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...