Café Cruisers: Leisure Cyclists

Leisure cycling ticks so many boxes for me. It’s now my major hobby, my main exercise, a big part of my social life and very much part of who I am.

I should say here that I am not a praying-mantis shaped racer dressed in skin-tight lycra that looks like it’s been sprayed on. (Some of my cycling clothes are tight, but only around the belly and belt). I am leisure cyclist and I do it for fun. “I feel like I’m ten years old!” said one of my riding pals recently. “I’ve just spent all day having fun on my bike, going to the beach and hanging out with my gang.”

I was well into my fifties when I was coerced into cycling by a friend. I was a ‘newbie’: unfit, ill-equipped, a bit scared and a little wobbly. But I liked it, and I kept doing it. My wife started cycling with me and we have discovered that it is a great thing to do as a couple. We started rendezvousing with other friends for Saturday rides and soon there were a hundred of us!

Our group is called the Café Cruisers; it’s very informal and we say there are only two rules: be safe, and be nice! We are an odd assortment of people from all over Auckland [including Blockhouse Bay] and with varying fitness and experience.

Rides are on paths or quiet roads, typically 15-30km with usually a cafe at the start and a lunch together at another cafe. Occasionally we travel out-of-town, especially on long weekends, and have great adventures. Most people ride hybrid or leisure style bikes but basically anything with wheels would suit our style of riding.

If you would like to know more, check out Café Cruisers Auckland on Facebook.

John Cowan

www.facebook.com/groups/cafecruisers/