tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-294126272024-03-13T12:41:54.534+11:00About the bikeDavid Killickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05781752978497832434noreply@blogger.comBlogger341125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29412627.post-74645094944439730812020-10-28T09:35:00.002+11:002020-10-28T09:35:56.937+11:00Wet, wet, wet. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxGS1zmYf18L0y-hLIKnVxVL3VNuUmNZ-V3Q-B3lJGhiqxeKhAcGB-VcmpWtSjdeZD53c3feIaQdz-Ii2Im-SdwXYbOr2FbkhjDy7raovEi-pLLqrorUgCmjq5CZgdHPReta52A/s2048/PXL_20201027_214120824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxGS1zmYf18L0y-hLIKnVxVL3VNuUmNZ-V3Q-B3lJGhiqxeKhAcGB-VcmpWtSjdeZD53c3feIaQdz-Ii2Im-SdwXYbOr2FbkhjDy7raovEi-pLLqrorUgCmjq5CZgdHPReta52A/w640-h480/PXL_20201027_214120824.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I'm back commuting, so my morning routine involves me waking up and checking the rain radar. Adverse weather isn't a big deal if you're prepared for it. My trusty Ground Effect raincoat lives in the back of my car, just in case. It's surprising how infrequently I use it in a reputedly rainy town. This morning the rain radar didn't pick up the light drizzle that was coming down in Hobart. No problem, on went the raincoat for the 30-minute ride to work. And that's when I remembered taking the mudguards off the bike at the end of last winter. They're going back on this weekend.<p></p><p><span style="color: red;"><i>2191km so far this year.</i> </span></p>David Killickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05781752978497832434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29412627.post-749178761929683972020-10-24T13:20:00.000+11:002020-10-24T13:20:05.360+11:00Bike shed<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnX26fHbf5Xp3TMqNpq_PwJt-_SEByv264CZgskbV-4cuHGXjMeRJukxkY9-QTZJXGV-oNefiXPBcUUUPlpBCJUr4H3CfXy3XY9yNUtpnk9w-okY8-O-lHnEMYnkj6C4REVG09eg/s2048/IMG_20200928_082829+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnX26fHbf5Xp3TMqNpq_PwJt-_SEByv264CZgskbV-4cuHGXjMeRJukxkY9-QTZJXGV-oNefiXPBcUUUPlpBCJUr4H3CfXy3XY9yNUtpnk9w-okY8-O-lHnEMYnkj6C4REVG09eg/w640-h480/IMG_20200928_082829+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>Everyone needs a shed, I'm lucky to have a wonderful space where I can work on my bikes. There's nothing quite like spending the afternoon tinkering, tuning up one of the steeds. This week I had a tyre to swap out. Although I love going to the bike shop, I have saved a fair bit over the years doing my own maintenance. Perhaps not quite as much as I've spent on tools, but I am going to maintain that is beside the point. </p>David Killickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05781752978497832434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29412627.post-49890907761686603822017-05-02T19:31:00.002+10:002017-05-02T19:31:57.489+10:00Styx and Florentine.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rest stop in the heart of the Styx River valley.</td></tr>
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It's fair to say I've neglected this blog of late. Although I'm sentimental about it, I also have to acknowledge that I write for a living and some days the prospect of sitting down and crafting a few hundred words - even if it's about something I'm passionate about - seems too muc h like hard work.<br />
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On Sunday I started out on a post, remembering halfway through that a competition run by RidewithGPS was about to close. I wrote up my ride report for them instead. To my surprise I'm a finalist. If you'd like to read the story behind the photo above, and vote for my entry if you think it's worthy, have a look for Through the Heart of the Forest, via <a href="https://ridewithgps.com/ride_reports/vote">this link.</a> In the meantime I'll resolve to try harder to blog more, because it's much more fun than writing for money!<br />
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<i><span style="color: red;">2012km so far this year.</span></i><br />
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<br />David Killickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05781752978497832434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29412627.post-62219563822759900182016-11-27T17:37:00.001+11:002016-11-27T17:37:22.749+11:00New bike day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Not for me, but for Nicole. A new Fuji adventure bike. Here's to many adventures in the days and months to come.<br />
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<br />David Killickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05781752978497832434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29412627.post-88138857376772460432016-09-18T14:29:00.001+10:002016-09-18T14:29:25.631+10:00Chasing ghosts for self-amusement<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The quiet roads of the Huon Valley.</td></tr>
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I'm not a terribly competitive cyclist, which is probably a good thing given my general lack of application to anything resembling a training regime and the odd sorts of bikes I get around on. But even the least competitive among us has the odd stretch of road where were like to have the occasional lash. In the age of Strava, the impetus to ride - and sometimes to ride fast - is one which seems to hit the best of us from time to time.<br />
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Given I'm not the fastest of riders, my personal collection of KOMs on Strava consists mainly of places so far off the beaten path that nobody else has thought to ride them. A good example of this is the <a href="https://www.strava.com/segments/3885379">Airwalk to Southwood segment</a> which is an absolute cracker of a ride but doesn't get a mass of two-wheeled traffic.<br />
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Closer to home there's the loop from Judbury, near where I live, in to Huonville, the closest town. There's a road either side of the river, so it can be done as an out-and-back or as a loop. My favourite way is to head into town on the tarmac on the south side of the river and coming back on the unsealed North Huon Road. The circuit is about 27km.<br />
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A couple of years back my mate Ben and I used to ride this circuit most nights, starting from near his place in town and doing the anti-clockwise in the preferred manner. Since we these were mostly after-work jaunts and we tend to chat a lot we seldom got much of a speed up, generally getting around in about one hour and five minutes. Now and again we'd inadvertently have a lash and would come close to breaking the hour, most memorably one night when Ben stopped to look at fish from the Huonville bridge when I was more intent on the PB. Noticing he wasn't behind me, I doubled back to find him leaning over the bridge staring into the water below.<br />
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Although I ride this way most weekends, I usually break my trip for a coffee at the lovely Summer Kitchen Bakery on the way home. Yesterday I had a tailwind on the way in and was feeling pretty good when I stopped for coffee, noticing later that my moving time for the whole circuit was one hour and one minute. I wondered whether I might be in good enough shape to be able to knock off the elusive goal at last.<br />
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This morning I wandered up to the shed. My trusty Bianchi - the only road bike I have - has been loaned to my wife, who needed it for a group ride she has been on and to my surprise the fit wasn't too bad on her. So this morning I raised the seat and put the longer stem back on and prepared to see what I had in my legs, which were a little weary after yesterday's dash.<br />
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I've been losing a bit of weight lately so the plan in my mind was to set a bit of a mark to challenge later on so see it dropping a few kilograms (and maybe a new bike I'm planning as a reward) makes a difference. It was about 11 degrees when I set out, just a hint of wind and a little rain. I'm not much of a time-trialler, so the tempo was intended to be more of a brisk ride than an all-out effort. I decided to try to put in my best effort on the uphills and flats and use the downhills to recover, trying to exceed a 27km/h average. None of the hills are too steep or long, given there's only 160m of climbing over the entire ride, but rather a series of gentle ups and downs which are perfect for effort and recovery.<br />
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By about half-way, I realised I might just be able to knock the old mark off as long as I didn't blow up. I knew the key was getting to the bakery at about 16km close to the half hour point and I was in the ballpark. There's a couple of slightly longer hills on the way back which were set to challenge my momentum but I knew the last 6km is pretty easy to do in about 12 minutes when the road is in good condition so it was a matter of getting to there by the 48 minute mark and not much later. And I was close.<br />
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I didn't really want to ride to bursting point, so I focussed on sitting above 30km/h and avoiding hitting any big potholes along the smooth and surprisingly dry 5km dirt section into Judbury. As the dirt gives way to tarmac although tiring, I was doing even better than I thought and hit the 1km to go with three minutes remaining and a downhill run to the finish. It was an easy roll and it was done. The old mark was gone - beaten by a solid minute.<br />
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Given how long this silly milestone has lurked in the back of my head, I'm chuffed at beating it - although I was also a little surprised at how easy it was in the end. Time now to set a new goal and see how that goes. Maybe 55 minutes is possible.<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><i>2497km so far this year.</i></span><br />
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<br />David Killickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05781752978497832434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29412627.post-33568020496875165142016-09-13T12:04:00.004+10:002016-09-13T12:04:50.625+10:00North Bruny circuit<div style="font-family: gotham, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
Every ride is the same, every ride is different. After a couple of months without much cycling I really needed the familiarity and the novelty of this delightful circuit. The scenery is already magical and the roads don't see many cars, particularly if you pick your times well. Weather and the mood and the riding companion are the variables. Go alone, go with some mates, this ride never disappoints.</div>
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I had planned to do the circuit alone. A combination of events had left me with a morning to fill. Ben said he'd come along, and then Hugh, and Stuart decided to put a few more miles in his legs before a riding trip to Japan. That's a good group, four, though a good day out can always be had with a few more or less. </div>
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<br />Mornings are always chilly at the ferry terminal so there's some decisions to be made about what to wear. I skip the raincoat, for once that's the right call. Stripped of the winter lights and generator, the bike feels light. The first few kilometres are uphill so it's no easy start but the distance starts flying by. It's a ride of ups and downs and from the hilltops there are great views. We spread out and regroup, never in too much of a hurry to stop and enjoy the glimpses of hidden bays and beaches and more distant coastlines. I give my camera to Ben and he snaps some photos of me churning up the big climb. </div>
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<br />We stop for coffee at Dennes Point. The weather is mild. There's no wind, it's not cold, but it's still early enough in spring that there aren't any tourists about. We have the cafe to almost to ourselves. There's an old border collie ties up outside, waiting patiently for this owner, who is in no hurry either.</div>
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The road ahead is more up and down but there's something funny about riding on Bruny: the hills are never too long or too steep. Again some stops for views and photos. An echinda hunkers down into the roadside verge as we pass. A couple of cars come by, slowly, with a wave. </div>
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<br />The timing of the ferries home makes the 44km circuit a bit more interesting. On previous rides there's always been a couple of detours and a distinct lack of urgency. But today with a 9am departure, the 12.30 ferry looks like the shot, if we come up short the next is at 2pm, which is a bit too long a wait. Even though it looks light we throw in one last diversion for the sheer scenic value.</div>
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<br />For some reason I'm feeling better than I deserve to today. I'm feeling better in the hills than I thought, not fast but at least smooth. Even the last climb, which I always find tough, seems easier than I remember. We have ten minutes to spare before the boat back to the mainland. </div>
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<br />It's six bucks for a bike, out and back to Bruny Island. I reckon it's the best six bucks I spent last week. </div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">2424km so far this year.</span></i></div>
