Dear Followers,
I apologise for leaving you all such a shamefully long period of time without a blog entry. Life gets very busy at times, or to be more precise I managed to find myself an absolutely amazing boyfriend; sorry people of internet land, but cuddling beats blogging just about any day of the week.
Essentially, training for a marathon bike ride isn't that complicated. Basically, you ride your bike, until your body becomes accustomed to riding, and you can ride more and more. I began to understand that preparing for this bike ride is really a two step process ie
1) Bike Training
2) Bike event
Life likes to throw curveballs at you though, and now my bicycle event has become a bit of a three-step process. This morning my Dr. diagnosed a tumor in my breast. Now, over the next few weeks/months/however god-damned long it takes I will be undergoing various tests, surgery, and follow-ups until such time as my body is cancer cell- free. So here's my new three step process.
1) Anhilate tumor/cancer.
2)Bike Training
3) Bike event
Now, I could start quoting from the hagakurae, or Sun Tsu's "The art of war" I'm a well read and learned woman like that. I've also done a fair bit of martial arts training, enough to spout tough chick platitudes until the sun goes down, the cows have come home, and the fat lady has sung until blue in the face.
I'm not going to quote, I'm going to use my own words here.
I am going to war on this tumor. I will use every scientifically proven technique available. I am not afraid of scaples, of hard ionising radiation, or of cytotoxic chemical compounds. I am confident that the strength, tenacity and reserves in my body are greater than that of this piss-ant clump of parasitic cells.
I am a logical thinker and an athiest, and my response to any twit who suggests that touching a crystal while sniffing burning herbs and singing a song to the full moon with a pair of hessian knickers on my head will do a better job than decades of peer reviewed scientific research will make the opening scene of Stanley Kubrik's full metal jacket look like a tupperware party.
I would like to highlight that early detection provides the best possible prognosis for breast cancer survival, so please do your regular self exams, and more importantly follow up on anything that seems out of the ordinary. Guys, be like my boyfriend, and if you notice something unusual about your partner's breasts, say so. Face it, you've probably touched more different pairs of breasts than she has.
Finally, to my boyfriend, thankyou for being wise and mature enough to say something about the lump. You're an awesome cook, delightfully witty, a pleasure to be with, and have quite possibly saved my life. I can honestly say I've never met a man who's done so much.
Until next time followers,
M.
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
Cranky on the commuting ride
Life, seriously. Settle down. Please. I love you and all, you're wonderful, but please, chill. This week has included fourteen hour days at the office, lots of family time, massively pressing deadlines, huge projects, my very good friend and colleague is away. My "Facebook status" has changed from "single" to "in a reltionship.
I've gotten to know all the cleaners at my office really well; both the morning shift people, and the night shift people.
This blog is dedicated to my commuting ride. It's all the bike time I've gotten this week really; and as I do a lot of commuting on my bicycles, it deserves an honourable mention.
Today I cycled my 15km trip from work to home in 26 mins. I was on my road bike, and got a sweet run with the traffic lights on the down-side of the hill.
I threw my leg over "The defiant" (my road bike) at 7.20pm, and unlocked my front door at 7.46pm. The ride starts with a warm up jaunt through the city walk. I roll along, weaving the bike between the thin spread of pedestrians strolling amongst the shops.
In the distance I spied a green turning arrow onto Northborne Ave Canberra.
"I want that green light"
I tucked down onto the drops and pulled on the cranks, slipping up three gears in a thumping alpine shift.
"I'm going to take that green light"
I tucked the bicycle into a tight right turn, counting the cranks, right foot up, left foot down.
The light changed to Amber as I exited the intersection.
Okay Canberra, it's on like donkey kong.
I keep the gear and cadence up. rolling to the next intersection, taking the green light. I turn left at the next block onto Barry drive. I tuck the bike tight into the corner, counting the cranks, left foot up, knee tucked to the frame.
I pull the bike up straight, digging and pulling the cranks up, slipping up another chain ring. I overtake a bus past the next intersection, turn my head to the left to watch the slip-lane, then slide the bike across back to the bike lane.
I settle in for the hill; as Barry drive skirts the edge of black mountain. I ease back three gears as I hit the base of the hill.
I grudgingly ease back one more as I hit the bicycle green paint and the second portion of the hill. My legs are burning with lactic acid. I shout at myself in japanese. I shout at myself in english. "COME ON! PULL THOSE CRANKS! HAVE ANOTHER GEAR!! PEDAL BITCH!"
I tuck down to the drops and drag my aching legs against the gears. I look down. Big chain ring. Half way down the rear chain rings. Hang on?.... I'm pulling a massive gear on this hill! yeah!
I hit the rise, and coasted for a moment, taking in a ragged breath. The wheels picked up speed as I gained momentum down the hill.
I stood up in the cleats for a quick calf stretch, then tucked down again, quickly slipping the gears up to the top gear. I brace my hands clear of the gears and brakes as I hit the bottom of the hill, taking the weight out of the seat and onto my quads. I tuck upwards as the bike bounces over the uneven drain-hat and gravel at the base of the hill, then I slide the bike across the concrete drain and onto the bike lane.
I slip down two quick gears, and settle in for the long slow slope up to Hayden drive. I'm listening to "adagio for strings" .... only it's the DJ Tiesto remix.
A large LED sign flashes at the side of the road. "SLOW DOWN" it instructs. "3 demerit points, $277" it intones. "Worth every bloody penny" I think. I force myself up a gear, and dig my legs into the cranks. Pass the green sign. No more up hill.
