries to keep up.

Early this year I took part in a ride from Perth to Busselton. The ride raises money for CanTeen, the Australian organisation for young people living with cancer. It was a fantastic way to settle in on the new bike.

DPI will be giving away a Sub - Women’s specific bike to a lucky woman cyclist from the Challenge this year. I really recommend the women’s specific bike to any women looking for a new bike.
Janet M - Dodgy Bikers- IHF - Padbury to Perth.

Cycling in spring is great even though you not only have to dodge trucks and cars but also swooping magpies. It can be very misleading when you deem yourself safe on a reasonable cycle path on the fringe of an oval way off the road. The other day on my way to work I was lucky that it was sunny and that I noticed the shadow of a big bird closing in on a cyclist's shadow, which in fact was my own shadow. Adrenalin rushed in and I pushed hard to get away as quickly as I could but the magpie came closer and closer and I could hear its clicking beak. It wasn't as bad when the magpie bore down on me for the second and third time but it certainly got my heart rate up.
The swooping magpies in WA don't seem to be as fierce as I've experienced them in NSW but they still take away some of the joy of cycling. I could do without the extra adrenalin. I'll keep cycling but I am certainly looking forward to the end of swooping season.
Cheers Vera B - Die Radfahrer - Dep Agriculture & Food WA - Collingwood Heights to Orana.
Vera wins a water bottle and a cycle instead t-shirt.

Thanks to all those people who slowed down and asked if everything was OK when I was changing a flat the other day. It is great to see that there are people willing to offer a hand to a fellow cyclist.
It is great to see so many people on the track to Joondalup, I have been doing the ride 2-3 times a week now for a couple of years (with a few breaks during the winter...) and in the past few weeks the numbers out there have increased considerably and I am even seeing more people on the path / roads after Whitfords Train Station! Lets hope that this continues throughout the summer. Oh, and bring on the new path between Burns Beach Road and Hodges Drive, I have been hanging out for that to open up instead of riding through the Joondalup Industrial Area!
Cheers, Russell S - GHD-PCT - Joondalup to Perth.
Russell wins a water bottle and a cycle instead t-shirt.

As a professional commuter <--- is there such a thing ? (I don't drive due to mild epilepsy) I can only take public transport, taxi's or ride a bike.
So over the past 3 decades or so I have at one time or another ridden to work (before it became fashionable), I even remember the ride along the causeway to Perth before Riverside drive had a cycleway/dual use path. The attached photo I took one morning on the way to work of a family of swans was taken near the Perth Rowing Club. I have seen a few dolphins in the river since getting back on the bike, The last time I saw the dolphins in the river was near the causeway on a commute to work on the bus. I couldn't get the camera out quick enough to take a photo of them, but since being back on the bike have been keeping an eye out (stay tuned for more photo's). 
The best thing about biking to work is you feel healthier (even if you're knackered when you get there) I just tell myself it's worth the pain, but it is getting easier and I am starting to notice it in the legs (chain wasn't the only thing that was rusted).
And you see things you wouldn't normally see if you were driving or busing it to work.
Cheers, Chris W - DSR Dream Team - Dep Sport & Rec - St James to Leederville.
Chris wins a water bottle and a cycle instead t-shirt.

Hi Cycle Instead Challengers,
This Imaginative Democrat team member took his camera along on his daily cycle yesterday and snapped a shot of a White Bellied Sea Eagle having a rest on the beach at Milyu Reserve on the South Perth foreshore. Don't forget to check out the Red Necked Stints (migratory wader birds from Siberia or Canada) that are resting at the reserve at the moment as you cycle past.

Francois S - Imaginative Democrats - Dep Fisheries - South Perth to Murdoch.
Francois wins a water bottle and a cycle instead t-shirt.

Given the glorious Perth weather at the moment, I have felt the urge to compose a haiku expressing my feeling about riding to work at the moment:

Cycling, spring weather.
Look! Cars stuck on freeway.
Feel smug, biking past.
Sophie S - This Time its Personnell - Dep Fisheries - Scarborough to Perth.
Sophie wins a water bottle and a cycle instead t-shirt.

