Motorists V's Cyclists

I don't normally write things like this (or haven't in a while), simply because I would much prefer to stick with focusing on my adventures and enjoyment. But I have such a bee under my bonnet at the moment. So OK, it's time to have a rant...

Recently Channel 7 released a video, that was originally uploaded onto social media, about a group of cyclists riding two abreast down what appeared to be a narrow country road. It talks of a "frustrated driver" driving down the country road, and whilst Yahoo 7 reports facts, their intro via their Facebook post leaves the mind boggling, "Some have claimed the bikes 'should be riding single file and not taking up the entire road', while others have praised the cyclists for giving the horseriders room ahead."  It leaves an open question for people to comment, and thus enables the haters

Reading through the typical comments was completely and utterly mind numbing to say the least. The tidal wave of stupid runs so deep on this it is hard to believe that the, at the level of mentality displayed, these are actual people who drive on our roads.

I posted this comment on my personal Facebook page finishing my comment with, "We live in a country where we are so hyper about gun control. Given that cars kill more people in this country than anything else maybe we should focus on car control. By whereas you must be licenced, your weapon be registered and you handle it responsibly...see the irony...".

I did get a couple of responses from truckie friends and knowing that I am passionate about cycling, of course there was some healthy banter. But it is in this banter that one discovers ones perception of the law, rather than the knowledge of it. Not so much with these guys as taking the piss is common among friends.

When Mandatory Distance Laws (MDL's) where implemented into a trial in Queensland it was a good twelve months before I began cycling. So I was not at all pro-cycling and rather the contrary. I didn't hate cyclist, I just wasn't right into it like I am now. I think that these years were some of the few that I didn't own a bike.

I jumped on the bandwagon as a professional driver and declared my right to the road, stating all the usual "what if's". My first reaction as a truck driver was, "What if I am driving my loaded truck down a country road, doing the speed limit and come around a corner to see a bicycle in front of me and there is a car coming the other way? Who do I take out?" Seems a fair enough question doesn't it? This is one that I get very often in debates about cyclists on the road, and one I got from a friend last night.

MDL's did me a big favour as a professional driver. They caused me to question, and look at my own behaviour from behind the wheel. I began asking myself what is my responsibility in this. After all I live in a rural area, cyclists are minimal in comparison to tractors, harvesters and all manner of farm machinery, Not too mention stray cattle, kangaroos, emus and our friends on horse back, that still today have more right to on the road than cyclists and vehicles put together.

So just because a road is posted at 100 km/h should I be driving it complaining about possible obstructions, or should I be focusing on driving to the conditions and being prepared for possible obstructions? I'm sorry but if you are approaching a corner that you can't see around at the State Limit, being that you can't see around it, maybe you are driving too fast.

It is my responsibility, as a driver to be prepared for what may be coming. That doesn't mean driving around almost at next to zero just in case. But we here in Bundaberg have some narrow roads, a single strip of bitumen down the middle with dirt on either side. Those that are outside the city limits are posted at 100 km/h. But does this mean you have to drive it?

In the video by Yahoo 7, it is obvious that the cyclists were riding two abreast. But in most states it is not only legal , but highly recommended by authorities to do so when riding in a bunch. It's not so we can have a chat on a social ride, there are specific safety aspects to this method. Visibility and giving a motorist a more effective means of overtaking are parts of this strategy. I find the whole, "Grrr cyclist riding two abreast" argument to be quite fascicle and ironic. Ten cyclists riding two abreast would only take up the same cubic space on the road as a large Four wheel-drive. The cyclists riding two abreast of course protruding far less than half into the lane. At the same time it is perfectly acceptable for a single occupier of a large four wheel- drive to take up the whole lane. This is why traffic is so bad in metropolitan areas, thousands of singularly occupied vehicle all combating for their share of space. But put a cyclist among them, it is like a young fawn for the wolves, the traffic jam is of course the cyclist's fault.

In the video linked, the riders warn other riders behind that there is a safety concern up ahead, being the horse and rider. They signal to one another from behind using the usual pointing. The move to the right to give the horse and rider more room. Horses can be easily spooked and one must pay respect to these guys when they're out and about. It is respect and courtesy, and a particular reason why I stopped cycling with one group. Most cyclists indicate their intention, some, not all run red lights, and no, we try to avoid at all costs swerving unreservedly in front of two tonnes of precious metal.

As the car came into view undertaking on the left, spinning in the dirt you can see the riders begin to move back over to their original trajectory. By all means it appeared they were preparing to give the driver room to overtake take if he/she had only given them another ten seconds. TEN SECONDS, is it worth a person's life. On top of all this cyclists riding two abreast are still far narrower than a motor vehicle

Some of the arguments that come up are all the time, "Cyclists swerve all over the place and weave through traffic". Yes, of course they do, they can. It is legal in some states of Australia for cyclists and motorcyclists to filter and split lanes. Plus cyclist may move to the left or the right to avoid obstacles such as potholes, debris, car doors and even cars themselves.

Now let's compare that to the average motorist that zips from lane to lane, usually without indicating and using their mobile phones and/or being distracted that drift from their lane, just to name a couple. Even driving down a road paying full attention it is impossible for a motor vehicle to drive perfectly straight. Your car/vehicle will wander from side to side as the camber of the road fights with the wheel alignment of your car. You naturally move your steering wheel from left to right to combat this ongoing battle, even if you are not aware of it.

The whole rego thing always comes up...do I need to go there again? Rego doesn't pay for roads, Federal and State, along with Local rates do. In fact Qld Transport's operational budget is $1.9 mill. Revenue raised from rego is $1.6 mill. So tax payers fund the rest. Comparing a bike to a car is like comparing a water pistol to a machine gun.

Identification plates are another issue for the entitled motorist. Really, how many cars are damaged in car parks by anonymous parties, usually in another vehicle? How many hit and runs are there in small incidences on our roads, where as there will be a small dingle and one party takes of? How many cyclists have been hit and left for dead on the side of the road? All these vehicles presumably had plates, didn't they? What about the 210,000 vehicle caught in Qld during 2016 that were unregistered, 10% of which had never been registered? Identification does not make one accountable to the law, a sense of responsibility does.

There are also too many to list, the running of red lights, not stopping at stop signs etc etc etc (because cars never do this). I could be here for days and days, I don't even think the internet is that big...lol

I'm not so much angry at the haters, they are only doing what they know to do. Jeez, they even hate on each other, with the "typical" motorist being nothing short of a childish hypocrite droning on about how cyclist flaunt the law, all the while breaking it themselves. I am not so much angry at the media coverage of this story, although I do believe their intro was a little suspicious to attract click bait.

I am most angry at peoples' lack of knowledge of responsibility and their knowledge of laws. Just because you got your licence handed to you thirty years ago doesn't mean you stop learning. It is the drivers responsibility to keep up with current law changes, not blame shift because they disagree with them. The law is the law, not what you think it is, or should be. I'm angry that a vehicle is a potential weapon and needs to be handled responsibly and with due care. A motor vehicle is not an office, not a make up room, not a disco, it is a means of transport that has the potential to kill. It is an item that causes 100% of deaths on our roads, and contributes as one of the highest causes to death and serious injury in our country.