I spy the green bike light in the distance. I want the green light. I pile on three gears, and tuck down. 200 meters out from the intersection, the light changes to amber. I'm not going to get the light.
While waiting for the light to change I re-shuffle my ipod. "sickness" by disturbed.
The light changes to green and I push off, beating a suburu imprezza across the intersection. (not the WRX)
I nail the bike down the hill, the bike cruising in top gear. The wind breathing through my helmet. I round the corner for the last hill before coulter drive. My legs burn with fatigue. My eyes burn with fatigue. I breathe in through my nose and out through my mouth. More shouting at myself in japanese, and the occasional bit of english. I lift my tail out of the seat and push the bike over the crest of the last hill. I turn my neck to the right and check my blind spot. Three lanes clear. I scoot across, and take the right turning lane. Red Light.
I stop at the light, and take off my polar fleece tucking it into my back pack. I indicate with my right arm for the turn, feeling the cool evening wind blowing over my skin.
The light turns green. I tuck down on the drops and drag the bike through the intersection. as I round the coner, check the slip-lane and slide across to the bike lane I spy something. Flashing red light. Another bike. I knuckle down to the drops and drag the bike forwards as hard as I can. I want to overtake that bike.
as I pass the cyclist, I do a double take... It's Andre! The nice man who rescued me my first week in Canberra when I had a flat tyre!
Andre is this guy, whom I only know as Andre, who drove me and my bicylcle home one time when I had a flat tyre. I was suck on Belconnen way with a 8km walk home (in my socks) The lift home with my wounded bike meant that I was able to make it to Kung Fu class that night. I slowed down, and pedalled alongside Andre to say Hi.
We passed the general cyclist chit chat, and challenged each other along the last 1km of bike lane before I turned down my street.
I eased back on the pdeals, turned into my driveway. I looked down at the clock on my handlebars. 7.46pm.
I love riding.
I've gotten to know all the cleaners at my office really well; both the morning shift people, and the night shift people.
This blog is dedicated to my commuting ride. It's all the bike time I've gotten this week really; and as I do a lot of commuting on my bicycles, it deserves an honourable mention.
Today I cycled my 15km trip from work to home in 26 mins. I was on my road bike, and got a sweet run with the traffic lights on the down-side of the hill.
I threw my leg over "The defiant" (my road bike) at 7.20pm, and unlocked my front door at 7.46pm. The ride starts with a warm up jaunt through the city walk. I roll along, weaving the bike between the thin spread of pedestrians strolling amongst the shops.
In the distance I spied a green turning arrow onto Northborne Ave Canberra.
"I want that green light"
I tucked down onto the drops and pulled on the cranks, slipping up three gears in a thumping alpine shift.
"I'm going to take that green light"
I tucked the bicycle into a tight right turn, counting the cranks, right foot up, left foot down.
The light changed to Amber as I exited the intersection.
Okay Canberra, it's on like donkey kong.
I keep the gear and cadence up. rolling to the next intersection, taking the green light. I turn left at the next block onto Barry drive. I tuck the bike tight into the corner, counting the cranks, left foot up, knee tucked to the frame.
I pull the bike up straight, digging and pulling the cranks up, slipping up another chain ring. I overtake a bus past the next intersection, turn my head to the left to watch the slip-lane, then slide the bike across back to the bike lane.
I settle in for the hill; as Barry drive skirts the edge of black mountain. I ease back three gears as I hit the base of the hill.
I grudgingly ease back one more as I hit the bicycle green paint and the second portion of the hill. My legs are burning with lactic acid. I shout at myself in japanese. I shout at myself in english. "COME ON! PULL THOSE CRANKS! HAVE ANOTHER GEAR!! PEDAL BITCH!"
I tuck down to the drops and drag my aching legs against the gears. I look down. Big chain ring. Half way down the rear chain rings. Hang on?.... I'm pulling a massive gear on this hill! yeah!
I hit the rise, and coasted for a moment, taking in a ragged breath. The wheels picked up speed as I gained momentum down the hill.
I stood up in the cleats for a quick calf stretch, then tucked down again, quickly slipping the gears up to the top gear. I brace my hands clear of the gears and brakes as I hit the bottom of the hill, taking the weight out of the seat and onto my quads. I tuck upwards as the bike bounces over the uneven drain-hat and gravel at the base of the hill, then I slide the bike across the concrete drain and onto the bike lane.
I slip down two quick gears, and settle in for the long slow slope up to Hayden drive. I'm listening to "adagio for strings" .... only it's the DJ Tiesto remix.
A large LED sign flashes at the side of the road. "SLOW DOWN" it instructs. "3 demerit points, $277" it intones. "Worth every bloody penny" I think. I force myself up a gear, and dig my legs into the cranks. Pass the green sign. No more up hill.
I spy the green bike light in the distance. I want the green light. I pile on three gears, and tuck down. 200 meters out from the intersection, the light changes to amber. I'm not going to get the light.
While waiting for the light to change I re-shuffle my ipod. "sickness" by disturbed.
The light changes to green and I push off, beating a suburu imprezza across the intersection. (not the WRX)
I nail the bike down the hill, the bike cruising in top gear. The wind breathing through my helmet. I round the corner for the last hill before coulter drive. My legs burn with fatigue. My eyes burn with fatigue. I breathe in through my nose and out through my mouth. More shouting at myself in japanese, and the occasional bit of english. I lift my tail out of the seat and push the bike over the crest of the last hill. I turn my neck to the right and check my blind spot. Three lanes clear. I scoot across, and take the right turning lane. Red Light.
