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The Bike Lesson

Just discovered Dr Seuss' "The Bike Lesson"

Come here, Small Bear,

Here is something you will like

look, Ma, look!

A brand new bike!

Thanks, dad! Thanks!

For me, you say?

I am going to ride it

right away!

Not yet, not yet,

not yet, my son...

First come the lessons,

then the fun.

How to get on is lesson one.

12 things you might not know about Cadel...

Overnight Cadel Evans became a household name in Australia...and indeed perhaps the world.  Australians who had never before entertained the thought of riding to the shop for some milk, let alone donning lycra, are now caught up in the magic that is cycling.  I have goosebumps just writing that statement, because for years cycling has struggled to gain a few centimetres ad space on the sporting pages despite Australians being hugely successful on the international cycling scene.  Today we see a man in a yellow jersey grinning from ear to ear on the front pages of every newpaper in the country.  The Tour de France is THAT big.  Cadel's win is even bigger.

For many reading this blog you probably caught the cycling bug a long time ago and you are aware that Cadel's win is a fitting crescendo for a man who has overcome huge setbacks over the last 10 years.  We have watched him grapple with the Alps, The Pyrenees and the elusive time trial many times with bad luck and little team support.  This year was always going to be Cadel's year and he didn't let his supporters down.  On Sunday evening (AEST) he likely gained millions more followers and hero status within sport-obsessed Australia.  They know that an Aussie guy won a HUGE bike race in France and that for reasons that escape them...it is a big deal.  They probably didn't endure sleep deprivation over 3 weeks watching every gripping moment of the most challenging sporting event in the world.  But they now know who Cadel Evans is.  He is a cyclist.  Cycling is making front page news all around Australia, and for those of us who are passionate about getting more people riding more often, especially kids, Cadel's win is nothing short of a bonanza!

Cadel in his early days.  Courtesy of http://rideons.files.wordpress.com

But do people really know that much about the man who is dominating headlines around the country?  Here are 12 things you may not know about Cadel Evans.

1. Evans was born in Katherine and spent his early years in the remote Bamyili community of Australia’s Northern Territory.

2. Evans has a dog called Molly who became quite famous during the 2008 Tour de France when her master was being interviewed directly after losing the yellow jersey in stage 15. When someone got to close to the little dog, the Australian shouted, “Don't stand on my dog, or I cut your head off!” (courtesy www.cyclingnews.com)  Cadel turned it into a joke and subsequently made t-shirts using the slogan.

3. Evans is a passionate advocate for the Tibet movement and sponsors a Tibetan child "Tashi" whom he and his wife Chiara have visited. “Trying to bring awareness of the Tibet movement is something someone in my position can do. I just feel really sorry for them. They don’t harm anyone and they are getting their culture taken away from them.  I don't want to see a repeat of what happened to Aboriginal culture [in Australia] happen to another culture.'' he’s said. (quote courtesy of www.smh.com.au).

4. Before turning to road cycling in 2001, Evans was a champion mountain biker, winning the World Cup in 1998 and 1999 and placing seventh in the men's mountain bike event at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

5. Cadel completed the 2010 TDF with a broken elbow.

6. A biography, "Cadel Evans: Close To Flying", was published by Hardie Grant Books in November 2009.

7. Cadel's wife Chiara is Italian, a concert pianist and choral singer.

8. Cadel is an only child and much of his upbringing was in a single parent family with his mum Helen.  Helen is a Bicycle Victoria member and encouraged young Cadel to ride to school, and mother and son would also ride together to the local pool. Cadel soon discovered mountain bike racing, however, and it became his passion. (Courtesy of http://rideons.wordpress.com/2011/07/25/out-riding-the-world/)

9. Cadel once rode past a friend of mine who had a flat tyre on a training ride around Kinglake.  He slowed down and yelled out to see if he was OK. That's cool!

10.  One of Cadel's favourite places to eat is Annie's Provedore in Barwon Heads, VIC (Cadel's residence when in Australia during the off-season).  He says on his website "Nice and cozy local delicatessen and cafe', now with the best pizza too!"" 

