Wynne Gray: Summer brings out asphalt athletes

Photo / Greg Bowker

As summer allegedly approaches, increasing numbers of Aucklanders are taking to the cycle routes, footpaths and scenic walkways around the city.

Many are buff, clad in the latest kit and design colours and appear to be in training for the next Coast to Coast, targeting some marathon or other or multi-day journey.

There are variations like the bloke I saw, pedalling his bike with some small white dog in a basket attached to the handlebars. Maybe the pooch was recovering after surgery, had three legs or a complete aversion to exercise but it was a distinctive look.

Not far down the road two terriers were tethered on long leads to a man's bike and trotting alongside in a very business-like manner. It was an effective combination of exercise with my only concern being that one of the dogs would get whiplash if he stopped for a toilet break.

As I pondered these weighty issues at the lights, a kid on a scooter whizzed along the footpath tailed by his mother who was jogging with infant No2 in a pram.

Then there are the walkers, those asphalt athletes who are satisfying their daily need for exercise and interaction, rehabbing some sort of injury or following some medical advice.

They come in all shapes and size and all manner of garb and gait. Check out how many styles you've seen or which category you fall into.

Serious: The full-ahead stare is only broken by glances at a wrist watch to check interval times on a carefully-measured course and to measure sips from a special drinks potion.

Saunter: It's more of a stroll but there is a purpose and an answer to anyone daring to suggest the frame has not been out for a blast or two.

Fashion: Full-on fluoro kit with matching sweatbands, dazzling hat and shoes to tell any approaching competitors they are serious about their look and intent.

Theorists: They've read the latest mag in the physio's room and carry weights in each fist, are clad in a sauna wrap and use a deliberate stride to tone specific muscle groups.

Shufflers: It's unclear whether this head-down crew are out of rehab or heading for it but each slow-motion pace seems a massive effort.

Technical: The mob who have been to instruction class where they have been told to alter their gait and learn to pronate, rotate, oscillate or something.

Dog-minders: The rent-a-mob pooch walkers who'll take a clutch of canines on leads and a selection of plastic bags and gloves so they can avoid any fines for littering public places.

Music-hounds: Those who can't do without some tunes on their trek and have mobile phones or i-Pods velcroed to their upper arms or noise-cancelling headsets draped across their last concert caps.

Multi-taskers: Who are fortunate enough to be close enough to work and work up a serious sweat to and from the desk carrying what look to be day packs for a trip to Kathmandu.