mambi's commute
Written by: Samantha Boswell
Age: 29
Lives: Sydney, Australia
Rides: Live 2
sam@spikeandmambi.com
December: I Ride for Robert
30 november 2009
The Globe experience is a unique one for me, I feel like there is this small global community that I am both humbled and grateful to be a part of. The thing is I feel like I am getting to know the fellow globers more and more, even though we've never met, It's like we're starting to get to know one another like some kind of random tour group on holiday or something, where we share similar experiences, varied interests but a common goal.
So if the glober page was a tour bus, then we used to sit next to each other at the back, but now we're all shuffled about, so Robert this post is for you. Your story really affected me so I want to help you out in the little way I think I can, from one glober to another. December I ride for you.
So here's what i'm going to do:
For the month of December, for each time I ride to/from work I will donate the money I would have spent on the bus or train to Robert. Now I know this isn't a lot, and that i'm not riding every day yet, but it'll motivate me more knowing I'm helping you in a small way. Who knows, maybe it'll catch on?
For those of you who aren't lucky enough to be on the glober tour bus, please spread the word to help our fellow glober kick cancer's arse.
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The Heart of Sydney
28 november 2009
If Sydney was a heart, then the city is on the brink of a major heart attack.
Its main roads are permanently clogged and this weekend was no exception. I braved the 34 degree day and ventured up onto the busy Parramatta rd... why? ...for a 20% sale!
Earlier in the week a friend at work shot me through an email of something I might be interested in... a hand printed fabric shop over in Annandale that was having a sale. I figured I may be able to pick up a couple of hand made things to festive up the place for our first xmas at home, or draw some inspiration for some future screen printing projects. Either way I couldn’t resist.
So I packed my camera, a large bottle of water and plastered on the sunscreen. My ride was fun, but the roads were busy, every road is busy... in particular Parramatta rd; it’s one of the main arteries into the city and it’s bloody awful to drive on let alone ride on. Picture, six pot holed lanes, filled with traffic lights, where one can pick up a wedding dress or a second hand car. And it’s shabby, really shabby. Lucky for me it doesn’t have much pedestrian traffic, so I rode the pavement.
I arrived at Annadale, one okkey strap lighter (must have fallen off on a bump), locked up Elliot and headed into the shop to drool over the beautiful hand printed fabrics. A load of new ideas sprang to mind, one really does need to learn how to sew first! That didn’t stop me from picking up some printed linen napkins for xmas dinner and tree decorations.
On the way home, I made a stop at Shenkin Cafe (from my video) to say ‘Hi’ to the guys and grab a well earned icy cold drink with Chris - Elliot was perched next to the cafe window, being admired by passers by (including a thirsty Rottweiler who stopped for a drink!). Afterwards we checked out a flat for sale up the road, which was lovely, but Sydney prices along with its roads are enough to make anyone’s heart skip a beat.
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Sam I love your photos and I also love your new bike, it is so freeing to ride a bike around a city that you are used to driving/walking/training around. Makes me wish I didn't live in 'hill country' so I would be more motivated to ride. I love your idea of contribution also. :-)
Kylie
Friday Photos
27 november 2009
Elliot likes riding through the seedy parts of town... she picked up (milk), 'cause she's got a good rack!
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Your photos of Elliot have been gorgeous! You're such a talented photographer!
Courtnee
Lovely framed photos!
Dan
Small Cars Only
26 november 2009
Elliot waits patiently in the 'Small Car' rack... while I work.
P.S. Happy Thankgiving fellow Globers!
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Guys and Girls
22 november 2009
In life, a single guy can take a puppy to the park and gain a lot of female attention. I'm guessing this is for two reasons: firstly the girl likes puppies, they're all cute and stuff and secondly it's not late at a bar, the ugly lights aren't about to come on and there is no alcohol involved, therefore no threat at all!
For girls however it's a little different... would a guy approach a girl to pat a puppy, i'm not sure. but this weekend I discovered all a girl needs is a hot ride! Seriously! Let me explain...
Saturday saw Elliot, Chris and I down at the local food market, a small affair at Eveleigh, where we headed to pick up some essentials...bread, juice and flowers. Not long after entering the market, Elliot and I were swiftly approached by lovely American guy who was all over Elliot like a rash. It was both sweet and humbling... and i'm 110% sure he's been on the Globe site! (see sneaky pic!). 
