Ride Updates

While the Biker Bunnies have been finding time to ride, there doesn't seem to have been much time to post about rides on our blog, which is why I thought on the eve of the  Loop the Lake  ride - I'd add some photos from our latest adventures...


November 2011 - February 2012
Gosford to Ettalong and back
A sunny pre-summer day in November, took us on a slightly longer than our trusted Gossie-Wossie ride... We continued past Woy Woy down to Ettalong - where we had a most interesting coffee experience (which included a lecture on the failures of making a strong coffee :P)... and a browse in the outdoor shopping arcade area, before embarking on the return pedal. All up this adventure covered about 35km.

Amanda at the start near Gosford Pool

Tor arriving in Woy Woy

The waterfront between Woy Woy and Ettalong

...hmmm interesting coffee indeed!

... couldn't agree more :)

Ettalong cycle path with the Jacaranda in full bloom

Gossie Wossie Rides and more...
Amanda and I fitted in a few rides to Woy Woy and back before the Christmas rush. Then early in the new year (after another bout of rainy days), Tor - with her brand new bike came along for an adventure along a slightly wetter bike path. After coasting along for years on her old (but still lovely) bike, Tor literally flew to Woy Woy and back on her aptly named (female) Stallion:

Coming out of the railway tunnel at Point Claire

Biker Bunnies with style :)

Amanda's bike is 'looking after' the new Stallion...

Early February Amanda and I did a hilly ride around Springfield (no camera on board for this one sadly). We started in Erina and cycled down towards the art gallery where we turned into the back streets of East Gosford and Springfield. There are a few decent hills along the way, which gave us a chance to grunt and pedal through the lower gears for a while. Almost at the end of our loop (finish line in sight),  yours truly came up with the idea that we could turn around and double back the way we came to make it a longer (and hillier) ride. Amanda delightfully accepted (you know she secretly loves hills...) and proved a star going up the mad hill where the round-about is painfully positioned before you get to the top... No time for coffee at the end of this ride, but it was still a fabulous adventure :)

Bike re-vamp...
After spending the early part of its life being pink it was time for mini-Amanda's bike to have a re-vamp. With spray cans and stickers at hand, we embarked on a mission to give her bike a new look. This involved cleaning the bike, pumping the tyres, oiling the chain and masking (some) areas before taking aim with the spray can - and here's the groovy result:

Hope you're all well and stay tuned for an update on the Loop the Lake ride which we're off to do tomorrow!

Annette :)

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 :)