THE HUMBLE VINTAGE AMSTERDAM

 

Since recently relocating to the Dutch capital, The Humble Vintage founder Matt Hurst has been slowly putting together a collection of lovely vintage road bikes classic men’s and women’s Dutch bikes…

As of October, The Humble Vintage Amsterdam is ready to roll!

No more ugly bike hire and no more looking like a tourist when next in town.

Check out some of the fleet, below!

www.thehumblevintage.nl

VANMOOF SALE

The Humble Vintage is selling one of its not-so-humble Vanmoof bikes.

Originally retailing for $998, this the classic Vanmoof #3, complete with Brooks saddle (recent versions have changed to a non-brand, non-leather saddle

The picture above is of course a press shot – the bike for sale is not as shiny or new, but is still looking and riding great!

The Vanmoof is a 3 speed bike with back pedal brake and front hand brake. It’s a bullet proof commuter bike with a rust free frame.

If keen to check it out, email hire[at]thehumblevintage.com or get in touch here.

Cheers!

 

FITZROY / COLLINGWOOD

Now hiring and offering sales in partnership with Mottainai Cycles!

In the heart of Fitzroy/Collingwood, we’ve launched a new location in partnership with Melbourne’s master vintage bike restorers, Mottainai Cycles.

Along with a selection of rental bikes from The Humble Vintage, the Mottainai workshop is also home to Melbourne’s largest collection of restored vintage bikes for sale. Get in touch to see what’s available!

Mottainai Cycles
Rear 23 Johnston Street, Collingwood

Right near the corner of Smith Street and Johnston Street. Catch the 86 tram north up Bourke Street and you’ll be there in 15mins.

Hours
Weekdays: 9am - 6pm
Weekends: 10am - 6pm

Walk ins welcome!

For sale enquiries, please get in touch.

 

WINTER BIKE SALE 2014

All bicycles are riding a charm and ready to go!

 

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WHITE LADIES HALLMARK

Ten speed women’s step through - brand new tires and tubes, seat and brake cables…

New wicker basket included, value $50+ !!

Frame has some blemishes but with the basket its a nice looking ride all up

Just serviced and ready to go, email or call 0432 032 450 to test.

$250

 

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SILVER LADIES MASTER SPORTS

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A vintage women’s bike from the early 1980s, with five-speed Shimano gears, rear light, chain guard and a supremely comfortable seat!

Freshly serviced for sale, riding wonderfully. Email or call 0432 032 450 to test.

$250

THE CASUAL CYCLIST’S GUIDE WINS AT 2012 AGDA AWARDS

The Australian Graphic Design Association’s biannual awards program, the AGDA awards, were held in Melbourne on November 24th.

Among the winners, The Casual Cyclist’s Guide picked up an AGDA Award in the ‘Entire Book‘ category.

A big thank you to Studio Pip & Co for their work on this!

If you haven’t picked up a copy of what is officially the best looking bike book in town, get one here.

PUGNACIOUS GEORGE ‘DELIVERY BIKE’

$30 per day, $50 per weekend (pick up Friday return Monday). No weekend pick ups.

CALLING ALL CONTRIBUTORS

A new website is being launched in December..

Help build a one of kind online journal for the relaxed rider!

Riding route ideas, childhood stack stories, anecdotes, reviews, rants about whatever it may be.

Get in touch and we’ll go from there.

Cheers, Matt

TRIAL A TOKYO BIKE

Considering buying a new bike?

Rent a Tokyo Bike for any length up to a week, and if you enjoy the ride and would like to have one as your own, Tokyo Bike will take the price of the rental off your purchase.

Rentals are $40 per day, $60 for a weekend or $100 for a week.

So rent for a day, take $40 off your purchase. Rent for a week, take $100 off your purchase… Simple and easy.

Book through the bookings form.

More on Tokyo Bike here and on their website here.

WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE A MELBOURNE BIKE SHARE STATION?

NEW YORK CITY is preparing to launch its bike share program this American summer, with 10,000 bikes and 600 docking stations spread across the five boroughs.

Given the city’s flat topography, rapidly increasing bike lane network (over 400 kilometers of new lanes in the past 5 years) and lack of compulsory helmet laws, its fair to say bike sharing in NYC seems like a smart move.

