I thought I'd put this very short video up of Bundaberg's local Veledrome. Its since been resurfaced and for an outside track its pretty schmick
Saturday, 5 March 2016
The Joys Of Cycling
I suppose to each and everyone one of us cycling is something different. Whether one is just a weekend park ride with the family kind of person, a commuter, recreational rider or would be racer. Cycling to each of us would mean something specific, along with ones' goals and ambitions.
To some it could be just for fun, some to loose weight and and gain a bit of extra fitness, some may desire to attack some kind of masochistic randonnee, or lead the peleton in a mad sprint for the finish line. We all have our reasons. But you have to admit, once the bug bites, it bites hard.
I remember when I purchased my first road bike, I picked it up all shiny and metallic red. I had the seat and bars adjusted and away I went, riding home with my daughter still in my work clothes.
Within a week I was being fitted for shoes, SPD SL pedal, some XXL Lycra. That was it, I was off and nothing was stopping me. The motorbike, a rather meticulous Suzuki GSX 1400 was parked in the back of the shed, and I rode the pushy everywhere. I rode to and from work the long way, to the shops, training rides with my daughter, you name it, I rode. These rides gradually became longer and longer, and longer and longer. I was becoming a fully fledged MAMIL.
The love of cycling had bitten, and bitten hard. An old acquainted love had been renewed. As a child I always had a bike, and in my teenage years I trialed a track bike for the first time...WOW. No brakes, fixed hubs, close and scary contact, track had it all. I tried a season of road, but my desire was track. I traveled to a few different places and was gaining experience and ability.
Sadly after a couple of years I moved up from the juniors and, well, my adapted old road frame was no longer legal. My parents, short of cash, were unable to keep me in the sport so it reluctantly went by the wayside. I kept the old bike, and along with the Malvern Star I would ride it from time to time.
Even through my adult years I always had bikes from time to time, riding to and from work etc. The kids growing up took their turns being towed in the kiddies trailer behind. But gradually the bike was used less and less, and it eventually disappeared, being sold off in a garage sale. Something went missing that day. I think I lost a little of my soul.
My oldest daughter from the time she was eight, she is twelve now, hounded me about a race bike, and you wouldn't believe it, a track bike. Me passing it off as a fleeting stage ignored it or made excuses. She had a bike that she could zip around on. But as cycling was shown on TV, and especially at the Olympics, this small child would sit glued watching these elite athletes speeding along in two wheeled glory.
Eventually when she was ten I relented and started to search out some bike stores and prices. I thought it better to get a road bike and get used to that style before tackling a trackie. But still procrastinating and my daughter still harping...lol, we found the bike of choice for her, We decided on a brand new, and new to Australia, Trek KRX. It was perfect but one problem, how was she going to get practice? After all she was only ten and needed an adult to ride with her, and who would that be?
There was really only one choice, me. So at that point, I was looking for an entry level road bike that I could ride along side of her. I opted for a Trek Alpha 1.1, simple, basic and practicable.
We rode together starting off at around fifteen to sixteen kilometers most days and that eventually grew to around twenty. It was only a few weeks and we hooked up with a social club and began riding in a group on Sunday mornings. That was great for my daughter, the experience gained by riding in a bunch was wonderful. It helped and encouraged myself greatly as well. These rides were also longer as well, up around the forty-five kilometer mark.
Not long after, the store where we bought our bikes began their shop rides on Saturday morning. A few of us novices tagged along behind a couple of very patient experienced riders with my daughter in tow. We were learning to ride, yes, but something deeper was forming, friendships. Whilst the rides on a Sundays were good, something was different about our little shop rides. Eventually the stop for coffee and social engagement became longer and longer. Phone numbers were exchanged, Facebook friends were established, but above all that true friendships were forming stronger and stronger.
We talked bikes, we'd meet throughout the week at the local bike store, and we began to grow. The encouragement that I have received from these people is absolutely priceless.
It wasn't long now and the need for N+1 was biting hard. It wasn't so much the need for an extra bike, but a better one. My distances were growing, my daughter was comfortably doing fifty to sixty kilometer rides and I had started doing eighty to one hundred kilometers on a regular basis. As much as I loved, and still love, the Alpha, it was too rigid for long rides. I wanted to progress, I had gotten faster, lighter and fitter.
My new love came in the form of a Trek Domane 5.2 with Shimano Ultegra mechanical group set. It was beautiful, it was light, but most of all it was comfortable, and still is. We've done over thirteen thousand happy kilometers now, with many more planned.
