52km - dolphins make your day (unless you are a fish)

slept through my alarm, but still managed to get up reasonably early and get a ride in. Perfect day - mid 20s and zephr like breeze. Rode most of the way on my own, except for one section where i worked together with another rider for about 5km.

Went and did the Shelley Loop backwards. Following are pics of the bridge and surrounds (great place for a picnic or to put your kayak in the water and have a paddle, as well as to ride past)





Just after i crossed the bridge this morning i saw my first set of dolphins cruising around in the shallows. Really great to see nature in its natural state. Carried on riding and just after Canning Bridge I saw the second pod. They weren't cruising - there were 5-6 of them and they were fishing, carving up the water and the fish for sure.

What a way to start your day. Only downside is that i was supposed to meet Sue for breakfast, but i did not think it was agreed before i left home so i came home. Only to leave her sitting in the restaurant which we had talked about meeting at.

Roll your legs over (31km) and take some photos

just went out for an easy ride, but i had to work a bit due to the wind. I did not really hammer myself and i stopped on a number of occasions to take some photos of this great place. following are some photos from the path i took today which was up the freeway bike path (into a howling wind) to Canning Bridge, then to Mt Henry Bridge and back to the city and home. Enjoy.

City from Canning Bridge - bike path winds its way back along freeway



apartments at Canning Bridge - have views up and down the river



view to mt henry bridge from canning bridge - bike routes up both sides



city from Mt Henry Bridge - i rode up on left and back on right (with wind behind me)



Old Swan Brewery from South Perth - area in background is Kings Park



more photos to come over next few months

64km and extremely windy

managed to get the bike fixed this morning so i got a ride in this afternoon. temperature was ok (low 30s) but the sea breeze (fremantle doctor) was well and truly in so i rode most of the way into a howling gale. I hate the wind.

managed to clock up 64km on the way to Sue's family xmas. arrived red faced and extremely sweaty (great way to avoid the kisses).

as i indicated i intend to take some photos so i bought a new camera today in the post-xmas sales. here are a couple of snaps of the North Cottesloe beach





Another great day in paradise - except for the bloody wind

52km of bliss (except for gears)

got up early this morning as it was going to be hot today (42 is predicted). left at 6 am and the weather was perfect. Warm, low 20s, little or no breeze. When i left the moon was up and 5 mins into ride sun came up as well. the river was flat and there were a few people, walking, fishing and skiing already.

Saw a classic photo opp, but did not have a camera. Asian man fishing, with a Pelican standing next to him (like 3-5m away). The pelican was nearly as big as the man. I would have called it - who is the real fisher "man".

Did my usual lap around the river. All up I did 52km in a couple of hours. WOuld have ridden further, but the gears on my bike are "stuffed" so i really only had one gear. this made the ride interesting to say the least.

65km and bloody hot

They say only mad dogs and englishmen go out in the midday sun. Take your pick because that was me today. Got up late, with a bit of a tight head. Had some friends around for Dinner and Xmas drinks last night (you know my story - once i start i invariably have too many).

Upshot of this was that when I went for a ride at 11.00am it was bloody hot (got to 36 c) here today and there was a strong easterly blowing. Managed to ride a route, around the river, where it was mainly at my back or at worst not really head on and i was cruising along nicely before i ran into some mechanical challenges with the gears. Made the second half of the ride not only bloody hot, but difficult.

Despite these challenges it was still great to be out and about with pretty much no-one else riding (must all be Australians or something else). I clocked up my 65km, made up for my hangover and gave myself a good appetite for lunch.

Probably have tomorrow off, given it is Xmas and the bike is "dicked" anyway, but i should get back on the road on Boxing Day.

40km before breakfast

Up early this morning (6:15) and on my bike. Didnt intend to do too much just roll the legs over as I had clocked up 270kms this week, so the legs were a bit tired. Weather was good, low 20s, but there was a strong easterly blowing which is not uncommon in Summer here.

Met a young guy from Kalgoorlie who was in Perth for the weekend on the bike path. He was looking for a bunch ride (I wasnt) so i took him to a cafe where the bunches ride from and left him to his own devices. After i dropped him off I headed to the river (you can never get enough of this river as it is never the same twice).

Cruised around the river on my own, then rode up into Kings Park to do the hill climb and then home via Subi and Leederville. Family all still in bed.