After battling the hustle and bustle through Tapping and across Wanneroo road and Joondalup drive, I hit the tranquil north end of Lake Yellagonga. Every day is a different day riding around the lake and this morning totally calm and peaceful with mist sitting on the water. The new path that links the north end of the lake and Neil Hawkins Park is just fantastic, a smooth ride through the bush with the flourishing spring flora and fauna. When I get to Neil Hawkins park, the ducks are still sleeping and keeping warm. The hill up to Joondalup from the park is a good heart warmer! I just need to wait till 5.00pm till I get to do it again!
My ride takes just under 20 minutes and it can take that long if I drive my car due to the school traffic and sitting at the lights on Wanneroo road and Joondalup Drive for a few sets. So it’s just the same time to ride and it’s a great way to get some exercise and chill out on the way to and from work. Love it!
Lisa P - Joondalup 1 - City of Joondalup - Tapping to Joondalup.
Lisa wins a water bottle and a cycle instead t-shirt.

Oh, for a camera. I know it has been wet recently but the cyclist I saw yesterday on the Mitchell Freeway Shared Path yesterday wearing a shower cap ON TOP OF his helmet looked pretty silly, methinks.
It looks like Week 5 of this challenge will be blissfully sunny. However, in case BOM gets it wrong, here are my tips for wet-weather cycling:
1. It's only water. As long as there are dry clothes at the other end, who cares!
2. Plastic bags (double-bagged) are pretty useful for ensuring said dry clothes.
3. Don't forget a second set of underwear among said dry clothes.
4. Smile breezily, even if soaked to the skin, at traffic lights. Show those car-drivers you'd much rather be on your bike than in a cosy, dry car.
5. Bells don't work in the rain.
6. Yes, it will always start raining when you're 2 minutes from your destination and have stayed dry until then.
Eloise D - Fishheads - Dep Fisheries - Mt Hawthorn to Hillarys.
Eloise wins a water bottle and a cycle instead t-shirt.

Last year we had the Bogans on Bikes group, this year we have the Butlers, trying to add a bit of class to all this. Our motto is "Elegance not exertion" and we certainly aren't breaking any records so we are obviously an outstanding success!  The idea is to dress up a bit on the ride with a bit of tweed or whatever. Cycle clothing is very much frowned upon for this 6 weeks -- unless it's raining. For my part I thought I'd just wear my normal "working clothes" on the bike. These are much more formal than normal cycling garb, ie. Long trousers and a crisply ironed shirt (+ woolly jumper to match if required). Funny thing is…I'm much more comfortable in this lot than I've been in any of the cycling clothes and I'm hoping I can continue this after the challenge until the weather gets too hot.…what's the story - has anyone else experienced this?
Regards. Shane F - Butlers on Bikes - Dep Environment & Conservation - East Fremantle to Kensington.
Shane wins a water bottle and a cycle instead t-shirt.

I am definitely getting more confident the more I ride, choosing more often to use the bike lanes rather than dual use pathways. The scariest part of my ride is in the morning, E along Reid Hwy from Marmion Ave. There is a merging lane where instead of merging, cars and trucks, lots of trucks, continually move into the wide cycle lane to get around right turning cars. I think I will have to sew some reflective strips to my backpack as some seem to be within a hairs width.

Anyway back to the dual use pathways. These are quite funny to use sometimes especially when dog walkers are out and about (I do love dogs). The other week, just N of Warwick, I had to come to a rapid stop as a dog walker failed to rein in her dog to one side. Lucky for my disc brakes I was able to stop and stayed stopped as the lady let her dog sniff my wheels, from the front not the side of my bike!!  I just watched this dog sniffing away, amazed that no attempt was made to move the dog (which was on a lead) and allow me to continue my journey. Eventually the dog had had enough and I, quite astonished at the fact this dog had greater pathway rights than myself, was able to get back on my bike.

Cycling must contribute to calmness as this morning a similar but more acceptable dog event occurred. The dog, unpredictable as they can be, ran right in front of my riding line. Again lucky for those disk brakes I came to a very rapid halt! This time the walker was apologetic  and I, in a calm mood said “No worries” and continued on to work. The only time I did want to make a complaint to a dog walker (but didn’t) was in Carine Open Space. A lady (who clearly saw as I did her dog doing its business) stopped to look at her dogs poop as I was passing, which I suppose was to make out like she  was going to pick it up. A second later I turned around to see she was quickly on her way without having picked up the doggy do. Lucky for her (unlucky for other park users) this particular morning I was racing for a train!