Anyway we stopped for some juice, I picked out some flowers, while Elliot patiently waited and Chris grabbed some yummy walnut bread and just when we were ready to leave...BAM! Another guy stopped me about the bike, he had his with him so i'm guessing it was more like bike appreciation ('That is one awesome bike'), much like puppy love.
So in the words of Beyonce: to all the single ladies - when deciding what to take to the park, market or anywhere... I say grab a hot ride, you'll be pleasantly surprised ;)
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Friday Photos
21 november 2009
Sorry Friday photos had to be taken on Saturday. Elliot and I didn't get to the harbour on Friday as planned due to thunderstorms, but we did make it to the market!
picked up some essentials...flowers and walnut bread.
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Love these pics. The one of the front rack with the purchases is simply beautiful!
Brenda
These are lovely photos!
Dan Nguyen-Tan
Third Time's a Charm
18 november 2009
Like they say third time's a charm, and today was my third attempt at 'The Commute' and yep I nailed it! This kid can ride! It was a proud moment... not getting lost, knocking 20mins off my first attempt and mapping my route for complete ease.
Not a lot to report on the ride front, except Elliot enjoys being checked out (a lot)... This morning I clocked the oldest man in the world smiling at my sweet ride. i'm guessing it reminded him of a past times.... or maybe he was smiling about the permanent grin I have plastered on my face whenever Elliot and I are out? Either way it was pretty funny.
Elliot has also been gaining attention in the office. Since I've been commuting into work, I seem to be giving a few orientation/meet Elliot tours, which entail: checking out the bike enclosure (of course saying 'hi' to Elliot), shower facilities, where to get your pass activated and what lifts to take (bit of a maze). Once I figure where the goods lifts goes, i'm thinking i'll bring Elliot into the office for the day to meet the rest of the crew, so they can coo over my newborn!
My other plan this week is to knock off work on time and take Elliot down to Circular Quay for a bit of a tourist ride. We'll see some sights, take pics and enjoy the lovely weather on two wheels... Photo friday is looking good already. 
So i'll finish up with a couple of pics from last weekend, and what a nice one it was. We got up early and headed over to Bondi to check out the annual sculpture by the sea event, taking the coastal walk from Tamarama Beach to Bondi (without Elliot, way too crowded), which was lovely, warm (got slightly burnt), and crazily busy for the morning...I forgot people with kids get up early too! Had a bite to eat in Bondi, dipped our toes in the water, then headed back to sunny Erskineville AKA Erko, for the bi-annual school fete, or Erko Beserko! An inner city school, that grows it's own fruit and veg and encourages bike riding...love it! (see last pic! So cute).
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I think that a lot of people have been checking out my bike too. One day, a teen-aged boy at the high school even said my bike was, "awesome." Considering all the boys I see on BMX bikes, I took that as a huge compliment.
Courtnee
Friday Photos
13 november 2009
Chris met up with me and spent a little time with Elliot!
and Elliot with some street art...
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I know i'm very lucky, she's totally hot!
Mambi
My, that is one sexy bike!
Jessica
Baby Steps: Take Two
12 november 2009
I like to think when it comes to reading a map, i'm like a man. I don't need to turn the thing around or upside down in order to understand it...i'm all over it. Until this morning...
So last night I spent the evening designing, and googling all things Sydney cycling related and BANG I found an awesome little site that lets you search for cycle routes based on suburb and also rating (yep beginners). I was lucky enough to find one that takes me fairly close to where I need to go, for beginners! (here's the map)
So this morning, after printing off the route, I was off. All was going well until I hit Redfern (again); one wrong turn saw me heading slowly back to my place, Elliot was not amused. We pulled over, took 5 and unfortunately resorted to referring to my iPhone... I felt defeated. But all (or rather I) was not lost, after a bit of quick pedaling through some streets I wouldn't venture down at night, I found a string of cyclists and then the cycle paths, which lead us to town.
I followed them as best as I could keep up, and started to feel like one of them... it was awesome! Today didn't see any major road crossings - which was lucky - for as I was walking my bike across a busy street I actually bumped into an old friend! For the record, this never happens to me for two reasons: firstly I've only lived in Sydney 2 years, and secondly I really don't think I know that many people... so Jodie met Elliot and from one (motor) cyclist to another: "Dude this is a seriously cool bike!". I was thrilled! It was nice to share a few blocks with Jodie and catch up on news before we parted ways. Elliot and I cycled on, a little late, but happy.