Of course N+1 doesn't stop there, next in line was my Hillbrick Pista track bike
Cycling isn't an option for me anymore, its a given, a must. Its when I ride I feel free, alive, rejuvenated. Even a two hundred kilometer ride when you are absolutely smashed, there is something so exhilarating.
Even though I've grown, I've grown alongside my friends. Yes, we still ride together. Some of us have chosen to take the next step and through our mid life crisis's have decided to give racing a go. Some have fallen to the dark side and tried mountain biking...lol...But we still get together, we still find time to keep in contact and especially find precious time to ride.
Yes I still have my shiny red Alpha, yes it still gets used. At present it is my trainer and commuter. I am planning at present to turn her into a budget tourer. It will do me until I can get the moola together for a purpose built tourer. My Domane is in the process of being kept in the shed and being brought out only on race days, and has had some minor upgrades getting her ready for competition.
All in all I'm happy. No, I don't have the most expensive, I don't have the most modern components, I might not have the lightest. But I love my bikes, I love being on them and I just can't get enough of that. My wife is getting nervous, as I talk constantly about how there is no need for a car...lol. If it was up to me, I wouldn't have one. Between the bike and public transport, well one could survive.
Through all this I think it is more than apparent that I have not lost my love for riding. Things might get daunting, challenges might seem too hard and I can put too much pressure on myself. But that's all honky dory, I have my bikes.
To some it could be just for fun, some to loose weight and and gain a bit of extra fitness, some may desire to attack some kind of masochistic randonnee, or lead the peleton in a mad sprint for the finish line. We all have our reasons. But you have to admit, once the bug bites, it bites hard.
I remember when I purchased my first road bike, I picked it up all shiny and metallic red. I had the seat and bars adjusted and away I went, riding home with my daughter still in my work clothes.
Within a week I was being fitted for shoes, SPD SL pedal, some XXL Lycra. That was it, I was off and nothing was stopping me. The motorbike, a rather meticulous Suzuki GSX 1400 was parked in the back of the shed, and I rode the pushy everywhere. I rode to and from work the long way, to the shops, training rides with my daughter, you name it, I rode. These rides gradually became longer and longer, and longer and longer. I was becoming a fully fledged MAMIL.
The love of cycling had bitten, and bitten hard. An old acquainted love had been renewed. As a child I always had a bike, and in my teenage years I trialed a track bike for the first time...WOW. No brakes, fixed hubs, close and scary contact, track had it all. I tried a season of road, but my desire was track. I traveled to a few different places and was gaining experience and ability.
Sadly after a couple of years I moved up from the juniors and, well, my adapted old road frame was no longer legal. My parents, short of cash, were unable to keep me in the sport so it reluctantly went by the wayside. I kept the old bike, and along with the Malvern Star I would ride it from time to time.
Even through my adult years I always had bikes from time to time, riding to and from work etc. The kids growing up took their turns being towed in the kiddies trailer behind. But gradually the bike was used less and less, and it eventually disappeared, being sold off in a garage sale. Something went missing that day. I think I lost a little of my soul.
My oldest daughter from the time she was eight, she is twelve now, hounded me about a race bike, and you wouldn't believe it, a track bike. Me passing it off as a fleeting stage ignored it or made excuses. She had a bike that she could zip around on. But as cycling was shown on TV, and especially at the Olympics, this small child would sit glued watching these elite athletes speeding along in two wheeled glory.
Eventually when she was ten I relented and started to search out some bike stores and prices. I thought it better to get a road bike and get used to that style before tackling a trackie. But still procrastinating and my daughter still harping...lol, we found the bike of choice for her, We decided on a brand new, and new to Australia, Trek KRX. It was perfect but one problem, how was she going to get practice? After all she was only ten and needed an adult to ride with her, and who would that be?
There was really only one choice, me. So at that point, I was looking for an entry level road bike that I could ride along side of her. I opted for a Trek Alpha 1.1, simple, basic and practicable.
We rode together starting off at around fifteen to sixteen kilometers most days and that eventually grew to around twenty. It was only a few weeks and we hooked up with a social club and began riding in a group on Sunday mornings. That was great for my daughter, the experience gained by riding in a bunch was wonderful. It helped and encouraged myself greatly as well. These rides were also longer as well, up around the forty-five kilometer mark.
