Mastering the City Cycles in my quest for 50 new things

choosemy bike
This week was Number 6 in my quest for 50 new things in my 50th year.  If you are new to my story, I turn 50 this year and have decided that each week I am going to do something new – never done before. Inspired by friends before me and my mantra of “when was the last time you did something for the first time”,  I have embarked on this little adventure with gusto! It turns out it is not so little and coming up with 50 new, never been done before things is quite a challenge. So far, I have hiked Mt Lofty, caught a fish, swum in a dam, hiked Cronan Creek Cascades and had a Reflexology Foot Massage, to which my right foot is still recovering. So today I set out to master the City Cyles of Brisbane. I have used the City Cyles in other great cities of the world but never in my own backyard. Last night, I Googled, logged on, charged the $2 for the day to my credit card and psyched myself up for it.  I made sure that the “cycle station” I went to was a quiet one – after all I didn’t want anyone watching me trying to figure this out. Besides, I am an intelligent woman – how hard can it be? choosemybikeMy first decision was to choose a bike. They all looked the same, so it came down to numbers. Making my way to the touch screen, I somehow found myself attempting to hire the City Cycle in Spanish! Deep breath – reset to English, and I was off with Number 10 bike. They always go faster and Number One was out. The bike riding was the easy part, so I set myself a challenge that if I could get to the Ice Cream shop in under 30 minutes, then I could drop the bike off at the next station, eat my ice cream, grab another bike, and do the return trip without paying any excess. All started well – only one tradesman jumped out of my way. I think it was the big “Lipton Iced Tea” sign in yellow coming straight at him that startled him. I was off – 30 minutes and three gears – I could do it.   Those of you who know me, understand that I like to run quite a bit. As I was riding, I found myself wandering into the pedestrian lanes, out of pure habit. Fortunately for the whole of Brisbane, the Kangaroo Point Cliffs area was quiet today and an international incident with a tourist and a local was avoided. It was really liberating though, me and the bike, on a 30 minute mission. I even got HUGE smiles and waves from the City Cycle crew who maintain the bikes. Perhaps they were just really excited to see someone using the bikes (or maybe I did really look like a goose!) On target for the ice cream shop (it is a big deal as I don’t normally eat ice cream and I was heading for Cold Rock) and I pull up to the City Cycle station with seconds to spare. Only to find that all the bikes are in and there are NO SPARE SPOTS to drop my bike back. Oh dear, the plan is out the window, Cold Rock was beckoning. What to do? Find another station or ice cream? What anyone would do – head straight to the ice cream shop. Honeycomb ice cream with freckle add ins. Those pesky Ibis birds don’t like ice cream either, so I could eat in peace.  At this point I was over my free 30 minutes and time was ticking into the next 30 minute block. The warm day was melting the ice cream fast so I hustled along, leaving not a drip. My challenge was to get back within the next 20 minutes or I would have to pay AGAIN. Off I went, having a race with another City Cycle lady, cut through a tunnel and made it back with 10 minutes to spare. So there is adventure Number 6.  Having mastered the City Cycles, it is actually a great way to go. I might even jump on a bike next time I am out on a long run. Shh, don’t tell my coach though. Yvonne is the Chief Adventure Officer at Women’s Fitness Adventures. She turns 50 this year  

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Yvonne Shepherd, CEO of Women's Fitness Adventures

Yvonne Shepherd is the Founder & CEO of Women’s Fitness Adventures.

Established in 2014, Women’s Fitness Adventures encourages women to become stronger for life through fitness, adventure and social connection. We do this through our online fitness & hike training programs, thriving online community and our in person multi day adventures in Australia and around the world.

Women everywhere are enjoying the support, friendship and inspiration found inside the Women’s Fitness Adventures community as they connect in real time through our online active adventures that can be done in your location, regardless of where you live.  Your area is our area because we cover every corner of Australia and would love you to join us.

Whether you are ready to go on a hiking adventure right now or it is in the planning, our Hike Training Courses, Masterclasses, Adventure Ready resources and Hike Fitness Programs will equip you with the skills and knowledge to guarantee you success and have the best time ever.

Thanks,
Yvonne

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