I awaited 5:30pm, eager to retrace my new route with Elliot and perhaps get it right... 5pm saw the heavens open, not just rain, but thunder, lightening the works. I paced the office willing it to stop, which didn't have any effect, and I anxiously left Elliot safely underground, locked and within a bike enclosure.
Tomorrow sees sunshine... and I can't wait till 5:30pm to roll round.
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Baby Steps
09 november 2009
I now understand the whole 'You need to walk before you run' saying. This morning was my first big ride into the city... now I know any 'cyclist' will be laughing... as my big ride consists of about 5kms!. But to me it's a small milestone. I was so nervous and perhaps still hungover from Saturday's 'Wetting the baby's head' (no just kidding it was my 30th celebration!), that I thought I was going to vomit... 
The ride started out fairly well, as I pedaled my nervousness away and followed the cycle path,the sun shining, what a beautiful morning, then I hit Redfern. What happened to the cycle path? Oh it was replaced with busy roads and crazy motorists leaving me a little disorientated! The closer I got to the city the busier it became. So in short, I whimped out a little by riding both on the road and slowly
on the footpath (which is probably illegal, i'm not sure). I arrived at work early!, even after taking 5 to find the bike enclosure, then the showers (which aren't on the same floor!) and had a smile on my face!(I did it!) All that aside, I looked forward to my ride home with Elliot, and to enjoy a little early evening sunshine, while remembering to pick up some okie straps and a reflective vest for the next ride!
On reflection I know this will get easier, I will find a new paths that won't involve navigating 6 lanes of traffic, I will get quicker and my confidence will grow but I figure for now it's baby steps for me.
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Everyone's commute looks different. Don't compare yourself to any sort of standard for a commuter cyclist. you know your streets and you'll get more comfortable with your commute sooner than you think.
Courtnee
Before you know it you'll be an old pro! My mornings are just not the same if I have to take the subway to work. Smiling and biking pretty much go together like beer and pizza. Ride on! Matt - Fellow Glober
Matt
Announcement
06 november 2009
Mambi is pleased to anounce the arrival of Elliot, born November 4 at 11:19am, weighing a healthy 18kg, both Mambi and Elliot are doing fine and arrived home safely the same evening.
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Congrats1 Did you get your bike on the fourth or was it made on the fourth? When I was looking for the information to register my bike, I found that the "date of birth" is on the bottom of some gear drum thing on the bottom of the bike.
Courtnee
Congratulations on the birth of your very lovely bicycle. I look forward to following your blog since I have several female friends in the market to buy bicycles and I'm hoping to steer them in the Globe Live Mixte direction.
Dan Nguyen-Tan
YAY!!!!
Jessica
The Live relationship
01 november 2009
Like an expectant father on the eve of the birth of his first born I wait... My stomach churns as it fills with anticipation, happiness and uncertainty of the unknown. Will this new thing in my life be something I will bond with? Will we agree with each other? Or will it be a case of you take the high road and well, I'll just catch the bus or something.
No people, I have not had a sex change, gotten into a whirlwind relationship with a girl and consequently about to become a father, but I have scored a new ride. A bike actually, not a crazy one that requires me to adorn Lycra (or leather for that matter, thank god) but one that will, I hope, be my leisurely, easy going commute to work.
So as part of my green bit, lifestyle change and fear of enclosed spaces, I'm taking part in the globe experience...or perhaps experiment! I entered their contest to be a part of making cars the minority, bikes the majority, and to get a non-cyclist type like myself on a bike that's fitted to my needs. So instead of writing about my want for one of these lovely two wheeled objects, I made a short video showing my daily commute and how it would change... take a look and turn up the sound!
So as I await my new Live, pacing excitedly while refraining from biting my nails, I wonder... what will our relationship bring? Will we form an everlasting bond that one will miss when separated? And what new paths will we form together... well you'll just have to wait and see.
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Comments (4)
Your video is adorable - really sweet. Congrats on your beautiful wheels! I posted it here... http://fortheloveofbikes.blogspot.com/2010/06/hello-globes-live-via-australia.html
for the LOVE of bikes
Very cool.
Jon
Hey! It's a pleasure to be a part of the Globe Experience with you. Thank you for your support and the link on the right. That's very kind of you. I'm honored and humbled.
Rob
That was a charming video; I can see why Globe chose you.
Courtnee
What you're doing is really lovely regardless of the dollar amount.
Courtnee