Not long after, the store where we bought our bikes began their shop rides on Saturday morning. A few of us novices tagged along behind a couple of very patient experienced riders with my daughter in tow. We were learning to ride, yes, but something deeper was forming, friendships. Whilst the rides on a Sundays were good, something was different about our little shop rides. Eventually the stop for coffee and social engagement became longer and longer. Phone numbers were exchanged, Facebook friends were established, but above all that true friendships were forming stronger and stronger.
We talked bikes, we'd meet throughout the week at the local bike store, and we began to grow. The encouragement that I have received from these people is absolutely priceless.
It wasn't long now and the need for N+1 was biting hard. It wasn't so much the need for an extra bike, but a better one. My distances were growing, my daughter was comfortably doing fifty to sixty kilometer rides and I had started doing eighty to one hundred kilometers on a regular basis. As much as I loved, and still love, the Alpha, it was too rigid for long rides. I wanted to progress, I had gotten faster, lighter and fitter.
My new love came in the form of a Trek Domane 5.2 with Shimano Ultegra mechanical group set. It was beautiful, it was light, but most of all it was comfortable, and still is. We've done over thirteen thousand happy kilometers now, with many more planned.
Of course N+1 doesn't stop there, next in line was my Hillbrick Pista track bike
Cycling isn't an option for me anymore, its a given, a must. Its when I ride I feel free, alive, rejuvenated. Even a two hundred kilometer ride when you are absolutely smashed, there is something so exhilarating.
Even though I've grown, I've grown alongside my friends. Yes, we still ride together. Some of us have chosen to take the next step and through our mid life crisis's have decided to give racing a go. Some have fallen to the dark side and tried mountain biking...lol...But we still get together, we still find time to keep in contact and especially find precious time to ride.
Yes I still have my shiny red Alpha, yes it still gets used. At present it is my trainer and commuter. I am planning at present to turn her into a budget tourer. It will do me until I can get the moola together for a purpose built tourer. My Domane is in the process of being kept in the shed and being brought out only on race days, and has had some minor upgrades getting her ready for competition.
All in all I'm happy. No, I don't have the most expensive, I don't have the most modern components, I might not have the lightest. But I love my bikes, I love being on them and I just can't get enough of that. My wife is getting nervous, as I talk constantly about how there is no need for a car...lol. If it was up to me, I wouldn't have one. Between the bike and public transport, well one could survive.
Through all this I think it is more than apparent that I have not lost my love for riding. Things might get daunting, challenges might seem too hard and I can put too much pressure on myself. But that's all honky dory, I have my bikes.
Sunday, 31 January 2016
Flooded Roads and Flats
Every
weekend and sometimes throughout the week I ride with a group of friends. We
are not a club but have formed a little group called Bundaberg recreational
Cyclists. It is mainly a Facebook Page created by myself so that new riders,
which we all were when it formed, can communicate, ask questions and contact
others for riding companions. Over the past fourteen months our little group
has grown, so every weekend we head out looking for new roads to ride around
our region. Sometimes we can have as little as three, sometime the numbers can
increase. BUT, we always a great time. This is this weeks report form our ride
that I do every week so others that don't, or can't make it feel included and
know what has happened.
How
do I start to talk about today's ride? Where do I start...lol?.
I
guess you can say we all went out in true BRC fashion, remember the Bucca
rides...lol?
Eight
of us gathered at the Quay St car park at 6:30 am this morning. We decided on a
later start time this morning because of the current storm situation. Nothing
too unusual about that so far. Then eight of us headed off in high spirits and
a sense of adventure looking to tackle a new loop, approximately 50 or so
kilometers long. Sounds easy so far, right? Hahaha, we'll get there eventually.
The
eight of us headed out over The Burnett Bridge towards One Mile Road. The plan
was to try a new loop that would take us out via Gin Gin Rd, Ten Mile Rd then
back towards town along Heales, Rosedale and Booloongie Rds.
Even
though it was relatively humid it was still much more of a comfort level than
yesterday.
We
headed up Hanford, onto One Mile, then to Gin Gin where the pace stepped up to
around 32 km/h. This wasn't a constant, it was merely to get off Gin Gin Rd as
quick as possible.
We
headed out over Splinters Creek and onto Ten Mile where we doubled up, backed
off the pace and stepped into social ride mode.
Chats
and laughter, usually the norm in our somewhat quirky, but extremely wonderful
little group echoed as we trundled down the road.
Everyone
wasn't sure what to expect as only two of us had ridden this loop previously,
and one only from the other way. The thought of me telling of some small hills
this way gave some a little apprehensive chuckle as I told them, "They're
not that bad". They've had this from me before, people just don't trust
me, I wonder why?
