July 24, 2010

Update from the North

Over the last few weeks I've had the pleasure and joy to ride around the Swedish countryside on a borrowed bicycle (thanks to my sister-in-law who kindly and bravely has let me use her bike). It really has been wonderful to jump on a bike in the middle of all the busy things one does while travelling around. Trips to beaches, and general exploration (read getting lost) escapades into the summery countryside. I won't bore you with all the details of the 350km I've clocked up so far, but a few interesting things may be fun to add:

  1. Cycle on the 'right' side of the road (not left) - this was very tricky in the beginning especially for someone as un-coordinated with left and right as I am... I had one very close shave with a lady on a bike (on a cycle path mind you) where I practically ran the poor thing down trying to decide which side I had to pass her on.
  2. Cars really do leave room for cyclists - I've marvelled at cars (and trucks) giving me so much room when they overtake that they're actually driving on the wrong side of the road! Calls for a friendly wave each time :)
  3. Bikes - lots of people ride them - they ride to work, to school, to the shops - which means every public place is full of bicycle stands. Kids on bikes, old ladies on bikes - they really are everywhere :)

One road I've travelled a fair bit is a long flat 25km stretch of country road (destination: red farmhouse by the forest where my husband was born). On one hand the flat road gives a fabulous opportunity to take in the surroundings, but then there is the WIND (no hiding from a strong wind on a flat open road...).Riding to the farm generally involves a steady head wind (buckle down and pedal hard), while the trip back to town is a blow-in experience and delightfully zippy ride :)

pretty narrow shoulder here...

photo opportunity on the long straight road

Must say it was delightful to read about Amanda and Matt's ride the other week! Hope you're all well and I look forward to more bunny rides in a very short time indeed!


Annette :)

July 10, 2010

Gossie to The Woy with Matt

Well, this started at rather a fast pace with Matt steaming ahead and me thinking had I done the right thing. Matt can only do everything at one pace and that is FAST!!!!! We made it to Woy Woy for coffee in a smashing 35 minutes and I, with no breath, panting and near to death had a double shot coffee. The ride out was uneventful as we were going so bloody fast and I did race Matt a bit of the way, I must admit.





The bike ride back was an extremely eventful event with swearing and a near death experience for my poor husband. Firstly, little ole me was actually on the footpath cycling when some idiot shouted 'BIKE WANKERS' - mmmm how pleasant. When I told Jake this he laughed and said it could be an INBETWEENERS take off i.e. BUS WANKERS.

Then, when Matt and I were doing a little 'see who can cruise the furthest down the hill' by Point Clare something rather dramatic and scary happened. Matt nearly had a head on collision with another cyclist. The idiot came out of the train station and without looking cycled straight into the path of Matt speeding down the hill. Quick thinking Matt slammed on his brakes and skidded in the gravel narrowly missing the idiot who didn't even flinch, look up or say sorry. So I shouted out 'Bloody Idiot' and he just cylced off in his own world. So not only do we have to look out for mad car drivers, selfish pedestrians but now mad cyclists.

Anyway, time to sign off, Annette I hope you are continuing your cycling and ready to tackle a biggun on your return. Miss your company - see you soon!

July 1, 2010

Commuter Challenge 2010

Hello all Biker Bunnies :)

This is a quick little update post with an incentive for you all...
A little while back I got this email from Bicycle NSW with a link to register for the 2010 Commuter Challenge... I thought it could be a fun thing to try - and so I registered, received my e-logbook and started filling in rides...
Once I'd clocked up the 500km I emailed my handy-dandy logbook back to the organisers and thought that would be it until maybe they'd let us know at the end of the year how many people had completed the challenge...

I hadn't read the fine print so the rewards at the end came as a complete surprise to me: First a certificate arrived in the mail, well that was pretty exciting I thought and sent off an email telling the organisers so. Then a week later, a GOLD medal arrived in the post! Being my first gold medal ever, I must admit I was pretty chuffed :)



So... you all have plenty of time to jump on board - the challenge goes until December this year, and if you break it into weeks - 500km isn't all that much (you'll be surprised!) Over 20 weeks you'd only need to do 25km per week. Right, enough of me being pushy - but I will pop the link here for anyone who'd like to register, and if anyone wants to see the gold medal, I'll be wearing it every day from now on :D

2010 Bicycle Commuter Challenge link

Bunny Amanda and I have been on a few adventure rides, where our latest one took us down to Ettalong (extending our Gossie to WoyWoy return ride). It was a lovely ride with coffee at Gnostic on the way back and loads of laughs along the way. Time has been cramped of late so no ride update here on that one as yet I'm afraid.

Over the next few weeks I hope to post some ride updates from the northern hemisphere, as this bunny is going travelling...

Do stay safe and well all, and happy riding!

Annette :)