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David Killickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05781752978497832434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29412627.post-702832790426166762016-04-16T17:23:00.001+10:002016-04-16T17:23:21.043+10:00The controversial Oppy of 2016.<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sadly due to work commitments and a distinct lack of fitness I wasn't able to take part in the <a href="http://www.audax.org.au/public/index.php/fleche-opperman">Fleche Opperman All Day Trial</a> this year. </span>It's an event I greatly enjoy, having completed it in <a href="http://aboutthebike.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/oppy-2015.html">2015</a>, <a href="http://aboutthebike.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/oppy-2013.html" style="background-color: white; color: #336699; line-height: 16.9px;">2013</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 16.9px;">, </span><a href="http://aboutthebike.blogspot.com.au/2011/03/oppy-2011.html" style="background-color: white; color: #336699; line-height: 16.9px;">2011</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 16.9px;">, </span><a href="http://aboutthebike.blogspot.com.au/2009/03/oppy-2009.html" style="background-color: white; color: #336699; line-height: 16.9px;">2009,</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 16.9px;"> </span><a href="http://aboutthebike.blogspot.com.au/2008/05/oppy-2008.html" style="background-color: white; color: #336699; line-height: 16.9px;">2008</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 16.9px;"> and </span><a href="http://aboutthebike.blogspot.com.au/2007/04/once-in-lifetime-ride.html" style="background-color: white; color: #336699; line-height: 16.9px;">2007</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 16.9px;">. Missing out</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> was a shame but there is always next year. Besides, the chaps of the Lancefield Lairs said they struck a fair bit of wind out on the road so I most probably would have struggled a little - something that's not much fun on a 24-hour event, if riding a bike for the better part of 24 hours can ever be described as 'fun'.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The 'Oppy' has been attracting a lot more interest from people outside the Audax fraternity in recent years. I've noticed in some places (including - surprisingly - the Audax website) the event is being referred to as the Opperman 24-hour <i>Time Trial</i> which makes it sound a lot more like a race or a competitive event than it actually is. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">For the sake of those who haven't heard of it, the object of the Oppy is to ride as far as you can in 24 hours. Teams start from wherever they like and ride towards a central point - for example Geelong in Victoria or Wagga in NSW. The rules are pretty simple, requiring a team of three to five bicycles, a designated route and controls and so on. You have to cover at least 360km and complete at least on the road 25km in the last couple of hours. It's based on the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audax_Club_Parisien#Fl.C3.A9chette_V.C3.A9locio">Fleche Velicio</a> run by the famous Audax Club Parisien. Similar events are held all over the world. It's sometimes described as a rally, where riders meet at a central point and celebrate their achievements together. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the road in the 2015 Oppy.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This year a couple of gun teams decided to have a go at the distance record for the event after a few have been a few </span>unsuccessful<span style="font-family: inherit;"> attempts in recent years. The men's mark was set about 20 years ago, in circumstances which are still </span>occasionally<span style="font-family: inherit;"> discussed in incredulous tones: the team left a struggling member behind in pursuit of their goal, something that for many Audax riders would be unthinkable. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">For the first four or five years I rode the Oppy, I didn't even know there was a record. Audax is a bit uncompetitive and unconcerned with records like that. At any rate, it's not really an official Australian record. It's just the furthest anyone has ridden in an Oppy. A 24-hour road team time trial would be carried out under completely different rules and conditions and presumably by a club that wasn't </span>dedicated<span style="font-family: inherit;"> solely to non-competitive cycling.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Anyhow the roadies <a href="http://pages.rapha.cc/events/record-breaking-brevet">came and saw and conquered</a>. The men managed 800km, the women I believe made it 600km. Both were rides were grand athletic achievements. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sadly though, both teams broke the rules in achieving their records. <a href="http://cyclingtips.com/2016/03/oppy-record-breakers-disqualified-for-breaking-the-rules/">After complaints</a>, both were disqualified by the Audax hierarchy for receiving support between controls. An email to members read in part: "</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010101;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The rides undertaken by both teams were incredible feats of endurance cycling, however they were outside the rules of Audax".</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The breaches don't really amount to cheating, in the sense that little the advantages gained were likely only small in the scheme of things but they were breaches nonetheless and a departure from the spirit of the event. It's the first time in my decade-long involvement with the club that I've heard of anyone being disqualified from the event or any event really. It is a shame but the rules are simple and clear and well-known to anyone who has done more than one or two rides. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Watching events unfold, I found myself bemused by the the hyper-competitive and high-profile nature of the attempts. With my tongue slightly in my cheek I wrote <a href="http://pages.rapha.cc/events/record-breaking-brevet">elsewhere</a>: "<span style="line-height: 21px;">There is no prize in cycling quite as sweet as snatching a win from a bunch of beardoes in their sixties on steel bikes who didn't even know they were racing." But it's true of Audax in general, it's not a race and finishing times are barely recorded and certainly not remembered or exalted except in very rare circumstances. 'Winning' the Oppy is a bit like winning <a href="https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/around-the-bay/">Around the Bay in a Day</a> or the <a href="http://www.msgongride.org.au/">Gong Ride</a>. It's missing the point and the spirit of the event.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oppy team comes out of the long night.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #3f4549;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">But I suppose there's plenty of people around to miss the point. I've noticed in recent years the growth of the "lycra mob" in cycling: a large pool of folk who look like a lot like racers and spend a lot of money on their bikes and gear but don't race. The number of outlets for racing haven't </span></span><span style="line-height: 21px;">diminished</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"> in that time but I suspect the proportion of serious cyclists who actually do much racing has fallen quite steeply. I've been surprised by the growth of the sportive ride and of Strava, which promote an unusual kind of unsanctioned and almost meaningless competition among cyclists for prizes not worth having - generally the esteem of others online or </span></span><span style="line-height: 21px;">occasionally</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"> in real life. It has been lamented by others, most recently in </span></span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2016/apr/12/no-more-hippies-and-explorers-lament-for-the-changed-world-of-cycling?CMP=share_btn_link" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;">this piece by Tom Marriage</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3f4549; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">For me, the spirit of Audax is the lone rider out on the road, who battles the night and the wind and the rain and that little voice inside that says 'you can't' and challenges themselves and fails or triumphs almost unseen and unnoticed. The very word Audax means audacious. It is someone on a journey and if the only person they end up impressing is themselves then that is all that counts. </span></span><span style="color: #3f4549; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;">The external validation sometimes hard to detect aside from the odd medal or distance award or pat on the back at the finish. That is the spirit of the Audax, and of the Oppy. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><i>1200km so far this year.</i></span></span><br />
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<br />David Killickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05781752978497832434noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29412627.post-19984646740001187842016-02-21T19:56:00.006+11:002020-10-24T13:23:36.834+11:00Never thought I'd do that!There's nothing much that disrupts the course of an ordinary life like a trip to Antarctica. A quick glance at this blog reveals I haven't made an update since October, in part because of preparations for this summer's trip south.<br />
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Antarctica is a terrific and fearsome place, but that's a story for another blog. One of the highlights of a couple of months in the frozen white hell was spotting a bike on the disused runway at the French station Dumont D'Urville.<br />
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Apparently, the base has a few for getting around on the gravel tracks between the icy bits. Despite the fact it was minus eight and blowing about thirty knots and wearing bulky full cold-weather gear which makes cycling ungainly at best, I managed to knock out a couple of kilometres and promptly ticked 'ride a bike in Antarctica' off my bucket list.<br />
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<i><span style="color: red;">393km so far this year.</span></i><br />
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<br />David Killickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05781752978497832434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29412627.post-60810756420023650022015-10-17T20:31:00.000+11:002015-10-17T20:50:48.453+11:00Cycling Japan<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.57143em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">It is about 650km from Izumi in Kagoshima prefecture to Kyoto if you join the dots of the cities we passed through on the route, although more like 580km allowing for twists and turns and</span><span style="line-height: 22px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 22px;">subtracting the odd ferry or bus transfer. Along the way the beauty of Japan</span><span style="line-height: 22px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 22px;">reveals itself in dozens of subtle and enchanting ways.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #383838; line-height: 1.57143em;">The trip, Japan Highlights by <a href="http://www.japanbiking.com/">Japan Biking </a>is billed as </span><span data-mce-style="orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; widows: 1; float: none; background-color: #ffffff;" style="background-color: white; color: #383838; float: none; line-height: 1.57143em;"><span data-mce-style="color: #222222; font-size: small;" style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.57143em;">“pure i</span><span data-mce-style="color: #222222;" style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.57143em;"><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="line-height: 1.57143em;">ndulgence for the senses</span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" style="line-height: 18px;">”</span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="line-height: 1.57143em;"> and happily our experience well and truly lived up to the advertising. There were equally-matched highlights for me: the riding, the scenery, the food and the </span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" style="line-height: 18px;">accommodation</span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="line-height: 1.57143em;">. It</span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" style="line-height: 18px;">’</span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="line-height: 1.57143em;">s hard to have a bad time riding moderate distances on an unladen bike, so the first was a bit of a given. Less expected though was the stunning quality, the delightful routes, the variety of the food and the wonderful </span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" style="line-height: 18px;">accommodation</span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="line-height: 1.57143em;">. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: gotham, helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.57143em;"><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="line-height: 1.57143em;"><span data-mce-style="background-color: #ffffff;" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.57143em;"><span data-mce-style="color: #222222;" style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.57143em;">Our group met in the small southern town of Izumi, where our guide, </span></span></span><span data-mce-style="orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; widows: 1; float: none; background-color: #ffffff;" style="background-color: white; float: none; line-height: 1.57143em;"><span data-mce-style="color: #222222; font-size: small;" style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.57143em;">Thomas Holvoet, lives</span><span data-mce-style="color: #222222;" style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.57143em;"><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="line-height: 1.57143em;">. We had hired a pair of hybrid bikes rather than bring our own, so Thomas quic</span></span></span><span data-mce-style="orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; widows: 1; float: none; background-color: #ffffff;" style="background-color: white; float: none; line-height: 1.57143em;"><span data-mce-style="color: #222222;" style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.57143em;"><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="line-height: 1.57143em;">kly fitted the pedals and saddles we</span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" style="line-height: 18px;">’</span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="line-height: 1.57143em;">d brought from home and after a quick test ride and a few adjustments we were ready to go. After an afternoon spent around the hotel our tour group met for an initial briefing. Our riding companions for the next week and a bit would be some friends from Tasmania and a group of seven - six from California and a </span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" style="line-height: 18px;">Brazilian</span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="line-height: 1.57143em;"> woman who had done several similar trips together. They had mostly bought their own flash matching Richey </span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" style="line-height: 18px;">Titanium</span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="line-height: 1.57143em;"> Break-Away </span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" style="line-height: 18px;">travel</span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="line-height: 1.57143em;"> bikes. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1M2Yq_tU2Nn-WVVQhfw0e64eNL-yCktno0GAXB6fDMjCCZ50eyUjQikunsWSriutPPTCdQxRqMYiIjb96TTLzN-znh5RHn6FQr-RRq888SOvucC1lJ4N0DUQe2cVk-B7hYKuuw/s1600/DSCN4642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1M2Yq_tU2Nn-WVVQhfw0e64eNL-yCktno0GAXB6fDMjCCZ50eyUjQikunsWSriutPPTCdQxRqMYiIjb96TTLzN-znh5RHn6FQr-RRq888SOvucC1lJ4N0DUQe2cVk-B7hYKuuw/s640/DSCN4642.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<div style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #383838; font-family: gotham, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span data-mce-style="font-family: gotham, helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: #ffffff;" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.57143em;"><span data-mce-style="color: #222222;" style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.57143em;"><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="line-height: 1.57143em;">We met and chatted over the first of many fine meals to come over the following days. Early the next morning we started off with some gentle stretching as Thomas chanted us through our routine with a count of one to ten in Japanese, then at last we were on the road for a gentle tour of Izumi and its samurai neighbourhood before turning north in earnest. It quickly became apparent the care with which Thomas had prepared our route. </span></span></span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 1.57143em;">We rode on quiet roads and paths, </span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">through</span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 1.57143em;"> small quiet </span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">neighbourhoods</span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 1.57143em;"> and lush green rice fields. There was little traffic and the small climbs of the first day were rewarded with lovely coastal views. Thomas rode with us, leading sometimes, following at others. Several of the group were equipped with GPS </span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 1.57143em;">devices he had supplied, making route finding easier - although we always seemed to go better with Thomas at the helm weaving our way through the twists and turns. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzHNrHwzYHHIXCMeKCPTSD6eZfPLm_Vb_oobVzCgMjZBMkwf7FH_v99uxg4NbkzpL_o3EQy6jYMqlMQn7gG9prP7jszx5J1A3ktR-pR-K5iYsZDhG5ayrANlLMS2YH647TA99XA/s1600/DSCN4374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzHNrHwzYHHIXCMeKCPTSD6eZfPLm_Vb_oobVzCgMjZBMkwf7FH_v99uxg4NbkzpL_o3EQy6jYMqlMQn7gG9prP7jszx5J1A3ktR-pR-K5iYsZDhG5ayrANlLMS2YH647TA99XA/s640/DSCN4374.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<div style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; color: #383838; font-family: gotham, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span data-mce-style="font-family: gotham, helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.57143em;"><span data-mce-style="color: #222222;" style="color: #222222; line-height: 1.57143em;"><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="line-height: 1.57143em;">Before too long we were greeted by the sight of our support van and the wonderful Mida-san to provide us with refreshments. The day was warm, so the break was welcome. Coastal views and some not too demanding ups and downs followed with a cracking roadhouse lunch of noodles along the way. Our goal for the night was a hundred-year-old </span></span><span data-mce-style="orphans: auto; text-indent: 0px; widows: 1; float: none; background-color: #ffffff;" style="background-color: white; float: none; line-height: 1.57143em;"><span data-mce-style="font-size: small;" style="line-height: 1.57143em;">Hinagu Onsen Ryokan.</span> <span style="line-height: 1.57143em;"><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="line-height: 1.57143em;">This </span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" style="line-height: 18px;">delightful</span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="line-height: 1.57143em;"> old-style Japanese inn was typical of the lovely places we stayed over the 13 nights of our trip - an absolute delight with crisp cotton yukata gowns awaiting our trip to the spring-fed outdoor onsen where the grime and cares of the day</span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" style="line-height: 18px;">’</span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="line-height: 1.57143em;">s riding were quickly scrubbed and soaked away before a few beers and dinner.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: gotham, helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.57143em;"><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="line-height: 1.57143em;"><span data-mce-style="background-color: #ffffff;" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.57143em;">The </span></span><span style="line-height: 1.57143em;"><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="line-height: 1.57143em;">rhythm of the </span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" style="line-height: 18px;">following</span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="line-height: 1.57143em;"> days wasn</span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" style="line-height: 18px;">’</span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="line-height: 1.57143em;">t </span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" style="line-height: 18px;">greatly</span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="line-height: 1.57143em;"> different. We started our mornings with a tasty and varied Japanese breakfast, which always included some form of pickle and miso soup and rice, often accompanied by fish and </span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" style="line-height: 18px;">dried</span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="line-height: 1.57143em;"> seaweed and other delicacies. Then the road opened before us, through the small plots of rice nearing autumnal harvest and the compact Japanese homes along the </span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="line-height: 1.57143em;">way. The drivers we did encounter were almost invariably courteous and gave us plenty of room in passing.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrsqyud0ScmgCzVuOh8M0Rkg34VtspM-ZIHKuTQAVrmURN02UJMw57W_mzWqGKrQLeGnGQlK_wiooQxRAOHEWvc73lggyVRIpS9-rMV2ehNv8A14KOfqaqZQyaEACbjqdVWnNBGw/s1600/DSCN4429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrsqyud0ScmgCzVuOh8M0Rkg34VtspM-ZIHKuTQAVrmURN02UJMw57W_mzWqGKrQLeGnGQlK_wiooQxRAOHEWvc73lggyVRIpS9-rMV2ehNv8A14KOfqaqZQyaEACbjqdVWnNBGw/s640/DSCN4429.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: gotham, helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="color: #383838; line-height: 1.57143em;">There was some spectacular scenery and some challenging climbs in the surprisingly warm temperatures. My favourite was the ride across the caldera near Mt Aso on narrow farm paths that ran through verdant fields stretching right to the edge of the old crater. Then there was the </span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #383838;"><span style="line-height: 20.4286px;">descents - </span><span style="line-height: 1.57143em;">and we had a few - which wound down roads sometimes scarcely wide enough for a single vehicle, twisting and turning downward seemingly </span></span></span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" style="color: #383838; line-height: 18px;">forever</span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="color: #383838; line-height: 1.57143em;">, repaying in spades the hard work of the </span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" style="color: #383838; line-height: 18px;">preceding</span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="color: #383838; line-height: 1.57143em;"> climbs. </span></span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: gotham, helvetica, sans-serif;" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="color: #383838; line-height: 1.57143em;">And the climbs? </span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="color: #383838; line-height: 1.57143em;">I enjoyed the challenge as the road rose up, often finding myself at the summit before I</span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" style="color: #383838; line-height: 18px;">’</span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="color: #383838; line-height: 1.57143em;">d expected and ready for the cool run down. The GoPro video camera I had mounted on my </span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" style="color: #383838; line-height: 18px;">handlebars</span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="color: #383838; line-height: 1.57143em;"> worked overtime capturing some of the long downhill runs </span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" style="color: #383838; line-height: 18px;">through</span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="color: #383838; line-height: 1.57143em;"> tall bamboo groves and forests and I often found myself at the back of the group with </span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" style="color: #383838; line-height: 18px;">the</span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="color: #383838; line-height: 1.57143em;"> sag wagon sometimes not too far away because I</span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" style="color: #383838; line-height: 18px;">’</span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="color: #383838; line-height: 1.57143em;">d stopped and taken too many photos, if there is such a thing as too many photos in a land of such great scenic beauty.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRV1NP2Sqgcn91ktRcUdN0uPZMZeWha_2j8m0o8ucaU6qe3EKNheAznfFsydW3ojYXTB00I3bBw0pMnHIGE2cMLd0xi-iOu4SDp-soV1KN2ZIz54qn7gGjz25CCxHU6Au-rhVz8g/s1600/DSCN4453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRV1NP2Sqgcn91ktRcUdN0uPZMZeWha_2j8m0o8ucaU6qe3EKNheAznfFsydW3ojYXTB00I3bBw0pMnHIGE2cMLd0xi-iOu4SDp-soV1KN2ZIz54qn7gGjz25CCxHU6Au-rhVz8g/s640/DSCN4453.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span data-mce-style="font-family: gotham, helvetica, sans-serif;" style="line-height: 1.57143em;"><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="line-height: 1.57143em;">Contrary to what I might have thought at the outset, our little group stuck together quite well on the road. The impetus among the faster riders to speed off into the distance was less than one might have thought and it was generally the case that we were only a few minutes apart at most </span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" style="line-height: 18px;">breaks</span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="line-height: 1.57143em;"> - a little longer at the end of substantial climbs. One of the great things about cycling is the egalitarian nature of most bunches and we were no eception we whiled away the miles chatting about this and that as one companion or another drew alongside. I spent a bit of time off the back of the bunch too, enjoying the spectacle as it rolled by in quiet solitude. And so t</span></span><span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px;" style="line-height: 1.57143em;">he towns of Kyushu passed under our wheels. After Kumamoto and a visit to the castle, we rode into the magnificent caldera of the Mt Aso volcano - although some small eruptions prevented us getting as close to the volcano as we would have liked.</span></span><br />