I am also angry at a wasted opportunity. This was the perfect scenario Yahoo 7 could've used to portray why cyclists do what they do. It could of been used as an explanation, not left as a kind of open question, "What do you think?" thingy. It is times like this the media could really step up to help squash the hatred, and explain the whys and how comes. It is also the perfect opportunity to help change culture and mentality. In Japan there is very little to no cycling infrastructure, bicycles are seen as another form of transport on the road and treated as such. But I suppose we have seen how drivers in this country treat each other, so maybe that is not a good example...lol.

Since my thirty-five (plus) year stint as a truck driver is over I have become so anti car, and for good reasons. In all that time I have never had an issue with a cyclist, but the amount of close calls I have had from cars, caravans and other truck drivers out there, well it has left an everlasting sour taste in my mouth. I feel safer on my bike, more so than I ever do in a car.

I know there is a much more likelihood of being involved in a motor vehicle incident, yes incident, because an accident is not what they are. An accident implies there is no one at fault and we know this is not the case.

Anyway guys, as always ride safe...cheers.

Chatting With Coach Jeff.

Get to know me a little more as I chat with Coach Jeff Smith on his Cycling Podcast. We had a gear yab on my first ever podcast.

He's a great guy, check him out....

THE COACH JEFF PODCAST

Ordering On-Line

Even though I try and use my Local Bike Store as much as possible I still order on-line from time to time. Unfortunately my Local Bike Store, the one that I have always used has closed, very sad indeed. The store I used was good, their prices were pretty comparative to on-line purchasing so it was only certain items I would get over the internet.

I love my Clements X'Plor MSO's and have decided to stick with them. The only problem is that they appear hard to source in Australia. I also wanted a new chain to take along with me as well as a top tube bag that will hold my phone so I can use it as a GPS.

I happily found the items I wanted at the cheapest prices and thought, "You Beautie!" But alas, I found out after I paid my money and the despatch notice was emailed to me, that shipment was coming from Great Britain.

This wouldn't normally be an issue, I have used a large on-line store that is located in Great Britain many a time. I have also used a few Australian based ones, one in particular has it delivered to you in two days, another not so fast. The thing is, that there was nothing on the Website to show their location and all indications led me to believe they were being shipped from within my country.

Now, I'm not complaining, well I guess I am...lol, but I find this very annoying. All signs lead to my items being delivered in time, but just. If there is a hold up my trip will be delayed. Yes, I suppose it can be put down to me ordering too late, and yes I do accept responsibility, sort of. But had I'd known that it was being shipped from overseas I would have ordered earlier.

This is the good thing about ordering from your local LBS, you are given a pretty good indication when it will be in. When your LBS gets close to the on-line price without the postage and handling it makes you wonder, "Is on-line always best?" I suppose in one respect all my items were postage free, but what did concern me was that all the items could be shipped from different locations. When this happens this could be a concern.

 I am lucky with my current order that they are all packed and have been shipped together. I did have an experience once with on on-line camping store that items were sent from different stores. Some gear arrived very promptly, the other took several weeks to turn up. The second item was coming from a store and not their warehouse and it was dependent on the store employees to get it shipped. Not only that, it was shipped to the warehouse, then on-forwarded to me. I wasn't happy. I did get a discount code those so there were some kudos to give.

But this experience was from a local warehouse that was based in Brisbane's northern suburbs and the secondary item was from the Gold Coast. What would be the out come if this was to happen with my purchase that is coming in from overseas?

So I suppose my gripe has been voiced. It's just a shame that my LBS has closed. There are other bike stores in town, one is over priced, the other...meh... and the others well if you don't have a BMX don't bother.

So I suppose I am in a quandary, the desire to support local business but the thought of being ripped off at the till, or unproductive outcomes doesn't appease me much at all.

I know that overseas bike stores have a great way of changing with the times, but here in regional Queensland there is a lot to be learned. I also understand that in regional areas they might not have the niche' as in the cities. But being overpriced and under serviced it doesn't do too much to quelch the battle of the on-line giants.

But, I have also noticed that with on-line purchases it appears as their popularity increases so do their prices. I suppose it is a conundrum us cyclists must bare.

Cheers guys, ans as always, ride safe

Weather Or Not.

When contemplating a trip weather is always a concern. In Queensland where I live we range from such a variety of weather. Freezing cold, to stinking hot, to rain...you name it, no matter what the season we are always in for a treat.

This time of year is a particular concern as we enter into what we call here, "Storm Season". Storm season varies from region to region and can range from drenching rain, to gale force winds to hail stones the size of cricket balls.

The regions I am planning to visit on my upcoming trip can carry the lot. Here and Northern NSW we can experience flooding rain and massive squalls. As I climb the range from Grafton to the New England and move north to the Darling Downs I could face the likely hood of hail stones the size of Ayers Rock. It could be a picnic all the way, or it could be a mental case of a trip, who knows...lol.

But weather is a natural phenomenon that can't be avoided and it can be as unpredictable as a badly worn tyre over a pile of glass. But we can't let that stop us from doing what we love.

The rain itself doesn't worry me, no matter how heavy, well to a point anyway. In the event of it happening in area where I am I will head to higher ground, and if it's flooded I will forget it. Wind and hail are my biggest concerns, there's always a chance if camping a tree bough can come down, and along with hail, can not only hurt, but can kill.

But I am venturing into unknown territory on this trip, and the weather is just another element of excitement. Like I said, although I have concerns I am not overly concerned. There may have to be days that I re-route my planned trip, I may have to shelter it out for an extra day, these are the wonderful dilemmas that face me.

But its not only me and this time of year in Australia, anyone who decides to venture out on two wheeled pedal power is likely to face the same issues that I am. So as the trip gets closer I'm off to buy some waterproof over shoes to help keep my feet dry. I have the waterproof pants and a jacket and a large shower caps is a good and cheap alternative to a helmet cover.

With any rising heat I will tough it out and drink plenty of water and find the shade of a tree if necessary. I'm used to hot weather, we get plenty of it here. With the hail and wind, well, I'll sort that out on the fly, there's not much I can do. Trees make good cover in hail, but if there's lightning or strong winds, under s tree is not where I want be.

Ah well, back to sorting out my gear, looking at a new camera and making sure the bike is all honky dory. I have some new tyres in the mail as I type along with a chin and a new top tube bag for my phone. This will all be fitted next week.

Cheers guys, and as always, ride safe.

Getting The Right Frame Of Mind.

I suppose it's easy for me to say, "Get into the frame of mind". As one who trained and raced a bit it was important. Focused on heart rate v's cadence v's thresholds was all part of the game. Times, averages, and even KOM's on Strava where all part of it. I told myself how much fun it was, and how much I loved it. But in the end for a relative newby I found myself focusing on the effort rather than the fun. I began to decline in a spiral, no improvements, no more KOM's, averages were dropping and it didn't matter what I tried I just couldn't seem to go forward.

