My kickbike and I are still in love

This year marks my sixth year scooting about this planet on a kickbike.

And they have  been six  very happy years.

This scooter has given me not one moment of trouble and we have had many adventures together.

In fact, like the coppers in Flan O'Brien's dark comedy, The Third Policeman I'm beginning to turn into my ride:

“The gross and net result of it is that people who spent most of their natural lives riding iron bicycles over the rocky roadsteads of this parish get their personalities mixed up with the personalities of their bicycle as a result of the interchanging of the atoms of each of them and you would be surprised at the number of people in these parts who are nearly half people and half bicycles...when a man lets things go so far that he is more than half a bicycle, you will not see him so much because he spends a lot of his time leaning with one elbow on walls or standing propped by one foot at kerbstones.” ― Flann O'Brien, The Third Policeman

Yesiree happy days indeed.

I also own  the smaller wheeled, Mibo Folding scooter which I portage on public transport and use for forays across suburban Brisbane. But about my township more or less every day I'm pushing my kickbike about.

I'm known for it. 

On a kickbike you stand out. Kickbikes give you street cred.

It frustrates me that the road into my patch is not bike friendly so I tend to be contained by geography to routes no longer than 14 km. But on a kickbike you are not held hostage to distance because you can easily exert yourself by pushing harder. That way, short distances  seem longer.

Nowadays kickbiking for me  isn't about the exercise. I scoot because I love to scoot. My morning rides thrill me. Out and about is always fun. As I've said before you can enter a sort of zenhood scootering like this. 

No bicycle ever gave me that sort of feedback.

Mine is also a utility vehicle. It's my shopping trolley. My mule. I carry everything from groceries to seaweed to firewood to junk mail on it. 

En route my body has changed. Tight buns. Firm, well developed ankles. My gluteals are as honed and as strong as an obsessed gym junkie's backside.

So after all those times pushing about town it is so much easier to go out and do it some more. It's disconcerting that I can easily stand on one leg and push  with the other  seemingly for ever. 

A kickbike is a simple device. Two wheels. Handlebars. Brakes and a footboard. There's not much in the way of hardware. It's light -- a mere 10 kgm -- so it is easy to pick up and carry the alloy frame about. 

It's one handicap is  that the footboard is a tad too low. While it's height suits cruising  at a steady and comfortable cadence,  negotiating gutters and humps will usually mean you'll be scraping your undercarriage. The Mibo, on the other hand, has a higher footboard.

When I get on a bicycle now it seems strange and foreign. You're higher up. You motor about driven by leg pistons. Your ass is stationary while the bike moves beneath you.  The gearing ratio allows you to cheat effort. 

For me there is no romance. No passion. It's all rather mechanical. You become an appendage to a machine. You pull at levers and push things about. Turn knobs. If you stop peddling, you fall over.

No wonder you tend to obsess over where you are going and not take pleasure in the getting there.

But a kickbike kick....well, it's balletic. A dance move that has its own inbuilt rhythm. It's a Crouching Tiger  springing forth over an over again. It's like running on wheels for the sheer pleasure of it. 

Interested? Check out Kickbike Australia.

---

 

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My every morning kickbike scoot is a celebration of activity and renewal

I find it so very hard to believe that  almost everyday I mount my scooter/ kickbike and circle the neighborhood for at least  7 kilometres ,

Five  years ago I was using a walking stick to help me get around and  I had taken up using a scooter because it seemed a low tech way to begin to stolid advance to those electric scooters the aged and infirm drive.

I found my mobility was constrained and  thought I  was on a downward spiral.

However, I reviewed my scooter options and thought that if I chose to push, I'd need a broad running board. So my neighbour  built the model below from a cannibalized  BMX bike.

Should have kept this machine when I upgraded As despite its weight it performed very well indeed.

But folks: you don't need a broad running board -- regardless of how much pain or stiffness you wear -- because  you spend so little time perched on the scooter board  due to  of the one leg on/ one leg off kick routine.

