March - April 2007

Hail Britannia!

23 Second Interview Arabelle Taggart

What you do for a living?

I am a decorative pillow maker. I custom make pillows for interior designers and decorators. I have been making pillows for 17 years and my pillows grace high-end interiors, ships and planes throughout the USA, Europe and the Caribbean.

How did you first find out about the 5BBC?

I was taking photos of the Harbor Seals spray showers public art at East River Park on October of 2005. It was a quiet fall day and this chap came over and struck up a conversation. He noticed my bike and mentioned that I should check out the 5BBC. I came home that night and found the website and joined. He used to ride a bike but discovered the fold up scooter and was riding around town on that. If he is reading this, thanks for the great tip about the 5BBC!

What do you like about the club?

I have seen parts of NYC and the boroughs that I never knew existed! It’s been great biking through neighbourhoods I had heard about but wouldn’t have ventured to on my own. Members have been incredibly encouraging of me and its been fun meeting people outside of my profession that share the same interest--biking! I am more of a tourist biker, I love soaking in the different neighbourhoods, architecture, scenery and love taking photos, so the friendly J rides are perfect for me. And the 5BBC really is the friendly bike club.

Favorite bicycle?

My latest red Jamis Citizen with attachable basket and 21 gears is great for the city bumps and potholes. In comparison to the Brompton fold-up (my first bike here), Jamis is like riding a Rolls Royce. 21 gears sure have made a difference going up the hills on rides. But I am always looking to trade up!

Favorite group ride?

Sandy Hook.

Favorite solo ride?

Sandy Hook! Love that place!

What does England have about cycling that New York doesn't have and/or vice versa?

I am still a bike novice. But when I met serious cyclists here, they are always eager to show me a part of the bike that was made in the UK…so I guess the Brits have a lot more than I would know about. Growing up in England, we used bikes as a form of transportation as I lived in a small village, until you could drive….biking was freedom! This last summer, visiting my parents, I was surprised that I was able to rent a bike for a week. The Grafham Water reservoir, down the road from us, now has a 13-mile bike path around it and they are really geared up for cyclists. Apparently, it attracts cyclists from miles away.