We
neared Heales Rd, turned and, alas; the causeway was covered. The measurements
at the stick read 0.40 mt and there was still a dip in the causeway after that,
so as they say, "If it's flooded, forget it".
A
little perplexed we decided, well we're out here, lets do Cedars, and Cedars it
was. A few minutes back on Ten Mile Rd now and in true BRC fashion...THE
FIRST...flat struck. After coming down a small decline where a pile of large
gravel had taken over the road, pop went the weasel, so to speak.
After
a stop, a chat and a rest, off we set again. All was good for now.
We
continued down, around and onto Birthamba Rd to South Kolan, crossed over Gin Gin
Rd and rode the roller coasters. The group spread out a bit here as we all had
our own fun. We re-grouped as we hit Cedars Rd and then down over the bridge.
Only a few of us had ridden Cedars so there was a little trepidation I think.
Up
off the river for the first climb the group thinned out again, then down and,
well, here she came. Its not that bad, really...no really...lol.
We
hit Cedars and up we went, and all good. The front riders stopped up the top
opposite the transfer station for the rest of the group to come up and over,
everyone making it intact with no coronaries (sorry Mark).
After
a drink and a chat we then resolved ourselves for the trip home along the Isis
Hwy, where we welcomed a Bundy Club rider to the group for the trip in.
We
formed a single line and comfortably sat on 32 km all the way to Kentucky
Bluegrass, then....bang, pffft. Yes, another flat. The grouped stopped and as
one wheel was being removed, pfffft again, flat number three. Only on a BRC
ride...lol
After
the repairs we hastily set off again, the northerly picking up in strength and
as we come up past the airport we just wanted to get in behind the structures.
A few spots of rain started to fall and a couple had peeled off by this time
opting to head for home whilst the rest off us headed for air condition coffee.
Saturated
to the bone, and not from rain, it was like walking into a blast chiller as
walked inside Pacific Coffee.
The
coffee is always a good time to reflect and laugh about the days
mishaps...cheers guys and gals it was a great day, with a real sense of
adventure. I think we can all agree that for us Sunday has become all about the
ride. Its what riding is all about, good times, good kilometers and great
company...oh, and let's not forget the coffee.
See
you all next week, I wonder what is in stall for us then
Thanks
to Cathy, Leonie and Rodney for the photos.
Friday, 18 December 2015
Change Of Pace
I haven't blogged in, shit...I don't now how long. I haven't used this simply because I was no longer a truckie come house hubby. But rather a truckie come house hubby come truckie yet again. Yes bills need to be paid, and whilst the romance of staying at home was still strong, the reality of daily life bit.
In the time since my last post so much has happened. I've gone back to work, moved house, bought motorbikes, sold motorbikes and have been bitten hard by the cycling bug.
Since then I have ridden many kilometres, left my job as a crane truck driver, became a carer for my aged and ill mother, and now in the process of studying for my diploma in Remedial Massage. But cycling remains a strong focal point of not just my life, but the life of my family.
Cycling has become such a central part of our lives that all five members of our little home cycle as often as we can. Myself and two oldest daughters, Lena 11 and Lilly 9, compete with the local club here in Bundaberg, focusing on track at present.
Am I any good? No, not really. I'm being honest here. I competed in track many years ago in my much younger days. I am also encouraged to find that it is becoming a popular thing, men (and women) my age, falling in love with cycling and taking it up to the next level in competing all over the globe.
I suppose it's a bit like being a kid all over again. You know, we tell our kids, "It's not so much about winning, but all about the fun". Well, that is very true. Although I haven't won a race, I am improving and I am having so much fun.
In the sixteen moths I have been cycling I have lost approximately 30 kgs and have travelled over 10,000 kms. Very rarely a day goes by without me riding. I have seen some amazing places that I would have otherwise not seen, simply because with the bike I prefer to ride a road less travelled.
Even around my local area, the back roads I have found and the sights I have seen are numerous.
My greatest distance to date is 202 kms, and yes it is on Strava...lol. You know what they say, if it's not on Strava, it didn't happen. How did I cycle all those years ago without all this high tech gadgetry to make it possible. Actually I am one to take Strava or leave it. To me it is nothing more than another form of social media. Its good to keep in contact with friends on, but, yeah it builds an ego for some, you know the weekend warrior, oh wait I am one...lol.