Had I hit my peak? Had I become a failure before I even got going? Had I been training too hard? Or had I simply just pushed myself so hard the only thing that was changing was on the inside, and not for the better? I begun to put far too much pressure on myself as I went along. I had been following all the rules and out for a ride I could even do things right. But when it came to race day, well, umm, enough said.

It's not as though I choked, and I explained to myself race experience was needed, and yes, it was. But I noticed something missing. I noticed that something had estranged itself from me. It was my love, pure and simple. I noticed a decline in the amount I went out and rode. I noticed that training efforts were less and less. I noticed that my beloved Domane sat in the shed gathering more dust than I had ever let it in the past. Even going for the Saturday morning coffee ride was an effort. I did write a blog many moons ago titled Someone Stole My Mojo questioning what the hell was going on.

But then, I went on my first bike trip and that love was replenished! My faith was restored in myself once again. It wasn't that I was failing, just the love was gone. My attitude is completely different now, although I'm not trying to race anymore, or even out all the time on my bike, cycling is no longer a religion. It is still an intrinsic part of my life, I can't 'not' ride. But I can survive with it all being just about my bike and myself out there. It no longer has nothing to do how much faster I go, or how I can improve.

But when it comes to touring there is still a mindset to get into. With that said, it is the complete opposite of competition. On my first trip I made the mistake of taking my 'Stava' mindset with me. I was always one that enjoyed a longer ride and thought that I would have no problem doing one hundred kilometers per day, I'd do it standing on my head. After day one, well let's say I learned the hard way. Ninety-eight kilometers up gravel and hilly roads, trying to keep an average pace and trying to work the bike as hard as I did when training or going on a longer group ride.

Even on day two I tried to relax and just enjoy the ride but to no avail. One hundred and five kilometers along mud sodden and clay panned wet roads slipping my way to eventual nightfall. On day three I started to relax more, not much more, but a slight improvement. It wasn't just the mindset of averages and overall distance that was defeating me, it was the sense of failure, the sense of not getting to where I was going, my intended camp. I had no plan B.

It did take a while to get into this 'not faster" head space. Not having a chilled out approach builds an anxiety, and an anxiety I don't like having to deal with. I spent all my time riding and trying to get where I was going and missed out on the enjoyment of why I was out there in the first place, to see the things I would not normally see.

It's not as though it is a consuming mindset but it is annoying that even on touring you have to deal with it. Recovering and rehabilitating from the Lycra MAMILisation of oneself is an effort in itself...lol. But it is one that I am grateful for accomplishing. Now there's nothing wrong with Lycra, or being a MAMIL, or racing, hats off to you all, but in the end it wasn't for me. All I am trying to state is where I was and where I am now.

So now the mindset is different I focus still, but on something different. I focus on Quality rather than Quantity, Sights seen rather that Distance covered and the the time I spend on my bike, getting started in the mornings and getting to camp is somewhat irrelevant. I always now have a plan B in case I don't make it to where I had planned to get to. I would rather take an extra day or two on a planned trip because I chose to simply go slower or see more stuff than bust a gut getting it finished and missing out on half of what I wanted to get out of it.

Don't get me wrong, I live in the real world where time and money is limited. I know that we all don't have the privileged to pack up and head off and continually travel the world at our leisure. Most of us have a certain amount of time to get a trip done, we have to go back to work, we have families etc. But I would much rather plan a shorter trip and enjoy it than do a longer one returning home exhausted.

Cutting a trip as little as fifteen kilometers per day can make a big difference (eighty-five v's one hundred). Over a two week trip it only leaves you two hundred and ten kilometers shorter, and in the scheme of things is that really that much to loose out on? With me, I take this into account and plan a route that is just a tad shorter, and then some. If I have a good run, so be it and no biggy, I simply get home a little earlier. If I am struggling, or choose to see a little extra, I have a little extra time to stay another day somewhere, or shorten my ride distance.

Yes, I still use my Garmin (and Strava...) but it is more for me and to show my friends where I have been, ok...and brag about the trip I've just done...lol. But I relax and take it slow, this is my goal, this is my new mindset, to me this is the right frame of mind, and I love it.

Cheers guys, and as always, ride safe.

Rainy Day Blues.

With the rain continuing to fall it hasn't been possible to get out and ride, or do anything outside at all. I'm not complaining though, we certainly do need it. The other week when we were camped at Benarkin and then headed to Brisbane, steady rain persisted the day we arrived at the Big Smoke (Brisbane). But little did we know, until much later that evening, that our home town received a massive 320 mm of rain. It did vary throughout our region, but it was nice to get home and see our area green rather than tinder dry. But a heavy downpour isn't what is needed, the steady continuing fall that we are getting at the moment is.

So what to do when the rain persists and one can't get out and ride? Well I could have cleaned my bike but I did that the other day. So at my wife's instructions, oops, suggestion I did some much needed spring time cleaning. I really do have so much to do before I leave at the end of this month but it is mainly outside.

I had planned to do a review on my tent, but no thanks. I also planned to do some cooking videos to show some recipes that I cook when away. Unfortunately the patio looks like a bomb has hit it and the kitchen has been occupied all day with little chefs going crazy.

My garage is an absolute mess. Its funny, every time I seem to get it tidy and usable, someone who shall remain nameless wants to move more out there or go through stuff. Then there's the camping gear I still haven't put away from the trip. My plan was to tidy it all up at once, it's not looking good...lol

The gardens that I did manage to get cleaned up the other week have re-sprouted full of weeds after the rain and reasonably humid weather. I'm back to square one once again.

I will manage to get my travelling gear out and do a video to compliment my gear list tomorrow hopefully, so I suppose that is some progress.

What's the point of this blog then? I suppose it's a case of rainy day blues causing boredom and anxiety at the same time. Boredom because I can't do anything that I wanted to, like ride. Anxiety because I know I am planning on leaving soon and I still have so much to get done, and need it done before I go.

Other than that I do love the rain, and we need it so bad. I don't even mind riding in it that much. But that is mainly when I am trapped in it, rather than heading out in it. But I did plan some lovely riding this weekend and so I am a little disappointed.

So as I continue on in my rainy day doldrums, I'll sit here and watch the dog go a little crazy chasing his tail around in circles. I know how he feels.

Cheers guys, and as always, ride safe...

What Floats Your Boat!

Like cycling itself there are many types of touring within the touring circle. They are all as fun as one another, but some people prefer one type over another. Which one suits you is entirely up to only one person...you!