As does the way the city is selecting the positioning of its 600 docking stations. The city’s Department of Transport has launched a website where residents can vote for where they think a bike share station would be most useful to them.

The site allows users to simply check out a map, mark locations where they would like a bike share station to be located and offer a brief description of why their chosen spot would be a good one. Once marked, other users can “support” proposed stations by clicking on them.

Wouldn’t it be great if the State Government and operating contractor RACV ran a similar initiative before rolling out the Melbourne Bike Share?

Then, in addition to the CBD and a scattering of stations in Docklands, Southbank, Carlton, etc, perhaps there could be also be stations in St Kilda, Fitzroy, Collingwood, Windsor, Northcote, Brunswick, Footscray, Prahran, Richmond, Yarraville, etc, etc – in other words – where most Melbourne people actually live, work, shop and of course, ride.

Where would you like a bike share docking station?

While I don’t have the skills or budget to set up a map system similar to the NYC site, I’d love to offer the same outcome…

Simply write in the comments the suburb or street corner that is missing from the Melbourne Bike Share, and a few words on how that spot would actually get you using it the system more frequently if so inclined, and the info will be gathered pass it on to Melbourne Bike Share at the end of the summer.

Share your thoughts, then spread the word!

I’ll start the proceedings, below.

 

2-4-1 FILM OFFER: TAKE THIS WALTZ

Everybody who rents a bike with The Humble Vintage in June gets a 2-4-1 pass to Take This Waltz, a new film staring Michelle Williams and Seth Rogen, directed by Sarah Polley.

Quoting the back of the very pass you’ll receive when renting,

Take This Waltz is a film that leads us through the familiar but uncharted question of what long-term relationships do to love, sex and our images of ourselves. It’s a funny, sensual and heartbreaking story about a woman struggling to choose between two different types of love.

“By turns sweet and salty, quirky and dirty, Take This Waltz is a deceptively candy-coloured existentialist rom-com - which is to say there’s nothing quite like it.” The Village Voice

Take This Waltz is released on June 14, and vouchers are valid nationally so you can use it in Melbourne or in your home town. To watch a trailer, click here.

Thanks goes to Hopscotch Films for this one…

 

 

WINTER BIKE SALE

It’s sad to let them go, but time to downsize the rental fleet for another year…

All bikes listed below are freshly serviced for sale, riding perfectly and ready for test ride any time – just get in touch.

PINK HALPIN MIXTE LADIES BIKE

A vintage women’s bike from the early 1980s, with lovely pastel pink coloured frame and reflective pink brake and gear cables… A very cute and cool bike.

Bike has

- ten-speed Shimano friction-shift gears

- new black tyres (not gum wall as seen here)

- new black quilted seat, black handlebar grips and basket

Email for more pics or to test ride.

$270

BLACK UNISEX LEKKER

 

A contemporary commuter bike modelled on a timeless Dutch design!

Features

- 3 speed internal gears

- inbuilt front and rear light

- super-comfortable saddle

- integrated double lock system

- rear carrier rack with elastic strap

The classic Dutch ‘omafiets’ style bicycle has great upright riding position that makes every ride feel like a holiday in Amsterdam…

LEKKER bikes are available in bike stores for $750.

Or this one is ex-rental, three months old and ridden a handful of times.

Not pictured here, the ex-rental has a front carrier tray making it able to move boxes of food, bags of clothes, or perhaps even a stereo with ease.

Email for more pics or to test ride.

SUPPORT BICYCLE INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING

Bike riders of all ages and abilities and from across the political spectrum will deliver a loud and unambiguous message to the Baillieu Government next Thursday, 21 June: “Bring back the bike budget”.

Momentum is building fast behind a morning of protest by the riding community on the steps of Parliament House following the Baillieu Government’s decision to cut funding for bike infrastructure to zero.

“Ted Baillieu’s Government has snubbed the 1.1 million Victorians riding a bike every week and ignored the million more who want to join in but are waiting for appropriate facilities to appear,” Bicycle Network Chief Executive Officer Harry Barber said.

“We’re going to tell the Baillieu Government that we are amazed and disappointed that they seem to think doing nothing on bike infrastructure is an option – it’s not.

“The Baillieu Government have not grasped the unique ability of bikes to improve the carrying-capacity of our already congested road network. The simple truth is more cars can’t be added to already jammed roads but what we can do, for a small investment, is move thousands more people along existing roadways just by installing appropriate bike facilities.

“Thousands are already riding every day, thousands more want to ride but are waiting for the Government to act – Mr Baillieu, his Government and his zero-bike Budget are failing Victorians.”

Support for the rally is growing across the bike riding community. A number of groups and clubs have organised riders to travel to the rally together. Meeting places so far include:

• Footscray - 7.00am Hyde Street opposite the Police Station.
• North Melbourne - 7am North Melbourne Pool, 1 Macauley Rd - coordinated by Melbourne Bicycle User Group
• Coburg - 6.30am Coburg Railway Station.
• East Brunswick - 7.00am Café L’Amour, 76 Lygon St, East Brunswick, coordinated by Moreland Bicycle User Group.
• Carlton - 7.00am Outside Dan O’Connell Hotel, Corner Princes and Canning Streets – coordinated by Yarra Bicycle Users Group.
• Northcote - 7.00am, Jika Jika Community Centre, Corner Plant and Union Streets – coordinated by Darebin Bicycle User Group.
• Brighton - 6.45am, corner Bay St and Nepean Highway.
• Richmond: 7:00am Elizabeth Street and Church Street—outside the commission flats.

The Moreland and Yarra Councils have also passed resolutions supporting the rally. Moreland Council is promoting the rally and encouraging all staff who want to attend to do so. Yarra Council has adopted a similar supportive position and also “authorises a City of Yarra banner or banners being taken to the rally and displayed”.

High performance riders are also getting on board. The North Road Group - a regular Thursday early morning training ride to Mordialloc for road riders - has modified its course and timing and will now finish at the Parliament House steps in time to join the start of the rally at 7.30am.

The 2012 Victorian Budget papers show the government has allocated zero funding to the VicRoads Bicycle Program. (Some already-announced commitments from previous budgets are still trickling through. The Baillieu Government is trying to hide behind these carry over items.)

No high priority infrastructure projects planned for next year have been funded and desperately needed lanes, signals, intersections and other urgent safety improvements have been scrapped. The decision will increase the level of risk for existing riders and stop new riders joining in an activity that improves community health and cuts congestion.

- Bicycle Network Victoria is inviting every person who rides a bike and cares about the safety of our streets to attend the before-work rally from 7.30-8.30, Thursday, 21 June to express their amazement and disappointment at the Baillieu decision.

Taken from Bicycle Network Victoria

FARMERS MARKETS BY BIKE

FACT: Every weekend in Victoria there is a farmer’s market!

In a school, park or side street near you, a chance to buy from the grower, without the middle man, supermarket, corporation, etc.

The Victorian Farmers Market Association and Bike Fest have just put together a guide to finding out what farmers market is happening on any given weekend and how to get there by bike. Handy!

Download or print the guide here.

Nothing like seeing how many vegetables you can stack in to your basket and how much fruit you can dangle in a bag off your shoulder. Just be sure not to put ripe peaches in the bottom of the bag under potatoes…

NEW RICHMOND GUIDE

Check out The Casual Cyclist’s Guide to Richmond – a specially commissioned exploration of the suburb by bike in the one-off newspaper produced for The Richmond Weekender.

Taking in the best bits of Richmond and celebrating its connectivity with the river, the guide is a perfect accompaniment to day’s cycling to, from and around Richmond.

The Richmond Weekender newspaper is available on site at 22 Bendigo Street, Richmond, or around the Richmond neighbourhood in cafes, bars, restaurants etc.

For those in need of a bike, you can rent direct from The Richmond Weekender – running every weekend in March until Sunday 1 April.

HIRE AT THE RICHMOND WEEKENDER

Renting out bikes from interesting spaces and places is about to get a whole lot more interesting thanks to The Richmond Weekender.

Taking over the glorious old GTV 9 studios on Bendigo Street, Richmond, The Richmond Weekender is a temporary reactivation project devised by the good folk at Right Angle Studio.

