Pushbike Riders and persuing a coffee along the way.

beanflying

Maybe a place for us bike riders to hang out chat about things bike, chasing a coffee by bike, racing or just touring around. Under sufferance even those that wear Lycra are allowed into this area 

As a kid I used to ride a lot in the hills and roads of around West Gippsland on my old faithful 10 speed but a shift to Melbourne in my early 20's saw me non rider due to the lunatics and an absence of decent bike paths anywhere near where I was living at the time.

Now I have gone back to the bush and the land of the quiet back roads and and the recently finished Rail trail from Port Fairy to Warrnambool I shouted myself a decent flat bar and got back to it again partly for a bit of fitness and partly because I really enjoy it.

On a recent trip to Melbourne did the bike thing and was doing 50+km a day chasing coffees, quicker faster to get around and a whole lot cheaper than parking a car for the day. Just watch out for the tram tracks  ::)

Todays effort about 40km in the sun with a very nicely made double shot Latte mid way through in Warrnambool at Piccollo's Roastery.

Koffee_Kosmo

As you all may know I like the Tour De France & report on it every year However if I was to get back onto a bike again it would be the type member Ask the coffee guy has recently talked about A hybrid - Electric & Human power KK

beanflying

Hanging out for the Tour in a few weeks in spite of my anti Lycra position If your looking at electric hybrid make sure it is more bike than scooter, lots of them are actually impossible to pedal. Couple of hills today a motor would have been handy on.

Koffee_Kosmo

The bike acg recommends and owns is Aseako Electric Bicycle  - High Torque E-Bike @ approx 1K KK http://www.aseakoelectricbike.com.au/

beanflying

Added link and pic for context  Looks good KK and $1k with Lithium Batteries is a good deal. I have considered adding a couple of similar ones to my hire fleet so those less fit or able could do longer trips.

DoubleRistretto

on 1308128546:

As you all may know I like the Tour De France & report on it every year However if I was to get back onto a bike again it would be the type member Ask the coffee guy has recently talked about A hybrid - Electric & Human power KK

sorry to ask the obvious question, but doesn't having a motor on a pushbike kind of defeat the purpose? dR

Koffee_Kosmo

on 1308180634:

NO WAY  ;D  For a person like me with both knees stuffed, I can pedal if there is little weight involved..  Thus a hill would kill me, but a combo is one way to get that bike ride feel  ;D ;D PS. A push-bike is not about fitness to me, it would be more the openness and being closer to nature. Then again I would just prefer a good motor bike 

on 1308175986:

sorry to ask the obvious question, but doesn't having a motor on a pushbike kind of defeat the purpose? dR

As age & some medical conditions creeps up on us, it will not weary us We just need a helping hand KK

Dry_bean.

So, Tim, I'm wondering if when you embark on a cycling coffee tour do you pedal faster as the caffeine level rises ::) Seriously though, it certainly is a great way of getting around when the weather is reasonable. I've often looked at electric bikes and thought that they would be an excellent mode of inexpensive transport in a country community.

beanflying

on 1308185533:

So, Tim, I'm wondering if when you embark on a cycling coffee tour do you pedal faster as the caffeine level rises

Up to a point then the shakes set in followed soon after by the need for a cold beer Around town there would be a dozen or so electric scooters that come with pedals but are useless due to the ergonomics hence the comment bike styled above. On the other hand as KK and AM have mentioned there is some good health reasons to have the option. On the ride I did yesterday about 3 or 4km was low geared and reasonable stress levels and another 8-10 of it is on reasonable grades (former rail line). On that ride with electric boost it becomes achievable for most people, without it at best it would be off and walk or just not do it for some.

askthecoffeeguy

Actually a ebike can be a great way to get around especially if the bike has got a bit of torque and plenty of grunt - as good ones are fast and fun to ride, as well as being energy effecient And contrary to popular belief ebikes (at least the good ones) take you to your ideal cruising and optimal workout speed, faster than would otherwise be the case, and you're able to maintain this workout rate for longer It's also a great alternative to having a second car, as travelling reasonable distances at relative speed is achievable, and ebikes represent a great alternative to melbourne's costly and innefective public transport system But mostly i ride one because they're fun, they're fast, they look good, they're great to ride, and they keep me fit! P

Dry_bean.

on 1308230960:

But mostly i ride one because they're fun, they're fast, they look good, they're great to ride. P

Exactly the reasons I like my Triumph Bonneville. ::)

Lacehim

I really miss my motorbike days but now with 2 young kids I can justify the cost.  Plus drivers here in qld scare the hell out of me. I do need to get fit so cycling it is and one of these ebikes might make it more intresting.  Askthecoffeeguy can you tell us more about yours?  The range, charging times, what's the weight like?  I looked at these and had the thoughts of the power running out and then your stuck peddling up a hill with extra weight.