Supported Tours – Supported tours are ones that typically supported by a tour guide and their company. The guide leads a group of riders where they stay in appointed accommodation which can range from cabins, motels/hotels or camping. Meals are usually supplied and all that is required by the rider is to follow and carry their own gear. It can also be that a group merely rides their bikes and a van, or some form of transport carries the gear from one destination to another.
A set distance per day is usually pre-planned and determined, and that distance can. Sometimes a day’s distance can exceed well over a hundred kilometres.
These can be great for those who do not like travelling alone as the group would typically cater for about twelve people, plus the tour guide.

Semi-Supported Self-Guided Tours – Semi-supported self-guided tours are ones where you ride at your own pace and see what you want to see, following a set planned route, and have the comfort of great accommodation at the end of each day’s ride. Meals are usually included and lunches can sometimes be organised from the motel/hotel to take with you on the following day.
It is usually up to you to carry your gear on the bike with you, but in these cass you are carrying only clothes, a little food and water and whatever electronic gear you wish to take, cameras, phones etc.
Sometimes the tour price includes bike hire and you are fitted to a bike prior to departure. Sometimes you are required to use your own bike. Again, transport to and from your start and arrival points are up to the rider to organise.

If you want a personal experience but with the comfort of accommodation and having the trip planned for you, this could suit you.

Self-Supported Tours – Self-supported tours are my favourite. They are basically self-sufficient tours. You plan, you provide your accommodation, you choose where you stop, basically it is all up to you. Like myself, many who choose this option camp when they need to stop for the night. But it is not uncommon to book into motel for a night to have a break. Some choose to be self-sufficient and stay in accommodation every night, the choice is completely up to you, there’s no set rules.
It is probably the most budget conscious of all touring.
Riders typically carry all their gear with them in what could range from two to four panniers and/or possibly a trailer, or a combination.

You plan your route prior to leaving, you choose where you start and where you finish. You also determine how long you go for, it could be for a weekend, it could be for a year.

Bike Packing – Bike packing is pretty much self-supported light. Usually taking a more minimalist approach. Saddle bags, handlebar rolls and frame bags replace panniers but usually all the same things apply here as in self-supported tours.

Organised Group Org Tours – Organised group tours are usually ones that are organised by a Cycling Org (Organisation). Routes are pre-planned and again, a pre-determined distance is organised for each day’s ride. Accommodation is usually camping at a showground and meals are supplied in the price. Meals can include a catered bar-b-que, or it can be a meal at the local pub. Lunches are usually held somewhere along the day’s ride and supplied by the Organisation.
The rider’s gear is carried to each day’s destination. The rider is then required to set up his or her tent, and of course pack it down the next day.
There are some exceptions to this though. Most of the time Cycling Org rides are in support of a charity. But there are specific "charity rides" which are only opened to a limited number of riders. In these rides, the rider is not only required to pay a “registration fee" to enter the ride which pays for their accommodation, food etc, they are also obligated, and agree to, raise a certain amount of funds on top of the fee which they pay. If not, the rider agrees to pay the balance of nominated charitable funds from his/her pocket. Accommodation can vary on these rides and the riders could be required to share.

Day & Car Tours – The last of the tours I want to address can happen in a variety of ways. Firstly, they can be a day ride organised within a private group, or some organisation for a charity. They can also be organised by a bicycle touring company that takes riders, or hires bikes to riders to site see around a local area.
Some choose to go on a driving holiday and use their bikes to investigate a local area when stopped for the day. I had friends who have recently gone to New Zealand and travelled around in small campers. On certain days, they stopped and rode trails on their mountain bikes. I was extremely jealous.

Some will drive to a destination, park the car and may embark on a smaller weekend trip, leaving the car parked up. This can even be done in your local area, either drive to a town, or location near you and unpack the bikes for a day, a weekend, whatever takes your fancy.

There are a variety of touring options that are on offer for someone who is interest on pedalling their way around. Just choosing which one is right for you is the hard part. But considering this is all about getting started on a relatively tight budget there are some here that probably wouldn’t suit you. Supported, Semi-Supported and Organised Group Org Tours can be expensive. A Supported Tour can cost upwards to $3000.00, and that’s just for the tour. A Semi-Supported Tour can leave you grasping for the same amount of cash. Organised group Org Tours are typically less but you are still are looking at between $1200.00 and $1800.00 depending on the Cycling Org and their costs, and length of trip. However, these rides are great for people who have never ridden alone, or are concerned about riding alone.

Of course, self-sufficient touring, bike packing and, day and car trips are a much cheaper alternative. These trips can be done as a group or an individual but it’s not always easy to find a partner for an elongated road trip by bike.

Some die-hard cycle tourists don’t necessarily agree that day trips are touring, but I beg to differ. There is so much in my local area that I would never would’ve seen if I hadn’t done day trips on my bike. Plus, they have the bonus of giving you some idea what you’re up against when it comes to riding a certain distance over a variety of terrain.

Packing up the bikes and the family in the car and heading off for the day to a different location is a great way to explore and spend time with the family.

Whatever the deal, start out small and work your way up. There is no need to load up a bike and attempt to punch above your weight. This can produce a negative outcome and can turn you off like a light switch.

Having said that, you would be surprised how far one can ride when they are taken in by the scenery around them rather than focusing on the struggle that comes from the pedals. If you’re not racing, or training there is no real right or wrong way to ride a bike. Yes, there may be things that someone can learn along the way to make it more comfortable, but if you spend your time on what your feet are doing and not why you’re out there, well it can make it tough.

I think the think is when it comes to travelling by bike is to relax and to take it slow. This is what is all about after all, taking it slow and taking in the sights.

Cheers guys, and as always, ride safe...

A New trip Afoot.

I don't know what is more exciting, heading off on the new trip or planning it. Hopefully at the end of this month/early November I will be on my way again. So at present I am still in the planning stages. To me working out a route and where I intend to camp is all part of the fun and it only helps wet the appetite for the unexpected that is come.

This trip that I am embarking on will be my longest by far, approximately fifteen hundred kilometers. Unfortunately I won't be accessing any rail trails until the end on this ride.

The panned trip is taking me to Brisbane via the coast, down the Bruce Hwy and camping for my first night at Torbanlea. From there I'll continue on the Highway to Wongi. Then I'll be heading through the state forest untill I hopefully get to Maryborough Biggenden Rd then through town and out through Boonooroo Plains. Just before Boonooroo I'll turn off and head south via Maryborough Cooloola Rd heading for Tuan State Forest where I'll make camp for the second night.

After that night I will head off again for the Cooloola National Park and attempt to find Harrys Hut. I have been there before many years ago and vaguely remember the road, or should I say track, into the park. I thought I might take a small rod, reel and some soft plastics with me this trip and see if I can catch a cold.

From Harrys hut I'll work my way down to Boreen Point on Lake Cootharaba, and here I'll reminisce of a wonderful day, my wedding day. It was here at Boreen Point, that my lovely wife and I submitted our lives to one another. Sharon got a good deal that day...lol.
It could be a bit tricky here and I hope to find out more before I go. There is one track that is part of the great Cooloola Walk, and even though bikes are not allowed to be ridden I was planning on walking it. There is a creek crossing before you pass over towards the cemetery at Boreen Point, and it all depends if it can be walked across.
There is another way that shows to be bicycle friendly, but like the Walk it appears to have a creek crossing. I am just looking for alternatives rather than going all the way out to Kin Kin Rd. I want to get to Glenview, near Landsborough on Day 4 and I already have around one hundred and seventy kilometers to pedal. I don't want to go out of my way if I don't have to.