I stop at the light, and take off my polar fleece tucking it into my back pack. I indicate with my right arm for the turn, feeling the cool evening wind blowing over my skin.
The light turns green. I tuck down on the drops and drag the bike through the intersection. as I round the coner, check the slip-lane and slide across to the bike lane I spy something. Flashing red light. Another bike. I knuckle down to the drops and drag the bike forwards as hard as I can. I want to overtake that bike.
as I pass the cyclist, I do a double take... It's Andre! The nice man who rescued me my first week in Canberra when I had a flat tyre!
Andre is this guy, whom I only know as Andre, who drove me and my bicylcle home one time when I had a flat tyre. I was suck on Belconnen way with a 8km walk home (in my socks) The lift home with my wounded bike meant that I was able to make it to Kung Fu class that night. I slowed down, and pedalled alongside Andre to say Hi.
We passed the general cyclist chit chat, and challenged each other along the last 1km of bike lane before I turned down my street.
I eased back on the pdeals, turned into my driveway. I looked down at the clock on my handlebars. 7.46pm.
I love riding.
Saturday, 28 May 2011
Why I love my mum. (or how I learned to stop worrying and love the bike)
Firstly, what a crazy crazy week. Icy cold weather, sleet, socialising, a full on work schedule and a wounded bicycle were all crushing blows to my cycling time this week.
My parents are in town visiting this weekend; and they were obliging enough to spend the morning with me at the science museum while I did my volunteer rounds. They actually got right into the experience, and we had a great time playing with the exhibits. I even got some curious kids asking me my favourite question.
"BUT WHY?"
Then off I went with my family for a nice lunch.
HANG ON JUST A COTTON-PICKING MINUTE. THIS BLOG IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT BIKE RIDING, ESPECIALLY THE LONG DISTANCE TYPE. I know what you're thinking dear reader; all your faithful author has done today is talk and eat. Both of which are admirable activities to be sure, but neither of these activities were done while on a bike so what's the point in blogging it?.
Well, it was the conversation that makes this so worthy of blogging. So crazy and exciting that, well, I'm excited like big Kev (obviously excited like big kev prior to him being deceased.)
Over lunch, I told my parents about my cycling plan. I was surprised by their response. No surprise whatsoever. Just a "That sounds like your idea of a holiday"
Then my mum chimed in.
"So you're going to ride down for Christmas, and then I guess knowing you, you'll turn around and ride back home"
A cheshire-cat like grin spread across my face. I hadn't even thought of getting back home. What a fantastic idea... I may as well ride back..... It's really a bugger of a job to put a bicycle in one of those big boxes to go on the aircraft, and I do always get that cringey feeling when I watch the baggage handler lob my most precious posession with one arm from the aircraft down to the baggage trolley. I don't think there's anyone on this planet who'd want to give me and my push-bike a random lift from Colac to Canberra. Riding my bike back just makes perfect sense.
So, like Frodo Baggins said, "there and back again" instead of 810km, that makes it 1620km. Providing my boss lets me have enough time off work, I see no reason why not. Besides, what if I were to miss some scenery on the way down... or worse, not sample the coffee in every town possible?
By this stage my wonderful dad had rallied himself, and collected his jaw off the table. He very gently suggested that maybe I should take things a little bit easier and head off to the Phillipines to do a spot of gentle and lady-like spelunking and white water rafting. Great idea dad, I'll lock that adventure in for 2012; after the bike ride of course.
Love ya mum and dad!
My parents are in town visiting this weekend; and they were obliging enough to spend the morning with me at the science museum while I did my volunteer rounds. They actually got right into the experience, and we had a great time playing with the exhibits. I even got some curious kids asking me my favourite question.
"BUT WHY?"
Then off I went with my family for a nice lunch.
HANG ON JUST A COTTON-PICKING MINUTE. THIS BLOG IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT BIKE RIDING, ESPECIALLY THE LONG DISTANCE TYPE. I know what you're thinking dear reader; all your faithful author has done today is talk and eat. Both of which are admirable activities to be sure, but neither of these activities were done while on a bike so what's the point in blogging it?.
Well, it was the conversation that makes this so worthy of blogging. So crazy and exciting that, well, I'm excited like big Kev (obviously excited like big kev prior to him being deceased.)
Over lunch, I told my parents about my cycling plan. I was surprised by their response. No surprise whatsoever. Just a "That sounds like your idea of a holiday"
Then my mum chimed in.
"So you're going to ride down for Christmas, and then I guess knowing you, you'll turn around and ride back home"
A cheshire-cat like grin spread across my face. I hadn't even thought of getting back home. What a fantastic idea... I may as well ride back..... It's really a bugger of a job to put a bicycle in one of those big boxes to go on the aircraft, and I do always get that cringey feeling when I watch the baggage handler lob my most precious posession with one arm from the aircraft down to the baggage trolley. I don't think there's anyone on this planet who'd want to give me and my push-bike a random lift from Colac to Canberra. Riding my bike back just makes perfect sense.
So, like Frodo Baggins said, "there and back again" instead of 810km, that makes it 1620km. Providing my boss lets me have enough time off work, I see no reason why not. Besides, what if I were to miss some scenery on the way down... or worse, not sample the coffee in every town possible?
By this stage my wonderful dad had rallied himself, and collected his jaw off the table. He very gently suggested that maybe I should take things a little bit easier and head off to the Phillipines to do a spot of gentle and lady-like spelunking and white water rafting. Great idea dad, I'll lock that adventure in for 2012; after the bike ride of course.