My choice of weaponry on the road is my pride and joy, a 2014 Trek Domane 5.2 with Ultegra 11 speed mechanical groupo. I went the Domane because of the roads around here. It also suits my riding style and fits well. I run 25 mm tyres, and at present seem very happy with my Vittoria Rubino Pro's. There's nothing special about it, still pretty stock, but it does the job. I can't see the point in buying a set of wheels for over a thousand dollars to save 100 gms when I can loose a kilo for free.
We can't forget the N + 1 theory so my older (not by much) bike is a Trek Alpha 1.1. This was my first road bike that got me hooked. Actually I only bought it because my oldest daughter wanted to start cycling. I bought the Alpha ONLY to ride with her so she could train and have protection on the road. Well, the rest is history. As I tell my wife, it's all my daughter's fault.
The Alpha is my everyday bike, commuter, trainer etc. It's only basic, an aluminium frame, carbon forks with a Claris 8 speed Groupo. Like I said, nothing special, but a good solid and honest bike.
My third weapon is my track bike, or as I call her Hilly. It's a Hillbrick Pista Ryan Bailey Ltd Ed. I picked it up cheap in a pawn shop of all places. I didn't know how I would go at track so I didn't want to spend a lot of money, but this was in very good condition so it was money well spent. It is nothing pimped, standard Hillbrick track clinchers and I am running Bontrager R3's on them. A Bontrager Affinity saddle and everything else is pretty stock standard. I am running a 48/14 combo at the moment but have purchased a 50T Miche chainring so I will start experiment with a 50/15 - 50/14 combo soon.
My eldest daughter has a Trek KRX 26" Roadie and a home made trackie that I built up from scratch for her. My other daughter hasn't got a road bike as yet, but has a 24" trackie that I, yet again, built up from scratch.
Its amazing what one can do with a couple of old frames that were given, some new basic parts, some cans of spray paint and some elbow grease. No, they're not Cervello's or Pinerello's but they get the kids around the track, and they are enjoying it, and I must say holding their own against the kids with the store bought labelled bikes.
So that's pretty well all of it in a nut shell, a transition in life that has been very much welcomed. Cycling has done so much for me, it has helped me loose weight, got me much fitter and healthier, it has bought our family together with a common interest and it has given me most all, a momentary time of freedom.
I battle anxiety and depression. I have done for over 20 years. I don't mind talking about it, I don't care really what people think. For quite a few of the past years I have successfully battled it and had learned to control it. But in August 2014 I was involved in an accident that saw a double fatality. A car was overtaking my truck over the crest of a hill and double unbroken lines only to meet a couple of guys coming the other way. The impact happened right beside my cab. I still see it...
Since then the depression has been taking bigger bites of the cherry and has been increasing difficult to combat. Cycling gives me relief, for that moment in time I am free, I don't think about anything but the bike and the road ahead. My mind gets a break as I think nothing more than technique, power output, heart rate, cadence and the like.
Through cycling I now have a wonderful network of friends that I would not have otherwise met. They are a great bunch of guys/gals whose friendship and support goes beyond the cycling. As an interstate truck driver life can get pretty lonely. Friends can dwindle away as you're never home. So cycling has been great for my social life...lol. Now admittedly that social life is usual involving a ride at ungodly hours of the morning, but is always accompanied with great coffee and great chatter.
I suppose if I was to state what the best thing about cycling was, I would have to say clarity...It has helped put my life into perspective, it has taught me not to be afraid of challenges and it has given me purpose. I know now that unless you take the chance to go out on a limb, nothing will change, it all remains the same. Yes, the limb may seem shaky, it might even crack, but further and further out you step.
Cycling has given me a reason to change my life for the better. I have always worked to survive. I have always done what I knew, it was easy, convenient. My life always worked out around my job, my hours, everything was squeezed in or missed out altogether. But now I have a stronger sense of purpose, somewhat more courage, I have taken the challenged to change and hence the study for my Diploma in Remedial Massage.
Change is good, scary but good. Its's like seeing that massive climb in front of you, or the start line at the beginning of a race. You have no idea how you'll go, but you'll go out giving it your all.
The kids always enjoy being out on their bikes. Especially on the beautiful scenic pathway of the Turtle Trail that runs Bargara through Mon Repos to Burnett Heads
An early morning start for over 5,000 riders in the 2015 Brissie to the Bay MS Ride
My track weapon
What would be a ride without a stop at our favourite, querky coffee shop, Oodies Cafe
The road warrior
In the time since my last post so much has happened. I've gone back to work, moved house, bought motorbikes, sold motorbikes and have been bitten hard by the cycling bug.
