NZ On The Byway

One of the first industry sectors that became aware of the baby boom phenomenon worldwide is the travel industry.  

In the 80’s when I was learning the ropes at the reception and the groups department of a big London hotel, the organised bus tour was the height of fashion. My job was to inform the kitchen that 80 kosher meals were to be prepared, housekeeping to get 100 beds made and the porters to flawlessly shift 200 suitcases in the right room on the right floor. In particular the Japanese market was known for tours consisting entirely of ‘second honeymooners’ recently retired rat-racers who were given the trip of a lifetime to reconnect with their spouses.

Then in the 90’s this trend was followed by the business of fitness and wellness; we started to do the great walks and braved the outdoors in tents transported in our backpacks. After the millennium we gave up smoking and G&T for fine wine and working out with Pilates or more aerobic exercise, enjoying our visits to the spa and yoga retreats with reiki massage. And now – thanks to the NZ Cycle trail – we’re training our bums to be OK on bikes. 

The popularity of the New Zealand cycle trail keeps growing and the pain and joy of cycling is revealed or rediscovered by young and old bodies alike. But is it harmless? There are alarming reports about ACC claims relating to cycling accidents. For my first blog I’ve researched some information for you about meandering safely along the trails. 

The 3 p’s = PRACTICE PREVENTS PAIN

If you’re new to the game it’s wise to get in some practice first. Many councils offer starting lessons for the mature learner cyclist like Auckland Transport and Harbour Sport, or Cycle Action in the Auckland region. Around Wellington Pedal Ready have great community programs making learning fun. The Nelson region has Ride ON, there is Cycle Safe in Christchurch and Cycling Southland in Invercargill who offer the BIKENZ learner programs.

One of the first online resources if you are looking for information or for an event is bikewise. Bike Wise is New Zealand’s national programme of activities which promote cycling as a fun, healthy and a safe way to travel.

Cycling health and safety

Bike Wise has several reports including a fact sheet about how to be safe when cycling on the road i.e. wearing bright colours, being visible, wearing the right helmet and being confident. 

There also is a report about the health benefits of cycling which include weight loss and working your lungs and legs. 

Once you’ve had a few lessons on how to get and stay on yur bike it is time to work on technique; corners, working the gears, up and down hill – it’s all part of building confidence. Avanti Plus, the cycle shops have a great page on their website called pluszone where I found a training schedule for doing a trail.

In a recent edition of Grown Ups, Jacqui Wilkinson  wrote about taking up cycling. Her business Adventure Capital gives information and has bike hire and camping gear for new day-trippers or cyclists who are ready for a cycling holiday on the NZ Cycle Trail… and that brings us back to the beginning with the NZ Cycle Trails being to blame for the new boom on bikes. 

A last word of encouragement; Most of those ACC bike accidents are committed by over confident bikers. Just take it easy and take it to the byway.

A boomer’s blog that meanders along the back roads

I’m a lucky girl. I was born in the second half of the 50’s, grew up in a country where freedom of speech is a given and was nurtured in a family where encouragement was connected to discipline; if you want it… just do it.

Rather than regretting the past I’m thankful not to be a teenager or even a young executive any more. Been there, done that and now, at the other side of 50 I enjoy the fullness of life with some time to spare to satisfy my curiosity about tomorrow. 

And I’m not alone; I grew up in Europe where there are now an estimated 150 million retired baby boomers in the EU alone many of whom are reasonably well off and in good health with time to spare. New Zealand and Australia has a more than average baby boomer population which possibly explains the growing popularity of Grown-ups.

I’m a lucky girl because in the salad days of my pre-retirement I am given the chance to live the life I love; I look after guests and visitors in the B&B my husband and I started in the ex- 4Square shop of Benneydale (look it up) 

I continue to sing and occasionally perform (about which I’ll tell you more at another occasion) 

I write blogs and articles about my passion-which is travel.

Like most of the Grown-up subscribers I enjoy continuing to learn and experience new things every day. And since living is all about sharing, I’ll be taking you on a virtual tour of the byways of New Zealand as seen through the eyes of a manuhiri baby boomer. 

Aroha and Inshallah …

Monica LOUIS

Read more from Monica Louis here