Towards the end of my time in Hull, I was lucky to go on a long leisurely cycle with the Larks and Owls cycle group. Initiated by Gisèle, the group is largely an unorganisation of cyclists who occasionally meet for random rides around Hull. She describes them as:

“Cycling around Hull, East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire. About 30 miles every few weeks. Not hectic but not slow. Goldilocks rides.”

On Saturday (26.6.10) we cycled over the Humber Bridge, had a beer and some dubious crisps (Shrimp Fries suitable for vegetarians!) in a local pub, and then cycled back again. It was a lovely way to end my month in Hull.

I’ve just had this paper accepted for the 2010 Cycling and Society Symposium in Oxford in September.

“Natterings” and “silly little things”: Informal encounters, everyday connections and local characters in cycle campaigning in Hull

This paper will draw on ethnographic and interview data on cycle campaigners in Hull (2010). It focuses on campaigners in both official and volunteer contexts, taking particular interest in the myriad of places, times and methods in and through which individuals do important work. While some of these practices take place in conventional meetings, many others occur in informal settings and at unusual times. Campaigners talk to people in the street. They stop to help strangers with punctures. They volunteer with different cycle groups in their spare time. They introduce people. They share news and tell of events. They make lists, keep records and write letters. This paper examines how “natterings” and “silly little things” serve to generate and reinforce critical connections between people, ideas and things. It reflects upon the role of cycle campaigners as “local characters” with deeply embedded knowledge of people, places and things that together make and sustain these networks. Emerson (2009) draws attention to ‘ordinary troubles’ to highlight the routine, boring and often trivialised interactions that help to explain more dramatic events. In this case, a focus on “natterings” and “silly little things” brings to light not only the mundane activities that underpin successful cycling campaigning but also the persistence, patience and relentless pressure necessary to make change happen.

I experienced a number of technology fails on the weekend.

I admit I was secretly hoping a GPS track of one of my rides might somehow turn into a really interesting shape, like maybe a giant rabbit. This, however, is not what I had in mind. My GPS tracker made these maps during my last few days in Hull. Although we were together, it seems that we have very different memories of shared events. While I went on lovely long rides across the city and over the bridge, it seems my GPS device just went up and down the same streets a few times.

Sadly, it appears my much prized Go Pro camera is no longer working. I am hoping this is but a temporary blip in what has otherwise been delightful relationship. It stopped working during a ride on Friday and has since frozen during setup. I was kind of expecting this of my handheld snappy camera as it has taken some spectacular spills from the bike, while the Go Pro has been securely strapped to my handlebars. I am hoping it just needs a break as I have been working it pretty hard. It took over 1000 photos during some rides.

On Saturday night after a lovely leisurely ride with Larks and Owls, I joined some of the riders for a drink at a local which turned into a bit of dancing. Happily, I wasn’t alone in being caught on the dance floor in a frock and cycle shoes. While this seemed destined to be a fail, surprisingly I discovered they work pretty well. Cycle shoes on the dance floor – FTW.

Finally, a technology fail of epic proportions. I arrived home late on Saturday night to discover my key would not unlock my front door. I could access the hall but not my actual flat. The lock which until this point (over a month I have spent in Hull) had exhibited no such curmudgeonly tendencies suddenly, completely and inexplicably barred access to my shower, bed, change of clothes, supper…..etc. So, I slept in the hall. Well, I kind of slept in the hall. As a cyclist I feel fairly well prepared for many things – from temperamental weather to bike problems to anything that requires a few tools or perhaps the creative use of an inner tube or cable tie. But, sadly these did little for a jammed lock or impromptu bedding. The motion sensor hall light added a particularly special touch to this spontaneous camping experience.

I notice that many of my time-lapse sequences are of tracks away from car traffic and as a result is not totally representative of my cycling experience in Hull. Although I am doing many longer rides that take me out of the city, I frequently criss-cross the main urban centre to get to interviews.

Here is a time-lapse sequence from my cycle across town yesterday. I took photos every 2 seconds at 13.00 and again at 14.30.

City Cycling: 25th June 2010 from Kat Jungnickel on Vimeo.

Music is “Biskopsgården Night Life” by Glenny 417. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License.

Today I spent time at Costello Stadium with a group that provides opportunities for disabled people to experience cycling with their family and friends. I not only witnessed people thoroughly enjoying themselves but I took the chance to join in. I circled the park many times on a very sweet red tricycle with a basket on the back.

The group have a collection of bicycles that are easy to ride for people with different forms of mobility. Clients and carers told me not only how much fun it is but how the activity builds confidence, new skills and fitness levels. The smiles, laughter and shrieks of joy made it very clear how much cycling is enjoyed by everyone.

I then cycled from the stadium to Beverley Road where I interviewed a key member of the Beech Holme Tandem Club. Although, Rachel and I have been regular participants in the weekly tandem rides and we held a focus group with four backriders earlier this week, I thought it would be valuable to have even more focused time with an experienced backrider. And it was great. Talking about cycling is not always easy for people. But in some cases, such as this, it was filled with fabulous stories and rich history of the area.

This map kind of shows my movements today – however it only captures half the trip. Double it and add speed for a better representation – my goodbyes at the stadium took longer than expected and I had to race back into town for my next appointment. Like yesterday, the weather was perfect which meant I was kind of warm when I arrived.