From Glenview I'll work my way down through the back of Beerwah following Old Gympie Rd into the Northern Suburbs of Brisbane. In Brisbane I'll re-stock and prepare for the journey south.

After Brisbane I plan to make my way south through Beaudesert, up the Mt Lindsay Hwy to Woodenbong and then follow the Clarence Valley Way to South Gafton. After another couple of days here it will be time to head off again.

Leaving South Grafton I'll head to Glenn Innes. I want to travel the Old Glenn Innes Rd as far as I can up the mountain, I think by memory it is a continual climb of about three thousand five hundred meters. I have ridded the sealed section a few times on my road bike and I think I'll be walking up one hill I have aptly named Heart Failure Hill. I think when I did it on my road bike my Garmin measured gradients well in excess of thirty five degrees. By the looks of Google Maps and Komoot there'll be more of those beyond the sealed section. I plan only to be doing around sixty kilometers per day through here, so it will take a couple day to complete this section alone.

After Glenn Innes I will head north and take as many back roads as I can that run parallel with the New England Hwy to as far as Tenterfield. From Tenterfield I'll divert north west and run up into Killarney via Legume. Then heading out through the back of Warwick towards Leyburn.

From Leyburn I'll head up through the back of Oakey and work my way into Kingaroy and here I'll attack the whole of the Kilkivan Kingaroy Rail Trail which includes the section of the SBRT that I  have done.

From Kilkivan I intend to head north west via Running Creek Rd back to Biggenden and then back home via Dillarnil, Booyal and the Cordalba State Forest. There is a back way that take you though via Lakeside and bring you our neat Childers. I'll investigate this and if it appears doable, I might give it a crack.

So that's the plan thus far. Another thing I'll be focusing on with this trip is budget. I want to travel for less than $10.00 per day. I'll supply everything I need via groceries etc rather than buying take aways along the way. The only accommodation will be with some friends in Brisbane (fingers crossed, suck suck, kiss kiss) and at Grafton with my mother. I plan to tent the rest of it, with free camping all the way.

Anyway I'll share more as the time gets closer and things are set more in concrete. I just need a couple of new tyres and a new chain prior to leaving, other than that the bike is all good to go.

Gear List

In this blog I thought I would go through my gear item by item. This won't be a review but rather a compilation of my equipment and what I take on the bike when I head off.

1. The Bike. This is important, you need a bike to go cycle touring...lol. As most would know by now it is a 2016 Kona Sutra. I love it and a review of it can be found here or here. I ended up purchasing the Sutra when I decided touring was what I wanted to focus on. It is fitted with the Kona rear rack that comes with the bike and an Azur front rack that I purchased on-line.

2. Panniers & Bags. The front panniers are the first set I purchased, which I did on-line. They are a set of Deuter Uni-Pack Panniers that have a capacity of nineteen liters each. When I fist purchased them they were the only set I had and were used on the rear. The good thing about the Uni-Packs are that they are large enough to be used as a rear set, and not too big to be used on the front. They hook on over the rack and have an elastic hook system at the bottom that hold them tight in place. They are weatherproof although not completely waterproof. They, however, do well at holding steady showers at bay, but definitely not heavy rain. They don't come with rain covers so I purchased some cheap thirty liter back pack covers from K-Mart for around $8.00 each, and they work exceptional well.
On the rear I have stayed with Deuter which are the Rack-Pack II's. They are twenty-four liters in capacity and are connected to the rack via a latch system and fixed hook. Both the latches and the hook are adjustable to fit racks of various shapes, sizes and brands. Again they are weatherproof and not waterproof. But these do come with inbuilt rain covers.
A lot of people go for the bigger brand waterproof panniers. I opted for the Deuters for two reasons 1. price and 2. waterproof isn't always best in Queensland. With the humidity here, waterproof systems can sweat causing considerable condensation build up on the inside.
Plus Deuter are a world leader in packs and hiking equipment, and their panniers are living up to the name.

My handlebar bag is just a cheap Pedal Nation brand from A-Mart Sports, it's nothing flash and not waterproof. I combat water with an eight liter dry bag on the inside. One day I'll upgrade but for the moment, you know the old saying, "If it ain't broke...".

I also have a rear trunk bag. Originally I used an old back pack with the straps cut off but I wanted something with a little more capacity and preferably waterproof. So off to Aldi I went and bought a forty liter dry duffel bag. It holds shoes, an extra sleeping mat, some spares, jumper etc...light stuff that I am not readily needing throughout the day.

3. Camping Equipment. Tent - An Outdoor Expedition Falconet 1800 one man hiking tent. It's a good little tent at a fraction of the cost of big name brands. It's dry, has plenty of room and seems to be holding up to what I am dishing out and the continual setting up and packing up. As it is a cheaper generic brand from Ray's Outdoors I don't expect it to last forever, but while it continues to work, I'll continue to keep using it.
                                        Sleeping Bags - I have a couple, of bags that I use. I originally started out with a $25.00 lightweight bag from Aldi but as it didn't open all the way up I don't like it. I ended up buying a Ronan +5 bag for the warmer months which opens all the way up and I use as a doona. It also packs down smaller and takes up less room in the pannier.
My winter bag is another Aldi Adventurer brand, a lightweight goose down hiking sleeping bag that has a range of 0C - -8C. For $99.00 I can't fault it.
                                       Sleeping Mat - I have a Sea to Summit Ultra Light Insulated mat that is rated at R value of 3.5. Usually it is fairly sufficient but I noticed on my last trip cold can creep through, mainly in the early hours of the morning. I also have got just a cheap self inflatable mat from a department store. It is not designed for cold weather but is a great insulator under my Sea to Summit on colder nights. Although the S2S is a comfortable mat I have to admit the cheap mat under it does help in the padded department for an Old Bum's weary bones. So much so that I think I'll make it a permanent fixture on trips.
                                       Tarp - I have a Coleman Hiking Tarp that I take with me to act as a bit of an awning in bad bad weather. The tarp along with some trekking poles work well in this situation, and even better if there are some trees near by as well. The tarp itself is light and is about 7' x 9'.
                                       Ground Sheet - I've spared no expense on this, it's an old piece of shade clothe that was used as an awning floor when I had the camper trailer. It had a fair few holes in it so I cut it down to size and it saved me about $80.00. Being shade clothe it doesn't allow water to pool under the tent floor in heavy rain as well.
                                       Water Filter - I use a Sawyer mini system. The kit came with the filter, a flushing syringe, straw and  a one liter squeeze pouch. I purchased an extra pack of two liter pouches which come in handy, not only for filtration, but for extra lightweight water storage if needed. For just $50.00 for the kit and $16.00 for the extra pouches its great value.

