The advantages of a well maintained bicycle

Being a regular cyclist, I try to keep my bikes in running order. Unfortunately, not every bike in my household is in such great shape.

Rottnest Island has a handful of motorised vehicles which are operated by the authorities but for everyone else, the main mode of transport is the humble bicycle. Is it any wonder that I love it there so much?

The day before we headed to Rottnest, I had to make sure that all bikes were ready to roll. That’s when I noticed that Emily’s bike had two snapped spokes. I also noticed that very few of the moving parts on Pauline’s bike were, in fact, moving.

I did my best to get all bikes in full working order. I knew I’d have to pick up some extra spokes on the way to the ferry in the morning.

In the morning, we noticed that the front tyre on James’s bike was flat. I’d put some extra air in it the day before and it had obviously proved to be to much.

On our way to Rotto the next day I picked up the extra bits and pieces I needed.

Our first afternoon on Rottnest mainly consisted of me replacing spokes on Emily’s bike, replacing a tube on James’s bike and making a few adjustments here and there on other family bikes.

Just as well I find working on bikes to be relaxing and quite therapeutic.

Posted by Rodney Olsen

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About the author

Rodney Olsen

Rodney is a husband, father, cyclist, blogger and podcaster from Perth Western Australia.

He has worked in radio at Perth's media ministry Sonshine for over 25 years and has previously worked at ministries such as Compassion Australia and Bible Society.

The views he expresses here are his own.

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2 Comments

  • I hope you enjoyed your vacation. I think it would be nice to spend some time at a location where bikes are the primary means of transport. There is something very nice about the slower pace of the bicycle and how much more scenery there is to see. Even when I am trying to move fast on the bike, I can notice so many more details than in a car. Sadly, around here many of those details include the litter along the side of the roads.

  • It was wonderful, John.

    I enjoy the slower pace of a bike all the time but the difference with a place like Rottnest is that you don’t have to contend with all the other traffic which can make a ride less pleasant.

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