Candy Cranks

I’ve been going to the Mitchell Road Auction Centre for a few years now. It’s a great place to pick up old school furniture and pieces on the cheap! They’ve always had a few bikes there but on my last visit I saw that they have introduced a bike auction. I would totally recommend checking this out if your after a something to knock about, ride to Uni or after a frame to build up a budget bike. Auction everyone Monday at 1.30. However you can’t make the Monday, suss it out on Sunday and cast an absent vote.

I celebrated the coming of 2010 at the Peats Ridge Music Festival with great food, beats, entertainment and bikecitment! Here are some of the snaps I managed to pick up over a crazy 4 days.

Above: Felix and his unicycle checking out the message wall at the festival.

Above: is taken from the ‘Trash Temple’ an interactive space that used performance and street theatre to spread awareness about the impacts of fuel used for our vehicles. This was a perfect spot for festival goers to lock their bikes.

Above: At the Bohemian Love Theate. Amazing costumes, energy and bikes! 

Above: I had to have a try! 

Above: My mate smashing the unicycle seriously well for ther first attempt.

Although we share the same bedroom I sadly feel that i have lost some bondage with my bike. I am to blame for this relationship crisis because this is all due to my lack of peddling over the silly season. Honestly I actually felt like my bike was going to bite me when I took him out for a spin yesterday. You know that kind of soppy resentful attitude pets get when you come home from vacation? It was like that but in actuality this is just an excuse for how rusty I felt. I’ve heard that once you learn to ride a bike you can for life. I’m not sure this saying comes with warranty though. I’m not as toned in the areas needed for motoring up and down hills as when I rode everyday in early 2009. The smoking has taken its toll on me too. I wouldn’t be so boring as to announce a new years resolution right now but maybe it is time to throw away the smokes. Unless of course I have a beer in my hand, when everyone knows those moments don’t count. Perhaps you’re wondering why I called this girls loaded? Today I spotted countless new chicks on fixies riding in Sydney. It got me missing my riding with other riders days. I call these chicks new because I haven’t ever seen them before but who knows how long they’ve been on. It’s been ages since I’ve checked out any of the hot spots known for fixies. I remembered back when there was seriously like 4 girls in Sydney and we jumped up and down with excitement when a new girl turned up for a ride. I wonder where these girls I saw today came from? Does this mean the ‘sausage fest’ is being slaughtered by hot chicks on fixies with loaded ammunition? Suddenly I feel very up lifted and might even spin on down one night to investigate. That is if my bike will forgive me but usually a bit of oil fixes that one up. 

It turned out that losing my lock was the best thing to happen to me. If we re-wind back a few months I used to ride my bike to work, to the shops, on errands and to the café or pub with mates. This made me more of a commuter rider I guess. I used to ride as a means of getting from A to B. Now don’t get me wrong I enjoyed my choice of transport. It gave me some great benefits of not having to keep with the time schedule or pay for public transport, I didn’t have to be stuck in traffic and I had an excuse for always wearing pants and a tee shirt.  However since losing my lock riding became more of a let’s go for a ride just for the sake of it. I would come home from work and grab my bike not knowing the destination of my travels. It became a means of meditation and a time to just enjoy being on my bike. But today a new lock arrived in the mail box. And today I grabbed my bike for the convenient sake of transport to go buy xmas presents. It was annoying having to dodge traffic to keep on route and I was wondering why my mood had suddenly fallen sour. I decided to leave the shopping and just go for a ride. I went straight across to a park and embraced another ride for the sake of riding. 

I’m loving the return of the famous BMX pedal (with Hutch Bear Trap). These babies were introduced in 1983 for BMX racing. Oh and they are the same price as 1983. Pedals are manufactured with show-quality chrome-plated die-cast aluminum bodies, die-stamped 6061 aluminum cages that are 10% thicker for added strength, and 9/16″ threaded spindles in heat-treated 4140 chromoly or 6al4v titanium inside two double-sealed bearings. Replacement cages in various colors sold separately.

Hutchbmx.com

As the crowd chanted “Coal Coal. Coal must go. To make our emissions Low Low Low!” I took in the sites. There was the Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd bathing in coal. There was a Kevin Rudd Santa with a sack of coal for Xmas. And there was a Bicycle Pixie, fighting the crowd of people to deliver a slay full of coal to the little kiddies.