Love ya mum and dad!
Sunday, 22 May 2011
Ohhhhhh shift!
Hi guys,
I've been away from blog-land for a little bit as work has been a tad busy, and has been eating into my training time. As luck would have it, yesterday I had a free day with no obligations other than completing an assignment for my online course, so I had a bit of a sleep in then went for a ride.
I headed off with the intention of cycling to Brindabella. I pedalled my way down William Hovel drive, still listening to "the invisible gorilla"... it's a 9 hour audio book, and I've still got a little way to go. It's still fascinating me every chapter, and yesterday I learned about things like "flashbulb memories" and how false they actually are.
A flashbulb memory is the term used to describe how everyone can remember "where they were" or "what they were doing" when a momentus event occured, ie if I ask "where were you when you found out Osama Bin laden was killed" I'm sure you'll have the answer popping readily into your head. If I ask what you were doing the day before though, the memory might not be so clear. However, our "flashbulb" memories are not always correct, our memory is fallible. Furthermore, as time goes on, the memory gets worse and worse.
While slowly tackling the steep hills at Coppins crossing (and I must say the downhills and bends are quite fun, and when you do go cycling out there prepare to be using your lowest gears, and trundling up the hills quite slowly... I was) I participated in a thought exercise with the invisible gorilla. The book asked me "where were you during the 9-11 attacks"
"Ha I thought... too easy, I was actually in hospital, with a stack of broken bones in my left leg, a broken hip, broken ribs.. etc etc."
In September 2001 I was hit by a Nissan Patrol 4WD while cycling, and was very seriously injured, in fact I'm extrememly lucky to be alive. The car that hit me was doing 80km/h at the time, and there's about a 5% survivability rate for Car VS cyclist accidents at that speed.
However, my memory was completely wrong.... I was hit by the car on the 3rd of september. 9th september was my first day home from hospital. I learned about 9-11 while lying down on the couch in my parent's loungeroom.... Wow, how could I have remembered it incorrectly; I have such a vivid memory of being in hospital and watching the 2nd tower fall on the TV. I remember the IV in the back of my hand, I remember the white cotton hospital blanket, and even the pajamas I was wearing.
How amazing, that my brain all by itself has made this nice little video montage for me... I had not just one momentus event, but two! (the 9-11 attacks, and my serious injury) to remember, so one would think I had every reason to have strong memories of the time. I think it's quite amazing and fascinating that our brains simply don't work the way we think they do, that simple anecdote just raises so many interesting questions... how accurate is memory really? how many of these "incorrect" memories do I have?... why do our brains do it?..... why are we so confident in these false memories? why do they "feel" so real?
Bending my head around this concept was great, as I wasn't thinking too card about the hill leading up from copins crossing. Oh my it's steep. I was in my lowest gear, and trundling along at a very slow speed. However, I surprised myself by making it up the really steep hill (some of those hills are actually quite a bit steeper than Black Mountain, and that's a slog).
I took the right turn onto Uriara Rd to head out towards Brindabella, but got distracted. There was a stream of mountain bikers heading into a place called Stromlo Forest. How could I resist? Who was I to say no?
I figured I'd check it out. Brindabella would still be there next weekend I figured. (well as long as that harold camp guy was wrong about the rapture being today... just like he was also wrong back in 1994)
I turned left into the Stromlo forest park, and was not disappointed by taking the turn off. There's kilometers an kilometers of mountain bike track, ranging from "tad bumpy" to "omg a billy-goat would be scared of that!" I took a few of the "tad-bumpy" tracks, then tried a "tad bumpy and a little bit hilly" it was all quite fun, and I'd like to return without so much stuff on the back of my bike some time to have a proper crack at those tracks.
I popped out on the Mt Stromlo road, said G'day to an amazing lady on a road bike who was cycling up mt stromlo.... cycling down.... turning around... cycling back up..... Wow, there are some really really fit people out there.
I putted down mt stromlo road, and got to a T Intersection.... I could turn left and go back to Canberra, or I could turn right and go to Cotter. I turned right and went to cotter. The views are just stunning. Rolling hills, gum trees, blue skies, sunshine. Perfect Autumn day. I roll on down past Casurina Sands, and mentally mark that park as a place to visit in the future, looks like a beautiful spot by the river.
I stopped at the traffic light before entering Cotter township, and crossed the one way bridge with a very patient BMW 4WD trundling along behind me. I found a nice park on the edge of town and sat at a picnic table for lunch, which I shared with two of the fattest crows I've ever seen; though I'd almost swear they were raised by seagulls.
The ride back was great, with undulating ups and downs culminating in a big uphill at Coppins crossing; during which I used my 2nd lowest gear. It was a big slog up the last hill, but well worth it.
Total distance, 77km. Didn't keep time.
I've been away from blog-land for a little bit as work has been a tad busy, and has been eating into my training time. As luck would have it, yesterday I had a free day with no obligations other than completing an assignment for my online course, so I had a bit of a sleep in then went for a ride.
I headed off with the intention of cycling to Brindabella. I pedalled my way down William Hovel drive, still listening to "the invisible gorilla"... it's a 9 hour audio book, and I've still got a little way to go. It's still fascinating me every chapter, and yesterday I learned about things like "flashbulb memories" and how false they actually are.
