We're All Going on a Summer Holiday

slip, slop, slap!

A few weeks ago K-star and I decided to go on a Summer excursion, and knowing Manly is such a bike-centric area, we planned to spend the day in the ocean and spread a little Feather Brigade love over on the northern beaches. It just happened to be one of the hottest days of the summer, perfect weather to loll in the water and sip slurpees as we watched the cycling ladies and dudes of Manly cruise by.

We handed out our (infamous) calling card to a few bikes, took some silly photos, spent more time in the water then made our way home in the lovely afternoon light, via the Manly ferry of course.

Oh, Manly! What a beaching and bikeling nirvana. If it was possibly I'd spend all my time in a permanent summer, by the beach... and only a little bit because of things like this guy...

j.xoxo

Its a Party on a Bike!

So in the mood for shopping... a little bike crazy and have a spare $180000 (AUD) to spend? Look no further friend. Your ultimate bike purchase awaits...

"The 7 SEATER CIRCULAR CONFERENCE BICYCLE"

Look, just look at the enjoyment on these people's faces. One person steers, everyone pedals and everyone has FUN! This has to be the best offer discovered on EBAY! (link to actual ad).
Described as 'The most enjoyment you will have with your pants on!' and 'This bike is a license to print money'.

Suggested uses include 'Team Building Excercises'.

Sometimes Rowan wished he wasn't self-employed... sigh.

So what are you waiting for?? Bid now. You could bike pool to work! You could be the team to beat at bike polo. You could have a picnic while riding (comes with table attachment). You could give 7 rude gestures to cars. You could, you could, you could! But remember to take us for a spin too friend!


Pish tosh xx

A Basket Case!

Ever since I have had my bike I have also developed a compulsion for purchasing baskets. This has to STOP! Our apartment now has baskets in every nook and cranny and on top of each other. ENOUGH!

Our original bike baskets - decorated of course!

But how can I stop when there is so many great (and cheap) baskets out there... perfect for bikeling around with? The answer is to tell you (yes YOU!) where to buy them so that the temptation is removed.

"Trumpets sound"

So here is my secret.... VINNIES. Yes St Vincent De Paul (charity op shop for those not in the land of Oz). I took photos to prove it.

And more...

All of these baskets are being sold for less than $8. Crazy! Thats cheaper than lunch or lunch!

Here is some I have already purchased in my compulsive shopping cycles...

When you also happen to find shoes in your size that look great at the same time...

*Its an added bonus"*Huzzah!

They are great for decorating... (see J-Bot's Art-Attack!).

Here is E-gg's basket (also purchased at Vinnies that is still at our place *hint) waiting for her...

All you need is a back rack and an occy strap or two and off you go!

Milky Joe loves travelling in them too...

Baskets are fabulous for picnicking and can hold all sorts of treasures. Like Silly String... fun in a can!

Surely I have sold you on this by now.

Save me and please, please, please buy the baskets... !

Pish tosh xx

Uncycling or Unicycling?

Ahh my bike... two wheel fun! I was caught unawares last week while out. Walking down a quiet suburban street in Glebe when a unicyclist passed me travelling on the road. He skillfully turned a corner and then avoided on coming cars. What?!?

Forgive me for my lack of unicycle knowledge but having only seen unicycle acts performed for entertainment (say clowns and those high-pant-wearing-fire-swallowing-juggling-carnies) and not as any form of transport. I had no idea you could propel so well along and without going backwards to stay upright. And of course that is providing you have more coordination and balance then I could ever hope for. I immediately told J-Bot who told me of seeing a LYCRA-CLAD-HELMET-WEARING UNICYCLIST at Manly on the weekend. Photo? Nooo, but she told how he rode casually weaving around traffic up the main street. Whoa!

I have found a photo to recreate this for you here:

This just proves that Lycra looks bad no matter what you ride.

So after registering my disbelief with J-Bot that these people exist I did some research on my numerically-wheel-challenged fellow cyclist. Here is what I discovered...

I found the entertainment types:

Clowns / Trippers

But then I found the riders. People who do it for the challenge, the skill and the means of getting from A to B or to Iceland. Yep Iceland. Check out Florian Kaiser's epic unicycle ride across Iceland. Why? Why ? Why??

So I googled crazy unicyclists.

Hmmm not helping but fitting.

I wondered if I could learn to unicycle to aid my understanding and my balance.

Aaah perfect.

But I needed some inspiration. I wonder if any celebrities have made unicycles look good?

Donald Rumsfeld and Jesus?

Not really, so I tried to think of the positive aspects of unicycling. Then I tried harder and googled more...

Less lycra was a must:

But it all looked so awkward. I mean what do you do with your hands?

Better! But where do you store that? I like this idea...

I am still craving handlebars though. If I was a man I would grow this:

And then hold on to it. Aaah the joys of a handlebar moustache! Like a low rider!
Then thinking of body hair I came up with my rule:

2 Eyebrows - 2 Wheels.

I mean there are just some things you should have two of!

Maybe if I googled feminine unicyclists...

This one reminds me that unicycles are funny and makes
male chauvinism even more funny.

But then I found girls. Gangs of girls. Gangs of girls getting around on unicycles. Check out this group from Japan!

It combines the glory and wonder of sychronised swimming, the atmosphere of gymnastics and cheerleading and when you think it can't get any better it adds unicycles. Perfection!

So while I don't profess to understand it and might occasionally have nightmares about this becoming trendy in Sydney, I do bow my head in respect to the balance-elite, the unicyclist. Although we always have to put the Feather Brigade twist on things...

Like baskets and spokey dokes, pinwheel hats and wings!! And tutus and, and, anything just might be possible...

P.S. Aldi stores in Sydney are currently selling unicycles for $69.95. And ebay is full of them. Oh and I am still yet to click a snap of this elusive breed of cyclist so if you manage to... send a pic our way PLEASE!

Pish Tosh xx