Yep.. I rocked up last minute to strut some protest for climate change and I was amazed at how many people brought their bikes as their partner in crime. Mostly people were just walking with them as if their bikes were another limb but still this took effort to avoid crashes in a congested crowd. But they did! And I thought that was rad.

I do wonder however when bikes become a protest tool for raging at the government? Apparently they send a message by themselves. I mean I know bicycles have had an “eco” tag for a long time but has anyone else notice just how much they have become an icon recently?

It seems everyone around me is dropping down with back issues. Yesterday I joined them. Now having had 15 hours sleep as a result of passing out from being doped up on meds - I have some serious energy! I’m staring at my bike and it is teasing me for a ride. I’m dreaming of one of my favorite swimming spots in Sydney.  But of course I can’t. I need to rest and the thought of being hunched over a bike makes me cringe. Injuries are seriously a pain in the backside! And although it sucks that I can’t ride now I’m also concerned about aggravating it  when I hop back on the pushy. I have been researching tips to prevent this and interestingly I found that it’s actually bad to have your spine in an upright position on a bike! In fact having a straight back can make your vertebrae jam together as it doesn’t allow any give when you hit bumps. Therefore ensure your handlebars are not raised too high and watch out if you are often riding a lady bike! 

Single speed championships are on this weekend in Australia. In the name of aussie spirit the event appears to be a fairly relaxed one. There will be riding, camping, eating and of course drinking beer. Some  local messengers here in sydney were telling me how the event will catered for the party goers. For example some races will include points earned for either hard-core riding or the choice of a pit stop to drink beer. Sounds heaps cool! I hope there are some more weekends away for riding during the summer, silly, season.

FIRE: Meg surprised me at my doorstep. My world turned hazy as it took me longer than usual to grasp something. To release that she was indeed holding only one thing that would send me burning…my new CANDY CRANKS bike!
WATER: I let the shock run into the distance as I checked it out. My mouth watered and I felt sleazy as I ran my hand over the bike and soaked in the beautiful craftsmanship of Primate Frames.
EARTH: Leonardo De Vinci claimed, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication” and this guided my bikes understated colour scheme and wood finish rims.
WIND: Light as an eagles feather this chief of transport flew me. My heart truly beating like a jungle drum.…In life I strive to find balance between the beauty of the natural world and the man-made world. The photos above where taken around my neighborhood as I tried to combine both elements of natural and man-made beauty through colour, line and texture. This was the influence behind the creation of my bike.

It’s been a while. I haven’t had a chance to do my laundry let alone ride my bike. Today I finally had a night to myself without commitments. I walked in put on a load of laundry and grabbed my bike. I wasn’t sure where I would be riding but I had a vision in mind. I wanted to find a spot where I could see the Centre Point Tower and a pond. I went to my local park where I knew at least I could see the Tower. Unfortunately it was packed of loud kids playing soccer. So I rode on by. Riding along I saw the Tower and it hit me. I knew of a pond near by in Moore Park. I got off my bike and lit up a smoke to marvel in my success. After the smoke I got back on the bike. I thought about the Bicycle film festival coming up. I thought about the cool tricks I’ll see that have been performed all over the globe.  I laughed at the sterotypical mentality behind some of these crews. “I can do this trick, I can do it better than you”. I decided if anyone asked me what trick I can do I will say the “Buddha meditating trick”. So then I decided I would practice this. Two legs crossed over the handlebars I speed down a hill and managed to put my hands in position to sing the universal sound of “AUMMM”. Following my attempt at tricks I left for Centennial Park. Helmet off and wind through my hair, I smirked at the disapproving faces of others. I brushed off these looks and took on some of my own as I watched the roadies tearing up the park. It was raining men with tight lycra up their arse. I found this funny. Singing aloud I rode on home. I love riding my bike – it’s a really great high

I know this is a silly post but why not share ones reverie? You see, I knew I had a computer face but I didn’t realize I had a bike face. Actually I didn’t even know it existed until today. But I caught myself out. Not once. Not twice but ALL the time. I have different faces you see. I have a bike face for waiting at the lights. A bike face for deep thinking (about silly things like this). A bike face for hills. And so on. These faces differ from your usual facial expressions because they are utterly more exaggerated. Why are they more exaggerated? because there is a certain freedom to be yourself on your bike no matter how daggy it may appear. Speeding past people makes you relax about your out of tune singing or your mistakes whilst reciting French nursery rhymes. 

I’m seeking a shifty boys helmet for my nephew. Comment if you got ideas.

