Bling Your Bike

Today, as promised I packed my panniers & basket full of Bling, stickers, flowers, tools and more to facilitate a community based " Bling Your Bike" Bikeweek event.

I had decided not to do all the advertising through Facebook & Twitter etc..  However, the event was listed on the Bikeweek website.  So I had no idea, who or if anyone would turn up.

The morning was a very warm one, so lots of families passed through Rowheath Pavillion.   

Whilst I did not have a huge gathering of children at anyone time during the morning. I did experience a steady flow of children who came with their bicycles and scooters to take part.

Spoke Beads were very popular with the boys 

Whilst the children decorated their bikes with ribbons, loads of stickers, tinsel and other Bling, parents helped and supported their children to decorate their bikes.

Some older kids  came along for the ABC Safety  Check or t their tires pumped up, or their chain lubricated.

The 2 hours went by very quickly with approximately 12 children taking part. 

Thank you for an enjoyable and creative morning 

She Spoke to Robert About Bikes In Birmingham

Robert with his Birmingham built Dawes Jaguar 531 frame

Tell me about your bike and where you got it?

My bicycle is an original Birmingham built Dawes Jaguar racing bike.

My bike was found by a friend of mine underneath the South Arts Building at Swansea University.  It had been chained up for a year, so he asked the security staff if he could have it, and they said "Yes please take it away."  So he removed the D-lock and took it away.   After all that, unfortunately he didn't have the time to do the necessary extensive renovation, so he gave it to me.

Where has your bike taken you today?

Today my bike has taken me just a mile or so around Bournville.

Why do you cycle?

I cycle for lots of reasons, but most importantly to reduce the size of the footprints I leave in the sands of time. I like to avoid motorised traffic, with all the stress it brings. I like the sense of freedom it gives me.  It's great for fitness and health and also for the cost benefits as no petrol is required.

What is your most regular commute around in Birmingham?

Well I don't really commute because I work from home.  I just go out for transport, shopping and leisure; I normally ride up to Sainsbury in Selly Oak.

What is your favourite place to cycle in Birmingham?

I don't really have a specific place that I like to go to, but what I like to do is cycle around on the canal towpaths in Birmingham because they are peaceful and quiet with lots of wildlife.

What else do you do on your bike other than pedal?

I like to reflect and look at the nature around me, that's why I prefer to ride away from the traffic

What do you think Birmingham could do to improve the cycling infrastructure to make it more user friendly for all cyclists?

It could do an awful lot.   What I would like Birmingham to do is to copy the Dutch Model, because it has been tried and tested, it works, and it gets lots of people cycling

Those Bloomin' Bikes

It was a while ago since I decided to have a go at planning a small event for Bikeweek.    My chosen event was Birmingham Bikes in Bloom, which involved people coming together to decorate their bicycles with floral bling, followed by a short Traffic Free ride around Bournville and some essential Tea & Cake.

Coming up with the idea and getting all of the flowers and bling was easy and very enjoyable.   Then came the registration, route planning and risk assessment.  Taking all eventualities and all needs into consideration was a task.  I had planned a ride of between 4 & 6 miles passing through  Bournville & bits of Victoria Park.   I rode the route once and thought it was fine, "No Problems here"   Then I rode the route a 2nd time yesterday, and to my surprise pathways had grown over with thorny, spiky brambles etc..  This meant another trip on my bicycle with my garden clippers in my pannier to cut the brambles.

The day was the most enjoyable part and was everthing I expected and more. The weather forecast was reasonably good and we had a great  turnout of 19 people in total. A mix of families and others.  Not all people did the ride, but a majority decorated their bicycles, completed the 4 miles ride & returned for the social gathering & the essential Tea & Cake

Kids were first to get hands on & Crafty

This Little lady engaged very well with the idea, and did a great job on her bike, but was later worried that she may be followed home by a swarm of bees!

 People added flowers to their bikes and themselves

People worked together

Fresh garden flowers came in handy

Some people went all out Chelsea Flower Show 

 Fallen Rhododendron petals made great natural garlands 

people did arty frame logos

Bloomin Giant Bikes 

All in all, everyone seemed to have a really good time.  We were all delighted with the the surprise offer at Rowheath Pavilion .  FREE  TEA, COFFEE & TOAST ON SUNDAYS!

Many thanks for everyone who came along and made this a successful and enjoyable event.

 By request from some of the families who were in Rowheath Park, I will be back to do a similar children's event in a few weeks.

Watch out for 

 "Bling Your Bike"