Wild Weather - End of2007

Why they cant give detailed info about the SE Queensland LOW. It is just so scattered and has no definable center.



I feel sorry for Norfolk & Lord Howe Island people under it!

xmas or excess

Nothing really worth recording of late, with all the short night rides I've been doing.

But the night riding can be a little boring when riding over the same ground, as your available field of view is really restricted. You do tend to rely more on your hearing though. 

The ride on Xmas Eve' was pleasant punctuated by a short sharp downpour. The ride included a greeting from a solo reveller staggering along through Pottsville clutching a long neck in each hand. The greeting, though anticipated, consisted of an inebriated "Wadch where ya ridin' ya @#$  arse$#**(^!" and after i  had passed the sound of breaking glass behind me. And that was only at 8:00pm! I was right to take an early ride that night.

Midnight Brown

Towards the end of last-nights cruise, looping through Duranbah and Clothiers Creek, I got off the bike for a nature call at the intersection of Wattie Bishop and Round Mountain Roads. Getting back into the saddle I slowly rounded the corner and stretched across the road 2 meters in front of me was a 4 foot brown snake lit up by my lights. Jambing the brakes on set my heart racing. I quietly waited for it to decide where it was going to head off to. It waved its head around sensing the new state of affairs. Then it began to slowly turn away from the light and  move to the edge of the road. When it had got off the bitumen I quickly mounted and peddled by it as quickly as possible.

It was to give me a uneasy time for the rest of the ride along Kanes Road and back up-to Hastings Point. I was continually swinging the handle bars from side to side round corners to try to see the whole road ahead. I really must get better lighting if I am to continue to ride at night!  At least I got in some small hills and 65km.

Quiet Km's

Over the last couple of nights I have managed to clock up 92 km of very pleasant dawdling along at about 20-25 km/hr. The traffic has been very sparse and only one peasant driver left the high beam on as they approached me along Cudgera Creek Road when I was returning from my gravel traverse. I only rode about 5km's along the gravel as I had not taken a spare or repair kit with me and didn't feel like a 20k walk home if i did get myself a puncture. The wind is notable by it's absence and the cool night air allows the perspiration to evaporate and cool you without getting chilled. I must take some clear safety glasses on my next outing as the bugs can get a bit tiresome. I cant complain, at least I am getting in a few hours riding, seeing as I still can not ride during the day for the moment.

Stranger Things

Well of late I have not made many entries. So many reasons the storms mean more urgent work, the trip to Sydney to see my 89 year old mum for her birthday etc... now I find out after 50 years of living in the sun I am allergic to over exposure... Raised welts and an itch that drives you mad. So the doc says stay out of the sun for two weeks.... It looks like I am going to have to get hold of some really good lighting and then start riding at night, with some luck maybe it will just go away (i'll have to wait and see) I even thought of moving to Tassie but maybe that's a little too extreme.