Sure lime, olive and jade coloured bikes are all fresh. So radical I see them on your rims, hubs and bars. But sorry guerrilla man, I’m one up ya. You see I got the latest for you freedom fighter! Hear me now because It’s GREEN bikes will have you on the streets being ‘all’ revolutionary. You got that little geezer? It’s time you stop pedalling so I found these ones for you to sit in and you can listen to your music box.

 here….

Bicycle Furniture 

Found browsing apartmenttherapy

The other day was ride to work day - which I missed because I actually don’t work wednesdays and even if I did it would be an epic journey from the city to the bush, at the edge of Sydney - which is no joke where I work. However I did attend last year and it was cool meeting up with work mates for an early morning ride and then all having an excuse for missing that first meeting. I also ran into past work mates from previous jobs and friends in general. I got alot of “I’m going to do this everyday!” but who knows if that idea stuck? Like I said I missed out this year round. 

 (yes good spotting, that is me in the back tyer of the 2008 group shot)

It’s called a Bike Drip. Design team, Jetske Verdone, designed this to solve the issue of carrying a drip frame around and disguising the constant reminder of being hospitalised whilst other kids are out on their bikes. I think this is ingenious. It’s just another way bicycles are reaching the hearts of kids. Where would we be without them? 

Site: Cool Hunter

Ever gotten stuck in the city with a flat tyer? Did you happen to forget your mini repair kit at home? Did you find that your friends were busy and the bike stores were too far away? Well if by chance it ever happens again, don’t fret - drop into Digital Eskimo Lvl 2, 44 Foster Street, Surry Hills. They are opposite the wall café. (Design agency) 

 Digital Eskimo has unveiled its latest sustainability initiative: our company bicycle parking and repair station. We’ve converted our single car space into parking for up to ten bikes, with a bike repair station catering to the needs of Digital Eskimo’s fleet and the local Surry Hills community.

If you ride a bike and you work or live in Surry Hills, you know the bike stores have all moved away – making even a flat tyre a real hassle. Basic bike maintenance is also difficult when you live in an apartment (as I do!) and do not have access to basic tools and an area you can make a wee bit of mess in. A good set of tools should be shared as well, so by providing this service we’re hoping to cut down on the need for everyone to buy their own repair tools.

So if you need help with a problem with your bike just buzz the doorbell and a Digital Eskimo will come down and give you a hand. Oh, and air is provided at no charge!


Moments are in the twinkling of an eye or the spinning of a wheel. Last night, I was commuting home when I came across a baby possum clinging to it’s mother. At first they startled me but quickly the creatures registered and I was totally enthralled. I took a moment to stop, let them pass safely and appreciate their adorability! It’s moments such as these that drivers completely miss out on.

Show off or promote yourself. Either way enter. More info? 

‘Some use traditional methods. Others use cutting-edge technologies. But all true frame builders share a belief in producing bicycles to match the desires of individuals, not demands of the market. The North American Handmade Bicycle Show is the world’s premier showcase for frame builders and ourmission is to celebrate the artistry, skill, and inspiration of their craft.’

‘The show and our exhibitors have been featured in media like The New York Times and Wired, and we’ve welcomed more than 20,000 attendees through our doors.’

Exhibitor YiPan Bicycles 

YiPsan Bicycles was conceived by Renold Yip to continuing the craft of framebuilding by single person workshop. YiPsan’s goal is to integrate modern fitting concept, frame tubing and components with traditional building skills. YiPsan bicycles are built by hand one at a time and every bicycle is unique.

Fit, ride quality and design for application are at the heart of YiPsan Bicycles. The more specific your requirements are the better the design will be. Your experience and input along the design and build process is also very important.

Renold, the sole worker of YiPsan, was raised in Hong Kong, China., obtained his bachelor of engineering in the UK and immigrated to the US since 2002. Since then, he has been working at local bike shops, building bicycles, certified as a fit specialist and enjoying living in the east coast, west coast and the rockies.

See more Exhibitors 

My nephew is about 16 months and bike crazy. Honestly “bike” and “bye-bye” are his most used words. One of his favorite games is getting me to put my helmet on his head and “pretend” to ride a bike around the room. But recently he got his first bike (it’s attached to a handlebar to push him around) but eventually this turns into a tricycle and so on. Now he just needs one of these cute limited edition cycling hats recently launched by Rocket fuel and he can really play the part!