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.4286px;" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20.4286px;">Some more climbing, and some delightful riding on quiet country paths took us to the town of Yufuin, where we were treated to a fantastic meal and once again delightful accommodation. After Yufuin came a generally downhill run with a break for spectacular views before a series of switchbacks deposited us in Beppu, a tourist town of hot springs where we enjoyed a lunch cooked over the steam venting from far below the earth.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzt7UhewiUo3zwutS8keg8tclN7vlgNhP5hRo-QSBIXF4ltgagoKPqko6JYummHhmPkHQinJ6e2fE-WRjdMXuXlfYCZrV7J71LjXV7CT-uzhI1b0j_9cqKMmtZFc4eIUzABkY-Tw/s1600/DSCN4640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzt7UhewiUo3zwutS8keg8tclN7vlgNhP5hRo-QSBIXF4ltgagoKPqko6JYummHhmPkHQinJ6e2fE-WRjdMXuXlfYCZrV7J71LjXV7CT-uzhI1b0j_9cqKMmtZFc4eIUzABkY-Tw/s640/DSCN4640.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thee only drawback to being on a guided trip is that the caravan must move on. I would have liked to have spent another day or two in Beppu, tourist trap though I suspected it to be, but the ferry trip across to Yawatahama proved to be a nice break to the rhythm followed by an enjoyable climb out of town on a quiet hillside road. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were now on the island of Shikoku and stayed the night in the delightful town of Uchiko, where the moon festival was in full swing. Rather than being accommodated just out of the centre of town as we were expecting we were right in the thick of things and we were able to enjoy strolling through the festival and its many attractions and take in a late night visit to the town's rather impressive lying Buddha.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_28BRF1VX6sxzEtaCA-hWWyP4leKkWqTCw-h8UWh_YHkX64M8WRx2HlkDWL-zfWmBoX1C_WJBYN1qwC0YxJVfCxT11HvaTrg0CaPPJmIxf4yh_eXKaAy-lVg2CVpG4HSggcLdg/s1600/DSCN4497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_28BRF1VX6sxzEtaCA-hWWyP4leKkWqTCw-h8UWh_YHkX64M8WRx2HlkDWL-zfWmBoX1C_WJBYN1qwC0YxJVfCxT11HvaTrg0CaPPJmIxf4yh_eXKaAy-lVg2CVpG4HSggcLdg/s640/DSCN4497.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Onward once more, over a couple of 300m climbs before reaching Matsuyama - which is famed for its public baths fed by hot springs. After a warm day in the saddle I was keen to dive in the shower, but was greatly entertained by the stories of those who had ventured across the road and braved the baths. Everyone seemed to have a different tale of how things had gone wrong, from forgotten tickets to forgotten soap or some hilarious breach of etiquette which had them retreating behind a cloud of apologies. The own itself was charming, no less so for the custom of Japanese people frequenting the baths to promenade in their yukata, which we had become quite accustomed to wearing around our accommodation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a rest day and a transfer by bus to Tokushima, we took a ferry to Wakayama on Honshu island. There followed a long, but most enjoyable climb - despite the heat - out of town and onward up Mt Koyasan. The final few kilometers were a bit of a push, but we arrived in the cool heights of <span data-mce-style="line-height: 1.57143em;" style="line-height: 1.57143em;">Koyasan to soak in the astonishing culture of the temple and the monastery where we stayed and delighted in a terrific vegetarian meal. After breakfast the following morning we enjoyed a thrilling descent before a flat ride into the town of Nara, where we fed the delightful deer and stayed in the middle of the town's lovely park. Another highlight.</span></span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="line-height: 1.57143em;" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.57143em;">Our trip was now drawing to a close and while the ride to Kyoto was flat and fast and enjoyable, I was a little sad that we couldn't go on for a few more days at least. We had at least the city tour the following day to take in some of the sites of Japan's ancient capital before a final meal as a group and farewells the following morning. </span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="line-height: 1.57143em;" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.57143em;">It was a magnificent trip, as promised a real taste of Japan - just long enough to feel immersed in the country's gentle and ancient culture, but also short enough to leave me keen to return and again travel by bicycle through this fascinating and alluring destination. Thanks to Thomas for delivering an unforgettable trip, just like he promised.</span></div>
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David Killickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05781752978497832434noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29412627.post-70810028604372280352015-09-22T09:26:00.002+10:002015-09-22T09:26:20.372+10:00Cycling Fukuoka.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm probably preaching to the converted, but travelling by bike has to be one of the best ways of sightseeing. In a car, things zip by too fast, and walking is a slow and laborious way to get around. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We're in Japan for a 12-day cycling tour in the south of the country. I'd allowed a couple of extra days either side so as not to be too rushed and we found ourselves in Fukuoka. Wanting to make the most of our stay I booked us in with the good folk from </span><a href="http://fukuchari.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fukuoka Bike Tour</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> for a half-day adventure to get the cobwebs out of our legs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There were only two of us booked on the Saturday morning trip, and we met our guides -Takaya Seri and Makoto Tanaka outside their office just before 9am. A quick orientation and we were off along the footpaths and back lanes of Fukuoka. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-iGo8ajX2VoqjeXTUmQHsPmo39HkCVpiJZXdV_OpFpRipj8REw_I6_VPmpl5jsKucyhqIs4V02wLMYnWK9w7NJiEGtqBA8BSAwjbN6Lb8kp3NKHLzHhgGWGBszx_1B8d0a1DzHA/s1600/IMGP7599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-iGo8ajX2VoqjeXTUmQHsPmo39HkCVpiJZXdV_OpFpRipj8REw_I6_VPmpl5jsKucyhqIs4V02wLMYnWK9w7NJiEGtqBA8BSAwjbN6Lb8kp3NKHLzHhgGWGBszx_1B8d0a1DzHA/s640/IMGP7599.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Cleaning our hands before entering a temple.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What a trip it was. Within a few hundred metres were were visiting a magnificent temple, then another and soon we were at the city's fish markets where we sampled some of the wares including some delicious seaweed from one of the suppliers. I was worried how we would go in the traffic of a crowded Japanese city, but our route wound its way through narrow streets and lanes which we would never have had a chance of finding on our own. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">At the fish markets.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the fish markets we passed through one of the city's big parks and rode down to the waterfront. Fukuoka has a beautiful seaside area with a lovely promenade and the fresh sea breeze cooled us down as we watched an expert fisherman land Spanish Mackerel one after the other.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgJimQKGsq3dKlXkW7vjhmemh2TMnDQzjcJa-Q7dL80ZFxMAJ3CieSjrzPZsHwI8AZI54fyeB57JlpE9DwZRrAY84Cvqd__WL31uL614SOF-fkf59WzoGNd5sHpBmbV5_75O9qQ/s1600/IMGP7685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgJimQKGsq3dKlXkW7vjhmemh2TMnDQzjcJa-Q7dL80ZFxMAJ3CieSjrzPZsHwI8AZI54fyeB57JlpE9DwZRrAY84Cvqd__WL31uL614SOF-fkf59WzoGNd5sHpBmbV5_75O9qQ/s640/IMGP7685.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a ride through the docklands, it was time for lunch and we stopped at a very busy ramen restaurant popular with locals. Ordering was via vending machine and people were seated at tables as seats became available. The turnover was frantic. The pork ramen noodles were very tasty, particularly with the addition of ginger and ground sesame seeds. It was an experience we would certainly have missed without our wonderful guides.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK88Tg28YDFLsaqwLJevKemTj-Wq2y286C1llTTS3DE4V-ce9Am5BWBII-t1ujZBSkxsNDo8hiOhsZ-G5Fx7tsZmT9I_IjqrRbyZmTh1oIaafB5XLJs-6S8z2YKbmFtxUax41_mA/s1600/IMG_1374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK88Tg28YDFLsaqwLJevKemTj-Wq2y286C1llTTS3DE4V-ce9Am5BWBII-t1ujZBSkxsNDo8hiOhsZ-G5Fx7tsZmT9I_IjqrRbyZmTh1oIaafB5XLJs-6S8z2YKbmFtxUax41_mA/s640/IMG_1374.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Delicious pork ramen noodles.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The highlight of the trip for me was seeing the ancient wall build in the 13th century to repel the Mongol invaders. Fukuoka has an amazing history, in part as a trading hub because of its proximity to China and Korea, a proximity which also brought invading hordes. What was also astonishing was how far the waterfront has moved in 700 years. These walls were on the seashore when built, now they are several kilometres inland. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remains of the old city wall.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After lunch it was time to head back into town. A final stop at a famous local cake shop topped off a most excellent day. Japan is a great place to ride a bike. My first impressions are of careful and considerate motorists and good facilities for people on two wheels. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you find yourself in Fukuoka and have some free time, I can highly recommend this excellent tour.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>3500km so far this year.</i></span></div>
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<br />David Killickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05781752978497832434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29412627.post-79566883914995727192015-09-08T11:35:00.003+10:002015-09-08T11:39:42.974+10:00Keep it simple.A spring weekend, no need for anything too epic. Good weather and good mates equals good times. We're lucky to have such superb cycling country on our doorstep and there's still plenty more to explore.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaD3DJ2Pn0d4n6mnObIBzMMdwF7Rd9SD4Sx0xK7vfqtWMFVXXHrz3aeNCTNEBrtwKP7bwTLUOd3CrauFzn6o8OVAqIVZzfHNuoOcI7DnmVA7WG93JgphcOkzwmEbfKzzvdtpLZyw/s1600/DSCN4020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaD3DJ2Pn0d4n6mnObIBzMMdwF7Rd9SD4Sx0xK7vfqtWMFVXXHrz3aeNCTNEBrtwKP7bwTLUOd3CrauFzn6o8OVAqIVZzfHNuoOcI7DnmVA7WG93JgphcOkzwmEbfKzzvdtpLZyw/s640/DSCN4020.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the road looking towards a snow-capped Mt Weld.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhOaMkflE-hUcrI_JmwQIuT8qJCjI7mbZm3zsTkQ7eQ2V0lMjMYyp3IWVNJNUVRoN0t7OXCF-TLWG24mmRegNnCG4v6t0zMDUEnCK1hGZQwzPXNp8vNqrybLHrZ2xMnmCKLvd1w/s1600/DSCN4023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhOaMkflE-hUcrI_JmwQIuT8qJCjI7mbZm3zsTkQ7eQ2V0lMjMYyp3IWVNJNUVRoN0t7OXCF-TLWG24mmRegNnCG4v6t0zMDUEnCK1hGZQwzPXNp8vNqrybLHrZ2xMnmCKLvd1w/s640/DSCN4023.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glovers Bluff Lookout.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0n4XIVUCca6zoU0YNuMh-MkkGZk5zjT6lAvkJbJLx-1EERUpvM0bHjnh8sY8txL08aBIOfr3xDxKJYo-QsXzb1WgoSW9Tg-xYUmmj-L6Ann1o0TYhPF121msoSnXafBW_2sTBCg/s1600/DSCN4024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0n4XIVUCca6zoU0YNuMh-MkkGZk5zjT6lAvkJbJLx-1EERUpvM0bHjnh8sY8txL08aBIOfr3xDxKJYo-QsXzb1WgoSW9Tg-xYUmmj-L6Ann1o0TYhPF121msoSnXafBW_2sTBCg/s640/DSCN4024.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way to the Airwalk.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSP3sKyV3s23WKauJ1AjNYDhw_b35jEztcqgYxxv2HWKt6VXB6DPahY748jghlqSkV7xlKpWLQQ5GotWoIv2l9FXVQNbNWqv1NaG_wFtcXUBFHuHQVVa3ahXHf3TVBuQzzqpK_lg/s1600/DSCN4026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSP3sKyV3s23WKauJ1AjNYDhw_b35jEztcqgYxxv2HWKt6VXB6DPahY748jghlqSkV7xlKpWLQQ5GotWoIv2l9FXVQNbNWqv1NaG_wFtcXUBFHuHQVVa3ahXHf3TVBuQzzqpK_lg/s640/DSCN4026.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hugh takes the safe route on one of the suspension bridges near the airwalk.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iAGhC0EwucY0SMPBW6H_4pGMFitiswJotDTJElARd5YYjdThkiRtNmKIKrbPzpWtwAC4B_VDFjZKMAM5pWFBeYq2rZ1vyTZnwn71EqLioyUcXkrc2tffTgHPwmpsIrCopqoogQ/s1600/DSCN4031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iAGhC0EwucY0SMPBW6H_4pGMFitiswJotDTJElARd5YYjdThkiRtNmKIKrbPzpWtwAC4B_VDFjZKMAM5pWFBeYq2rZ1vyTZnwn71EqLioyUcXkrc2tffTgHPwmpsIrCopqoogQ/s640/DSCN4031.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the magnificent tall forests along Edwards Road.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqOSVuRypcdTftliK51ovJCrcNhBOOdd5aSYNujbywK19KvVa1JuOPn4G83-MAN2y8ASrNNg588AWCaNPQAOhHZrHuZfjW4btY5x5QumYS41jKY-TTPb1A8yHDQdKm5RxHcPeUg/s1600/DSCN4039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqOSVuRypcdTftliK51ovJCrcNhBOOdd5aSYNujbywK19KvVa1JuOPn4G83-MAN2y8ASrNNg588AWCaNPQAOhHZrHuZfjW4btY5x5QumYS41jKY-TTPb1A8yHDQdKm5RxHcPeUg/s640/DSCN4039.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nearing our destination.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDrgib33C4dueb6cchFzE3XVTjegBQIdAP7-rQNXdU0SUGJEIpdr4v4xx4Qxz4K8ebQNjlSakfZQstz8RKwx_VjQbI3xdYIGTDRck6pfpzHPidODwVRoqKM2l-xwz0EK_Q_kr0w/s1600/G0131083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDrgib33C4dueb6cchFzE3XVTjegBQIdAP7-rQNXdU0SUGJEIpdr4v4xx4Qxz4K8ebQNjlSakfZQstz8RKwx_VjQbI3xdYIGTDRck6pfpzHPidODwVRoqKM2l-xwz0EK_Q_kr0w/s640/G0131083.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No cars, great scenery, doesn't get any better.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmv1j_GeaeBSwTv8kOrF32iOx-UbHOyQ6Gz1COSoZJ-EGL-NP3vtU0wb6bZ7bNfM09YGd_-hgYzDRMudberVMHudxZwJwIbNLO2mjLiWaGnz1r-RQCc06JRV7nJOn-BU7ZqyDMHQ/s1600/G0171195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmv1j_GeaeBSwTv8kOrF32iOx-UbHOyQ6Gz1COSoZJ-EGL-NP3vtU0wb6bZ7bNfM09YGd_-hgYzDRMudberVMHudxZwJwIbNLO2mjLiWaGnz1r-RQCc06JRV7nJOn-BU7ZqyDMHQ/s640/G0171195.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Descending from Glovers Bluff.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qGgNXIX_G_8-v7dN1gQoHZ3Xj5HA5eayyhK1iFx6VV7jlKqQxdB_iaukoYpMdtuE7QoYHimwyZ4K0gKl4GunPxX8TQlgLOmgc4aFBo6Y9jdHxjGCbo6m_yLQMCkQGJTg4Tsb-A/s1600/G0191325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qGgNXIX_G_8-v7dN1gQoHZ3Xj5HA5eayyhK1iFx6VV7jlKqQxdB_iaukoYpMdtuE7QoYHimwyZ4K0gKl4GunPxX8TQlgLOmgc4aFBo6Y9jdHxjGCbo6m_yLQMCkQGJTg4Tsb-A/s640/G0191325.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading down towards the Airwalk.<br />
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Video highlights:</td></tr>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/OXL8X97_ykA/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OXL8X97_ykA?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">3355km so far this year.</span></i><br />
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<br />David Killickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05781752978497832434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29412627.post-42643209682925606902015-08-06T17:52:00.005+10:002015-08-06T17:52:56.100+10:00Cleaning a bike.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvbHlF2vqMeAjSJuVJsZObG8rriBDwReM7GP3J0NY96ieo9GQ0P-cb7vTPfl1vXxk3h1LwfENiXZzHZ6Eni3eRlsy2CfIq_E74anQj0VuSMrE-gn1qt4gs4RMxzBnKnTMSGoxxw/s1600/Bike+wash.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvbHlF2vqMeAjSJuVJsZObG8rriBDwReM7GP3J0NY96ieo9GQ0P-cb7vTPfl1vXxk3h1LwfENiXZzHZ6Eni3eRlsy2CfIq_E74anQj0VuSMrE-gn1qt4gs4RMxzBnKnTMSGoxxw/s640/Bike+wash.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filthy.</td></tr>
