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.

Another Place - in the city

I have just returned from a trip to Sydney (by myself).... Took the treadly with me... On the rides I took, only 90k in total distance,  the experience that stood out the most was "the wave"as per my habit I would raise my hand when passing but the fellow rider reactions were quite varied. With not one of them returning a wave. After the first few passings I decided to do a bit of a study as to the reactions of the other riders. 

The most common and usual eyes not moving from their head down forward stare was the most common, it's possible they were at one of the only places they could really feel alone with so many cars and people every where all the time. They are excused and deserve my pity. Then there was the blank stare back in disbelief  at being communicated with, followed by what turned into a look of total disgust, again hard to say but on the Peninsula in Sydney with so many BMW's and Alfa's...... 

Then there was the diametrically opposite end of the spectrum. Exemplified by the shocked, surprised look of disbelief on their faces and the staggered jerk of the front wheel seeming to say  "What! you are acknowledging my presence? It can only mean that you know me but I can't seem to  place you!"  ya gotta luv the city...

The only other thing I noticed worth a mention was discovering (like the way Captain Cook discovered things that were already there) all the shared road space where bikes actually have right of way! This came as quite a shock!  Cars actually giving way to bikes! and so many 50km/hr streets made you "feel safe" even although I am sure it was a false sense of security.

Mon-Tues day

Monday after riding down to check the post box at Cabba I checked the state of parts delivery at "Cabarita Beach Cycles -- o266761519" they had arrived so when I returned home I doubled the Giant with the old Peak MTB to get the service done by Jeff. I then decided to do the circuit on the old bike, stopping in at Hastings Point Headland to watch the whales on their way past returning to the Southern Ocean.

There were a at least 4 and they were quite close to shore and very energetic. I hung chatting with a local for a ½ hour or so then started back on the road finishing the 20k in a slow and steady flow.

Tuesday after checking the PO I found out the bike would be ready in a couple of hours. I road the Malvern Star down to double the Giant home a little later.

Then after getting home I took the now smooth gear change Giant for a quick circuit. 

Of note today and yesterday I monitored the Magpie and its approaches.

When there was 2 riders side by side it did not come close at all, When I was doubling the extra bike it approached but did not swoop closely.

But when I was just a single rider it swooped and clacked, making contact with the helmet up to 8 times .

It seems this Magpie might get a bit confused when there is more than one target.

All passes were made with no attempt to scare the bird off not even turning the head or raising the arm nor making any reaction to strikes when they came.