Melbourne is one of the most bike friendly and enthusiastic cities in the world so, of course, I’ve gotten myself a bike. Built in Richmond, just around the corner from where I live, it’s a single speed bike from Jellybean bikes.
I feel so ‘Melbourne‘ when I take to the road on a fixie or single speed bike like this, with its blue tires (or should that be tyres?) and chrome frame. It’s summer, so it’s the perfect mode of city transport. I’ve long had my eye on a Jennybean bike. Designed by Kath Banger and Ben Stibbard I first saw colorful Jellybean bikes when I first came to live here back in 2010.
Ever since I first moved to Melbourne back in 2010, I’ve always looked at the various bikes you see across the city. From the cool colored fixies to the classic style ladies bikes with their wicker baskets. I’m not a fan of the racer bikes ridden by older ‘blokes’ who love their lycra, and mountain bikes are just silly in this very un-mountainous cityscape.
The other day I rode back home from the city along the Yarra River. It was a 10K (6.2 miles) ride, that significantly extended what would otherwise be a fairly short journey. I was probably one of the slowest bikes on the cycle path, just meandering my wiggly way home taking in the summer sun, the river scenes, and the pleasure of the ride.
A steady stream of Mamils (middle-aged men in lycra) swooped passed me, some with the ring of a bell, others with a yell of ‘Watch out!’ They all seemed in such a hurry that I wondered if a giant snarling beast called ‘middle-aged’ might pound past me in hot pursuit. I would have been dinner for sure if it had!
To have a ‘fixie’ here in Melbourne is something of a cliché, of course, but I don’t care. If I lived in Italy I’d like to have a Vespa, if I lived in Amsterdam I’d have a clunky old rattler of a bike, and if I lived in London I’d have an Oyster card. I don’t mind that it’s a cliché, I’m quite happy with that. Happy enough to buy lycra clothes? Oh you better hope not!
Wrote the following comment on Jan 23, 2013 at 5:00 pm
Nice to see you back here Simon.
Wrote the following comment on Jan 25, 2013 at 11:03 am
I LOVE Jellybean. My first ever brand new bike was a Jellybean. Looks like a sweet ride man. I’ll look out for you around town. You’re in Richmond now right? I’m sure we’ll bump into one another at Captains sometime.
Wrote the following comment on Jan 30, 2013 at 5:05 pm
Welcome back to Melbourne Simon. Was a nice surprise to see you at Proud Mary again. Love the new wheels.
Wrote the following comment on Feb 2, 2013 at 11:13 am
Thanks for the welcome backs :)
@ Ridester – Yes I’m in Richmond now, just by North Richmond station, nearby all the Vietnamese food – Pho anyone? Yummy!