Green Thing Blog

(Image: UCI)

If ever you needed inspiration to get out and Pedal The Pedals, here it is. Robert Marchand is 100 years old and still gets on his bike. In fact he is SO enthusiastic about cycling that he just broke a record for the furthest distance ridden in an hour in the 100-and-over-category. He cycled 15 miles to break the record. He didn't really have much compeition. Well, he is 100! Mr Manchard said he wanted to do something special to mark the occasion. Impressive stuff none the less. We commend you Mr Marchand.

Think its too chilly for a cycle? Then you need to read this!

(Spotted on Grist)

SHARE THIS

(All Images: Cambridge Design Partnership)

Many people who like to Pedal The Pedals still have to don a suit and tie in the morning. And suits and cycling don't exactly go hand in hand so what is a fella to do? You could try the Suitpack, a backpack designed specifically for suits, to make sure your suit remains sharp looking and crease free. The bag unfolds down and is easy to hang once opened and even has a compartment for your shoes.

Now you can keep cycling in the morning without having to stuff your suit into your desk drawer the night before or look like you've slept on a bench. Genius.

For clever cycling gear that will keep you safe at night check out these cute reflective badges.

(Spotted on Treehugger)

SHARE THIS

(Image: Dexigner)

When you combine Pedaling The Pedals with urban gardening it's almost impossible not to come up with something awesome. In this case we're talking about the PlantLock from the Front Yard Company.

(Image: J Bewley / Sustrans)

Whether it's outside your own home or in a public space, PlantLock is undoubtedly a very attractive and secure way to keep your bike safe. While providing a space for getting your fingers green it also has a bar perfect for locking up two bicycles.

It might look like a movable object but once the PlantLock is full of soil and colourful flowers it weighs about 75 Kg. That's not a flowerpot you're going to be picking up in a hurry. Plus, everyone knows that plants and green spaces help tackle crime.

So that's twice as safe, twice as useful and twice as eye catching. We love it twice as much as our current bike locks.

For more ways to lock up your bicycles, here are 10 great ideas to stop your two wheeled friend from getting nicked.

(Thanks to @NooraMorefield for sending this our way via Twitter)

SHARE THIS

(Image found on Sayingimages)

It looks like we were way behind on finding this little gem but now that we've seen it, we just had to share it.

With all these fantastic reasons to Pedal the Pedals, how can you not love your bike?

SHARE THIS

(Image: Copenhagenize) 

30 Days of Biking is exactly that.

30 days in a row of cycling every single day.

Whether that's a trip to the shop for some milk, the commute to work to avoid busy buses, a quick spin around the block or an all out 80 mile trip, as long as you're pedaling, it counts.

30 days of biking is not about speeds or times or beating anyone though. It's simply about jumping onto the saddle and Pedaling the Pedals at least once a day and then sharing your stories and experiences online. A tweet, a cheeky snap of you on your ride, an epic poem, a goofy video or a heartfelt blog about your favourite route.

(Image: Hermione DoNation) 

Set up in 2010 by Patrick Stephenson and Zachariah Schaap, 30 Days of Biking has got more and more popular and this year they hope it will be bigger than ever. Starting on April 1st, thousands of people around the world will start of their month long cycling challenge.

It doesn't matter what bike you have, whether you have the newest parts, the coolest accessories or the most high tech clothing. It doesn't matter if you get out of breath after 3 minutes or if you make The Hulk look a bit weedy.

And if you already cycle every day, great! Now you can challenge yourself. Cycle further,  cycle barefoot, try doing it backwards, pledge to be a cycling advocate, encourage others to ride, help kids learn to take care of their bikes. Or try this.

(Image: Ray Gibson) 

The ultimate purpose is health and happiness and belonging to the worldwide cycling community. Make sure you freewheel down a hill with your legs stuck out at least once and try and master the art of cycling with no hands. We guarantee that nothing will make you feel as young and carefree as these two things.

To sign up and pledge that you too will cycle every day for 30 days click here. And if you're a little unsure, take a look at all the people who have signed up so far and their reason for riding. It will definitely make you want to grease up your chain and dig out those Lycra shorts.

We'll see you on the cycle lane...

P.S. Need a little more inspiration before you jump onto the saddle? Check out our Epic Flight Free Journeys series, packed with plenty of pedaling action all around the world.

SHARE THIS