Painting Fakes

 I've just finished reading a wonderful little book by Melissa and Chris Bruntlett called Curbing Traffic: The Human Case for Fewer Cars in Our Lives.   The Bruntletts are Canadian cycling advocates who moved from their home in Vancouver to the Dutch town of Delft to pursue their cycling dreams.  They knew they were moving to the home of commuter cycling, having already written a book about the Dutch cycling revolution, but they were unprepared for just how great it would be. Delft itself is a small town but it's in the middle of the Randstad, the urbanised western part of the Netherlands that includes The Hague, Rotterdam and Amsterdam with a population of over eight million people.  These cities are pretty much the global leaders in active transport, with dense networks of protected cycleways and walkways and lots of areas which are 'no go' for cars.  Delft is at the forefront of this movement, with cars progressively barred from more and more of the town's street

So I fell off my bike.  No-one helped me do it, I was not a victim of anti-cyclist road rage or a careless driver using their mobile phone.  I was just riding down Mt Gravatt one morning six weeks ago after a little bit of rain and the wheels slipped out from under me. I landed on my right shoulder.  Quite hard.  I broke my collarbone, bruised a rib and did something or other to my hip which meant I couldn't walk.  Six weeks on my hip is getting better although I'm still limping a bit, my rib is still slightly sore and I have a metal plate holding my collarbone together so it is gradually healing. Still, it's not all bad.  At least I get an opportunity to learn stuff.  Here's some things I've learned. 1. Don't Fall Off Actually I already knew this.  It's just that now I know it more.  Don't ride too fast for the conditions.  Concentrate around the bends.  Brake appropriately.  Etc etc.  Hindsight is a wonderful thing. 2. Wear a Helmet My list o