A flashbulb memory is the term used to describe how everyone can remember "where they were" or "what they were doing" when a momentus event occured, ie if I ask "where were you when you found out Osama Bin laden was killed" I'm sure you'll have the answer popping readily into your head. If I ask what you were doing the day before though, the memory might not be so clear. However, our "flashbulb" memories are not always correct, our memory is fallible. Furthermore, as time goes on, the memory gets worse and worse.
While slowly tackling the steep hills at Coppins crossing (and I must say the downhills and bends are quite fun, and when you do go cycling out there prepare to be using your lowest gears, and trundling up the hills quite slowly... I was) I participated in a thought exercise with the invisible gorilla. The book asked me "where were you during the 9-11 attacks"
"Ha I thought... too easy, I was actually in hospital, with a stack of broken bones in my left leg, a broken hip, broken ribs.. etc etc."
In September 2001 I was hit by a Nissan Patrol 4WD while cycling, and was very seriously injured, in fact I'm extrememly lucky to be alive. The car that hit me was doing 80km/h at the time, and there's about a 5% survivability rate for Car VS cyclist accidents at that speed.
However, my memory was completely wrong.... I was hit by the car on the 3rd of september. 9th september was my first day home from hospital. I learned about 9-11 while lying down on the couch in my parent's loungeroom.... Wow, how could I have remembered it incorrectly; I have such a vivid memory of being in hospital and watching the 2nd tower fall on the TV. I remember the IV in the back of my hand, I remember the white cotton hospital blanket, and even the pajamas I was wearing.
How amazing, that my brain all by itself has made this nice little video montage for me... I had not just one momentus event, but two! (the 9-11 attacks, and my serious injury) to remember, so one would think I had every reason to have strong memories of the time. I think it's quite amazing and fascinating that our brains simply don't work the way we think they do, that simple anecdote just raises so many interesting questions... how accurate is memory really? how many of these "incorrect" memories do I have?... why do our brains do it?..... why are we so confident in these false memories? why do they "feel" so real?
Bending my head around this concept was great, as I wasn't thinking too card about the hill leading up from copins crossing. Oh my it's steep. I was in my lowest gear, and trundling along at a very slow speed. However, I surprised myself by making it up the really steep hill (some of those hills are actually quite a bit steeper than Black Mountain, and that's a slog).
I took the right turn onto Uriara Rd to head out towards Brindabella, but got distracted. There was a stream of mountain bikers heading into a place called Stromlo Forest. How could I resist? Who was I to say no?
I figured I'd check it out. Brindabella would still be there next weekend I figured. (well as long as that harold camp guy was wrong about the rapture being today... just like he was also wrong back in 1994)
I turned left into the Stromlo forest park, and was not disappointed by taking the turn off. There's kilometers an kilometers of mountain bike track, ranging from "tad bumpy" to "omg a billy-goat would be scared of that!" I took a few of the "tad-bumpy" tracks, then tried a "tad bumpy and a little bit hilly" it was all quite fun, and I'd like to return without so much stuff on the back of my bike some time to have a proper crack at those tracks.
I popped out on the Mt Stromlo road, said G'day to an amazing lady on a road bike who was cycling up mt stromlo.... cycling down.... turning around... cycling back up..... Wow, there are some really really fit people out there.
I putted down mt stromlo road, and got to a T Intersection.... I could turn left and go back to Canberra, or I could turn right and go to Cotter. I turned right and went to cotter. The views are just stunning. Rolling hills, gum trees, blue skies, sunshine. Perfect Autumn day. I roll on down past Casurina Sands, and mentally mark that park as a place to visit in the future, looks like a beautiful spot by the river.
I stopped at the traffic light before entering Cotter township, and crossed the one way bridge with a very patient BMW 4WD trundling along behind me. I found a nice park on the edge of town and sat at a picnic table for lunch, which I shared with two of the fattest crows I've ever seen; though I'd almost swear they were raised by seagulls.
The ride back was great, with undulating ups and downs culminating in a big uphill at Coppins crossing; during which I used my 2nd lowest gear. It was a big slog up the last hill, but well worth it.
Total distance, 77km. Didn't keep time.
Tuesday, 10 May 2011
Putting my money where my cranks are
I had to go to Sydney for Monday and Tuesday this week for work. After making the discovery that cyclists recieve free and unlimited parking at Canberra airport, I figured that I had no excuse to drive my car there.
So.... Monday morning I got out of bed at the very bright and early hour of 4:15 am. On the bike by 4:25 am, and pedalling away while listening to the audio book "The invisible gorilla" Google it. I did, here's their website
http://www.theinvisiblegorilla.com/
It's an amazing book, that really starts to uncover the fact that our brains simply don't work the way we think they do.... and that really, what you see isn't necessarily a complete and true representation of reality. It's completely awesome, and I'm only about a quarter of a way through the book. Can't wait to listen to the next installment. I'll add the comment though, the psychological study covers gory details of car vs bike accidents, ie those ones where the car driver says "they just came out of nowhere" and stats actually showed that hi-vis and fluro gear doesn't have a statistically significant reducing effect on your likelyhood of avoiding a car vs bicycle accident.
I ruefully glanced down and back at my hi-vis pannier covers, my flashing rear red light, my flashing orange spokey-dokey light, my high-vis ankle bands, my reflective vest, and self-consciously adjusted my head-torch, and front handle bar mounted flashing white light. "Am I fluro enough for ya?" I thought?
I didn't need to worry too much about my visibility, as during my cycle to the airport (almost 30km) I counted a total of 12 cars, and one garbage truck sharing the road with me. The only other soul I came across was a bunny rabbit who gave me a surprised look before ambling out of the bike lane near the base of black mountain.
