Pedal to the metal
Cycling has never been more popular, or more accessible.
Words: Karl Puschmann
Photography:
If someone says they're a cyclist, where does your mind race to? Do you picture them barrelling down rugged, twisty tracks through the forest, gliding freely past congested cars on the morning commute, or, perhaps, enjoying a leisurely ride on a freshly charged e-bike?
If someone says they're a cyclist, really, that could mean anything. Cycling is a sport, a hobby, a means of transport, and a social activity. For many cyclists, it's all of the above. For Alex Beaven, cycling is all about connection.
"It's a real social thing for me, more than anything," he says. "It's pretty rare I go for a ride by myself these days."
As Sales Lead at bike shop MEC Mt Eden, there's no shortage of people to go for a cycle with. Every Tuesday and Thursday at 6 am, a group that can sometimes number up to 50 enthusiasts gathers outside the doors of the long-established bike shop to go for a morning ride.
"Cyclists are morning people," he grins. "We do a 30k ride, and it typically takes about an hour and a half. Depending on how quick you are. And obviously, coffee at the café next door afterwards. That's very important." Everyone is welcome to join the free cycle, with the group splitting into smaller groups based on skill level and catering to everyone from super-fast experienced riders right through to beginners.
"It's friendly to come along, too. The only things you need are a light, a good helmet, and a friendly can-do attitude." MEC can be considered Uptown's cycling hub, assisting everyone from kids to casuals to pros looking to drop $20,000 on a technologically cutting-edge cycle. The shop opened its doors 19 years ago and has become an integral part of the community so much so that they attracted the attention of the internationally recognised top cycling brand Specialized, which would go on to buy the store.
"The expertise and R&D that goes into the high-end stuff is pretty impressive," Alex says. "The top-performing bikes are not by any means cheap, but they're appealing to a certain person who wants the best of the best. Much like buying a Porsche."
They also have cycles that, as Alex jokes, "we don't need mortgages to enjoy," with a wide range of performance bikes, mountain bikes, road bikes, commuting bikes, and e-bikes on hand. Alex says the increase in cycle lanes and cycle awareness on the roads is having a positive impact on its popularity and making it safer for people.
"We get a huge number of people wanting something they can commute around on and get into the city quickly in the bike lanes, and then at the weekend go down and ride one of the bike trails," he says. "And we do have bikes for that. They're kind of like a crossover mountain bike."
And while some grizzle and moan about cycle lanes popping up, it has to be remembered that each cyclist is easing traffic by taking another car off the road.
"People forget that we're not necessarily cycling because we don't have a car. It's a passion," he says. "It's something that can just get you from A to B, but we do it for fun. We enjoy it."
More than anything, the emergence of e-bikes has been a massive game-changer, reducing the barrier of entry and making cycling accessible.
"It used to be seen as something that you had to be quite fit to do. Nowadays, you can get on an e-bike, and anyone can do it. We're seeing a much greater variety of people through the store than we've ever seen in the past."
His professional advice for anyone looking to get into cycling is simply "give it a go". You don't need a big budget or fancy gear. Heck, you may not even need a bike.
"Most of us know someone who's a cyclist. Ask if you can borrow a bike from them and go for a ride with them."
Then he smiles and says, "If you know someone passionate about cycling, then it's normally pretty contagious."
Training Wheels
Looking to get into cycling?
Here's Alex's top tips to getting started.
1: Know your mission
There are so many different bikes these days that if you know what you're trying to achieve, that gives us a much better understanding of which bike is going to suit you. Think about what you see yourself doing and what motivates you to ride.
2: Know your budget
To get into cycling, don't overstretch yourself. You don't need to spend a lot of money. You want to be happy spending what you're about to spend. It's easy to see an entry-level bike and think, "Oh, that's not going to be any good for me. I need to spend more." You don't.
3: Know your plan
Once you've got it, just make sure you ride it. Don't keep it in the garage. Make a plan and ride the damn thing! Don't come in and spend money and then not ride it.
If someone says they're a cyclist, really, that could mean anything. Cycling is a sport, a hobby, a means of transport, and a social activity. For many cyclists, it's all of the above. For Alex Beaven, cycling is all about connection.
"It's a real social thing for me, more than anything," he says. "It's pretty rare I go for a ride by myself these days."
As Sales Lead at bike shop MEC Mt Eden, there's no shortage of people to go for a cycle with. Every Tuesday and Thursday at 6 am, a group that can sometimes number up to 50 enthusiasts gathers outside the doors of the long-established bike shop to go for a morning ride.
"Cyclists are morning people," he grins. "We do a 30k ride, and it typically takes about an hour and a half. Depending on how quick you are. And obviously, coffee at the café next door afterwards. That's very important." Everyone is welcome to join the free cycle, with the group splitting into smaller groups based on skill level and catering to everyone from super-fast experienced riders right through to beginners.
"It's friendly to come along, too. The only things you need are a light, a good helmet, and a friendly can-do attitude." MEC can be considered Uptown's cycling hub, assisting everyone from kids to casuals to pros looking to drop $20,000 on a technologically cutting-edge cycle. The shop opened its doors 19 years ago and has become an integral part of the community so much so that they attracted the attention of the internationally recognised top cycling brand Specialized, which would go on to buy the store.
"The expertise and R&D that goes into the high-end stuff is pretty impressive," Alex says. "The top-performing bikes are not by any means cheap, but they're appealing to a certain person who wants the best of the best. Much like buying a Porsche."
They also have cycles that, as Alex jokes, "we don't need mortgages to enjoy," with a wide range of performance bikes, mountain bikes, road bikes, commuting bikes, and e-bikes on hand. Alex says the increase in cycle lanes and cycle awareness on the roads is having a positive impact on its popularity and making it safer for people.
"We get a huge number of people wanting something they can commute around on and get into the city quickly in the bike lanes, and then at the weekend go down and ride one of the bike trails," he says. "And we do have bikes for that. They're kind of like a crossover mountain bike."
And while some grizzle and moan about cycle lanes popping up, it has to be remembered that each cyclist is easing traffic by taking another car off the road.
"People forget that we're not necessarily cycling because we don't have a car. It's a passion," he says. "It's something that can just get you from A to B, but we do it for fun. We enjoy it."
More than anything, the emergence of e-bikes has been a massive game-changer, reducing the barrier of entry and making cycling accessible.
"It used to be seen as something that you had to be quite fit to do. Nowadays, you can get on an e-bike, and anyone can do it. We're seeing a much greater variety of people through the store than we've ever seen in the past."
His professional advice for anyone looking to get into cycling is simply "give it a go". You don't need a big budget or fancy gear. Heck, you may not even need a bike.
"Most of us know someone who's a cyclist. Ask if you can borrow a bike from them and go for a ride with them."
Then he smiles and says, "If you know someone passionate about cycling, then it's normally pretty contagious."
Training Wheels
Looking to get into cycling?
Here's Alex's top tips to getting started.
1: Know your mission
There are so many different bikes these days that if you know what you're trying to achieve, that gives us a much better understanding of which bike is going to suit you. Think about what you see yourself doing and what motivates you to ride.
2: Know your budget
To get into cycling, don't overstretch yourself. You don't need to spend a lot of money. You want to be happy spending what you're about to spend. It's easy to see an entry-level bike and think, "Oh, that's not going to be any good for me. I need to spend more." You don't.
3: Know your plan
Once you've got it, just make sure you ride it. Don't keep it in the garage. Make a plan and ride the damn thing! Don't come in and spend money and then not ride it.