Since then I have ridden many kilometres, left my job as a crane truck driver, became a carer for my aged and ill mother, and now in the process of studying for my diploma in Remedial Massage. But cycling remains a strong focal point of not just my life, but the life of my family.
Cycling has become such a central part of our lives that all five members of our little home cycle as often as we can. Myself and two oldest daughters, Lena 11 and Lilly 9, compete with the local club here in Bundaberg, focusing on track at present.
Am I any good? No, not really. I'm being honest here. I competed in track many years ago in my much younger days. I am also encouraged to find that it is becoming a popular thing, men (and women) my age, falling in love with cycling and taking it up to the next level in competing all over the globe.
I suppose it's a bit like being a kid all over again. You know, we tell our kids, "It's not so much about winning, but all about the fun". Well, that is very true. Although I haven't won a race, I am improving and I am having so much fun.
In the sixteen moths I have been cycling I have lost approximately 30 kgs and have travelled over 10,000 kms. Very rarely a day goes by without me riding. I have seen some amazing places that I would have otherwise not seen, simply because with the bike I prefer to ride a road less travelled.
Even around my local area, the back roads I have found and the sights I have seen are numerous.
My greatest distance to date is 202 kms, and yes it is on Strava...lol. You know what they say, if it's not on Strava, it didn't happen. How did I cycle all those years ago without all this high tech gadgetry to make it possible. Actually I am one to take Strava or leave it. To me it is nothing more than another form of social media. Its good to keep in contact with friends on, but, yeah it builds an ego for some, you know the weekend warrior, oh wait I am one...lol.
My choice of weaponry on the road is my pride and joy, a 2014 Trek Domane 5.2 with Ultegra 11 speed mechanical groupo. I went the Domane because of the roads around here. It also suits my riding style and fits well. I run 25 mm tyres, and at present seem very happy with my Vittoria Rubino Pro's. There's nothing special about it, still pretty stock, but it does the job. I can't see the point in buying a set of wheels for over a thousand dollars to save 100 gms when I can loose a kilo for free.
We can't forget the N + 1 theory so my older (not by much) bike is a Trek Alpha 1.1. This was my first road bike that got me hooked. Actually I only bought it because my oldest daughter wanted to start cycling. I bought the Alpha ONLY to ride with her so she could train and have protection on the road. Well, the rest is history. As I tell my wife, it's all my daughter's fault.
The Alpha is my everyday bike, commuter, trainer etc. It's only basic, an aluminium frame, carbon forks with a Claris 8 speed Groupo. Like I said, nothing special, but a good solid and honest bike.
My third weapon is my track bike, or as I call her Hilly. It's a Hillbrick Pista Ryan Bailey Ltd Ed. I picked it up cheap in a pawn shop of all places. I didn't know how I would go at track so I didn't want to spend a lot of money, but this was in very good condition so it was money well spent. It is nothing pimped, standard Hillbrick track clinchers and I am running Bontrager R3's on them. A Bontrager Affinity saddle and everything else is pretty stock standard. I am running a 48/14 combo at the moment but have purchased a 50T Miche chainring so I will start experiment with a 50/15 - 50/14 combo soon.
My eldest daughter has a Trek KRX 26" Roadie and a home made trackie that I built up from scratch for her. My other daughter hasn't got a road bike as yet, but has a 24" trackie that I, yet again, built up from scratch.
Its amazing what one can do with a couple of old frames that were given, some new basic parts, some cans of spray paint and some elbow grease. No, they're not Cervello's or Pinerello's but they get the kids around the track, and they are enjoying it, and I must say holding their own against the kids with the store bought labelled bikes.
So that's pretty well all of it in a nut shell, a transition in life that has been very much welcomed. Cycling has done so much for me, it has helped me loose weight, got me much fitter and healthier, it has bought our family together with a common interest and it has given me most all, a momentary time of freedom.
I battle anxiety and depression. I have done for over 20 years. I don't mind talking about it, I don't care really what people think. For quite a few of the past years I have successfully battled it and had learned to control it. But in August 2014 I was involved in an accident that saw a double fatality. A car was overtaking my truck over the crest of a hill and double unbroken lines only to meet a couple of guys coming the other way. The impact happened right beside my cab. I still see it...
Since then the depression has been taking bigger bites of the cherry and has been increasing difficult to combat. Cycling gives me relief, for that moment in time I am free, I don't think about anything but the bike and the road ahead. My mind gets a break as I think nothing more than technique, power output, heart rate, cadence and the like.
