How did I get here? And for that matter, how did you?

I read the news every day online (Agoniser, The Age and the ABC). About a year ago I read a story about a cyclist being killed on his ride to work. Another cyclist, who didn't know the guy who was killed, had decided to complete his ride to work, to commemorate his life and highlight cycling safety. He was inviting other cyclists to join him on this "Ride for Respect". At the bottom of the story was a link for more information. I wasn't commuting at the time but had a partner who rides and could certainly relate to the story. I clicked the link and found myself here, on Adelaide Cyclists. I joined to make a comment about the event (inviting other concerned non-cycling  family to come to the beginning of the ride) and so began my AC "story"

For a while I visited occasionally and was amused by some of the discussions. I began to get to know some of the AC characters like Jim and Heather and Wombat. And of course Angus. At some point I decided I could comment on something (can't remember what). The place has changed so much in the time I've been visiting! Obviously there are a lot more members. There are a lot more group rides and events. When I first joined there was usually one or two bloggers. Now there are lots of different blogs, silly competitions and heaps of discussions to keep most members satisfied. I have genuinely made new and valuable friendships, even though I don't ride very often or very far. I am sure that there are many others who can say the same (about the friendships if not the amount of cycling!) Somewhere along the line my partner got curious about this cycling website I was visiting and starting lurking around himself but I'll let him tell his own story.

I sometimes wonder why there is really a place for me here, when its pretty obvious I'm not a very serious cyclist. But this is the kind of community it is. I seem to be able to make a contribution that others can relate to and I value the opportunity to do so.

Anyway I digress.The point of the post was to ask, how did you find out about AC? Did you lurk around like me for a while or just jump straight in? What's your AC story?

Views: 16

Comment by Patrick O'Kane on June 18, 2011 at 20:23

I bought a flat bar bike as a birthday present to myself, don't know why, it just seemed like a good idea at the time. I rode on the coast to vines, 15km or so return trip, feeling very pleased with myself, I didn't know one colud ride that far, so I googled "cycling in Adelaide" hoping to find more places to ride. I saw posts from many people, like TA, Jim and Heather seemed prominent posters. I didn't post, didn't even find many rides tbh, then I spotted a ride that I could do, Ride for Respect - 20km/h around the city, even I could do that. 

I went to Bocelli's for a pre ride coffee and there was a bloke there that I'd chatted to the week before at McLaren Vale, Jim Woods . He introduced me to Smudge, Derek Hasel and a few others with flash bikes, lycra shirts and shaved legs. I was never going to fit in with this mob, but they were so warm, welcoming and accommodating and I had a ball. I was hooked on cycling and the cycling fraternity from that day.

 

Comment by Brian Jenkins (BJ) on June 18, 2011 at 20:41
I joined around a year ago.  I had heard of the site through the Bicycle Institute, and that the Ready Set Ride crew were members.  First event was Clive's 'Never Mind The Bollards" Ride.
Comment by heather on June 18, 2011 at 20:43

TA, nice to meet another cyclist who does not ride far. I mainly utility cycle between 1km and 20km return, but I definitely consider myself a cyclist because it is my main transport rather than my car. Must say I am tempted when reading of AC exploits to get back into leisure cycling, but that will not be soon.

How did I join AC? I jumped straight in, which is a common approach for me.

My local Prospect Council had drawn up plans to remove a section of bicycle lanes on Prospect Road, and narrow until no space for buses to safely overtake cyclists. It is an arterial road under the control of DTEI but council was being more persuasive than A Cycling Strategy for SA and Austroads. So in Sep-2009 I formed Prospect BUG. It was about Oct-2009 that I put my concerns to a BISA Committee Meeting (I am a long-term BISA member). It may have been Luke who suggested that Prospect BUG have a web page on Adelaide Cyclists, the first I had heard of AC. Definitely Patrick Sunter who encouraged me and started the page for me, because I was such a novice at online forums. So I had a web page to coordinate, while trying to learn how to use Ning, with help from Patrick and Angus.