4. Cooking. Stoves - I have a couple of stoves. The main one I use is a Coleman One Peak gas stove that retails for around $30.00. It serves the purpose and for a not too expensive stove it works rather well. I actually bought another one that I plan to use on eventual family biking and hiking trips.
The only issue with the stove that I have had is that after quite a bit of use the pot fins have loosened and move. So if I'm using a big pot I just need to be a little careful that the fins don't move and the pot falls off.
The second stove is a Suto multi-fuel stove, and to be quite honest I am glad I didn't pay full price. It works ok but is a bit fiddly to get started. I do use it when I am cooking separate dishes such as rice and a couple of times in sub zero temperatures it has come in handy. Other than that, I would not have paid the standard $199.00 retail.
I also purchased an adapter that allows me to use the standard longer canisters on the Coleman. This save me money and it was $25.00 well spent. For instance a 400 g flat stand up canister costs between $11.00 - $15.00 compared to the cheaper long canisters that retail for as little as $4.00 for a three pack.
The flatter canisters are also not readily available everywhere outside of major centers, whereas the standard ones are available anywhere.
The adapter works buy allowing the stove to screw on top, then the feet of the adapter stand it up. The canister screws in from the side and also adds a little base weight to help keep it stable.
                    Cookware - I have a set of Adventurer Aluminium pots and pan. The kit contains three pots, a large, medium and a small pot, plus a fry pan that all sits inside each other. Everyone says to go titanium, but for under $50.00 for the kit it has worked well both on the stove and on an open fire. The surface cleans well and I don't have too much trouble with food sticking. In the event it does stick, it washes off well with no need to hit it with a scourer.
                    Cutlery - I don't have anything fancy here, just a $1.00 plastic set from K-Mart. They don't melt when used in conjunction with cooking, easily replaceable and seem strong enough to cut through a steak. Although the kids seemed to destroy a set when we were away recently camping. So maybe they're just not kid proof.
Other stuff I carry in a kit contained withing one of the kid's old pencil case is a small sponge/scourer, small bottle of dish washing detergent, a small pair of scissors, and a small whisk...yes a whisk...lol.
                   Coffee - Yes coffee, I take my Aeropress everywhere I go, even if I am just going away for the day in the car. The Aeropress, coupled with my newly purchased manual burr grinder allows me to take my coffee snobbery on the bike and anywhere I choose to go.

5. Electronics. I'll start with my home made solar battery pack. I looked around and they were all too expensive for me so I headed of to my local Jaycar Store and I now have an ample supply of power. It's nothing special, just a 5 watt panel connected to a 2.2/20 am/h lead battery. It works well enough and for around $70.00 it was a much cheaper option. I will upgrade one day and improve things, but I will still make my own.
I usually take along my phone, a tablet with keyboard for blogging, and several cameras. The cameras include, of course my Samsung S7's along with a Nikon Coolpix L31 and an Action + WiFi Sports camera. I do have a Nikon D3100 DSLR as well but I find it too bulky and annoying to get out and set up when travelling.  I am in the process of checking out some compact mirror-less cameras to improve video quality, but I'm in no hurry.
I also have a small 200 watt 12v to 240v converter so I can take when I eventually upgrade from the tablet to small laptop.

6. Food. My food varies but as I like to cook rather than purchase I do take basics that get me through a few days and restock as needed. It usually consists of some couscous, rice and some form of pasta.
I also like to take a little salad stuff with me, along with wraps and some fresh fruit. Also nuts, dates, muesli bars etc.
I usually take away some dehydrated peas, some fresh carrots, onions etc. With tinned food I take some tins of fish, chicken, chic peas, beans etc.
I also take some spices, you know, mixed herbs, some garlic powder, Parmesan cheese and powdered milk, along with some small packets of tomato paste, soy sauce etc. One can't slum it...lol.
Oh yeah, and some Gatorade powder and energy gels.

7. Clothes. Clothes are pretty basic, although winter time in Queensland can lead to the necessity of packing more than less. Simply because our nights and mornings can drop to well below zero and our days can be be, well, like summer. But normally I just take a couple of cycling jerseys, about four pair of lightweight gym shorts, a couple of t-shirts, some socks, undies, a couple of pairs of budgie smugglers (speedos) which I wear under my shorts that I ride in and something to sleep in. In winter I add a flanno shirt, zip up jumper, beanie, some long running tights, winter riding gloves and woolen socks and shoe covers. I don't over do it as if I need to wash I can rinse my riding stuff out easily enough and have it dry overnight. A good option if you need to wash is to use a dry bag or large zip lock bad, a little detergent/soap and water and shake what yo mamma gave you.
I also have a couple of sets of Pearl Azzumi sun sleeves that I can't ride without as I am your typical pale skinned ranga.
Along with my cycling shoes, FLR Bushmasters, I also take a pair of trail runners and my thongs. No, the're not flip flops or jandals, here in Australia they are thongs.

8. Toiletries. It's pretty simple really, a toothbrush, toothpaste, some shower gel in a small squeeze bottle, a stink stick (roll on deodorant), a Norwex body clothe and a hiking microfiber towel, along with," always some loo paper" (you just never know). I also have a small fold out shovel that I might take with me on this trip. A small shovel in toiletries??? Think about it...lol.
Some other stuff that I always make sure I have is some sunscreen and zinc cream. I was watching a video some time ago and I had to laugh. This guy from overseas, America or Canada, was saying that he didn't use sunscreen. Sunscreen is full of dangerous element so for him it was better on his trip to Australia to "condition" his skin to the elements. Yep, good one mate, Australia doesn't have one of the highest rates in skin cancer for no reason. How do you think we got there???? So sunscreen and sun protection is ESSENTIAL in our Great Land.

I always take insect repellent with me as well. My choice of weapon is Bushman 40% DEET. It will choke a chook from 20 paces, but it works. I like it simply because it works on many levels. Many repellents focus on flies and mosquitos, but Bushman works for sandflies (midgies), ticks, and leeches.

So that's pretty much it and it can vary from trip to trip. Everyone is different depending on their preferences and styles. There is no "perfect" list and you will work out what is best for you as you do more trips. Just remember, practice makes perfect...so there is you excuse to get on more trips.

Cheers guys, and as always, ride safe.

Komoot Or Not To Komoot.

I have had the Komoot App on my phone for some time now. Komoot is a mapping app that can be accessed via your phone and computer. It is an app designed specifically for the hiker and cyclist in mind. There is a free version and a premium version that costs around $30.00. I only have the free version. I have always used it a bit to get an idea of off road routes. I've never really played with it seriously but for this upcoming trip I have intended to use it as a major planning and navigational tool.

Komoot has ample settings for your planning and navigational needs. It has a choice between hiking, road cycling, cycling with gravel and mountain bike genres. Now I haven't used it for navigational purposes before but as I head off on my new trip I will be keeping it in mind and doing a full review via video when I return.

