it’s all about the bike: alan

Alan England, Visualisation Technician, Auckland

why do you ride a bike?

There is nothing quite like the simple pleasure of riding a bike.

what are you riding at the moment, and why do you like it?

I have just returned from holiday at Otama Bay in the CoromandelPeninsula, we drove there from Auckland and I took my 20 (Raleigh20, 1970s ish).  She’s a great old bird, and everything still works. It was perfect for a kiwi summer bach bike.  Good for riding to and from the beach and shops – it was heaven.

what types of riding do you do?

I commute as much as I can, and try to get out for a lunchtime cruise to keep the blood flowing. Every Tuesday evening go for a social ride around Auckland with friends, which is really an excuse to ride to a pub and then eat pizza.  Very occasionally I will do the odd 100km+ ride on the weekend with my roadie friends.

how many bikes do you own?

Too many.  At the moment, I have 4 complete bikes, and 2 frames which I am restoring.  One of the frames is an old NZ made Healing tandem mixtie, which has really got me excited.  It has been stripped and is now ready for powder coating.  I am new at the bike building game, but am learning hand over fist from my friends and Sean Burke (bike guru) from the Auckland studio.

your best/worst recent bike experience?

My best recent bike experience was on a Tuesday night social ride where we rode across Auckland from town to Half Moon Bay where we jumped on the last ferry back to downtown.  Not only was it a great ride, but there were plenty of new faces which is what made it extra special.  My all time worst bike experience was being run over from behind by a 4WD while I was struggling up a hill in a marked bike lane.

weekly kms?

It changes quite a lot but I usually ride about 150-300km per week.

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