Push it real good

Friday 26 November 2010, 10:03 AM
By The Team | Posted in Things

Yeah, yeah, yeah. We all know bikes are cool. Hell, they’re so cool they’ve got their own festival. Hats off to you, Bikefest! We’re not complaining about the recent surge in bike popularity. In fact, we’re right up there with the flag waving, bell ringing and tyre inflating.

But we’re also wary of a world in which bikes are a trend. Bikes are not Coca-Cola Yo-Yos, OMC or bocconcini and spinach salad. No indeed: bikes are simply a beautiful way of getting around.

In old Melbourne town, we’ve had a few new bike-friendly services popping up that make bike riding in the city even better.

The most obvious one is the Melbourne Bike Share service that’s really taken off in recent weeks. Now you can buy a $5 helmet from participating 7-Eleven stores or from – wait for it – vending machines at Southern Cross Station and at Melbourne University.

So if you forget your helmet there’s an easy solution at hand. You can keep your helmet or return it and get $3 refund.

 But we think the best thing about Melbourne Bike Share is that now you can ride in the city but you don’t have to ride into the city to do it.

Regular cyclists know that riding a bike is often the quickest way from A to B through the city – so being able to jump on one at any time is really rather wonderful.

The other thing that’s worth knowing about is the free bike pod at the City Square.

This sweet little service is especially good news on hot summer days when you arrive in town a little bit sticky, or when you’re merrily pedalling along and the sky decides a spontaneous deluge is just what your journey needs.

Pop into the bike pod and grab a free shower. The pods are roomy, clean and there’s even space for you to park your bike under cover. (You’ll need to bring your own shower stuff.)

So there you go. While it’s lots of fun to think about bikes as the flavour of the fest, month or year, it’s even better to think about bikes as a part of city living. And these two services will help you do that.

Happy riding, folks!

That one day in September

Saturday 25 September 2010, 10:59 AM
By The Team | Posted in Events

In our competition to win tickets to the 2010 Toyota AFL Grand Final this week we asked entrants why they were excited about the blockbuster Collingwood v St Kilda game at the ‘G. We received more than 1800 entries and as we settle in for that one day in September, when the electric grand final atmosphere crackles around the city, we thought we’d share our favourites with you.

Why are you excited about the 2010 Toyota AFL Grand Final?

Eamonn: Because my Grandmother always told me “You can scream whatever you like on Grand Final Day  and no-one will hear you.”

Mark: Saturday will be the best and most anticipated clash between two great sides for the season. Having the chance to watch the game live is priceless.

Melanie: The National Anthem – it’s the only time I get excited to sing it! You get goose bumps!

Marika: After a long wet winter I’m really looking forward to the warm buzz that creeps through Melbourne in grand final week.

Marita: I’ve barracked for St Kilda since I was born (no choice in the matter!). My brother has barracked for Collingwood since he was born (no choice either!). One of us will be happy!

Mira: My husband is a Canadian-convert to AFL. He ‘absolutely love’’ the game and has never been to the MCG. He would cry I think.

Alma: I want to win so I can get my ugly mug on camera and taunt my Collingwood mad ex-husband who couldn’t get tickets!

Lee: Two Victorian teams. Two old rivals. History. Excitement. Heart ache. This is what our great game is all about.

William: A magpie swooped on me yesterday as I cycled along the Yarra. Seeing them loose would be retribution.

Sam: My city is alive with bravado and my heart is in my throat. Love Grand Final Week.  I can’t get enough of it. GO SAINTS!

Raelene: Two teams hungry for victory. A match that I’m dying to see! Bring it on. Let it begin. May the best team win!

Nicole: Recently big-noted (lied) to old friend claiming I’d secure grand final tickets should her beloved St Kilda succeed. I’m busted and can’t deliver!  Please help!

Claudia: Melbourne is a great place to live! One day in September is a day that I celebrate being a Melbournian. It’s one day in the year where we can eat a party pie, have a drink of beer and yell out on the top of our lungs ‘Come on Pies!’ from our television box!

Andrea: All the single country and interstate guys that travel to Melbourne for the grand final gives a single city girl hope!

Robbie: The smell of freshly cut grass, footy jumpers at work, barbeques with mates, sports sections on the tram, butterflies in the stomach. Excited? You bet.

Felisia: Collingwood is in the grand final and we’re so excited. It almost overshadows our tenth wedding anniversary which is on the same weekend!

Belinda: Sights, sounds, colours. A packed MCG. Two teams. One dream. The crowd roars. Intense pressure. The siren sounds. One team stands tall – that’s melbourne!

Laura: Get to see lots of lovely men in tight shorts, running around getting all hot and sweaty!

Looking for somewhere to watch the game? Federation Square will be screening all the action and entertainment from the 2010 Toyota AFL Grand Final live on the big screen from 1.30pm.

Melbourne Insider: Tiffany Cherry’s a good sport

Thursday 16 September 2010, 12:52 PM
By The Team | Posted in People and Places

Tiffany Cherry’s life and loves seem to match those of many Melburnians: sport, the city and a Saturday morning coffee with a dear friend. Seems you can be a super athlete, a sports presenter, totally glamorous and still treasure simple pleasures.

Tiffany Cherry spilled some of her city secrets in today’s City Weekly. Here’s the extra intel she saved especially for you!

What is your absolute favourite sport to participate in, in the city?

I LOVE running the Tan.

What’s the best time to run the Tan?

Best time to run the Tan is in the morning all year round… and especially on the weekend when, after your run, you can kick back with a friend, share a coffee and a laugh and catch up on the weekend’s papers. It is my absolute favourite run in the world.

What’s the strangest thing you’ve seen either on a city bike track or running track?

Santa running on Christmas Day.

Best place to grab brekkie in the city after a workout?

Liaison Cafe, Monaco House, 22 Ridgeway Place is the BEST place in the city for brekkie or simply a coffee.

Best place for ‘pre-gaming’ in the city, uh, pre-game?

Transport Hotel, Fed Square is the perfect location for your pre-game warm-up.

Best non-sport-sport and favourite place to play it?

Crown has the best non-sport sport … take your pick with bowling, poker or simply watching sport on the big screens.

How do you think Melbourne came to be so sports mad?

Melbourne is so sports mad because we have such a great layout for sporting facilities. If you build the stadiums, people and sports stars will come.

Greatest Melbourne sporting legend?

Raelene Boyle is Australia’s greatest sporting legend who deserved to be an Olympic champion. Kevin Sheedy and Craig Bellamy close runner ups.

 Greatest moment in Melbourne‘s sporting history?

Phar Lap’s 1930 Melbourne Cup-winning run.

Five words to describe Melbourne‘s sports scene?

Educated, passionate, world class fanatics.

You can catch Tiffany every Friday night as part of SEN radio’s broadcast of the AFL, as well as weekdays Monday to Thursday during 6-8.30pm as sports presenter on SkyNews and as one of the hosts of Foxtel’s coverage of the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games.