Category: 2015

2015 Rides – Nov Ride 4 – Day 2

2015 Rides – Nov Ride 4 – Day 2

E Sharp

Kurrajong Campsite to Woomargama National Park via Guys Forest, Walwa and Talmalmo

Sunday November 22, 2015, 61 miles (98 km) – Total so far: 979 miles (1,576 km)

Today will end up being a very tough day. But I’m oblivious to this unpleasant fact as I pack up early and carry the bike back to the road. We’re sunscreened up and pedalling off at 6.30 am through thick forest and cleared private inholdings in the state park to our right. The craggy cliffs of the ridges poke through into view here and there, but mostly we are just down in the forest next to the river course for the first 5-7 kilometres. Read more →

2015 Rides – Nov Ride 4 – Day 3

2015 Rides – Nov Ride 4 – Day 3

E Sharp

Woomargama National Park to Jindera via Mountain Creek and Gerogery

Monday November 23, 2015, 50 miles (80 km) – Total so far: 1,029 miles (1,657 km)

The obnoxiously loud screeching of the sulphur-crested cockatoos is late. By the time they find me and come to protest in the trees above me, I’m already awake and packing. The sun has not yet found me either. I’ve slept well and feel refreshed. I drink the rest of the liquids I have on-board and then we head off down the rest of our well-earned hill. Read more →

2015 Rides – Dec Ride 1 – Day 1

2015 Rides – Dec Ride 1 – Day 1

E Sharp

Jindera to Carabost State Forest

Sunday December 27, 2015, 65 miles (105 km) – Total so far: 1,094 miles (1,761 km)

I abandoned my proposed two-week ride last weekend after my new front derailleur gave me heaps of issues. I took it to a different bike shop on Tuesday, got it back on Wednesday, and then got bored with being at home on Thursday and decided we should do a short ride to test out the ‘fix’ on the derailleur. Read more →

2015 Rides – Dec Ride 1 – Day 2

2015 Rides – Dec Ride 1 – Day 2

E Sharp

Carabost State Forest to Tarcutta

Monday December 28, 2015, 34 miles (55 km) – Total so far: 1,128 miles (1,816 km)

The road gods smile on me today. Big time.

The temperature is quite cool as I pack up and head back to the road. I have concerns that I’m going to have a climb first thing because the creek we’d been following crossed the road and headed east just before the state forest boundary. I’m thinking I’m going to need to climb over to the next drainage. Read more →

2015 Rides – Dec Ride 1 – Day 4

2015 Rides – Dec Ride 1 – Day 4

E Sharp

Henty to Jindera via Walla Walla

Wednesday December 30, 2015, 40 miles (64 km) – Total so far: 1,242 miles (1,999 km)

It would be good to get on the road by 6am since it is supposed to be hot today and the NE winds will again have a southwesterly turn around mid-day.

But I’m sleeping so well, I ignore my alarm and sleep until 6am. I am on the road with key returned to the petrol station by 7.10 am, however. It is already quite warm – I never even pulled the sleeping bag over me last night, instead just sleeping on top with my sheet. You know it’s going to be hot when it is already over 20C when you wake, there is no dew on the grass and the smell of morning is one of dust instead of damp vegetation. Read more →

2015 Rides – Conclusion

E Sharp

Thursday December 31, 2015

Well, 2015 is done and dusted. Finished.

 

It was so much fun to load up the bike and discover new roads most weekends in the latter half of the year. I plan to step it up a bit next year and get more miles in.

I’ll be looking for new roads once again, but will ride many parts of these roads again in different seasons. I may start using the car to get a bit further afield for ride starts, too. I really do thrive on the novelty of new roads.

So please check out my 2016 rides in my “4,000 for 40” journal, and thanks so much for coming along on some of my rides this year. I very much appreciate your support and encouragement. May your rides be challenging and fun in the new year!