I Heart Cycling

Cycling is the best invention ever.

Effortless exercise. This is mostly thanks to the lack of hills in York. I can cycle at a leisurely pace, without worrying about a shower and a change of clothes.
Free transport to work. No petrol bills. No queues in traffic. First in line at the traffic lights. No parking problems.
Better than caffeine to wake me up in the morning. I no longer need a strong coffee to function when I get to work. My bladder is thanking me.
Guilt-free about skipping the gym again. I'm getting my exercise without the stress and procrastination of a gym visit.
Immediate mood booster. I get a smile on my face simply getting my blood pumping and feeling the wind in my hair.
Get to see the most beautiful parts of town. My current cycle route to work gives me a trip across the river and through a field full of cows (often blocking the path). The landscapes are beautiful and picture perfect, and these car-free zones are 100% fresh air despite being in the middle of town.

Cycling has got its own cult following. I've discovered a few blogs and websites made by and for others who Heart their bikes. I particularly like reading Oil is for Sissies (cycling is part of this guy's general blog) and Mellow Velo, but there are heaps out there, even a Kiwi crusading for more cyclists in Christchurch. The best cycling map site I came across is MapMyRide.com which creates maps that can be seen in Google Maps or Google Earth, it's worldwide, and has plenty of ideas. There's also a fun time-wasting game on the Tredz blog.

There are a few downsides to cycling (combined with no car alternative), but I'll attempt to put them in to positives:
Get wet in the rain. I really must invest in mudguards and wet weather trousers. It makes it fun dodging the puddles and cow pats though!
Food shopping. My nearest decent supermarket is a couple of miles away, and it makes the weekly shop a real chore. At least I'm learning to only buy the essentials, which is doing my bank account a huge favour!
Carrying far too much on my back. I often cycle along with an overloaded laptop bag and a stuffed backpack, and I'm sure it's putting an unhealthy strain on my back. I must invest in a carrier tray.
Ripped trousers. That dodgy bent spoke that's completely ruined one of my three gears has managed to tear holes in four of my favourite trousers. Luckily I've given it a rough fix-it job so it doesn't stick out quite so much, and I've bought a pair of trouser clips and a couple of high-calf boots to tuck my trousers into. Problem solved, 90% of the time.

But, honestly, I love it.

Another Kiwi in Authentic England?

It's been nearly twelve full months since I landed in England on my OE. Unlike most New Zealanders making the big trip abroad to this Kingdom, I'm living outside the Grand Capital. I love London; in fact, I could move there quite happily tomorrow, but my job has kept me in the real, grassroots England. Since being here I've only met a handful of Kiwis outside of London.

I feel like I am seeing the Authentic England. I watch the BBC and the North Yorkshire news, catch the train almost every day and line up to draw cash from the cash machine; I moan about the weather, the transport, the state of the national football team and the weather again just like a true Englishman (Englishwoman? Not quite sure how that noun works...). However, so far I have managed to avoid getting caught up in the pub culture. I still prefer to hang out in my living room rather than substituting it for the local pub.

This English Experience is very much a learning process. Maybe one day I'll come to appreciate their famous Reserve, but it's frustratingly slow. I can meet any number of people from other nationalities, get along like a house on fire, and then when I contact them a week later to see if they want to meet up, they'll be fine with it. It's not so straightforward with the English. It's all a bit Too Friendly to want to catch up again as if we might be 'friends' - these things take time. I'll crack it one day I hope!