The more I cycle, the more I enjoy it. I am slowly getting better equipped for it as this is the first year I have started riding to work. My partner got me an odometer pressie and I have found this to be a huge incentive, trying to increase average speed/time etc. I just think it’s a bit unfortunate that I work away a lot in Spring so can’t always contribute to the team’s kilometres, however I do plan to continue riding to work long after Cycle Instead in Spring is over. Summer will be interesting!
Caroline Mc - Woodvale Wobblers - Dep Environ & Cons - Trigg to Warwick Train Station or Woodvale.
Caroline wins a bicycle bell, water bottle and a cycle instead t-shirt.

During my ride to work, I cycle through four local Councils – namely Cambridge, Subiaco, Perth and South Perth. I use a combination of roads and shared paths. On a safety perspective, I rate the facilities provided by Subiaco, Perth and South Perth as excellent. However my journey through Cambridge verges on the dangerous as I (and many other cyclists) prefer to use The Boulevard and Salvado Rd in preference to paths.

Cambridge Council needs to improve its E-W cycle paths – this time last year I ran for Council with the intention of improving its bike path network. Cambridge is good with “recreational” paths, but poor when it comes to “commuter cycle facilities”. The Council has an excellent N-S pathway along West Coast Hwy and a reasonable E-W path alongside Oceanic Drive from Brockway – but that’s it. The Selby St corridor is poorly resourced and I realise little can be done along Grantham Rd.

As a commuter cyclist, I prefer not to use the winding, dangerous and uneven path alongside the Wembley Golf Complex (The Boulevard) or the ridiculous concrete slab path adjacent to Henderson Park on Salvado Rd. Both these roads have ample room for painted bike lanes (similar to Curtin Ave Cottesloe, George St Kensington and many other roads). It seems a simple solution – Cambridge should do more for the safety of cyclists.
Graham A - London 2012 - Dept of Agriculture & Food - City Beach to South Perth

I am a one man band and while I may not be riding the miles that some of the bigger corporation are I feel that I am making a difference. More money in the back pocket thanks to less petrol and feeling a way lot fitter.....This is such a great initiative and there should be more of it. I have also managed to talk a few businesses in the same complex to join in so there are a couple more people leaving the car at home and enjoying the cold mornings.
Cheers. Evan W- Enigma - Fremantle to Willetton
Evan wins a bicycle bag of goodies.

Have really enjoyed being back on the bike. The days of rain and hard headwinds are compensated with the improved fitness and reward of a refreshing shower at either end of the journey. Then there are days like this morning; the sun is seductive, the breeze is gentler and majestic dolphins break the surface of the smooth waters below Mt Henry Bridge. 
Justin M - WorleyParsons Power Gel - Coolbellup to City
Justin wins a bicycle bag of goodies.

I am a 40's something person and have started to ride for the first time in a long time.
I was talked into doing the Challenge and am now really enjoying riding to work. I cycle from Dianella to the City and now appreciate cyclists concerns regarding the road and especially drivers on the road.

The first week I was nearly taken out a couple of times but have now learned to be aware of what is happening around me. I have also noticed that a lot of the cycle paths in the suburbs are of need of some maintenance also the amount of broken glass on the paths especially around bus stop's is very annoying.

I was quite surprised with how many people actually ride to work in the mornings. I never noticed to much when sitting in a bus every morning. It takes me 30 minutes to get to work which is the same time it was taking me in the bus but now I am getting my daily exercise and am enjoying the ride, should have started a long time ago.
Nick F - Kyjuro Daniro - MPDJV, Office of Native Title, Spotless - Dianella to the City.
Nick wins a bicycle bag of goodies.

I’ve always wanted to take up cycling. For years I would watch the Tour de France and get a flicker of excitement at the prospect of riding my own racing bike up steep mountains and descending into valleys at high speeds. But, as it turns out, I was always too scared to actually buy a bike and brave those dangerous roads that are packed with cars and other cyclists.

This year is different however, becoming part of the bike in spring challenge gave me the motivation to finally bite the bullet, buy a bike and fulfil my dream of climbing mountains and riding like a champion. As it turns out, Perth doesn’t have any of those steep mountains that France has, so I have to be content with sand dunes and the scarp.