For planning it is working out well. It is giving me a more accurate route than Google Maps. How do I know this? Because some of the routes I am planning are through forestry and national parks and I have compared Komoot to the parks' PDF maps. I used Komoot in the initial stages of my Brisbane trip when I began planning last year. Komoot gave me an accurate account of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail as "the route" to take on a bike. Google Maps in comparison took me along the D'Aguilar Hwy. I was also looking for the Bicentennial National Trail section that runs from Boolboonda to Mt Perry when I was planning my Burnett trip.

Now it may not find it directly under the genre you have entered in. For example, when looking for the BNT it didn't map me via that section via the BNT under cycling with gravel. But when I changed the preference to hiking as my genre...Bob's ya knob, there it was.

When I first started playing with it I thought that the free version was really restricted. I didn't think that it worked off-line. But recent uses are proving it is the user that is somewhat restricted, not the app. You can easily download the planned route of your choice onto your smart device for off-line use. This makes me very excited as a lot of the trip I plan on doing may not have service.

The routes can be easily planned and edited on your computer or on your smart device. You can plan down to the kilometer of distance you wish to travel just by clicking on the map and designating it as the start, the end or a point in between.

I am finding it easier to plan via my computer, saving that route to my profile and that way I can access it via a varieties of devices that I have the app loaded onto. Using the computer also allows you to use Google Maps in conjunction with it. The reason I am doing this is that Google Maps is more likely to have smaller areas highlighted. This is more of a safeguard than anything and is not a fault or minus on the Komoot App. I am sure Maps will be gone by the wayside when I am confident in my use of the app.

After double checking on Maps, more so my destination, I then switch to Komoot and plan my route. It will give you a basic route, but like Maps you can click and drag the drawn route to a more preferred one. This, along with the changing of the genre gives you far more route options that other mapping apps I have used. Not only that, it gives you great off road routing, and that for me is such a big bonus.

So over the next few weeks prior to my departure I will be using it more and more. I want to become familiar with it because I am loving what I see. It's just a shame that I have been such a gumby in the past in regards to it and have restricted the app to far less than it's capabilities.

So as I use it more my impressions are becoming, well, more impressed and I look forward to getting some sort of mount for my phone to use it as a navigator with this awesome app on my upcoming travels. So at this stage I am giving it a big thumbs up, and I am sure as I become more familiar with it, it will go from thumbs up to...

Cheers guys, and as always ride safe...

Fear Of the Unknown.

The fear of the unknown, or the apprehension of it can be quite daunting when setting out on your first tour. The "what ifs" get bigger as the trip gets closer. I recall on my first trip, even though not long, it was concerning. Was the bike up to it? Did I have everything I need? As I wasn't carrying many spares that was a concern too.

The same thing happened when I was about to undertake my original trip to Brisbane, sleeplessness, concern, and in the end I stuffed up and had to go short on tubes the following day. This caused me major grievances on the first day of my trip. I think I was too complacent and in too much of a hurry to get going as well.

But to be honest, I have never been worried about traveling alone. I have always been one to throw the swag in the back of the fourby and head off into the middle of no-where on my own. I enjoy my own company, and I love solitude. I suppose this is why touring suits me so much, days on end alone and in complete solitude. There was a famous line from the movie The castle, "Ah, the serenity", this is how I feel when I am on my bike in an isolated place. Quite frankly I can't get enough, it becomes quite addictive.

But we all face our own pre-trip demons and nightmares and in the end there is only one way to overcome them. Yep, you guessed it...get out there and get going. Whilst many can jump on a bike and head off for a world wind tour of the globe, most of us don't. Most of us to be honest, umm and ahh our way to a non-trip mentality in the early processes of even thinking about touring. This is normal, but when you look at it, how many of us would not even think twice about jumping in our car and driving to Perth? It's no different when on a bike, really!

A lot of concern is focused on safety. What if I crash? What if I get hit by a car? These are concerns that are voiced regularly on social media pages that talk a lot about touring.
If you're one that rides regularly look at how often you've ridden around town, commuted, ridden with friends etc and compare that to how many times that your concerns have manifested.

Yes, it'd be safe to assume there's a good chance that all of us have crashed at some time in our lives. But how many times have you crashed compared to how much you've ridden your bike. Seriously there's more chance of you being involved in a motor vehicle accident than crashing your bike. Bicycle travel is less eventful than pedestrian based incidences.

However, there is a real possibility it could happen. This can be greatly reduced by how you ride. I know when I was riding road a lot, the faster I could go the better. The more I could lean into a corner and the quicker I could turn the better. Going down hill was the same, the harder I could pedal, the lower I could tuck and the faster I could descend the better. But my attitude toward touring is different.

The difference is that I keep in mind my safety. Going down a hill on my Domane at seventy plus kilometers an hour was an excitement. Thirty-five kilometers per hour on the Kona loaded is more than enough. There are two reasons for this: 1. The bike handles differently when loaded and especially with front panniers. Going fast down a hill could be devastating, and 2. I keep in mind my safety and the fact that I could be hours from nowhere with no mobile coverage. This is important.
By keeping in mind your safety and doing whatever you can to reduce the chances of incidences the better.

When riding on the road there is always the possibility of having an altercation with a motor vehicle. I know that it is us, the cyclists that are the bad guys...lol. But to be serious there is a lot of people out there who take issue with cyclists using the road. Don't take it personally, they pay vehicle registration and you don't...more sarcasm, lol. No look, they will take issue with everyone else on the road. If it was not you, the cyclist, it would be the caravaner in front of them, or the truck, or the other thousands of cars on the road.

When riding on the road, I am more than willing to share it. Sharing it does not mean that I give way to every car and move out of their way. I take the lane when necessary and especially at round-a-bouts. I make myself as visible as possible, use a tail light in the day when on a road and ride predictably.

I do avoid using highways as much as possible but this is sometimes unavoidable. If there is enough shoulder on the road I am more than happy to use it to allow faster traffic through. If not I use the lane in a manner that will not entice dangerous driving, overtaking etc from a motorist from behind.
I am a legitimate and legal road user and I share the road with others obeying the rules.

Another genuine concern for some is travelling alone. This is one of my wife's for me. It's not for me but I understand that with some why it can be a worry. This is something that you can train yourself for and whilst we all like a little company from time to time on a ride, touring may not be like that.

For instance, I have many friends, good friends that ride. I could put a call out for a ride tomorrow around town and it would be possible to see a dozen people interested. This is not the same with touring, not everyone is interested in riding day after day, setting up and packing up camp and moving on. Yes, I know "those people" need psychiatric help...lol. No, honestly touring isn't for everyone.

If you are concerned about riding solo start off with shorter rides from home overnight or for a weekend. Try out free camps or a state forest in your area, and as you get used to it you'll find that solo travelling isn't so much of an issue.