I'll be quite honest, and admit that if I'd known how cold it actually was in Canberra on Monday morning, I may have elected to contribute a little bit to global warming by driving my car to the airport and forking out the fifty bucks or so to park. I noticed that my wrists and hands were getting quite cold, despite my full-finger gloves, long sleeve jersey, and thermal layer (yeah I know right now everyone is thinking... oohhhh sexy lady......)
The views, and general pleasantness of the pre-dawn ride kept me going. Cycling past Anzac Avenue in the dark is stunning, the parliament house and war memorial just look amazing. The sections with road works are a tad challenging, as the road narrows and the bike lane disappears. I would like to thank the courteous canberran drivers who made every effort to share the road, and leave a reasonable space especially while driving on the narrow sections. See! my fluro gear and flashing lights are working a treat!
I arrived at the airport, and followed the parking manager's instructions (if you want to cycle to Canberra airport just google "canberra airport parking" and navigate to the page, the parking manager's number is on the website to call) and drove in the "no entry" section of the hire car parking bay, and turned immediately to the right. A total of eight bicycle parking bays are available, the parking is a simple set up where you lock your bike (BYO lock) to a retro-style bike rack like the type you would find out the front of a milk bar in the 1980's. They are not the fancy U shaped ones that are bolted to the concrete. However, logically the chances of someone stealing a bike from the airport are pretty slim... seriously, who's going to go out to a seriously secure establishment, which is constantly attended by the AFP, in order to nick a bike. Then, once you've got it what do you do with it? Ride it all the way back to town?... There's one other bike parked at the rack. I give a little mental shout out to my fellow cyclist.
Upon dismounting the bike, I discover why my hands and wrists were so bloody freezing. A layer of frost had formed over my hands, and some of the ice was working it's way through the gap between my gloves and the sleeve of my jersey. Okay... before 5am, sub zero temperatures, 28km to ride to the airport with business attire in the panniers. That's putting my money where my cranks are.
I get a couple of odd looks as I stride into the airport and check into my flight stylishly attired in leggings and a bicycle jersey. No comments though. The Qantas club provides adequate refreshment, breakfast and warmth. The cold really erm... stimulates the apetite. I virtually inhaled two slices of raisin toast that were so thick they could be mistaken for bits of 2by-4 from a distance. I then moved onto fruit and coffee, and with a warm and full belly strolled onto my flight, easily stowing the panniers in the overhead locker. I noticed my colleague, who was heading off to Sydney with me; sporting half open eyes and a five'o'clock shaddow. He also looked rather incredulous at how disgustingly chipper and chirpy I was at this hour of the morning.
The return journey was just as much fun. Upon preparing to exit the aircraft when returning to Canberra my seat neighbour gave me a few confused looks as while waiting for the aerobridge to deploy I popped my jersey on over my clothes, cliped my ipod to the collar of my jersey, tucked a drink of water in to the back pocket of the jersey, and slipped my ubiquitous fluro covers over my panniers. I cycled past him on the way out of the car-park, he was still standing at the terminal exit, waiting for a taxi.
The bike home was much busier, too much traffic to count individual cars. I found myself with plenty of energy and a desire to attack the bigger hills, and was genuinely surprised at how much power my legs prouced when I got out of the seat and really gave the cranks a determined push. Along coulter drive I enjoyed a traffic light conversation with another cyclist, he was on a very spiffy road bike, so I suggested that he might want to go ahead of me on the green light as he'd be faster. Obviously 2 days worth of shirts and trousers, and toiletries weighs a lot, as I kept right on his tail without much effort for 2 blocks down coulter drive. (it's not my weight surely!) He zipped off into the distance when I hit he flat at coulter and southern cross.
The final Bicycle joy moment occured when I turned onto my street, only to do a double take, seeing someone carrying an overnight bag, getting off the bus and walking up my street. Nooo surely not. I cycled closer, was tempted to shout hello.... when I realised that this was my colleague, who happens to live in the same suburb I do exiting the bus and commencing his walk home. But I elected to keep my mouth shut on this occasion. I cycled up the driveway into my unit complex, warmly smug in the knowledge that not only did I beat the tyranny of high taxi fares and airport parking fees, but that I'd be home quicker on my bike than someone who used an internal combustion engine to get there. It wasn't peak hour, and the trip was almost 30km in distance. I must have had a tailwind or something, as I had an average speed of about 26km/h for this ride. Everything is better on a bike.
So.... Monday morning I got out of bed at the very bright and early hour of 4:15 am. On the bike by 4:25 am, and pedalling away while listening to the audio book "The invisible gorilla" Google it. I did, here's their website
http://www.theinvisiblegorilla.com/
It's an amazing book, that really starts to uncover the fact that our brains simply don't work the way we think they do.... and that really, what you see isn't necessarily a complete and true representation of reality. It's completely awesome, and I'm only about a quarter of a way through the book. Can't wait to listen to the next installment. I'll add the comment though, the psychological study covers gory details of car vs bike accidents, ie those ones where the car driver says "they just came out of nowhere" and stats actually showed that hi-vis and fluro gear doesn't have a statistically significant reducing effect on your likelyhood of avoiding a car vs bicycle accident.
I ruefully glanced down and back at my hi-vis pannier covers, my flashing rear red light, my flashing orange spokey-dokey light, my high-vis ankle bands, my reflective vest, and self-consciously adjusted my head-torch, and front handle bar mounted flashing white light. "Am I fluro enough for ya?" I thought?