Almost two years later, and I now coordinate four pages on AC: Prospect BUG, Vote For Cyclists, Adelaide BUG and now Look For Cyclists. I am also an avid poster re cycling facilities and cyclist safety, and attempt to answer AC questions on these topics. I also learn from AC members about mirrors, lights and much more.

I realise now that I have become addicted to AC, with the advocacy and social interaction on-line. My socialising in person is limited because I do not join in many of the ride events, not being up to long, fast and/or hilly rides, especially early in the morning. Still, people have got to know me. TA, you mentioned my name. The first time I recall meeting you was this year at the polo championships.

I tell myself that I should cut back on AC posts and advocacy because my personal chores have been put on hold. But I could not let up while authorities were not considering cyclist safety in my local area. Further lobbying brought an assurance from Prospect Council this year that bikedirect Myrtle Street would not be made no entry to cyclists off Prospect Road. That nearby bikedirect Kintore Avenue would finally be re-opened to cyclists. That the footpaths placed across both bikedirect routes at their Prospect Road intersections would not be roll-back kerbs with 35mm steps, but something more suitable for bicycle wheels. In May-2011 I started lobbying for the roadworks on Prospect Road to be better managed for cyclists safety, eg deliberately cut holes in the bicycle lane, potholes, bicycle lanes narrowed by trenching leaving steps, and a temporary 40km/h speed limit for cyclist safety while usable bicycle lanes narrowed by orange mesh or no bicycle lanes at all. Almost there. This coming week will concentrate on lobbying for a missing section of 40km/h where the bicycle lane is shrouded in orange mesh. Plus sweeping away the gravel left after the potholes and trenches were packed with stone.

Currently Prospect Council is discussing upgrading Main North Road. I hope this goes more smoothly for cyclist safety so I can finally start a backlog of personal chores. What are the odds for putting myself first? TA, you have noticed how often I post on AC.

Comment by heather on June 18, 2011 at 20:50
Patrick, so I met you at Bocelli's. You fitted in with the discussions so I thought you were a regular AC rider.
Comment by Patrick O'Kane on June 18, 2011 at 21:21
Heather, I don't remember meeting you at Bocelli's, met a lot of new people that morning. I do remember being asked, cajoled, co-erced  :) into signing you bicycle lane petition in Vic Sq though. I also remember chatting with you on the ride.
Comment by heather on June 18, 2011 at 21:39

The upside of time spent collecting the petition was meeting lots of cyclists. During TDU got to chat with many cycling tourists.

Another upside of the petition was saving bicycle lanes on Prospect Road. 3,433 people signed the petition. Hope as a result that it will be a while before authorities try to remove bicycle lanes elsewhere.

Comment by David Gardiner on June 18, 2011 at 23:03
Seems like AC and the TDU went hand in hand - first heard of it on the 2009 TDU challenge.  The rest is, as they say, a mystery...I had 2 bikes then, and a positive bank balance, and didn't really suffer that much, nor knew about gear inches, cadence, 30gs of protein, fixies, de rosas, SRAM or range road, Wilunga was a mystery and Mclaren Vale seemed a long way away, as was 30kph. Oh, and who is Jim Woods?
Comment by Justin V on June 18, 2011 at 23:04
I found AC via a google search after just taking up the sport 18 months ago. Like you didn't join at first and was just happy to do some research from existing discussions to bone up on this new sport I had taken up. After a while there was a discussion ( I can't actually remember what )that I wanted to contribute to. I joined and have had no regrets. I sometimes even put across my point of view on some issues so i must have learnt something along the way. I have met with members, ride with members and some I almost feel as that I know even though I havnt actually met them. I continue to learn and am sure I'll meet new members and friends in the future.
Comment by Baron Von Thierry on June 18, 2011 at 23:18
...  the last thing they want is bloody kids!!
Comment by CLP on June 19, 2011 at 11:55

I stumbled upon this site a bit by accident..  then lurked for quite a while figuring i didn't have a lot to contribute. 

 

I took part in 2 memorial rides organised through AC and then finally dipped my toe in the water when i saw a thread about rear lights..  and thought i had something worthwhile to say :)  

 

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