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Cleaning a bike is one of those tasks I really don't put much thought into. Generally I give the frame a touch up with a rag once a week or so and lube the chain when needed. A few rainy rides have left the Niner looking more than a little bit muddy and since it was sititng in the back of the car when I visited the car wash today I decided to get my money's worth.<br />
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There's a couple of schools of thought on bike cleaning. There's the damp-cloth-wipedown brigade and the 'hose it off' school. I suspect the former is typical of most roadies and the latter of mountain bikers. In this case - a medium dirty bike - 60 seconds with a pressure washer saved me a lot of work.<br />
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Whether you're using a garden hose or a pressure washer like the one I used at a commercial car wash it's ok - and often far better - to spray your bike clean when it's caked with mud. There's just a couple of things you'll want to keep in mind.<br />
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Firstly, make sure you remove anything that doesn't like getting wet. Erring on the side of caution, this would include most cheap lights and certainly any electronic gear like Garmins or other GPS devices and the like, which will do just fine in a rain shower but might not fare too well if they cop a high pressure blast. If you have a Brooks or other leather saddle, or leather handlebar tape, you will want to make sure that they're covered or otherwise spared. (I have no experience with electronic shifting ensembles, so ask your local bike shop.)<br />
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The other tip is that high-pressure water doesn't do the grease in bearings any favours, so don't go directing the spray at hubs or bottom brackets. (If there's a choice, skip the soapier settings.) One easy way of avoiding the most vulnerable areas is to give the most of frame a going over from the sides, keeping away from the hubs and BB shell and finishing the job by doing the hubs and BB areas from the front and rear. The Niner has full-length internal cable housings so I wasn't too worried about getting water in them, which is another potential problem. In most cases it's also best to steer clear of your handlebar tape too if you're planning to ride too soon after the wash because most modern types are nice and spongy and take a while to dry out.<br />
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I didn't have anything with me to wipe the bike down today, but fortunately they're pretty robust beasts. I bounced the Niner a couple of times to shake off the excess water. Before I ride tomorrow I'll wipe down the chain and relube it and the pivot points on my dérailleurs and we're good to go again.David Killickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05781752978497832434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29412627.post-79234394513388194092015-08-05T20:33:00.001+10:002015-08-05T20:37:26.024+10:00Randonneuring in China<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJsFd5acbrAJb6DLpzO7FpnpuSmF3NdvUPRynqi4JTYcQsBa6_CO0htl0a9qpG0UaMFi2j04nqkLHa00UetKeIpHTWoPAld6RSd2HL6QmcWxlbuXVPVmlGGst1kxMEqxmTqNvXA/s1600/scale-2800x0x0x0-0802sschin-1437522246-57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJsFd5acbrAJb6DLpzO7FpnpuSmF3NdvUPRynqi4JTYcQsBa6_CO0htl0a9qpG0UaMFi2j04nqkLHa00UetKeIpHTWoPAld6RSd2HL6QmcWxlbuXVPVmlGGst1kxMEqxmTqNvXA/s640/scale-2800x0x0x0-0802sschin-1437522246-57.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Having been to China a few times and done a spot of cycling there, I'm a keen follower of how the sport of randonneuring is developing there. Randonneurs of China have a great <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RandonneursofChina">Facebook group</a> which Hans Ngo keeps bubbling away. Having organised a small outpost of audax in Australia, it's hard to imaging the challenges of being the front man for a rapidly expanding sport in a nation of more than one billion people. Hans had caught the eye of the mainstream media, theres's a lovely writeup on the club in the <a href="https://story.californiasunday.com/long-distance-biking-in-china">California Magazine</a>. Highly recommended. I hope to do a ride there one day.David Killickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05781752978497832434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29412627.post-30568186101907182042015-08-02T19:25:00.001+10:002015-08-05T20:34:34.708+10:00Underbikers.<br />
I'm having a play with different ways of presenting stories. Here's a little collection of images I've put together of <a href="https://medium.com/@SurlyDave/underbikers-59dc868067d3">some of my favourite gravel riding photos</a> from the last few years. Most of them have had an outing on this blog, but it's never a bad time for a 'best of' album.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvV_x1CqkVw7n5F_Uggm_JfmdNA1Z5_-xW0o3nb6r096Tdrs0JwUD2lZ5z9WV6LQqUmQ0zv4fV3ncl7tRfxccLF-2gnTCKGX-S5UmYJgXZH93hyphenhyphenpSmzPH4HaKvTY4hUk1mehWZg/s1600/Waddamana+Loop+00026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvV_x1CqkVw7n5F_Uggm_JfmdNA1Z5_-xW0o3nb6r096Tdrs0JwUD2lZ5z9WV6LQqUmQ0zv4fV3ncl7tRfxccLF-2gnTCKGX-S5UmYJgXZH93hyphenhyphenpSmzPH4HaKvTY4hUk1mehWZg/s640/Waddamana+Loop+00026.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />David Killickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05781752978497832434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29412627.post-13821358010434440462015-07-26T16:32:00.003+10:002015-08-05T20:35:01.958+10:00Bracken Ridge.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVK-68BkG9KjINWZld3Wpsiqq5QUbfLoyl3dTiluVE2qKA9pn46HOV29KMH4SmwZuAvZlgGUkL4IBsiVP3SWdc8JGiSUpn8MwU-trNXlFcMwk3ym0bxodkoswZ8KBIfQdyvlnHw/s1600/Bermuda+Road+Ride+July+26+2015+photo+00087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVK-68BkG9KjINWZld3Wpsiqq5QUbfLoyl3dTiluVE2qKA9pn46HOV29KMH4SmwZuAvZlgGUkL4IBsiVP3SWdc8JGiSUpn8MwU-trNXlFcMwk3ym0bxodkoswZ8KBIfQdyvlnHw/s640/Bermuda+Road+Ride+July+26+2015+photo+00087.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home through the rain.</td></tr>
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Thanks to a lingering cough, which I suspected wasn't going to be helped by a day riding in the rain in near-zero temperatures, I decided to sit this one out. Given I didn't have much else to do I decided to follow the guys along in the car and get some photos.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyc50POZmsR4OPX8dD6Fe9MdCRkoHlf8k4aLwssPeYyUCGH7lokJ-Hd5yJi184TlEKwxbzX-KY1omh2mi2E89fI6xPhRL0Jc5kvBhuwQW1T_LFd6Tmd6cPdzwle1kUMA5UkC5Etw/s1600/IMG_0816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyc50POZmsR4OPX8dD6Fe9MdCRkoHlf8k4aLwssPeYyUCGH7lokJ-Hd5yJi184TlEKwxbzX-KY1omh2mi2E89fI6xPhRL0Jc5kvBhuwQW1T_LFd6Tmd6cPdzwle1kUMA5UkC5Etw/s640/IMG_0816.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first climb out of Glen Huon.</td></tr>
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The circuit is a classic loop from Huonville, out towards Judbury then up the steep climb of Bermuda Road. It's a particularly steep pinch to begin with, although it levels out for some temporary relief before heading up again on even rougher roads. Once up the top there's a fire trail down towards the bridge across the Huon River near the Ta Ann veneer mill.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtUycB-_CH46SFNxp5RNVSnWbL-tEW2vS-BDuP-KZs0Ch_nrj1UdWqdw4CpNlJh0XHqzUQbrVJLhDNLfSi5tjv0owPBlp21Ra3Vtg93oBXBW8aQHGgF4uKPeM6NiTZa5mcjU2eTQ/s1600/Bermuda+Road+Ride+July+26+2015+photo+00026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtUycB-_CH46SFNxp5RNVSnWbL-tEW2vS-BDuP-KZs0Ch_nrj1UdWqdw4CpNlJh0XHqzUQbrVJLhDNLfSi5tjv0owPBlp21Ra3Vtg93oBXBW8aQHGgF4uKPeM6NiTZa5mcjU2eTQ/s640/Bermuda+Road+Ride+July+26+2015+photo+00026.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nearing the top.</td></tr>
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I shadowed the group of five who had set out for the ride despite the dire weather forecast, leapfrogging them with my iphone camera for a bit and then with a fancy SLR one of the riders had brought with him - which made my task more fun and his a little lighter.<br />
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I had to drive a longer loop around possibly the best bit of the ride, which is the descent of Bracken Ridge. By all accounts it was a bit of a stretch for road bikes in the wet today.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcyMWevAj7GvMVlbvP5jhVOM4sv2xSGooElyxL5imBp8yu2309j1T7ECCxNHx1spF1gvrU0KaVdRCkjj7CtrO4-etoW-fEH3coQbVsIF0GmVUE5jbD6iydCLmDpWiXF2CnOJryg/s1600/Bermuda+Road+Ride+July+26+2015+photo+00109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcyMWevAj7GvMVlbvP5jhVOM4sv2xSGooElyxL5imBp8yu2309j1T7ECCxNHx1spF1gvrU0KaVdRCkjj7CtrO4-etoW-fEH3coQbVsIF0GmVUE5jbD6iydCLmDpWiXF2CnOJryg/s640/Bermuda+Road+Ride+July+26+2015+photo+00109.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Once over the Huon River Bridge, the return journey is a pretty nice ride most days, with the possible exception of the climb up the back side of Denison Hill. The forecast snow held off and while the temperature was low and it rained intermittently nobody seemed to be complaining too much. Out loud anyhow.<br />
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It's not hard to be reminded why we like riding these roads so much and why gravel bikes are enjoying such popularity at the moment. I saw about three cars in 60+ kilometres. We basically had the road to ourselves.<br />
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Once Denison Hill is crossed, the finish is in sight. True it's 20km back to Hounville but the worst of the climbs are over, which is a welcome development for tired legs.<br />
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After a few more photos shelters by the tailgate of the car, I left the guys in peace to complete the ride. Despite the weather and the mud it looks like everyone had a fun time.<br />
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<i><span style="color: red;">2827km so far this year.</span></i><br />
<br />David Killickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05781752978497832434noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29412627.post-30160821393306998242015-03-21T17:44:00.001+11:002015-03-21T17:46:21.864+11:00Oppy 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's no secret that the Oppy - properly known as the Fleche Opperman All-Day Trial - is my favourite ride. There's a lot to like about the Oppy, the challenging distance, the night riding, the company of like-minded folk on a most enjoyable jaunt. This year was my sixth Oppy in Victoria, having completed in <a href="http://aboutthebike.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/oppy-2013.html">2013</a>, <a href="http://aboutthebike.blogspot.com.au/2011/03/oppy-2011.html">2011</a>, <a href="http://aboutthebike.blogspot.com.au/2009/03/oppy-2009.html">2009,</a> <a href="http://aboutthebike.blogspot.com.au/2008/05/oppy-2008.html">2008</a> and <a href="http://aboutthebike.blogspot.com.au/2007/04/once-in-lifetime-ride.html">2007</a>. This year, the Tasmanian contingent in the famed Lancefield Lairs was doubled, with Hugh coming along for the ride as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There's always a lot of preparation for this ride for me. These days it involves packing a lot of gear into a bike box, a flight from Hobart to Melbourne and the unpacking and travel at the end. I caught up with Hugh at Melbourne Airport and we bundled our gear into a hire car and set off for Lancefield where Andy kindly fed us and put us up for the night.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The course for this ride is a matter for the each team captain, subject to the rules of covering 360km in 24 hours from 8am Saturday, at least 25 of them in the last two hours. Steve chose a <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/268189464">familiar route</a>, up through central Victoria, turning west and ducking briefly into NSW before a night stop and the ride back down to Rochester, with stops every 60 or so kilometres for food and a wee rest. Our team was a strong one, overflowing with Oppy and Audax experience.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The scenery in Victoria is unlike that of Tasmania. For a start, the place is astonishingly flat. We cruised along on the road to Seymour and I marvelled at how little climbing there was. I always argue it's one of the reasons cycling is so popular in the state. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On we rolled, making reasonable time, despite more than our fair share of punctures and a broken spoke. A brief bout with an upset stomach slowed me down for a bit either side of the lovely town of Dookie, so I lived on gels for a few dozen kilometres and waited for things to sort themselves out, which fortunately they did. Aside from that, I seemed to be travelling pretty well, none of the normal neck pain I get on longer rides, and the contact points of hands, feet and bum were also going ok. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nightfall provided a welcome drop in temperature from the 30 degrees of late afternoon. Not long after out pizza stop we donned our reflective vests and sailed off into the setting sun. It's a nice time to be out on the bike.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The wind, which was predicted to be a challenge for us, rose a little in the night - but not so much as to make the riding unpleasant. The stronger riders took the front and the rest of us were content to travel along in their wake. The chatter of earlier in the day died down to almost nothing as the evening wore on, a sure sign we were getting weary. The final 30km into Moama is a favourite of mine, a mixture of very ridable roads and the proximity of a decent rest.