Since then, the scooter has been the core element in my exercise and transit routines.

Kickbiking

The Finnish Kickbike is normally promoted as a mean exercise machine. There are some personal trainers who build their training regimes around its use.

This pitch in fact turned me off the kickbike as that wasn't what I was after. This is also why I rejected the kickbike at first look.

But the fact is that a kickbike from  Bruce Cooke's Kickbike Australia is the best  scooter available on the Australian market. It may not now be the only scooter -- but there are very few others and there were even fewer  five years ago.

Scootering: Jogging without weight bearing

Unfortunately the macho image of the kickbike and its intense competition credentials obscures the utility of the kickbike -- and scooters generally -- as rehabilitation and transit tools.

When I first considered scootering,  in my mind the scooter was a lateral jump from jogging. I saw it as  jogging without the weight bearing . So despite my weight -- or your weight -- when you scoot most of the burden is carried by the passive/support leg still on the scooter. You don't bear down on the road and shift all the gravitational forces onto the working leg as you do when you run or walk

In fact, the scooter demands much less of the knee joint than a bicycle peddle and while a peddle rotation may not always demand a lot of push down, there are times when you have to really drive the feet around the cog. You are going to work less because you have gears working for you more.

And scooters don't have to be mounted. If you are stiff and sore, mounting a bicycle is a  challenge . Male cross bar or no, you still have to swing one leg over a hurdle.

With a scooter you step through and on. It's the easiest manoevre on offer.

My daily irony

So here's this machine that each morning I step onto.  I may be constrained by such pain and stiffness and fatigue later that day that I'm in bed. But that morning window snaffled by exploiting this machine, enables me to run a daily exercise program regardless, most days, of my ill health.

I also shop and commute on/with it. 

Each time I ride  the scooter I stretch out my pelvis as the kick requires a broad carry through: throwing the leg forward and down, then back.  I also flex my ankle much more obtusely than I would on a bicycle 

When I plant my foot on the ground the primary forces are aggregated across the metatarsal bones although the tendency is to plant your foot flat on the ground rather than bend it downward like a ballet dancer. It's a full contact thing. You don't advance like a sprinter. It's flat foot jogging, but so light that you definitely don't want or need hi tech running shoes. All you want is a little traction and road grab .

That complete motion really works everything south of the ankle and is ab great way to pump blood hither and yon in those far off extremities. I suspect that for diabetics the flat foot fall may be a nerve ending advantage, say, compared to jogging.

You scoot or kick. Betwixt, you bounce.

Road fox trotting.

Source: Kickscooter Dreams

Update: 18 months later -- Still Kicking!   -- November 28, 2011
I have been scootering for years now -- five or six, maybe seven --  as I can't recall the beginning moment when I pushed rather than peddled.
I love the device/machine/tool/vehicle....love it! Two days ago I scooted through a  park at night. It was hot and humid and my son was atop a small scooter and stepped out ahead of me . And it was thrilling and kickbiking can be like that so often. 
It can be Zen like...
When you engage each stride and push yourself forward it's like a succession of challenges rather than an automation. It's not like peddling at all.
Or running.
It's a total body move that takes off when you're in the zone and the follow through seems just right.
Of course sometimes -- often -- I'm no where near that. Sometimes -- often -- it's hard enough putting one foot forward, let alone the other.
But I manage to more often than not, despite the run of ill health this past year or so, rise each morning  kicking.
A routine at last.
"What's on the agenda today, Dave?"
"Kicking I guess," says I.
The irony is that if your want to read body messages, an early morning kick will tell you how your body will perform for the rest of the day. It's all about somatic pathways and how much energy you can harness as your throw them legs forward and crouch like a tiger then pull yourself up. And some mornings, for me and my condition, I know I'm stifled even if I manage a circuit.
There's no especial pain  but a shallow stiffness that blocks the attempt at athleticism .
But then there is the thrill of just standing on the kickboard upright as you move forward -- propelled by the earlier kicks -- like some stick figure sailing through empty space.
Of course you learn to respect typography on a kickbike...you've got no choice. You've got no gears.