11.Cadel prefers to train in silence and also needs at least an hour's "alone" time when on Tour.  He also goes for a walk alone (or with Molly) every night after dinner to clear his head.

12. During the training season Cadel resides in Stabio, Switzerland.  Stabio has a population of around 4500 people and approximately 23% of those are resident foreign nationals.  He joins a huge number of other sporting stars and celebrities, not to mention other cyclists who also live in Switzerland including Thor Hushovd, Andreas Kloden, Jan Ullrich and Oscar Freire.

Tour de France Competition

I am running a competition to celebrate the magic in the air that surrounds the Tour de France.  Send me a pic of your little one wearing a Spin Baby "Mini King of the Mountain" jersey by midnight on Sunday 31st July and you will go in the draw to win a Spin Baby jersey of your choice valued at AUD $35.00.  Please send pics to sarah@spinbaby.com.au

Spin Baby Photo Shoot

Last weekend I had the pleasure of meeting Bek from Little Red Photography.  Bek had agreed to take on the challenge of photographing 8 kids on bikes and trikes...and two outfit changes.  Whilst the adults were scrambling trying to keep our little ones still, calm and smiling for the camera, Bek was an absoulute pro and knew what to say or do at the exact right time to avoid tantrums and crack a smile.  She was a joy to work with and I think you will agree the end product is amazing.  I can't wait to use some of these images in my advertising.  Thanks again Bek.

Celebrity Cycling Families

I think what I love most about cycling is that is pretty much accessible to everyone.  I mean you can even pick up an old bike on the side of the road during hard rubbish if you were that desperate (and no I do not endorse that particular action).  It costs virtually nothing to run and all it takes is a bit of pedal power.  Everyone can do it.  Sure there are different levels of cycling and there is a definite upper market for those who like to zoom along Beach Road in fancy smanch lycra and carbon fibre...but for most of us who like to cruise along bike paths with our kids in tow, it is an activity that is not going to break the bank.

That is why I love seeing pics of celebs riding bikes.  It makes them seem a little bit normal and accessible if that makes sense?  They might have a Porsche parked in their garage, but they are still happy to get out on a bike and enjoy that time with their families.  Learning to ride a bike for the first time is a big deal for any kid and a major childhood milestone.  Celebs are no exception.  Even the Obama kids ride their bikes to keep fit.  Here is a collection of some celebs enjoying some cycling time with their families & enjoying some solo riding.  All that is missing (apart from their helmets) is their Spin Baby jerseys :)

Becks and Clan

McDreamy & his daughter...cute

Brangelina

Kate Winslet

Matthew Broderick

Hugh Jackman

Jessica Alba

Naomi Watts

Tori Spelling

And some shots just for fun...

Kylie c/o Comocyco.blogspot (just had to include this one)!!

Becks again...not sure if white is his colour?

Mr Clooney

Jake Gyllenhaal

Elle

Jennifer Lopez

Madge

Mmmm...Mr Mcconaughey

Owen Wilson

Pink

Russell Crowe

Bike Love

Those of you who know me know that I am a HUGE fan of Etsy.  I love it almost as much as I love bikes.  And who said bikes were just for riding?  Below are a few of my favourite finds on Etsy et al that show how you too can express your love of cycling in everyday life.

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1. www.leoquemultiply.com

2. http://www.etsy.com/shop/cloverthreads

3. http://www.etsy.com/shop/girllovescrafts

4. www.etsy.com/shop/ikabags

5. www.etsy.com/shop/inblue

6. www.etsy.com/shop/uncommon

7. www.etsy.com/shop/WowWal

8. www.etsy.com/shop/zenthread

9. http://www.etsy.com/people/keepcalmshop

10. http://www.etsy.com/people/loftymornings

11. http://www.etsy.com/people/thecraftpantry

Welcome!

Welcome to the Spin Baby blog!  So glad you found us.  We will be launching our new range of bike jerseys for juniors very soon so follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates.