My older brother Michel lives in Melbourne, Australia. When he’s not working, he spends most of his time training for yet another mind boggling race, such as the Iron Man…yes, he’s a triathlete. Or he rides his off road motorbike around another continent. What I didn’t know when I started Amsterdamize this summer is that he (silently) had become an avid reader.
He loves it so much (and he misses Amsterdam just a wee bit, of course) that he asked me to help him start up Melbournize. So, I did. I also figured it would take him a while to start posting, but guess what…today I found out I’m already behind in my reading :).
Gazelle Toer Favoriet
Melbournize is still a work in progress, but it will be finished up soon enough. Meanwhile, why don’t you give my brother a shout out and some words of support, he’d appreciate that.
Cheers big ears,
Marc
PS 1) the Gazelle distributor in Sidney has a pretty awesome vintage promotional video on their site of the history and the construction of a Gazelle bicycle. ‘Piet Pelle on his Gazelle’ was a famous line and cartoon back then. Have a look below.
PS 2) that same distributor really gets it, knows how to sell it to the Ozzies, a few excerpts:
Up until recently in Australia, if you asked your bike shop for a commuter bike you would be encouraged to puchase either a “mountain bike” (designed to go up and down mountains!), “flat bar road bike” or a “race bike”. With most bikes on the market, it is common for the rider to have to purchase a multitude of accessories to cope with the practicalities of using a bike as a serious transport tool. Lights front and rear, chain and mud guards, pannier racks, stands and locks usually are purchased in addition to the bike. Because these accessories are after-market, the fitment and style of these parts is often a comprimise. With Gazelle, you can ride a true “commuter bike” that has all the accessories you need as standard to cycle in all weather conditions, day and night!
In the 21st century with petrol prices, traffic congestion, pollution and obesity increasing daily, there is a humble machine that can help overcome these problems…the wonderful bicycle!
Every day in Australia, more and more people are rediscovering the benefits of cycling, whether to work, school, the shops or for recreation. Local governments are beginning to invest in bicycling infrastructure which means now is a great time to get on a bike, get fit and have fun. Now that Gazelle has landed in Australia, the beginning of the bicycling revolution has begun.
WHAT TO DO NOW?