My current base line route -- Conservation Park (map) and the optional longer version (map)-- Swan Lake.

VIDEO Kickbiking technique

Here area some recently uploaded kickbiking videos that show some good pointers as to technique for speed and sustainable kicking.

Brisbane:Kicks for Jan/Feb and next race day info

Hello Fellow Kickbikers

Happy New Year to you all and here are the events coming up for Jan/Feb 2009.

Special Events

Brisbane's next Footbike Sprint Champs - Sunday, 22nd February 2009 - mark it in your Calendar 1pm till 5pm. Details below.

Kicks for January and early February

Saturday 18th January - 6am - 18 km or 24km St Lucia Uni kick - Meet at Kangaroo Point, (Drive under the Captain Cook bridge and along the lower road following Brisbane River, We meet by the first set of toilets) From here we will head out to the University at St Lucia via Coronation Drive. The shorter option will be to catch the ferry across to West End and back to Kangaroo point via West End. The longer option is to go over the green bridge and loop around West End. Bring $2.40 for the ferry, and join us for Coffee and/or Brekkie at Poopys at Southbank.

Sunday 25th January - (Remember Monday 26th is Australia Day) - Mooloolaba to Maroochydore on Sunshine coast. If interested in joining us then contact me for details. This will be advertised to the Sunshine Coast owners.

Sunday 1st February - 6am - Manly/Wynnum kick - Maximum 22km. Meet at Darling Point foreshaw on Lower Esplanade in Manly. This ride is mainly Bike paths and flat. It is a double out and back circuit, so you can do whatever distance you like. First timers welcome, Kickbike hire available. For the seasoned kickers we can send you off climbing if you want. Join us for brekkie afterwards somewhere along the Manly foreshore.

Sunday 8th February - 6am - 28km Toombul to Brookside. Meet at Toombul shopping centre lower car park (under the airport rail overpass opposite the NAB shooping centre entrance). We will head out through Kedron to Brookside and return. This kick is almost entirely on Bike paths and is mainly flat. Again it is an out and back course so you can shorten your Kick. First timers welcome again. Join us for Brekkie afterwards at Toombul Shopping Centre

Saturday 14 February - 6am - Valentines Day kick - Bring your partners and start the day with exercise. 25km Bat run, Starting at Kangaroo point. (Drive under the Captain Cook bridge along the bottom of Kangaroo point cliffs towards where they do the Rock climbing. We meet before the first set of toilets.) From here we will head out to South Brisbane, Coorporoo and on to Bulimba. We'll then catch a ferry across to Tenneriffe and come back through New Farm, along the floating walkway and through Eagle farm and the Goodwill Bridge to Southbank for Brekkie. Bring $2.40 for your ferry. Brekkie afterwards at Poppys on Southbank.

Sunday 22nd February - 1pm - AFA Footbike racing day. Albert Bishop Park – Hedley Ave – Nundah. Be there from 12pm to register racing starts at 1pm 200metre sprint race, 1km sprint time trial and 5km race. All welcome including first timers, come along and support us or try the shorter distances yourselves. I will send out a seperate email with all the details and an entry form. Footbike racings the go, so give it a go in 2009.

Details and Hire available -

For the Morning kicks we usually stop near the end for Coffee and/or brunch, so bring some money and join us for whatever takes your fancy. For the afternoon kicks we try and find a coffee or an ice cream afterwards. Please confirm your attendance for any of these kicks, especially if you want to hire a Kickbike. Hire cost is $20 for person or $10 per person for groups of 2 or more, so bring a friend or 2 and share the cost. Also bring along a sense of adventure, your own water bottle and a bike Helmet if you have one. If you haven't got your own helmet then I can provide one.

