Welcome...

...to my little contribution to the internet.

It's nothing fancy, but then the internet is full of fancy web pages. It's also still by no means complete, so please forgive me if it looks a bit crude at the moment. I will be adding to it as time progresses. However, I like simplicity, so don't expect too much - maybe a few more drawings to add a bit of visual interest.

Speaking of simplicity, you can't get things much simpler than the bicycle, and much of this site is devoted to some of my musings on the subject of bicycles and the riding of them.

I'm certainly no expert, and I can't hope the compare my knowledge with the likes of other sites 'out there', but I have provided links to some of the better ones on the (soon to be added) LINKS page.

So, why make a website?

Well, I've been around a fairly sizeable proportion of the bicycle related sites on the internet, and while what's there is good, it isn't really complete. There is a lot of focus on the mechanical aspects of bikes - both in terms of technology and operation. It can get very detailed, and dare I say it? - complicated, when the focus is on 'how to repair this' or 'what to do in this traffic situation'.

With this site, I am trying to take a broader look at bikes and cycling, and attempt to describe what I observe in the simplest possible terms.

The centrepiece of this is a little book I penned a couple of years ago entitled 'The Philosopher's Bicycle'. In this book, I've tried to look at the act of cycling as clearly and honestly as I can, and condense it into a few lines on the page. Of course it can never replace the act of actually cycling and observing, and that isn't the intent. It's merely intended to offer a few things to look out for that may otherwise go unobserved. On the other hand, those who have made the effort to observe their cycling will hopefully see some truth reflected in it. Comments are welcome, and I am happy to discuss any aspect of it over the email .

You will also find a small collection of articles that I have written, which to a greater or lesser degree try to keep what I have learned in mind. Some have been published in Australian Cyclist, others spent some time posted on the now defunct  Themestream.com, and others have never before seen light of day.

I also have an interest in the design of the bicycle, and have been doodling designs for various bikes, mostly recumbents over the last couple of years. You'll find a few sketches here, as well as my current, constantly evolving project, which is taking shape O so slowly.

I have also dropped a few poems onto the pages recently. They aren't necessarily cycling related, but this is as good a home for them as any. You'll find them here.

Well, enough gaff. I hope you enjoy viewing this site, and come back often. I will try to update it at least semi-regularly.

Allister McLaren. April 2001