Daniel

What got you into cycling?

I grew up riding with my dad and brother. Later, in my teenage years, cycling was my first taste of independence. I would ride for coffee with a friend,explore the backstreets of my local area - once I even delivered a love letter halfway across town by bicycle!

As the story often goes, my cycling dwindled to nothing as I got my driver’s licence and spent more and more time and money on my car. The catalyst for getting back on my bike was moving to Goodwood in 2015 and buying a bike ‘just to ride on the weekends’. I soon discovered it was so convenient and fun that I could replace more and more of my trips by car. I sold my car in 2016, and the rest is history!

What does cycling mean to you?

Cycling is such a special way of experiencing the world. It’s my preferred way of traveling, what I like to do for fun in my spare time and what I spend far too much time dreaming about! I especially like how, in riding around, I am part of the places I ride through. I feel the distance between places, the slope of the ground and the change in wind and temperature across the seasons far more keenly than when I’m in a car or even on foot. I also love how often I bump into somebody I know or have a random conversation with a stranger. Cycling is often the best part of my day - and I get to do it everyday!

Tell us about your bike; What do you like most about it?

This Bassi Bloomfield is a custom build I had put together mid last year. I was inspired by the cool bikes I’d seen online from places like San Francisco, New York and Tokyo. My favourite part is the front basket, it's practical and it looks cool. Seriously, everyone should have a way to carry things on their bike. It’s a game changer for the role a bicycle can play in your life!

Any advice to people wanting to get into cycling?

Anyone on any bike is awesome. Don’t sweat about whether you should be doing things one way or another or riding this type of bike or that. You don’t have to be a racer or wear lycra or even know much about your bike if you don’t want to. Have a go riding somewhere close, and go from there. If you have someone you know who rides regularly, ask them to go for a ride with you. You could even come along to an Unley BUG social ride!