Hire Kickbikes - Don't forget, if you are unable to check out the Kickbikes on the scheduled kicks with me, you can also hire Kickbikes at Riverlife Adventure Centre at Kangaroo Point. They cater for the individual hire or group events as well. So take a few friends along to Riverlife at Kangaroo Point and check out the Kickbikes along with their full range of other activities including, Kayaking, Rock Climbing, Abseiling and a range of night activities as well. Details and contact information are available at www.riverlife.com.au or phone (07) 3891-5766

Bruce Cook
Club Kickbike
Mobile 0407 699884
bruce@kickbike.com.au

Brisbane: March kicks

from Bruce Cook

I have 2 free gifts, 3 big events and a list of our normal kicks for March. I hope that everyone has had an awesome Febuary but I'm already gearing up for March. How about you.

Special Events

Sunday 9th March - 6am SPECIAL Kickbike and stretch class - (changed course) 18km Starting at "Bodies @ Eez" Wellness studio, 470 Main St Wooloongabba. (Map attached) We Kick along Kangaroo point, over the Goodwill Bridge to the Regatta hotel on Coro Drive and then kick back to Bodies @ Eez, where we get a half hour stretch class for Pre and post Kickbike stretching and then breakfast including, tea, coffee, muffins and a fruit platter for Breakfast. Cost $10 each. This is a brilliant way to learn the right way to stretch from experts in the field, and they should know because they are also Kickbike owners. First timers are also welcome, and can hire a Kickbike as well. Please confirm your attendance by 8pm Monday 3rd March for catering. There are minimum numbers here so we need to book everything in.

Sunday 30th March - If you have ever wanted to have a try on a Kickbike, then this day is the one. International Scooter Day - Kickbike companies all over the world are offering free kickbike trials today. Here in Brisbane I will be at New Farm Park (down by the river about half way between the powerhouse and the ferry terminal) from 9-30am till 3pm. Come along at any time during the day and we can kick around the park together, or bring your friends and family and take them for scoot around as well.

Sunday 6th April - Great Brisbane Bike Ride and Coot-tha challenge - Your choice of 10km, 20km (St Lucia Green bridge) or 35km as part of the Great Brisbane Bike Ride. the 10km starts at 8-15am, the 20 and 35km rides start at 7.30am, all from Southbank cutural forecourt. The 70km Coot-tha challenge also starts at Southbanks cultural forecourt but at 6am, and includes a timed climb over Mt Coot-tha early in the ride. All the ride info, and application forms are on www.bq.org.au I will be in Sydney that weekend so am dissappointed in missing it, but I do challenge you all to have a go, Lyn will be there. Let me know if you are doing it so that I can let you know who to look out for.


Kicks for March

Sunday 2nd March - 6am - 25km Bat run as listed in last months email - Meet at Kangaroo Point. (Drive under the Captain Cook bridge along the bottom of Kangaroo point cliffs towards where they do the Rock climbing. We meet before the first set of toilets.) From here we will head out to South Brisbane, Coorporoo and on to Bulimba. We'll then catch a ferry across to Tenneriffe and come back through New Farm, along the floating walkway and through Eagle farm and the Goodwill Bridge to Southbank for Brekkie. Bring $2.30 for your ferry kick.

Sunday 9th March - see special event

Saturday 15th March - 6am - 22km Toombul to Nudgee. Ideal for first timers as it is a flat, out and back course, so you can shorten the distance if you prefer. Hire Kickbikes available. All welcome

No Kickbike over Easter - Lyn and I will be camping at Kirra

Sunday 30th March - 6am - 18km New Farm park to Roma Street parklands. Meet on the road within New Farm park closest to the river, and we kick to Roma via Brekkie Creek & RNA showgrounds, and back to New Farm via the Goodwill bridge and Story Bridge. Brekkie at Powerhouse.