Running every weekend from Saturday March 3rd, the project brings together a collection of local people doing good and fun things around town and puts them in one truly unique shell – for one month only – before construction begins on an upcoming apartment development, Studio Nine.

In the food corner, the Kent & Rob from Cavallero are behind the Weekender’s drinking & dining offering, with the Graham Canteen. With a name-check to one of Television City’s finest, Graham Kennedy, Graham Canteen will be the guys’ first venture for Fancy Hanks BBQ – a southern US style BBQ affair, pioneering a custom built “monster” BBQ, super slow cooked meats and a pay-by-weight system that ensures democratic pricing and reminds us of ordering take away pizza in Rome. See the menu.

On Saturday nights, Ghita Loebenstien’s Speakeasy Cinema will bring the big screen to the home of the small screen, with four films screening on March 10, 17, 24 & 31. See the program.

This Saturday March 3rd, twelve of Melbourne’s most lovely artists, retailers and interesting-stuff-makers will descend to create a one-off Homemakers Market. Purveyors of fine things include Cibi, Tokyo Bike, Joost Bakker, Beci Orpin, Mr Kitly and Sticky Fingers Bakery. Info on thse guys and the others can be found here.

Finally, for those who want to make the most of the GTV 9 site’s proximity to the river but might not happen to have a bike, I’ll be having a lil’ concession with some bikes ready to hire and ride along the river to your hearts content.

BIKE AND BEER: Whole day bike rental and pot of Mountain Goat $30!

The Richmond Weekender

Location: Former GTV 9 Studios, 22 Bendigo Street, Richmond.
Running: Every weekend in March from Saturday March 3rd to Sunday March 31st.
More info: www.therichmondweekender.com.au
To book a bike: call Matt on 0432 032 450 or use the contact form above.

MELBOURNE BIKE FEST STARTS THIS WEEK!

From the ashes of the Bicycle Film Festival rises the Melbourne Bike Fest

A month long program of events running from February 17 to March 17, Bike Fest is all about the non-sport side of cycling – much like the Casual Cyclist’s Guide.

Ranging from art to food, community events to fashion and design themes, the program is covers all elements of how bikes integrate into one’s day to day life.

This weekend from Friday 17 to Sunday 19 February, the Bike Fest Treadlie Market brings stall holders from all walks of this cycling life to the hills of Birrarung Mar, adjacent to Federation Square. With distributors, retailers, craftspeople, collectors, enthusiasts, a film night, swap meet, bicycle best-in-show, kids activities and social events, there will indeed be something for every everyday rider.

Check back each week for updates on the upcoming weekend’s activities, or of course for more information, visit the Bike Fest website.

TOKYO BIKE - BISOU

TOKYO BIKE CS - MOSS GREEN (+ $10)

THE HUMBLE VINTAGE & TOKYO BIKE

Two fine bike businesses working together

Many who have an eye for lovely contemporary bicycles in Sydney and Melbourne would by now be familiar with Tokyo Bike.

A small, independent bicycle company launched in Tokyo in 2002, the inspiration and ethos behind Tokyo Bike was simply to conceive a range of bikes that were the perfect way to ride around Tokyo.

Naturally, one couldn’t hope to find an area more urban than Tokyo, so its safe to say that when a bike is good for Tokyo one couldn’t hope to find a bike more suitable to everyday urban commuting.

Attractive without being showy, focused on comfort rather than speed and free of loud branding and logos, Toyko Bikes are the modern version of everything The Humble Vintage wants to provide visiting riders.

So in a meeting of like minds, The Humble Vintage is now offering a his and hers pair of Tokyo Bikes for hire from the Melbourne CBD.

 

Rates are $40 for day, $60 for a weekend or $110 for a week, including helmet and lock.

Meanwhile at Tokyo Bike, they are gifting every person who buys a Toyko Bike this December and January a copy of The Casual Cyclist’s Guide.

Click here to book or to find out more, or call Matt on 043 032 450.

BOOK LAUNCH PICS

The Casual Cyclist’s Guide was launched on Thursday, 1 December…

It was a lovely evening!

Many thanks to the Lost & Found Hotel and Captains of Industry for the venue, and Hendricks, Yering and Moritz for the gin, wine and beer.

Pics courtesy of Damien Rudd.