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We reached our night stop at the caravan park in the very early hours of Sunday. A 3am arrival and a quick shower meant only a couple of hours sleep before the 6am departure. No sooner had my head hit the pillow than I was out like a light.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The alarm sounded what seemed like a few seconds later. A quick breakfast and we were back on our way, this time into a stiff headwind. Although we had left a few minutes late we seemed to have plenty of time to finish the last 30km even at the slightly-sub 20km/h speeds we were managing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the first hour or so, it was apparent we weren't making terrific time. I did some mental calculations but I wasn't overly worried because we'd had tight finishes before. Not far from town we spotted the riders from the Lair's Petite Oppy (180km) team waiting for accompany us to the finish. A few riders stopped and a few of us continued on at a stately pace.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few minutes down the road the second group was not longer in sight - which seemed a little odd. We continued on and discussed what it might all mean. It didn't make sense they'd all dropped off the pace, it must have been a mechanical problem or a puncture. The clock continued to tick down. With a dozen minutes and less than two kilometres to go, we pulled over to the side of the road. What would this mean for our finishing hopes?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The time ticked by with no sign of our teammates of the last 24 hours and our Petit Oppy comrades. There were murmurs of consternation and debate about what course to take but we waited somewhat confident that they would be along in good time. Then the lights appeared, far down the road and drew towards us, slowly at first and then more quickly. Happily reunited we were on our way once more, the final distance being a bit shorter than we had reckoned. We arrived at the Oppy statue in Rochester with three minutes to spare. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another year, another most memorable ride.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>1703km so far this year.</i></span><br />
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David Killickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05781752978497832434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29412627.post-90606656556832538282015-02-28T16:47:00.001+11:002015-02-28T16:47:28.117+11:00Short term review: Vittoria Open Pave CG tyres.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKD2Tu8VJwY6Wx4Nx8wHwBlk0k68y25WfXA3mo8b1KYev9_ch5YUazt422ohu3U6KVBTgSSFUrF7I72a2TPj-IDkGpZQ9WUnzd0igK51j0WIqc4XsCr5bZH335n4cxJ1ps-kwWSQ/s1600/IMG_8305.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well loved Shimano R500 wheels and Vittoria Open Pave CG's. Pretty much indestructible.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyone who has done much riding will tell you that wheels - and in particular tyres - are the most important single component if you're seeking to get the best performance out of your bike. But like with most things in life, there's a trade off with tyres: light fast tyres tend not to be tough or long-lasting and are more prone to punctures, heavier tyres are more durable but tend not to roll as nicely. I've tried quite a few different tyres and have found some which had great potential they never quite lived up to. For example I was a big fan of the <a href="http://www.compasscycle.com/tires_gb_700_28.html">Grand Bois</a> tyres initially for their lovely supple ride, but found their high price, <a href="http://aboutthebike.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/long-term-review-grand-bois-cerf.html">lack of puncture protection</a> and short lifespan too much of a hurdle to overcome.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enter the Vittoria <a href="http://www.vittoria.com/tire/open-pave-cg/">Open Pave CG</a>. The kind folk at <a href="http://abbotsfordcycles.com.au/">Abbotsford Cycles</a> sent me of the 25mm wide model of these these tyres to test. They are the clincher version of a distinctive green-banded tubular tyre popular with the pros on rides like the Paris-Roubaix. They're a nice, light folding tyre - sub 300g - and they look the part right out of the box. They were easy to fit and the light file tread reminded me of the Vittoria racing tubulars I used to use in days of old. The sidewall and tread appear to be smartly a single piece of rubber, eliminating <a href="http://aboutthebike.blogspot.com.au/2014/05/challenge-griffo-xs-33-tyres-long-term.html">a weak spot</a> I found a fatal flaw on the Challenge Griffos. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNN-J8rkcWcjIpmHhxgb8VzTGELwmx3Y53iXZbXs4_BaUh5kGaliAjEOIbJHJTkDv_4JXfrPKqZu13Ile9SdMmcEt7MfnrWCQCtQv8OfsAGYSRwAnBjzXOPUorXZOYT91Rd3z_MA/s1600/G0405237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNN-J8rkcWcjIpmHhxgb8VzTGELwmx3Y53iXZbXs4_BaUh5kGaliAjEOIbJHJTkDv_4JXfrPKqZu13Ile9SdMmcEt7MfnrWCQCtQv8OfsAGYSRwAnBjzXOPUorXZOYT91Rd3z_MA/s1600/G0405237.JPG" height="352" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By Tasmanian standards, this is a very very nice gravel road.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been running the Open Pave's for a couple of weeks now in all conditions and I have to say I'm most impressed. On the tarmac, they are smooth and fast and responsive like a good light high pressure road tyre. They roll along with a pleasant hum, their grip is impressive - inspiring confidence in the wet. But they also handle dirt road astoundingly well. I've given these tyres an absolute pounding on the sub-standard roads around home. Even my venerable Gatorskins develop cuts and small holes over time and repeated gravel runs, but there's not yet a mark on the Open Pave's. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In general, only a madman rolls down bumpy dirt roads with 100psi in their tyres as it's generally a recipe for shaking the fillings out of your teeth. The Open Paves have a suppleness to them that - while it certainly doesn't made the ride plush - certainly smooths out the bumps and reduces the road buzz far better than anything else of the same width. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I note the Open Paves' are available in a 27mm tyre as well, which would probably be more to my liking for the sorts of conditions I ride in regularly where the road changes from tarmac to gravel and back every ten kilometres or so on some of the quieter routes I prefer. I'm going to use them in the <a href="http://aboutthebike.blogspot.com.au/search?q=oppy">360km Oppy</a> ride coming up in a couple of weeks in preference to the red Rubino Pros I usually ride on long road events. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few of the online reviews I've read have suggested the Open Paves are a good commuter or winter tyre, but I think this is selling them well short. This is a tyre perfect for spirited road riding in all conditions. They're an ideal tyre for Audax cycling, combining the elusive mix of fast-rolling, toughness, suppleness and strength. I'll keep riding these to see how well they last but at this early stage I like them so much that when they wear out, I'm definitely buying another set.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcKqKZVSm5NWGZq5yP3XlEZM99dVCJHdVNF4Ugeh6r_DHlCEC8vq5KSuE649hdSH8_mScUmPdL8zIlSDRBxeD9ij88GERQ2VGgFRYemPeI2Upk1VG7uathBKpaKvHjTtWt-XPvg/s1600/IMG_8311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcKqKZVSm5NWGZq5yP3XlEZM99dVCJHdVNF4Ugeh6r_DHlCEC8vq5KSuE649hdSH8_mScUmPdL8zIlSDRBxeD9ij88GERQ2VGgFRYemPeI2Upk1VG7uathBKpaKvHjTtWt-XPvg/s1600/IMG_8311.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, I have tested lots of different tyres!</span></td></tr>
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<br />David Killickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05781752978497832434noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29412627.post-67607009752704507552015-02-17T20:34:00.003+11:002015-02-28T16:48:51.903+11:00Audax Wuthering Heights 150km<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKwCnUThr0iwhNMDKZhO262AV2ln0c8bIkK4X3X8zjKHsXgGcv1ZJble7tDtW9ZyFPpNLgrLpgztdJU_Gy1GTOwOeC1aQu7BFB92zQzY4c3_K2-0eXOPdQelwmlOVaGxvLGF1AA/s1600/G0124208+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKwCnUThr0iwhNMDKZhO262AV2ln0c8bIkK4X3X8zjKHsXgGcv1ZJble7tDtW9ZyFPpNLgrLpgztdJU_Gy1GTOwOeC1aQu7BFB92zQzY4c3_K2-0eXOPdQelwmlOVaGxvLGF1AA/s1600/G0124208+2.jpg" height="352" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stunning riding through tall forests on the way back from Bronte Lake.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each year a talented and handsome ride organiser, who I shall call Chris, runs a ride that centres on a fishing lodge at Bronte Lake in the central highlands of Tasmania. There's the option to ride 150km up and back or 200km each way with a night of convivial company and tall stories in between. Sadly last year I missed this ride and was determined not to do so again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unfortunately the weather bureau intervened. The forecast Saturday was for heavy rain, including thunderstorms. Not I'm not saying I was looking for an excuse but the idea of getting up at 5am to ride 150km uphill in the rain didn't appeal as much as perhaps it should have - not matter how keen I am to get some miles in. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYIFqTO8TkX4k-LCzUUbdsjISCnaqdP_85N6t-1Em1PGboqX3NaCxmanMADJS0q1w0Ukr7gpIIzsBg_OXYlkGRAjezkyl7rp28YKEtdXtLPBjg7DlJk9dLutu_E2kPDPOD-ctcg/s1600/G0034016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYIFqTO8TkX4k-LCzUUbdsjISCnaqdP_85N6t-1Em1PGboqX3NaCxmanMADJS0q1w0Ukr7gpIIzsBg_OXYlkGRAjezkyl7rp28YKEtdXtLPBjg7DlJk9dLutu_E2kPDPOD-ctcg/s1600/G0034016.jpg" height="352" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Bronte Lake on the short stretch of gravel.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As it turned out, the forecast was disappointingly wrong. Hugh and I caught a lift up to the lakes with Chris, passing the trio of diehards as they ground up the final steep climb. Purely out of courtesy, we didn't crack a beer before their arrival but instead rode out to meet them and escort them in after their hard day's toil. There followed a night of superb food, a few drinks and apparently some snoring in the bunkroom.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By agreement, the 200km lads set off an hour ahead of us for their out and back loop with the intention of catching up up later in the day. Nathan and I turned our wheels eastward and enjoyed warm and warm conditions as we swooped through the gorges and valleys on the way to Ouse, where we ate our fill of roadhouse tucker.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcPS1zK08WOFWCR7lMGoRhi3E1IzmdYw8KrF4H4B-Gj_Wvvka-wFMRZ1C0871s7WgvrFw3ZsmNvgilbLkv9JrKCtK0HuJP8TD8jxY7mBVZmw5A60pclVjCJ9TFkDGHmI4rMqwjFQ/s1600/G0194375+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcPS1zK08WOFWCR7lMGoRhi3E1IzmdYw8KrF4H4B-Gj_Wvvka-wFMRZ1C0871s7WgvrFw3ZsmNvgilbLkv9JrKCtK0HuJP8TD8jxY7mBVZmw5A60pclVjCJ9TFkDGHmI4rMqwjFQ/s1600/G0194375+2.jpg" height="352" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long downhills and open country in the Derwent Valley.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Underway again, Chris passed us on his way home and informed us that Hugh was breathing down our necks. He caught us at the end of the long and very pleasurable descent into New Norfolk and the three of us made a happy paceline to the finish at the Cenotaph. As I'd left my car at Chris' house, we had 10km to go, which made for the perfect imperial century for the day, as <a href="http://hughiescycling.blogspot.com.au/">Hugh</a> demonstrated his superior fitness and all-round athleticism by outpacing easily me on the final hills. All the same, I was happy with what was for me a solid day in the saddle. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A superb ride, thanks to Chris for putting it on. I'm been to travel both ways under my own power next year. Some video highlights below.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>879km so far this year.</i></span><br />
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David Killickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05781752978497832434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29412627.post-35560728489342817942015-02-02T09:10:00.002+11:002015-02-28T17:09:43.675+11:00It shouldn't be this hard.<div style="border: 0px; color: #383838; font-family: gotham, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.571428em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
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<i>Update: A very nice sergeant from Tasmania Police has been in touch and has spoken to the driver concerned. A good result.</i><br />
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On March 6 last year I was out riding with a friend when a driver drew level with me, suddenly floored his accelerator and fishtailed left and right, his tires squealing. He repeated the performance when he passed my riding companion who was perhaps 30m up the street. On both occasions he missed us by no more than with width of a set of handlebars. Not far up the road the driver pulled into his property. He yelled abuse as we passed. He was unsteady on his feet and appeared to be drunk.</div>
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What was particularly strange about this incident was it with that we both immediately recognised the driver as a man who was on bail while awaiting a hearing for serious driving offences. We continue on our ride and and called police about 20 minutes later. As the only officer in the area were busy we agreed to make report at the police station in Huonville the following day. <span style="line-height: 1.571428em;">An officer made a cursory show of taking the details of our complaint on a scrap of paper. We told him we believed we knew who the driver and gave him a brief outline of the incident and the vehicle's numberplate details. The officer asked us what action we would like taken and said he would be back in touch to take our statements. </span></div>