I didn't need to worry too much about my visibility, as during my cycle to the airport (almost 30km) I counted a total of 12 cars, and one garbage truck sharing the road with me. The only other soul I came across was a bunny rabbit who gave me a surprised look before ambling out of the bike lane near the base of black mountain.
I'll be quite honest, and admit that if I'd known how cold it actually was in Canberra on Monday morning, I may have elected to contribute a little bit to global warming by driving my car to the airport and forking out the fifty bucks or so to park. I noticed that my wrists and hands were getting quite cold, despite my full-finger gloves, long sleeve jersey, and thermal layer (yeah I know right now everyone is thinking... oohhhh sexy lady......)
The views, and general pleasantness of the pre-dawn ride kept me going. Cycling past Anzac Avenue in the dark is stunning, the parliament house and war memorial just look amazing. The sections with road works are a tad challenging, as the road narrows and the bike lane disappears. I would like to thank the courteous canberran drivers who made every effort to share the road, and leave a reasonable space especially while driving on the narrow sections. See! my fluro gear and flashing lights are working a treat!
I arrived at the airport, and followed the parking manager's instructions (if you want to cycle to Canberra airport just google "canberra airport parking" and navigate to the page, the parking manager's number is on the website to call) and drove in the "no entry" section of the hire car parking bay, and turned immediately to the right. A total of eight bicycle parking bays are available, the parking is a simple set up where you lock your bike (BYO lock) to a retro-style bike rack like the type you would find out the front of a milk bar in the 1980's. They are not the fancy U shaped ones that are bolted to the concrete. However, logically the chances of someone stealing a bike from the airport are pretty slim... seriously, who's going to go out to a seriously secure establishment, which is constantly attended by the AFP, in order to nick a bike. Then, once you've got it what do you do with it? Ride it all the way back to town?... There's one other bike parked at the rack. I give a little mental shout out to my fellow cyclist.
Upon dismounting the bike, I discover why my hands and wrists were so bloody freezing. A layer of frost had formed over my hands, and some of the ice was working it's way through the gap between my gloves and the sleeve of my jersey. Okay... before 5am, sub zero temperatures, 28km to ride to the airport with business attire in the panniers. That's putting my money where my cranks are.
I get a couple of odd looks as I stride into the airport and check into my flight stylishly attired in leggings and a bicycle jersey. No comments though. The Qantas club provides adequate refreshment, breakfast and warmth. The cold really erm... stimulates the apetite. I virtually inhaled two slices of raisin toast that were so thick they could be mistaken for bits of 2by-4 from a distance. I then moved onto fruit and coffee, and with a warm and full belly strolled onto my flight, easily stowing the panniers in the overhead locker. I noticed my colleague, who was heading off to Sydney with me; sporting half open eyes and a five'o'clock shaddow. He also looked rather incredulous at how disgustingly chipper and chirpy I was at this hour of the morning.
The return journey was just as much fun. Upon preparing to exit the aircraft when returning to Canberra my seat neighbour gave me a few confused looks as while waiting for the aerobridge to deploy I popped my jersey on over my clothes, cliped my ipod to the collar of my jersey, tucked a drink of water in to the back pocket of the jersey, and slipped my ubiquitous fluro covers over my panniers. I cycled past him on the way out of the car-park, he was still standing at the terminal exit, waiting for a taxi.
The bike home was much busier, too much traffic to count individual cars. I found myself with plenty of energy and a desire to attack the bigger hills, and was genuinely surprised at how much power my legs prouced when I got out of the seat and really gave the cranks a determined push. Along coulter drive I enjoyed a traffic light conversation with another cyclist, he was on a very spiffy road bike, so I suggested that he might want to go ahead of me on the green light as he'd be faster. Obviously 2 days worth of shirts and trousers, and toiletries weighs a lot, as I kept right on his tail without much effort for 2 blocks down coulter drive. (it's not my weight surely!) He zipped off into the distance when I hit he flat at coulter and southern cross.
The final Bicycle joy moment occured when I turned onto my street, only to do a double take, seeing someone carrying an overnight bag, getting off the bus and walking up my street. Nooo surely not. I cycled closer, was tempted to shout hello.... when I realised that this was my colleague, who happens to live in the same suburb I do exiting the bus and commencing his walk home. But I elected to keep my mouth shut on this occasion. I cycled up the driveway into my unit complex, warmly smug in the knowledge that not only did I beat the tyranny of high taxi fares and airport parking fees, but that I'd be home quicker on my bike than someone who used an internal combustion engine to get there. It wasn't peak hour, and the trip was almost 30km in distance. I must have had a tailwind or something, as I had an average speed of about 26km/h for this ride. Everything is better on a bike.
Sunday, 8 May 2011
Queanbeyan ride
Yesterday I cycled down to Queanbeyan and return. Cycled down via Belconnen Way, then the highway. Time 40 minutes to the city, 1:00 to the airport and roughly 1:20 to Queanbeyan. Total ride about 60k's... Total time on the bike... about 2 and a half hours.
My spiffy mountain bike came from Hammer'n'cycle Queanbeyan, so I figured I'd ride it down there for it's "settle in" service.
While waiting for the lovely people at the bike shop to service my bike, I took a stroll through the shops, and had a coffee.
It was pretty chilly on the ride out, and upon returning home I checked out the www.bom.gov.au to discover that it had been -1C ... no wonder it felt a bit nippy. However, I listened to most of "I am legend" as an audio-book on my ipod. I don't think I'd survive without the ipod. I had a funny moment while stopped at a set of traffic lights, as the line "Do muslim vampires cower from the cross" intoned through my ear buds. I started laughing; and the guy driving the car in the lane next to me gave me a very odd look. Note to self: just because I can hear what's going on in my ipod... nobody else can. That guy just saw some crazy lady on a bike start laughing at nothing... As an aside, I am legend is a great book.