Sunday 30th March - 9-30am onwards - see above - International Scooter day

For the Morning kicks we usually stop near the end for Coffee and/or brunch, so bring some money and join us for whatever takes your fancy. For the afternoon kicks we try and find a coffee or an ice cream afterwards. Please confirm your attendance for any of these kicks, especially if you want to hire a Kickbike. Hire cost is $20 for one person or $10 per person for groups of 2 or more, so bring a friend or 2 and share the cost. Also bring along a sense of adventure, your own water and a bike Helmet if you have one. If you haven't got your own then I can provide one.

FUTURE KICKBIKE DATES - details and date confirmations to follow

Late April 08 - Mall to Mall Queen St Mall Brisbane to Ipswich Mall - Option of 25km or 50km
25th May 08 - Brissie to the Bay ride - option of 10km, 25km or 50km
12th October 08 - 100km Brisbane to Gold Coast challenge - Option of 50km or 100km
19th October 08 - Around the Bay in a Day - Melbourne - option of 50km, 100km or 210km
19th October 08 - Sydney Spring Cycle Challenge - options of 5, 10, 15, 20, 40 or 50km
Mid November 08 - Caloundra Great Ocean Bike Ride - options of 10km, 25km and 50km

Hire Kickbikes - Don't forget, if you are unable to check out the Kickbikes on the scheduled kicks with me, you can also hire Kickbikes at Riverlife Adventure Centre at Kangaroo Point. They cater for the individual hire or group events as well. So take a few friends along to Riverlife at Kangaroo Point and check out the Kickbikes along with their full range of other activities including, Kayaking, Rock Climbing, Abseiling and a range of night activities as well. Details and contact information are available at www.riverlife.com.au or phone (07) 3891-5766


Giveaways

Free quit smoking course. I can't believe that nowone has claimed this one, there is only 2 months left on this. If you have a family member then let me know. If you thought about it and have a friend then why not go halves each in the second ticket. That way you can support each other.

The first person to email me back and make 2008 as their year to quit smoking, will get a free course from Kickbike. The Allen Carr clinics boast that they have the most successful smoking cessation clinics in the world. They offer a success rate over 90%. No gimmicks, no painful withdrawals. You don't even need willpower! Check out their webite at They offer a Money back guarantee, but then that would come back to me, if it didn't work for you.

The value of this 1 day course is $550 and as a gift from Kickbike Australia, is free to the first person who emails me. Attendance date is flexible provided it is taken before 30th April 2008, and are usually on a Thursday or a Saturday.

Brisbane district kickbiking Calendar

Hello fellow Kickbikers

Welcome to 2008, I hope everyone enjoyed their festive celebrations and are now keen to get into 2008 with gusto. Here are the kick events happening in January.

There are 4 items of interest in todays email
1/ Kicks for January and early Feb
2/ Future events calendar
3/ Hire Kickbikes available
4/ Kickbike offers Free stop smoking course

Sunday 13th January - 6am - 16km Boondall to Nudgee Beach return, with coffee break and rest at the half way point. Mostly flat. Meet in the Carpark of the Boondall Wetlands Visitors Centre (Opposite side of Gateway Motorway to Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Refidex map 111 Ref C14). Bring some coffee money. Breakfast afterwards at Taigum Shopping centre - Lyn will be taking this kick on her own so please confirm your attendance by phoning 07 33590869 and leaving a message.

Sunday 20th January - 6am - 25km Bat run, Starting at Kangaroo point. (Drive under the Captain Cook bridge along the bottom of Kangaroo point cliffs towards where they do the Rock climbing. We meet before the first set of toilets.) We head to Bulimba via South Brisbane and Coorporoo, catch a ferry across to Tenneriffe and come back through New Farm, along the floating walkway and the Goodwill Bridge to Southbank for Brekkie. Bring $2.30 for your ferry.

Saturday 26th January - 6am - 22km Newstead run. Meet at Kangaroo point. (Same as above). From here we will head out over Story Bridge to New Farm and Breakfast Creek and return back via Newstead and Roma Street parklands, to Southbank for Brekkie.

