overcoming

You’ll be thrilled to know that I have recently overcome my long-held fear of fluorescent. And when I say overcome, I mean “embraced with both, hugging, wrestling arms”. I feel giddy as a school girl. I realise however, the fluoro is ultra sapping to the skin and it seems kind of arse-backwards to have to wear a face full of makeup just to put your rain coat on. I’m working on it, but yes, pink this pink brings out the grey in any face. Them’s the breaks I guess.

I don’t particularly know what prompted it but I’m guessing that, you think about safety long enough and you’re just going to lose your perspective. I could have gotten better lights, but hell, what’s wrong with a little bright pink? Perhaps I was inspired by the little tackers at the High Viz event by Craft Cartel, just embracing their inner PLUR to create fabulous outfits of electric neon.

I also recently overcame my fear of crossing the Yarra and took a toodle down to Northside Wheelers, the home of Melbourne Rapha, purveyors of fine cycling ware, and recent supporter of Ladies What Ride, but virtue of his upcoming commitment to sponsoring the three best lasses who can brave the mud and bumps of the Dirty Deeds CycloCross

(photo credit: chez at business chic but someone might have to correct me)

The store, for them what likes shopping, is small but elegantly packed with classic wool jerseys, stylish premium threads from your friends at Rapha and just enough ephemera to keep a girl like me happy. What’s more, Malachi from Northside (ex-Spoken) is keen to encourage more females of the species to get on two wheels and go round and round a dirty track. For this, I am prepared to put fatter tyres on my bike. Wish me me luck.

I’m going to need it.

As, it would so seem, are purveyors of fine fixed gear cycles sold without brakes. The ACCC is interested in you so says this recent announcement from Bicycle Victoria. And is cracking down on said bikes with pedals directly chained to the rear wheel such that whenever the rear wheel rotates the pedals also rotate.

So, do these regulations apply only to retailers and suppliers? Presumably yes.. Or will we now see a phase of stylish daredevils rapidly distressing their steeds to comply with the requirements that your bike show signs of appreciable wear? Or – god forbid – converting to recumbents?