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That was 10 months ago. Neither of us have anything since despite a couple of calls and going to the police station a couple of times each. In the meantime the driver we believe was responsible has been found guilty and sentenced on charges relating to an incident in which a cyclist was killed. I can't say I've ever had much faith that the police would take our report very seriously - in fact I wrote out my own statement later the following die so I could recall the details if required. </div>
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Three weeks ago, a motorist on Sandy Bay Road in Hobart - in a hurry to get to the beach - passed within about 10cm of my right elbow as he impatiently sped through a gap between a parked car and median strip in which I happen to be cycling. I had a GoPro mounted under my saddle which was turned on at the time and caught the incident. (The clip is at the top of this post.) The following day I reported that incident to police and the familiar pattern repeated itself. Again the report was taken on a scrap of paper, not an official form or notepad or on a computer. My offer of the video evidence on a memory stick was declined. Again I have heard nothing from the police since I made the report.</div>
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Two incidents don't necessarily paint a complete picture of how Tasmania Police respond incidents involving cyclists, but I can't help but think the complete lack of interest shown in each case reflects a pattern of unfortunate indifference. In a week in which the state's peak motorcycle body called for cyclists to be forced to carry number plates one wonders what earthly difference that would make as a safety measure when nobody seems to be particularly interested in enforcing the safety measures we have now. </div>
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There are a lot of things that need to change about the law and how it protects vulnerable road users. Since we're discouraged from taking the law into our own hands, getting the police to do their job would be fine start.<span id="goog_721129682"></span><span id="goog_721129683"></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">469km so far this year.</span></i></div>
David Killickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05781752978497832434noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29412627.post-81406004099133979292015-01-18T16:50:00.000+11:002015-01-18T16:50:11.958+11:00Keep on Trucking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In all its laden glory.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #383838; font-family: gotham, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.571428em;">For reasons I will never understand, the local motorcycling association this week called for a registration scheme and number plates for cyclists. The debate that follow reinforced for me the golden rule, not just for cyclists, but also anyone who doesn't want to be forever terrified by the uninformed opinions of the general public: "never read the comments section". Maybe it's also time to start ignoring the articles above as well. One thing that amuses me about the occasional call of this nature from the uninformed is that my household owns seven bikes, which would make registering them all I real pain and one which would serve no practical effect for anyone.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of my early lighting experiments were not pretty.</td></tr>
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One of the bikes I have been neglecting a bit lately is my trusty old Surly Long Haul Trucker, which featured a fair bit more back in the early days of this blog – which I notice is now approaching 10 years old! I bought this bike, in an awful shade of snot green, way back when I decided to get back into cycling. I had half a mind to try Audax riding and I was under the impression that was far more made up of blokes on touring bikes plodding through the countryside than it eventually turned out to be. I also had grand visions of overseas touring which haven't yet eventuated in quite the way I had pictured. Nonetheless my Long Haul Trucker put in excellent service as I commuted year-round in Melbourne bearing all sorts of horrible pre-LED era lighting rigs and was a reliable if unglamorous steed on my first few long rides and an excellent touring bike for laden adventures. It is not particularly fast but it is comfortable and solid and reliable. It's also the only bike I have ever owned which rides better with a load than without. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Touring in South Australia.</td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 1.571428em;">In the last few years, unfortunately I haven't done as many miles on the Trucker which is a bit of a shame because it is an excellent bike. At the beginning of a global financial crisis the Australian government gave every taxpayer a cheque for $900, most of which I spent on this bike - building a new set of wheels and putting a new crankset on it. A few months ago I put a set of flat handlebars on it took to work in the hope that I be able to use it to get around town during the day but it just didn't work out so it ended up back in the shed.</span></div>
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At lunch yesterday with some cycling mates, a few of us started talking about touring adventures and touring bikes. It occurred to me was time to take the Trucker out for a run once more. I spent a couple of hours this morning replacing the handlebars and tuning the brakes and transferring an old Brooks saddle from my damaged Crosscheck. After a few tweaks she was as good as new and I went for a ride into town in the wind. I really enjoy riding this bike, and the super-low touring gears made a short work of the final hill up to my place. I have a week off coming up soon. Something tells me it might be time to dig out the panniers and take the Trucker for a blast.</div>
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<i><span style="color: red;">312km so far this year.</span></i></div>
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<br />David Killickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05781752978497832434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29412627.post-67720243974799124152015-01-14T21:24:00.000+11:002015-01-14T21:26:48.244+11:00Audax Bruny Lighthouse Dash 120km<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bruny Island is quickly shaping up as one of my favourite cycling destinations in Southern Tasmania. There really is a lot to like about the place. It's an island of great scenic beauty, there is relatively little traffic and even the hills aren't too steep or long by Tasmanian standards. It is almost a perfect destination for an Audax ride. I am probably going to rave about this weekend's ride at some length so I beg forgiveness in advance. I hope the photographs make up for the wordiness.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All audacious riders aboard the Bruny Island ferry. Photo by John Bown.</span></td></tr>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I put the Bruny Lighthouse Dash on the Audax calendar some time ago and while other things have occupied the front of my mind for the last few months I was always conscious that this event was coming up and going to be a lot of fun and had been looking forward to it very much. It turned out to be even better than my expectations, which is saying something.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sunday turned out pretty much as forecast – warm and still and clear, the type of of summer’s day that really highlights how great it is to live in this part of the world. Unfortunately this time of year is also pretty busy in Tasmania because it is an extended run of generally pretty good weather and because there's a lot on, so there was a few people who with regrets couldn't make it. In the end there were seven starters – which is not bad for a new event – and we gathered at Kettering to catch the 7:45am ferry. A little less organised that I usually like to be, I managed to distribute brevet cards and give some final instructions as we crossed the picture-perfect waters of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel. A few minutes after 8am, the ferry had docked and we were off.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And that was the last I saw of everyone for hours. At any rate the solitude was most pleasant.</span></td></tr>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now Bruny is a lovely destination and all the rest but it does come with one significant drawback –there's a solid climb about the start and finish of every ride you care to try. Knowing that the other riders were all pretty strong, I had a plan of how I wanted to get through the day so I let them draw away on that first long drag up from the ferry and was content just to spin away in low gear. No sense in exerting myself too much too early I reasoned. Quickly the others disappeared from view and I was left in my own thoughts and quiet contemplation of the perfect conditions.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For various reasons it's been a while since I've done all that much riding of any great distance and I wanted to make sure and I kept a steady pace so that I wasn't as wrung out at the end of the ride as I have been on previous expeditions to the island. So I stuck to my plan and took it easy, taking in the sites as the road wound south towards the neck, switching from tarmac to gravel and back, and rose again on the gentle hills which signalled the approach to Alonnah. On a Sunday morning there is not a lot of traffic on Bruny Island and what traffic there is tends to come in short bursts as the ferry brings daytrippers across from Kettering every hour or so and they fan out to their destinations. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The obligatory handlebar level photograph. Nice shot of my duelling scar too</span></td></tr>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had not planned to stop and eat but the shop at Alonnah was open and I wasn't in a rush so I took a short break and refilled my water bottles and and wolfed down and egg and bacon roll. I was conscious of the fact that there were no facilities for the next 50km.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Underway again I rolled over the hills south of the tiny town, riding for the first time on roads I have not ridden before. The gravel road briefly became rough then improved as it passed from council control into the National Park. I noted a couple of short steep descents that were going to give me some fun on the return voyage and waved to the first small bunch of returning riders as they headed north. To my surprise they were only a few kilometres ahead of me but of course had already enjoyed a break.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A couple of riders were still at the lighthouse when I got there, having a break from taking photos of the stunning scenery amid the car-borne tourists. The beautiful golden sand and the inviting blue waters of the beach nearby beckoned and on any other day I would've been tempted to wander down and spend a few hours enjoying some time on the deserted shoreline not far away. But today I was on a mission. An unhurried mission but a mission nonetheless.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hugh enjoys the scenic vistas from one of the lookouts. Photo courtesy of Hugh Harvey.</span></td></tr>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before I left home I had set myself a rough timetable of when I would pass through the each of the checkpoints and although I was running about half an hour behind I wasn't particularly worried as there was ample wiggle room and I wasn't feeling very tired. After a rest and a snack and a few photographs I set off again, soon passed by my fellow riders and promising to meet them at the hotel Bruny 25km onward for lunch.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The return journey was made even more pleasant by the occasional presence of a gentle tailwind, which cooled things down a little and provided the slightest of assistance from time to time. I stopped for lunch at the hotel, choosing a very basic pizza as a more palatable alternative to a whopping bowl of chips. My companions set off in a bid to catch an earlier ferry and I bade them farewell. Just as I was about to leave not long afterwards I noticed I had a flat front tire. Fortunately I've taken the carrying I couple of CO2 cartridges in my toolkit so the tube was changed and reinflated and I was on my way pretty quickly. No idea what caused that though.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By this time – partly thanks to lunch taking longer to arrive than I had hoped – I was starting to nudge against the time limit of eight hours for the 120 km ride. This is a pretty common problem for people who take breaks which are too long and too frequent but this was a day when I was more focused on enjoying every moment on the bike rather than spending too much time worrying about deadlines. I get enough of that on weekdays. But even when tired the average Audax rider can calculate average speed and distance and time with the uncanny accuracy and have a pretty good idea of when they are going to finish give or take five minutes, so I was reasonably confident that barring unforeseen mechanical difficulties I should make the final 35km before the 4pm cutoff.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I could sit on the beach and soak in that view for hours.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My plan of taking the things slow and steady was paying dividends as I found myself travelling smoothly up the final hills as I counted down the last few kilometres to the ferry. The last kilometre or two is a fast downhill run with a fantastic view of the channel. The satisfaction of having finished the ride was given a little boost as I zoomed past the dozens of cars lined up and bought a cool drink at the shop as I waited a few minutes for my turn to board. Despite being only a quarter of an hour within the time limit and being emphatically the Lantern Rouge I will rate this as one of the best days riding I've had in years and can't wait to spend more time exploring Bruny Island on my bike. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Heading home on the ferry. Photo courtesy of John Bown.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For those riders who wanted to come along but were unable to because of other commitments I'm not going to take a lot of persuasion to run this ride again in some form in a month or two or three. And having had a second look at my maps and plans I reckon there is a cracking 150km ride that would allow complete traverse of the island’s many attractions in a single day which I think could end up becoming a real classic. Here’s looking forward to many more visits to beautiful Bruny.</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">270km so far this year.</span></i></div>