Mechanical breakdowns are another. Whilst a variety of spares and tools are something that I always pack, it's impossible to take a whole bike shop just in case. Learn basic maintenance and take basic spares such as tubes, a spare tyre (pending on the distance) some spokes and a couple of chain links etc. Some people recommenced things like a derailleur hanger, spare chain and so forth and if I was venturing into the middle of the desert I would consider these things. But honestly you are likely to pass through a sizable town that has a bike shop. If worse comes to worse you could be camped up for a coupe of days waiting for a part to arrive.

Making sure your bike is in good shape prior to the trip helps with preventing mechanical failure. If you're not sure about something and you don't consider yourself qualified enough, it pays to drop your treadly into the LBS and have things checked out.

There are other concerns like snake/spider bites, first aid issues etc. Having a well equipped first aid kit is a big plus. It doesn't have to be large, just well equipped. A first aid kit isn't something you will use everyday and depending on the region you're travelling will decide what you will have in your kit.

Another good thing is have some way to get home if needed. Whether that be some spare moola for a tran/bus etc, or have it that you can have a family member or friend come and get you. My wife is always willing to be my whambulance in the case of an emergency. It may not, and more likely not something that will eventuate, but it does bring piece of mind when travelling alone.

Access to social media is also a good thing, keeping in contact with family and friends and sharing your adventures can help a lot. This is not always possible due to the availability of coverage.

There are other things like Personal EPERB's and satellite phones are another way of safety, but it's not something that I can easily afford.

If you're going off the beaten track don't rely on GPS navigation alone. It's always good to have some old fashioned paper maps and a compass, and know how to use them.

AND...always make sure you have plenty of water and you let someone know where you are. Check in as often as practicable.

So these are some concerns, and there a re a myriad of others as well. There is no real set in concrete answer for any of them as we are all different and approach things differently. But I hope that some of my little suggestions help. In the end you can't let fear hold you back. There will always "what ifs" to everything we do in life. It's your choice to live by them or the endless possibilities that they could hold you back from.

Cheers guys, and ride safe.

Creature Comforts

We have finally returned from our little camping trip at Benarkin on the BVRT. It was only a short couple of days but was nice to get away. We were all still feeling the effects of the flu so there's not much riding to brag about unfortunately. I slackened on video content as well but I have enough to get a vlog together sometime this week on some cheap camping gear that can help get you started.

Now, changing the subject...Creature Comforts, what are they? Well creature comforts is a term I use to describe "stuff" that I would bike travel without. As bike packing becomes more popular, and more people begin touring, I think that some of the "Lycra/MAMAL" mindset has carried over. Discussions on weight, aerodynamics, rolling resistance etc are becoming more prominent.

I'm sorry if I don't weigh into these discussions too greatly, I really can't find their relevance in bike touring. Honestly. if you're on a loaded touring bike and worried about aerodynamics...well, "nuff said. Yes, weight does play a factor and you do have to be careful not to overdo it drastically. But less weight equals two things; lighter and more expensive gear, or leaving stuff behind. So I ask this simple question, "Is it worth being uncomfortable for the sake of 500 grams? My answer, in short, is no. Let's face it, a morning's constitution can save you that amount of weight, so just eat more fiber and drink more water, and let nature take it's course...lol.

There are of course those who appear to have their bikes loaded to the hilt, even with the kitchen sink. OK, maybe not to those extremes, but you'll also find that these are the people that probably tour greater distances and more constantly than our "lighter is better" brothers and sisters.

So creature comforts, as I said, are those things regardless of their accumulative weight that you would pedal a little harder with, rather than a little easier without. So here are some of mine.

1. A chair. Now I know it's far from necessary, but when you have spent as many years as I have jumping in and out of truck cabs, off the back of trailers and the like, the bones and joints are just not like they used to be. A chair for me is a relatively new comer to my kit. I too thought that it was not a necessity and opted to go without it on my first few trips. But I have to say, that since I have decided to carry the extra 800 grams, life couldn't be sweeter.
The chair itself is a cheap three legged stool with a back on it. I picked it up for around $10.00 from a hardware store. It fits nicely across the top of my panniers and makes a welcome change to cooking when camping. It's not your luxury recliner model...lol. It just makes life that little easier and more comfortable, and that to me is worth that little bit extra needed on the pedals.

2. Trekking poles. What, trekking poles? Yes, trekking poles. They have more than one use. They firstly act as a walking stick it you want to go for an afternoon stroll after setting up camp. Then they come in handy as a tarp pole for another of my comforts...They also fit nicely inside the bag that my chair fits into.

3. Hiking tarp. The hiking tarp acts as an extra tarp to put up over the front of my tent. My one man tent doesn't have a lot of room out front to cook in if its raining, and I refuse to cook inside. So the tarp can act as a kind of awning and can be used in conjunction with the trekking poles or tied to a couple of tress, or both. It weighs next to nothing and is a great little safeguard. It can also be set up prior to the tent in the event of rain so you can pitch out of the weather.

4. Pillow. I have two pillows, both inflatable. One is a cheap Jackaroo from a department store and the other is a...I can't remember the brand, from a camping store. Why two? Well I bought the cheap on first, and me being of larger frame found it wasn't quite thick enough. The second I bought when it was on special and found it to be the same. But the two together...aaahhhhhh!

5. Two stoves. I like to cook, I like food, what can I say! I usually take a gas stove along with a multi-fuel stove. I mainly use the gas stove during the day for coffee and such. But as night comes in I like to be able to cook and have the option to do more than a one pot kind of thing.

6. Food. It just had to follow. Whilst many on the road are content with dehydrated hiking meals, or with just some pasta or rice, I'm not. Whilst I love to cook pasta or rice I need (OK, want) more than just a drizzle of some packet sauce, or just plain. I take a mixture of fresh, tinned and packet food with me. For me the prepackaged dehydrated hiking food is expensive, at between $11.00 to $14.00 per meal, I can feed myself for a whole day, or longer.
I plan to start putting up some videos of quick, easy, and cheap, recipes soon.

7. Coffee. Coffee is as essential to cycle touring as the bike itself. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. I have to admit that I am a fully fledged 'coffee snob'. My coffee snobbery well preluded my entrance into MAMILhood and cycling. I am sure when I die I will be buried with my favorite coffee apparatuses keeping me caffeinated well into the afterlife.
My favourite items to take with me would have to be my Aeropress. I looked around at many on the market from the Handspresso to pour over filters. But none have impressed me like the Aropress has. Yes, it is a little bulkier than many on the market but the quality of coffee, mmmm mmmm! I think that one day I will have to do a video alone on my beloved AP. I have just purchased a new tag along to go with the Aeropress, a manual burr grinder. Every good coffee snob knows that coffee tastes better when it is freshly ground.

So these are a few of my creature comforts that I just couldn't (or wouldn't) tour without. All up I would probably carry in excess of an extra 1.5 to 2 kilograms, and in the scheme of things that is not a great price to pay. Plus the added benefit is that as you eat the food it gets lighter.

Cheers guys, and ride safe.