The ride back was just lovely, blue skies, sun shining. I took the shorter way back via William Hovel drive. If anything the short cut took me a tad longer to ride back, as crossing the freeway exits every couple of K's required a stop and a dismount to do safely. However, there's no 2nd chances when mixing a push-bike with car and truck traffic at 90-100k's per hour, so slow and safe it is.
I ended up getting back home in time for lunch, taking approximately 1:30 to ride from Queanbeyan to Florey.
I hope to start taking a few pictures while out cycling to share, but I managed to lose my USB cable that connects my camera to my computer while moving to the ACT. It's proving more complicated that I expected to replace the item, as the electronics shop at my local shopping center doesn't stock it, so I'll have to go to a camera store, as I'm away for work this will have to wait till mid-next week.
Tomorrow my training ride will be more getting up and going when I really don't feel like it. I have a 6:45 am flight to Sydney where I have to be Monday and Tuesday for work. I've discovered that Canberra Airport allows bicycles to park for free in the undercover car park. Since I'm an environment specialist, I suppose I really should put my money where my mouth is, and reduce my carbon footprint. I can also save myself about fifty bucks in parking fees. Sweet. My bicycle is going to pay for itself in no time. The only catch is that in order to make my check in time, I'll need to be on the bike at about four in the morning. In Canberra, heading into winter. That's some serious bike love.
However, I know that I'll feel like such a champion when I stroll into the airport lounge in my cycling gear, and stroll out to board the aircraft looking sharp as in my suit completely worth an early morning and being a bit chilly.
I'll sign off for now, and will be back next week.
M
My spiffy mountain bike came from Hammer'n'cycle Queanbeyan, so I figured I'd ride it down there for it's "settle in" service.
While waiting for the lovely people at the bike shop to service my bike, I took a stroll through the shops, and had a coffee.
It was pretty chilly on the ride out, and upon returning home I checked out the www.bom.gov.au to discover that it had been -1C ... no wonder it felt a bit nippy. However, I listened to most of "I am legend" as an audio-book on my ipod. I don't think I'd survive without the ipod. I had a funny moment while stopped at a set of traffic lights, as the line "Do muslim vampires cower from the cross" intoned through my ear buds. I started laughing; and the guy driving the car in the lane next to me gave me a very odd look. Note to self: just because I can hear what's going on in my ipod... nobody else can. That guy just saw some crazy lady on a bike start laughing at nothing... As an aside, I am legend is a great book.
The ride back was just lovely, blue skies, sun shining. I took the shorter way back via William Hovel drive. If anything the short cut took me a tad longer to ride back, as crossing the freeway exits every couple of K's required a stop and a dismount to do safely. However, there's no 2nd chances when mixing a push-bike with car and truck traffic at 90-100k's per hour, so slow and safe it is.
I ended up getting back home in time for lunch, taking approximately 1:30 to ride from Queanbeyan to Florey.
I hope to start taking a few pictures while out cycling to share, but I managed to lose my USB cable that connects my camera to my computer while moving to the ACT. It's proving more complicated that I expected to replace the item, as the electronics shop at my local shopping center doesn't stock it, so I'll have to go to a camera store, as I'm away for work this will have to wait till mid-next week.
Tomorrow my training ride will be more getting up and going when I really don't feel like it. I have a 6:45 am flight to Sydney where I have to be Monday and Tuesday for work. I've discovered that Canberra Airport allows bicycles to park for free in the undercover car park. Since I'm an environment specialist, I suppose I really should put my money where my mouth is, and reduce my carbon footprint. I can also save myself about fifty bucks in parking fees. Sweet. My bicycle is going to pay for itself in no time. The only catch is that in order to make my check in time, I'll need to be on the bike at about four in the morning. In Canberra, heading into winter. That's some serious bike love.
However, I know that I'll feel like such a champion when I stroll into the airport lounge in my cycling gear, and stroll out to board the aircraft looking sharp as in my suit completely worth an early morning and being a bit chilly.
I'll sign off for now, and will be back next week.
M
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
Watch this space
This is my first blog entry.
I've decided to start a blog to share my training, preparation for, and my experience of my Pier to Pub adventure.
I'm going to cycle from a Pier (at Lake Ginninderra, Canberra, ACT) to the East Colac Hotel (Colac, VIC)
So, maps, check. (I'm going old school and using paper maps)... never run out of batteries, never suddenly lose coverage.
Bicycle, check. I'll be riding my spiffy mountain bike, fitted with a rear rack and panniers.
Training... well I'm currently a commuting cyclist, pedalling 15km each way for work. I need to get a lot more go-juice into my legs. The training is going to be a journey in itself.
I've decided to start a blog to share my training, preparation for, and my experience of my Pier to Pub adventure.
I'm going to cycle from a Pier (at Lake Ginninderra, Canberra, ACT) to the East Colac Hotel (Colac, VIC)
So, maps, check. (I'm going old school and using paper maps)... never run out of batteries, never suddenly lose coverage.
Bicycle, check. I'll be riding my spiffy mountain bike, fitted with a rear rack and panniers.
Training... well I'm currently a commuting cyclist, pedalling 15km each way for work. I need to get a lot more go-juice into my legs. The training is going to be a journey in itself.
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