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<br />David Killickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05781752978497832434noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29412627.post-50036831213871285382015-01-04T15:44:00.000+11:002015-01-04T15:44:12.922+11:002014 annual report<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92aet2rwx_mk0X5ch0ZV_uUKBHrsASpGsqxmV2rtHDkFfh1MQcPHtk4PwbACd4K4OYByosqXtFcxUCftpzqVG9CyLk3WtOdPNn_EoP0pDn7pz9p2naLaZHEJ7cxlpaijYl4jgPg/s1600/Ben+and+I+Tahune.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92aet2rwx_mk0X5ch0ZV_uUKBHrsASpGsqxmV2rtHDkFfh1MQcPHtk4PwbACd4K4OYByosqXtFcxUCftpzqVG9CyLk3WtOdPNn_EoP0pDn7pz9p2naLaZHEJ7cxlpaijYl4jgPg/s1600/Ben+and+I+Tahune.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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2014 wasn't my best year on the bike, but it was one of my most enjoyable. I tend to look back at the end of each year and the raw stats look like this: 4,359km in 215 hours for an average speed of 20.28km/h. I rode 188 times, with an average ride distance of 30km. My longest ride was 193km.</div>
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With the advent of Strava, there's a second set of numbers though. Since I don't count my usually short commute in the total 'actual' figure it doesn't quite tell the full story. According to Strava, I rode 5405km in 273 hours and throws in the intriguing statistic that I climbed 57,134m along the way. So there you go, not such a bad year after all, but not quite as good as <a href="http://aboutthebike.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/2013-annual-report.html">the year before last</a>, which was a record I wasn't going to equal thanks in part to a working trip to China.</div>
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2014 also marked the final year of a decade back on the bike. Quite unnoticed the milestone of 50,000km slipped by, most likely on a ride out on Bruny Island. The effort took slightly under 2500 hours in 1283 rides - the longest being 387km in the <a href="http://aboutthebike.blogspot.com.au/2008/05/oppy-2008.html">2008 Oppy</a>. </div>
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And so the year begins anew. I noticed that the odometer on my Garmin had kindly reset itself to zero on New Year's Day.</div>
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<br />David Killickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05781752978497832434noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29412627.post-12104739086748425432014-12-20T14:02:00.001+11:002014-12-20T14:06:54.866+11:00Florentine mission.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Florentine Valley is remote, but a particularly scenic destination for cycling</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There's <a href="http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6623752">a loop that's been tempting me</a> for a while up in the heart of the Florentine Valley, a bit over an hour north-west of Hobart. It's a shade over 100km on forestry roads and describes a more or less complete circle around the Mt Field National Park. As is usual in Tasmania, there's a fair bit of climbing, but the ride as a whole is certainly an achievable challenge. I scouted sections of this ride a few months back in the car, but to be sure the roads were passable and was impressed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So we set off last Sunday for a lash. Given the remoteness of some of the road and the expected lack of traffic we chucked a satellite phone and an EPIRB in my hydration park, just to be on the safe side.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tyenna River Bridge.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having carefully planned the route using the excellent RideWithGPS website and given the weather forecast due regard, I'd decided that the best way to tackle the loop was to get most of the climbing done early. To this end we started from the little town of Westerway and climbed steadily on the tarmac through National Park and Maydena, where we had a quick stop.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The gravel started at the 23km mark as we turned off the Gordon River Road. The climbing was steady, not overly so, but certainly long and taxing. The white road surface had me thinking of the famous 'strada bianca' of classic rides of Italy's <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/gallery/2014/oct/06/leroica-vintage-bike-ride-in-pictures">L'Eroica.</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have a theory that gravel roads are much easier to ride after rain than after prolonged dry spells because the loose material on the surface tends to be compact a little into the road. Instead, we found ourselves cursing out tyres choices and pressures on the loose dry gravel, which saw us frequently sliding sideways unexpectedly on the gentle camber of some of the uphill corners.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The views along the way are well worth the effort. The range made up of Florentine Peak, Tyenna Peak and the Knobs dominate the skyline from the road, and the odd clearing where forestry work had felled a coupe allows for some spectacular photo opportunities.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We made reasonable progress in the warm, still conditions, topping the range after about two hours of solid effort. It was here I heard the first rumblings of exhaustion though, a combination of not enough miles in the legs and a lingering debilitation from having had the flu. I told Ben I wasn't sure whether I was going to get all the way around and we agreed to give it a few more kilometres and see if the feeling passed. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Niner RLT continues to impress as a comfortable, capable all-day all-surface bike. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sadly it didn't. At the 45km mark, with the worst of the day's climbing behind us, I was spent. We decided to turn back as the ride back to the car was a simpler proposition than the 60-odd kilometres ahead. In hindsight it turned out to be the right decision, despite my disappointment at not completing the loop. A bit more training would help, although I already knew 100km+ in a day might be pushing it my luck after a couple of weeks off the bike. It's better to have tried and failed etc.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The ride back was a confirmation that this ride might be best tackled in spring or late autumn. The loose gravel had us sliding all over the place and in parts we were travelling more slowly downhill that we had on the upward journey, picking our lines with great care lest we come unstuck. A short break at Maydena and we were back on our way, 90km for the day still being a decent enough effort. And the Florentine still beckons for an outing on another day.</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4164km so far this year.</span></i></div>
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David Killickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05781752978497832434noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29412627.post-53595546856181298012014-12-01T15:03:00.006+11:002014-12-01T15:03:51.294+11:00Audax Airwalk Extraordinaire 2014 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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It's a funny thing how new roads become familiar over time, how journeys once thought too difficult become mere preludes to explorations afresh. There was a time when the 30km ride to the Tahune Airwalk from Southwood was an exciting proposition for a Sunday, now it's a routine weekend circuit. It's human nature to want to explore and extend our horizons. </div>
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The Airwalk Extraordinare is an <a href="http://www.audax.org.au/">Audax ride</a> I've run for three years now. Usually it's a combination of gravel and tarmac, making a handy loop which starts and finishes at Ranelagh and includes a section of highway. This year I changed <a href="http://www.strava.com/activities/224641769/segments/5311459956">the course</a> to be more or less and an out and back affair, from Huonville deep into the Picton River Valley and back via the Airwalk, pretty much all on gravel roads. It's an ambitions 110km+ journey with some challenging hills and road conditions that can be unpredictable. There are no road signs along the way, we trace the route from memory, from explorations of days gone by. It's a route largely free of cars, although fallen trees and potholes pose intermittent and unpredictable hazards.</div>
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This isn't a ride for everyone. This year there was only three takers, Ben and Hugh and I, so we set off at 9am, making good time over the Denison Range, the first challenge for the day. The weather was warm and still and I had my jersey pockets bulging with energy gels, just in case. One of my favourite climbs rolled quickly by, the gentle rise out past the Russell River, then the long downhill then flat section to the Weld. Another climb and another long descent and we were past the Airwalk and into the loop out to the Picton.</div>
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There's a shelter near the old condemned bridge on the Picton River and it's a good spot for a break, but only a short one for us as lunch beckoned. Surprisingly we zoomed back along the road on the south of the river with no trouble at all - these road have been known to eat tyres. We zoomed along, absorbed in the concentration of picking our lines carefully at speed to avoid the worst of the rocks. We were back at the Airwalk at 1pm on the dot for a bite to eat. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No cars behind these locked gates.</td></tr>
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After a half-hour break we were off again. The rolling section down to the Huon River Bridge at Southwood pretty reliably takes 45 minutes. With a little of the air out of the tyres the bike rolled like a dream, smoothing out the bumps. The day was warming, although there was also the threat of rain, which we somehow seemed to skirt. I was beginning to tire a little by now, and Ben and Hugh kindly waited at the top of the climbs for me to catch up. Southwood and the top of the climb there soon passed by before it was once more onto the dreaded back of Denison Hill, which saw me on foot for a short section. I call that 21st gear.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3KhA1DSNeSPKTYwpi_PncqMxdENVVJVagkooHCBGECqudN4auWT4Mm80Rsy1Wb8RTh3zvWg_NxNC-cfsOCrSclTkP6C1Ah2DTA0-ts4TOkeJMQHxo-T6Q84qzpEDINuK8ydVwA/s1600/DSCN2862-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3KhA1DSNeSPKTYwpi_PncqMxdENVVJVagkooHCBGECqudN4auWT4Mm80Rsy1Wb8RTh3zvWg_NxNC-cfsOCrSclTkP6C1Ah2DTA0-ts4TOkeJMQHxo-T6Q84qzpEDINuK8ydVwA/s1600/DSCN2862-2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rolling back over Denison Hill.</td></tr>
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The final 20km back to Huonville was into the teeth of a very unnecessary headwind, so Ben and Hugh eased away as I resigned myself to spin onwards. Finishing within the audax road 100km deadline of 6h40 proved a touch ambitious, although we were only around 40m outside that, which was still well inside the 10 hours allowed for a dirt expedition. Amazingly and happily, we had not a single mechanical problem or puncture all day. Every adventure is the prelude to another, and so too was this, another most memorable day on the bike.<br />
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<em><span style="color: red;">4998km so far this year.</span></em></div>
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<br />David Killickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05781752978497832434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29412627.post-19125605354717987352014-09-16T09:43:00.000+10:002014-09-16T09:43:54.918+10:00Freeze thaw cycle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBacfDinqBbw4a30T1MbMd5InNmJMOm92tMN32kj0-VvbIW3z7fyXz54obC-5Q4Nkpc3rhOPUviTFpDda2iZAAD7_CmeoAQNWaHfKZJ_ID1WiuKtfjSVaFBdbVml_QZXy3B5sgA/s1600/GOPR2329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBacfDinqBbw4a30T1MbMd5InNmJMOm92tMN32kj0-VvbIW3z7fyXz54obC-5Q4Nkpc3rhOPUviTFpDda2iZAAD7_CmeoAQNWaHfKZJ_ID1WiuKtfjSVaFBdbVml_QZXy3B5sgA/s1600/GOPR2329.JPG" height="352" width="640" /></a></div>
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A cold morning, still a good time for a ride. And when the warming rays of the rising sun hit, well it's all worthwhile. It was -2 degrees celcius this morning, not counting the windchill. Southern Tasmania sometimes finds out late that summer's on the way. It took a bit of thawing out, but was still well worth the early start. <br />
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Im struggling to shake off some post-holiday weight gain. A few more mornings like this are in the works. Maybe some hills. <br />
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<em><span style="color: red;">3648km so far this year.</span></em>David Killickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05781752978497832434noreply@blogger.com0