Monday 28th January - 6am - Aust Day picnic - 20km Margate to Scarborough and return, mainly flat. Meet by the BBQ table across from the Fish and Chip shop on Margate parade, close to Albert St intersection. (Map 91 R14 of Refidex) Kick to Scarborough and back and then join us for a picnic from 9am. BYO food and drinks (there is a BBQ to cook with if you want, but it may be busy) There will also be some beach activities to enjoy as well. Bring your Bat and ball, frisbee etc and lets have fun

Monday 28th January - 8am - Aust Day picnic - First Timers Kickbike trial. If 20km is too much or 6am is too early, then try a later 5km flat kick at 8am, ideal as a first time trial, so all are welcome. Kickbike hire available - Meet at Margate parade (as above) and take the Kickbike for a gentle kick along the ocean boardwalk. Then join us for a picnic breakfast BYO drinks and food (as above), and join the activities (as above as well).


Sunday 3rd February - 6am - 35km Sangate to Woody point via Boondal, or the shorter course of 25km by missing out the Hornibrook . Meet in the carpark in front of Doug’s Seafood café on Flinders St, by the Second Ave intersection in Sangate. We will go to Woody point via Boondall and Deagon and the Hornibrooke Bridge, and then back via the Sangate beach front. Coffee and/or brunch afterwards at the Doug’s.


For the Morning kicks we usually stop near the end for Coffee and/or brunch, so bring some money and join us for whatever takes your fancy. For the afternoon kicks we try and find a coffee or an ice cream afterwards. Please confirm your attendance for any of these kicks, especially if you want to hire a Kickbike. Hire cost is $20 for one person or $10 per person for groups of 2 or more, so bring a friend or 2 and share the cost. Also bring along a sense of adventure, your own water and a bike Helmet if you have one. If you haven't got your own then I can provide one.

FUTURE KICKBIKE DATES - details and date confirmations to follow
29th March 08 - International Scooter Riding Day - includes picnic or BBQ
6th April 08 - Great Brisbane Bike Ride - option of 10km, 20km, 35km or 55km
6th April 08 - 70km Mt Coot-tha time challenge
Late April 08 - Mall to Mall Queen St Mall Brisbane to Ipswich Mall - Option of 25km or 50km
25th May 08 - Brissie to the Bay ride - option of 10km, 25km or 50km
12th October 08 - 100km Brisbane to Gold Coast challenge - Option of 50km or 100km
19th October 08 - Around the Bay in a Day - Melbourne - option of 50km, 100km or 210km
19th October 08 - Sydney Spring Cycle Challenge - options of 5, 10, 15, 20, 40 or 50km
Mid November 08 - Caloundra Great Ocean Bike Ride - options of 10km, 25km and 50km

Hire Kickbikes -
Don't forget, if you are unable to check out the Kickbikes on the scheduled kicks with me, you can also hire Kickbikes at Riverlife Adventure Centre at Kangaroo Point. They cater for the individual hire or group events as well. So take a few friends along to Riverlife at Kangaroo Point and check out the Kickbikes along with their full range of other activities including, Kayaking, Rock Climbing, Abseiling and a range of night activities as well. Details and contact information are available at www.riverlife.com.au or phone (07) 3891-5766

Another Free quit smoking course available to the first person to email me back making 2008 as their year to quit smoking. The Allen Carr clinics boast that they have the most successful smoking cessation clinics in the world. They offer a success rate over 90%. No gimmicks, no painful withdrawals. You don't even need willpower! Check out their webite at www.allencarr.com.au/states/sqld/

The value of this 1 day course is now $550 and as a gift from Kickbike Australia, is free to the first person who emails me to accept the challenge of attending the course. Attendance date is flexible provided it is taken before 30th April 2008, and are usually on a Thursday or a Saturday.

Happy Kicking
Bruce Cook
Mobile 0407 699884

Kickbike Australia wins Business Award

Hi Dave Riley -

Business of the Year award

It is with great pleasure that I announce that Kickbike Australia has been named the Business SWAP –Australasian 2007 Business of the Year – sole trader

Business SWAP are a group of people who provide mentoring, experience and the education to really help you grow your business.