Through cycling I now have a wonderful network of friends that I would not have otherwise met. They are a great bunch of guys/gals whose friendship and support goes beyond the cycling. As an interstate truck driver life can get pretty lonely. Friends can dwindle away as you're never home. So cycling has been great for my social life...lol. Now admittedly that social life is usual involving a ride at ungodly hours of the morning, but is always accompanied with great coffee and great chatter.
I suppose if I was to state what the best thing about cycling was, I would have to say clarity...It has helped put my life into perspective, it has taught me not to be afraid of challenges and it has given me purpose. I know now that unless you take the chance to go out on a limb, nothing will change, it all remains the same. Yes, the limb may seem shaky, it might even crack, but further and further out you step.
Cycling has given me a reason to change my life for the better. I have always worked to survive. I have always done what I knew, it was easy, convenient. My life always worked out around my job, my hours, everything was squeezed in or missed out altogether. But now I have a stronger sense of purpose, somewhat more courage, I have taken the challenged to change and hence the study for my Diploma in Remedial Massage.
Change is good, scary but good. Its's like seeing that massive climb in front of you, or the start line at the beginning of a race. You have no idea how you'll go, but you'll go out giving it your all.
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The kids always enjoy being out on their bikes. Especially on the beautiful scenic pathway of the Turtle Trail that runs Bargara through Mon Repos to Burnett Heads
The Burnett Heads Lighthouse
An early morning start for over 5,000 riders in the 2015 Brissie to the Bay MS Ride
A bit cheeky
My track weapon
Beautiful day
What would be a ride without a stop at our favourite, querky coffee shop, Oodies Cafe
The rich & fertile soils of Bundaberg make the region an agricultural Mecca
The road warrior
Monday, 27 January 2014
SWEET POTATO SOUP
Its simple and takes very little time, can be done on the stove top or slow cooker...the choice is yours. And it tastes great.
It tastes best using homemade chicken stock, but we all lead busy lives so cubes, powder or purchased liquid stock is fine. Or for a complete vegan dish use vegetable stock.
Ingredients -
4 medium sized potatoes
5-6 medium sized sweet potatoes (or 3 large)
1 large onion
1 medium sized egg plant
1/2 large red cayenne chilli
1/2 large green cayenne chilli
1 large clove garlic
1-2 tablespoons olive oil
1 good sprig rosemary
Fresh parsley
2 chicken stock cubes
1.5-2 liters water
1 tub Philadelphia low fat cooking cream
Salt and pepper to taste
Method -
Start by heating a good size pot on the stove with a good glug of olive oil.
Peel cut potato and sweet potato into approx. 2-3 cm cubes, followed by the eggplant and set aside.
Dice the onion and garlic, then slice the chilli.
Add onion to pan ans sweat off a little, then adding chilli and garlic. Stir in together well and then add potato, sweet potato and egg plant, stir and cook a little.
Add some salt and pepper to season and crush the two stock cubes straight into the pot, stir well.
Add water to cover and bring to the boil.
Once on the boil add rosemary sprig, stir in and then reduce heat to a moderate to low simmer.
Cooking time can vary but it should take about half an hour before vegetables are soft, this should be sufficient. However, I like to put mine on in the afternoon and drop mine to a slow simmer a couple of hours, I find that it has that little extra flavour.
Once the vegetable are cooked, turn off heat and blend with a stick mixer until smooth. Throw in a handful of chopped parsley, add a good dollop of the cooking cream (add to your liking) and blend a little more until creamy.
Garnish with a little dollop of light sour cream and some parsley, with cracked black pepper.
Serve with some warm crusty bread
Chicken Targine
This is a simple Chicken Targine recipe that the whole family loves. Its quite quick and easy, but the favour is awesome. It can be done with a whole chicken cut into pieces or using breast or thigh fillets t save a little more time.
If you don't have a targine..don't worry, it can be done on deep pan with a lid. No, it wouldn't be 'Targine" but it is an awsome chicken curry.
1 whole chicken (fresh is best) Or this can can be done with chicken or thigh fillets to save even more time.