UNM

Dry bean - what sort of bonneville? I used to have one many moons ago (and an old tiger 500 too) I think a lot of these electric bikes are fugly, and often harder to ride than a 'real' pedal bike, but that photo kk posted actually looks cool.  Shame electric bikes are mostly brown coal powered (here in VIC anyway).

Dry_bean.

on 1308274185:

Dry bean - what sort of bonneville? I used to have one many moons ago (and an old tiger 500 too) I think a lot of these electric bikes are fugly, and often harder to ride than a 'real' pedal bike, but that photo kk posted actually looks cool.  Shame electric bikes are mostly brown coal powered (here in VIC anyway).

2007 Bonneville T100 UNM, also have a 1973 Tiger 750.

beanflying

And this topic started off as pure pedal power too  ;D

Dry_bean.

on 1308302892:

And this topic started off as pure pedal power too  ;D

And some still deny evolution. ;D

beanflying

Bikes and even early motorbikes were creations where motorbikes now are almost science fiction. A mate of mine has just got a Hayabusa I am sure it could nearly bend time if it wasn't for the speed limiter. Soft option tomorrow for the Melbourne trip 10-20mm of rain forecast so Public transport rules. 2 wheels in the dry good, more wheels and a roof in the wet is just common sense.

askthecoffeeguy

Well I had sOme numbskulls in a

Koffee_Kosmo

Glad to hear that you are safe ACG KK

askthecoffeeguy

on 1308524467:

So the Twitter post was reality... Bugger...  Good to hear your OK.... I am guessing the other party does not have the insurance to cover ????

The guy was doing 80 in a 40 zone and he ran a red light - and then he asked me who's fault it was! He says he has 3rd party I'm flowing it up now - watch this space! Still I am looking forward to giving the pushie a workout P

Dry_bean.

on 1308487951:

Well I had sOme numbskulls in a

Gra

on 1308487951:

Well I had sOme numbskulls in a

askthecoffeeguy

well the guy has admitted fault and my third party will cover in the advent that he's not insured (up to a point) - so so far so good...

Lacehim

sorry to hear about your accident askthecoffeeguy. My wife's subaru impreza RS was written off by a taxi that didn't stop at 70kph into the back of her car stationary at traffic lights.  The car was written off, but she was fine.  Very safe cars the Subaru from our experience anyway.

on 1308458948:

Bikes and even early motorbikes were creations where motorbikes now are almost science fiction. A mate of mine has just got a Hayabusa I am sure it could nearly bend time if it wasn't for the speed limiter. Soft option tomorrow for the Melbourne trip 10-20mm of rain forecast so Public transport rules. 2 wheels in the dry good, more wheels and a roof in the wet is just common sense.

The Hayabusa is nuts.  My mate had one, got up to 160mph (yep, mph) and had to back off.  He couldn't keep up...  His had no speed limiter.  Top speed of those is around 200mph.  Man that is fast for a bike made to run on regular roads.  Not that anyone should be riding at those speeds eh!

RichardM

on 1308560046:

My wife's subaru impreza RS was written off by a taxi that didn't stop at 70kph into the back of her car stationary at traffic lights.  The car was written off, but she was fine.  Very safe cars the Subaru from our experience anyway.

I have owned two cars that have been in crashes. I wasn't in the car either time. Once - it was parked on the side of the road, idiot hit it, and drove off. They got the plates, but the cops wouldn't do anything about it. Second time, I was parked in a carpark, walking away from the car and a taxi hit me. I've decided noone can drive, taxi's even less so.

beanflying

Back to the pure bike topic  Middle of winter full sunshine and an easing wind (after the first 20km straight into it  >:D) Longest ride in a single day ever and I actually feel pretty good after it or maybe thats the Coopers Stout talking. Currently working on re adding the calories burnt today with more beers and home made pizzas when the dough rises. Coffee at Piccolos was 3/10 for the art but it got served with a smile and a good extraction for 7/10. Life is good.

Koffee_Kosmo

Bring on the Tour De France from 2nd July, 2011 KK

beanflying

I feel I am ready for the tour, shame it starts during the school holidays for me as I still need to function well during the day. Still amazed at the level of fitness those guys are at to do 150km+ every day for 3 weeks and in the mountains too.

beanflying

Yeah Cadel for making a quick stopover between races. Thor Hushovd is heading to join his team next year is a major boost http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cycling/hushovd-will-be-a-team-player-for-evanss-ride-to-future-glory-20110810-1imvg.html Back to Back chances improved for Cadel. Keeping up the winter cycling program for me aiming for 100km a week. 92 last week, and nearly 70 so far this week shame I keep loading the carbs back on in the form of beer after the riding  ;D

DoubleRistretto

have never understood why bike riders seem to love congregating at a cafe, but never seem to go to cafes with good coffee... at least that seems to be the case for the major Sydney bike-riding groups. dR:] :o

RichardM

The bike riders in my areas seem to be a great indicator of good coffee. All the best places are where they gather