See www.businessswap.com.au


I must admit that this award would not have been possible without the support of a lot of people, especially my good lady Lyn, who has always been very positive about the times I had to spend away from home, the weekend work, the early mornings and the late nights. I couldn’t have done it without you.

The people at Business SWAP (Salespeople with a Purpose) in Brisbane have also been incredibly supportive and inspirational in helping me to make Kickbike the business it is now.

But most of all I would like to thank people like you individually, who have provided friendship, encouragement and a positive atmosphere to work with, over the last 5 years. Thanks Dave for all your support, and I intend to continue growing and expanding Kickbike even further, and look forward to your continued support during that process. Thanks.


Bruce Cook
Kickbike Australia

Kickbike:Model try out

Bruce Cook from Kickbike Australia came around to my house yesterday afternoon. Up pulled the kickbike van with a full range of models for me to try.

His warehouse is near where I live here in Brisbane so I guess I live in kickbike country..

So onto the City Cruiser(pictured) I hop and my 'hood has not seen me go so fast.

These 'machines' are so darn light especially compared to my dogscooter which is built like a tank.

Weight: 10.5kg

Dimensions: 165cm L x 110cm H x 42mm W

Frame: KB-4 Hi-Ten steel

Footboard: Friction Textured aluminium alloy 100mm x 340mm

Forks: Unicorn Hi-Ten steel 40mm trail

Brakes: Front & Rear Alhonga dual pivot sidepull

Hubs: Quick release, KengMin, Front 60mm Rear 50mm

Rims: Alexrims, matt black

Tyres: Front Heng Shin 700x32C (65psi), Rear Maxxis Birdy 40x355 (65psi)

Unfortunately I failed to also take the opportunity to try the Sports model but the X-Country I had a go on is awesome in a true grit sort of way with front wheel suspension. Ideal for the mountain biker-- but not so good for road kicking as you lose energy when the suspension forks take up some of the momentum in your kick cadence. But when you are off road it's hills and dales and dirt and shrubbery -- not the asphalt that makes up your kickbiking route.

Like all scooters, the Kickbike is not a mule -- no good for carrying loads like shopping as aside from the small front end basket (on the Cruiser) the gear you travel with, in the main, has to be backpacked. That's because overhang will only get in the way of your kick follow through.

In contrast I carry shopping on my dogscooter by wheeling it homeward like a sideways shopping trolley. I can't ride it because of weight issues when I'm loaded up with groceries -- but it is an easy push. So I guess that's my major issue with the kickbike --compared to my scooter use habits.

But, you see, the kickbike is so much easier to push such that from a standing start and one kick I can get so much farther because so many more factors are on my side ergonomically. Physics is working for me, you see, a la Newton's core laws.

• Lightness: the Cruiser weighs in at 10 kgm
• Wheel base: the front wheel has a rotation base on par with standard bicycles.
• Shortness: the kickbike's length is about 25% shorter than my dogscooter so it has a better packaged momentum. The dogscooter in contrast has 'drag' -- a factor you notice on cornering as it feels like piloting a truck or bus
  

My major hesitancy, nonetheless, with the kickbike was the footboard as my dogscooter easily accommodate both feet and I even have a seat to sit on. So it's roomy. The Kickbike has a much shorter footboard -- only long enough for one shoe length. This means that to push a kickbike I had to change my kicking habits.

Since I'm not up to the "jump change" so often --where you jump one foot and bring in the other to replace it on the footboard -- Bruce showed me the slide in change which I mastered in a few minutes. Easy: just sneak the kicking leg in behind the one on the footboard and displace the weight that way.You can also ride with on foot on the other's "lap". Very cozy.


This is important as in scootering the main leg is the one that stays on the bike as that carries the weight and will be the first to tire. That's the irony as you'd expect the one doing the work on the ground is the most prone to fatigue. Not so.

So I'm hooked: I yankering for my share of kick fatigue