1/2 Butternut Pumpkin cut into 2 cm pieces
2 meduim Seet Potatoes cut into 2 cm pieces
1 lge Onion, sliced
1 Red Capsicum diced (chunky)
3/4 cup sultanas (optional)
1 Red Chilli (or more depending on taste)
1 tsp Red Chilli Paste (again depending on taste). Either chilli or paste can be omitted depending on personal taste
2 tbls olive oil
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp ground coriander
1 1/2 tsp tumeric
1 tsp ground ginger or 2 tsp fresh grated
3 cloves fresh Garlic, thinly sliced
Approx 3 cups chicken stock
Fresh parsley
Fresh coriander
Place pan on stove add oil and heat. Add onion and sauté' until softened.
Add pumpkin and sweet potato and cook off a little
Add spices and cook through
Add chicken and cook until coloured and cover in spices
Add sultanas
Add enough stock to cover, bring to the boil and reduce to simmer, add garlic and cover
simmer for approximately 1/2 hr until chicken is cooked and vegetables are tender
Add fresh parsley and coriander, stir through
Serve with basmati rice, or cous cous
Saturday, 15 June 2013
Thinking Outside the Box
The cost of living is continuing to rise, there's no doubt about it. It doesn't matter how much some newspaper reporter spiels the most recent government cliche` that it is down, when you shop to feed your family, your wallet tells the truth.
We've had great success in the past months watching our shopping go against the upward trend. We shop once a fortnight and using a series of different method have reduced our grocery bill tremendously, our most recent bill being that of just under $200.00. That's for a family of five good, healthy eaters and includes every thing from toilet paper, eggs to flour and yeast and produce.
We have simply changed the way we shop. No, you can't escape the supermarket for certain things, especially in a regional town. But what has saved the money is shopping at the markets and road side stalls. Good fresh and local produce and less than half the price and that lasts. The vegetable garden is another plus in the equation, and it will serve a bigger saving as the garden comes into full swing.
You can easily save a quid on groceries of you think outside the box. But using markets, road side vendors and growing your own not only save money, they save waste. You've heard of the supermarkets catch cry the fresh food people, or straight from the paddock to you, umm well you'd have to be fool to believe it.
We also save on our meat, by going to our local butcher and buying a bulk family pack and bagging it into the freezer. A $95.00 bulk pack and some extras makes about $140 worth of meat last nigh on three months. A little money gets put away per fortnight to cover the next purchase. Again good quality meat, not 'supermarket fresh'.
Society today has been hornswaggled into buying as you need. I don't know how many of my friends buy for dinner on the way home, costing them a fortune when added up. The supermarkets depend on this kind of market, and the cold room stored or imported produce they supply reflects this, you would know yourself how long it lasts in the fridge.
By some simple budgetary measures, shopping wisely and thinking outside the square you can save a motza on you shopping bill.
Baking your own goodies is another cheaper, and much healthier option for saving dollars.
Yes, the changes may take a little more time and effort, but are worth it. You don't have to drive all over the place costing a fortune in petrol if you apply a little pre-planning forethought.
So give it a try and go against the trend.
We've had great success in the past months watching our shopping go against the upward trend. We shop once a fortnight and using a series of different method have reduced our grocery bill tremendously, our most recent bill being that of just under $200.00. That's for a family of five good, healthy eaters and includes every thing from toilet paper, eggs to flour and yeast and produce.
We have simply changed the way we shop. No, you can't escape the supermarket for certain things, especially in a regional town. But what has saved the money is shopping at the markets and road side stalls. Good fresh and local produce and less than half the price and that lasts. The vegetable garden is another plus in the equation, and it will serve a bigger saving as the garden comes into full swing.
You can easily save a quid on groceries of you think outside the box. But using markets, road side vendors and growing your own not only save money, they save waste. You've heard of the supermarkets catch cry the fresh food people, or straight from the paddock to you, umm well you'd have to be fool to believe it.
We also save on our meat, by going to our local butcher and buying a bulk family pack and bagging it into the freezer. A $95.00 bulk pack and some extras makes about $140 worth of meat last nigh on three months. A little money gets put away per fortnight to cover the next purchase. Again good quality meat, not 'supermarket fresh'.
Society today has been hornswaggled into buying as you need. I don't know how many of my friends buy for dinner on the way home, costing them a fortune when added up. The supermarkets depend on this kind of market, and the cold room stored or imported produce they supply reflects this, you would know yourself how long it lasts in the fridge.
By some simple budgetary measures, shopping wisely and thinking outside the square you can save a motza on you shopping bill.
Baking your own goodies is another cheaper, and much healthier option for saving dollars.
Yes, the changes may take a little more time and effort, but are worth it. You don't have to drive all over the place costing a fortune in petrol if you apply a little pre-planning forethought.
So give it a try and go against the trend.
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