Not a bad way to start the day - exercise and home before breakfast.

65km - glorious day for a ride

I managed to ride 65km today all on my own, with no tows so there was no "cheating". The weather was a little warmer (high 20s) and the breeze was a bit lighter and from a different direction. There were so few people out riding/driving - everyone must be getting the Xmas presents finalised.

I rode around the river to Shelley and then came back the same way (double dose of river and much safer).

I am going to take the camera out with me one day and shoot some pics so you can see just how fantastic a place Perth is to ride. I might become my only little (or not so little) photo journalist.

I am definitely getting stronger and fitter, even if my weight is still not dropping (I was 97.5kgs to day) and i have less problems with holding my pace in the wind or sprinting or climbing small hills.

After New Year I intend to graduate to riding in the bigger hills to get some climbing fitness back.

50km

up early today and on the road by 6:15. Rode 50km and was home by 8:30. Great way to start your day. Perth weather has been odd (global warming???) this past week or so and we have had really low temps (low 20s) and lots of wind. Did i tell you I HATE THE WIND.

Only saving grace this morning was that i got passed a couple of times and managed to hang on and get a tow (cheating sort of but it is helping me develop speed/stamina). One guy towed me at 33-35km/h and the other at 40 km/h for about 5-7 kms which was nice. Thank you guys.

I then rode up Kings Park hill (slowly - i am still too heavy to go up hills fast), but as they say what goes up must come down. So then i rode into Subi at >40km/h.

Once i had cooled down and had a shower, Sue and I went for some breakfast. Then i did a power shop and knocked off 5-6 Xmas presents in 10 mins (quicker than a bank robbery really).

Repost - the bike before and after a makeover

What a difference some colour can make to a lady. Anyone who doesnt believe it only needs to check out this makeover. For the uninitiated this IS the same bike (but this is a bit like going to Dr 90210). This is her before - still beautiful but maybe a little heavy (8.6kg)




this is her after the makeover



Very lovely. oh and by the way she lost 1.3kg (can you believe that). the engine is still a fat bastard but it wont be long (or so he thought back when he originally completed this post).

She wasnt cheap (~$385/100gm) but my justification is she might just save me and the planet.

As with anything however, the expense really is not in the colour (you can trick up anything with colour) but in some of the "hidden" components. I guarantee i have earned this and i will enjoy it.

till next time - on your bike

70km today - surely make the weight go away (not)

Another decent ride today around our lovely river. Rode with someone i caught going around Nedlands - it was nice to have someone to chat to. Fortunately the wind was behind us so it made it easier to ride at a reasonable pace and talk.

Managed to ride 70km, 2:40 which isnt too bad as it was pretty windy and I rode into it for at least half of the ride.

I weighed in at 96.8kg again this morning. I cant believe how tough it is to shift any weight as i really feel like i have cut back my food and except for the odd slip i have also quit drinking. I guess on hard work will shift it as it took plenty of years to put it on (15-20kg over past 15-20 years).

More hills

did a shorter ride today, but chose a route with more hills. wind was still strong, but I rode ok. Did 33.5km; 1:17. Heart rate monitor is not working properly so i am not sure how hard i am working (need to send it off to get it fixed).

Rode around the river in the Nedlands area (one of the better parts of town) and the views and houses are really sensational so it always makes for an interesting ride.

Weight was 96.8kg this morning so the exercise is starting to help. Would like to be in the low 90s before i go back to work, but Xmas and the new year are in the way.

17/12/07 - 55km

Managed to get a ride in today (55km; 2:06). Strong headwind most of the way so speed was lower than average. I also wasnt in the best shape either because i overdid the alcohol again last night. Bike is still not quite right (need to get gears adjusted).All these things taken into account it was still really good to get out and turn the legs over.

Not many other people out and about - guess you get that when you are on holidays riding in the middle of the day.

A cycling blog starts today

Thought it might be fun to create a new blog persona for myself to capture my hopefully increasing escapades as a road bike rider. Although i have been riding for a while now I have never really been serious - more of a commuter, but with a change in employment status as of 1/2/2008 i intend to get serious.

I might get quite a collection of stories of the hours that i spend on the road over the next few months or this might just become a site for the random thoughts one has while doing what is really quite a meditative activity (provided you can breathe).

J