The real challenge however, lies in making it to work and home alive! Becoming a cyclist could make you very pessimistic and paranoid because you become very aware of all the dangers around you. One might start thinking the world is out to sabotage and kill you. Obstacles include broken glass on roads, sand on the cycle path, grumpy motorists, other mad cyclists, pedestrians, magpies, big buses, gusty winds and heavy rain. It also didn’t ease my nerves when the bloke at the bike shop selling me my new bike told me to put my contact details inside my helmet “in case they find you unconscious on the road, they can cut the helmet off your head and know who you are”. Now that’s just super!

But I suppose all those obstacles are just some of the reasons it’s called the Bike to Work Challenge. In any case, it won’t stop me from riding my bike. Quite the opposite, now that I’ve caught the bug, I’ll keep riding my new, still shiny racing bike around, pretending that I’m part of the Tour de France and that next sand dune I’m pedalling up is actually a section of the Alps.
Helen H - DECheads - Dep of Environment & Conservation - Applecross to Kensington
Helen wins a Cycle Instead Bike T-shirt & carry bag.

Not a bad effort this week - Some people are yet to start cycling due to leave and work commitments. The strong winds have dampened enthusiasm as well.

Flippa took on a pole today and lost, bruisng his shoulder and his pride at the bell tower intersection.
I had a car skip off the freeway near Warwick and come through the cycleway fence several minutes before I rode past on the cycleway. I stopped to give the woman a hand but the Police arrived at the same time so I left it to them.

Q: The cycleway has disappeared at the Rosalea Stirling housing estate and its been gone for nearly 2 years now.
This forces riders to either navigate through the new suburb dodging workers utes & trailers or cross the freeway again and tackle Hector & Hutton St traffic.
Note: A friend of mine was cut off by a car in the estate early last week & crashed. The driver did not stop and left my friend badly grazed & bruised on the street with a buckled bike.
What can be done to force the council/ developers to restore the cycleway quickly?
Steve M - Maintenance Maverics - Woodside - Duncraig to Perth.
Steve wins a Cycle Instead Bike T-shirt & Cap.
I’ll speak to BikeWest about the slow reconstruction of the bike path. Take care.

Last week was eventful in that one team member lost his bike and the rest of the team had to face rain and strong winds. At one stage there was even a gale warning.
But we keep cycling.
Vera B - Die Radfahrer - Dept of Agriculture & Food - Albany
Vera wins a Cycle Instead T-shirt.

I'm in the small London 2012 team from the Dept of Agriculture & Food and started riding on the first day of the Challenge. I'm also not a serious rider and first did the 17.6km from City Beach to Kensington last year - it only lasted for 8 weeks. Since then I have been looking for an excuse to get this 60 yo body back on the saddle - and presto, your Corporate Challenge arrived at work.

So thanks for getting me back out there on my bike - I've only ridden 6 days since last week but I am feeling better already. At the moment I need to drive in on Mondays/Fridays to bring in/take home clean shirts, laptop etc, but once I get organised a little better I hope to upgrade to 4 days/week.

You may be interested in my "cycles to work" - see attached. The bike computer is set accurately and spits out info like average and maximum speeds. This only deals with the forward journey for the first six days - I still cycle the same distance home but do the trip a little slower. The Parliament House and Wembley Golf Course hills really upset my times.

Cheers. Graham A - London 2012 - Dept of Agriculture & Food - City Beach to South Perth
Graham wins a Cycle Instead Bike pack & Champagne.

Just a little story of the ride her and I do 3 or 4 times a week. We come down the Roe Highway (bike path!) and then follow the bike path along the rail line into town. This takes us across the Windam bridge, and as the sun has started to come up we have commented on the view. So this morning we stopped and took a couple of photos . . .
Ian G - WorleyParsons Power Gel - Langford to Perth
Ian wins a Cycle Instead Bike pack & Champagne.

Attached are a couple of first day  pics, courtesy of my daughter. As you can see, I have my own style of dual mode transport which may need some explanation.

I had been a regular bike rider to work for over thirty years but, due to some creeping elbow/shoulder problems I had to give it away. So instead I have been riding the unicycle daily for about two years  – just at each end of the train trip to work. It all adds up to between thirty and forty km a week.

You might be interested to know that Perth is, I believe, the only transport authority in the world that has a policy specifically addressing carriage of unicycles. Essentially there are no special restrictions, peak time or otherwise, trains, buses or ferry. (http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/UsingTransperth/BikesonTransperthServices/tabid/120/Default.aspx)
Colin C - Rusty Frames - WA Dept of Housing - Bateman to East Perth.
Colin wins a Cycle Instead Bike pack & Champagne.