It is nearly a month since my last blog and I really hadn't noticed that Christmas was on us until last week when I sent out a few Christmas Cards.
Helen went home at the end of November after staying nearly a month. Normally she has caught the Airport Shuttle Bus but with the early morning flight to Adelaide she has had a few near misses so we drove to Brisbane in my car instead. Helen drove there and after leaving her at the terminal I drove home. I was able to take Louis on his morning morning walk at 7.00am after a quick 280Km round trip.
First a little update on my health. Earlier this month my GP arranged for me to have a series of blood tests as the ones taken back in July were not as good as he would have like. Well the results came back last week and they were very good. My cholesterol is 3.6 with the "bad" and "good" levels being equal. My liver function is now in the good range for a normal person and very good for a type two diabetic. He also checked my blood pressure (120/70) and heart rate (60). Unfortunately I still have AF but with my blood thinners (Pradaxa} and heart control medication am have the normal chance of a stroke the same as any healthy seventy five year old. The only slightly negative thing is the progressive increase in my blood sugar levels but I am still coping without medication at the present time. All in all not too bad for an old fellow.
I have been busy at Meals on Wheels as we have had a shortage of volunteers. I have made two deliveries each week in December. The good thing is that I am coping well. Before my stroke I found it satisfying but stressful. For some reason I am just enjoying myself and really enjoying meeting my clients. Last Thursday was supposed to be my last delivery before Christmas so I wished everybody a Happy Christmas and told them that I would see them in the New Year. Yesterday, Monday, I was asked to fill in and did the same round which caused some interest and a few comments from the clients. My next round is the first Friday in January.
I have been riding with my bicycle club on our Saturday morning 30Km social ride except for the week before last which was rained out. I have been having a great time as my fitness is more that adequate for these rides. After the stoke I really struggled to keep up but now just enjoy the ride, the company and the morning coffee stop. Last Saturday I was riding with a lady who joined the club when I just got back on my bike after the stroke. We both had a hard time that day as the leader, another old fart in his seventies, suggested that we should be on an easier ride. She has just bought herself a new and much better bike. During the ride we both felt so good after the coffee break that we rode away from the group including the afore mentioned old fart who grumbled about waiting for the slower members.
Finally a word about my feelings. After my bicycle tour in October and as we remembered the first anniversary of Margaret's death I again suffered a period of depression. This was never bad enough to require outside assistance but rest assured that if it had I would have sought it. My GP sees me every month and always checks me out. Today I have found time for the first time in three months to go on a solo bike ride. It was over the hill to Eumundi for morning coffee and back again. A total of 34Km and a couple of hours riding which has left me felling great.
The route:
http://www.bikemap.net/route/1361619?132434216385175#lat=-26.44445&lng=152.97741&zoom=12&type=0
Happy Christmas
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Thursday, November 24, 2011
A Month Back At Home
It is just a month since I returned from my cycling holiday and during that time Helen has been staying with me. Apart from the usual shopping trips and a visit to our friends, Joan and Bill, we haven't done very much. The first couple of weeks were spent quietly remembering Margaret and doing my normal things. Helen and I have made several MOW runs and I have been out with my cycling club on Saturday mornings. However the time had come to give Helen a better taste of what the area near Noosa is all about.
Yesterday Helen and I drove to the Noosaville pick up point for a day trip to Fraser Island (see http://www.fraserisland.net/ ). This the world largest and island and about 70Km north of Noosa. The trip starts at 6.30am and returns at 5.00pm and is mainly over four wheel drive tracks. Margaret dearly wanted to visit Fraser Island but she couldn't have coped with the rough roads so Helen and I made the trip on her behalf.
Normally the trip starts with a ride along the beach north of Noosa similar to the one we made earlier this year (see http://briedw02.blogspot.com/2011_05_01_archive.html ) but the tide was too high so we took a back roads trip to Rainbow Beach before continuing on to Inskip Point to catch the barge over to the island.
Yesterday Helen and I drove to the Noosaville pick up point for a day trip to Fraser Island (see http://www.fraserisland.net/ ). This the world largest and island and about 70Km north of Noosa. The trip starts at 6.30am and returns at 5.00pm and is mainly over four wheel drive tracks. Margaret dearly wanted to visit Fraser Island but she couldn't have coped with the rough roads so Helen and I made the trip on her behalf.
Normally the trip starts with a ride along the beach north of Noosa similar to the one we made earlier this year (see http://briedw02.blogspot.com/2011_05_01_archive.html ) but the tide was too high so we took a back roads trip to Rainbow Beach before continuing on to Inskip Point to catch the barge over to the island.
On the barge
We drove a couple of kilometres along the beach before stopping for morning tea.
We drove up the beach and turned inland for a really rough ride through the forest.
About 10.45am we reached Lake MCKenzie a beautiful perched lake over 100m above sea level. It is only filled by rain fall and is slightly acidic.
Another couple of 4WD Buses
The lake is one of many but is set up for tourists with changing rooms, toilets and a fenced off barbecue area. Fraser Island is home to about 200 pure bred dingos who have actually attacked and killed a young boy a few years back so it is illegal to feed them. We only saw one dingo from the 4WD but there were recent paw marks a the lake's edge.
We had lunch at the lake, grilled barramundi and salad with complimentary drinks, before driving back to Central Station the site of the centre of logging. This was ended over 20 years ago and no trace remains. There is a board walk by the creek with some original very old trees so we had look.
Afterwards it was back to the beach over more rough tracks, then over to Inskip Point and the barge back to Rainbow Beach. From here we drove all along the beach to the Noosa River and back home. The tide was coming in and the drive was quite exciting.
We got home just after 5.00pm. It had been a tiring but great day.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Tour Wrap and a Walk Down Memory Lane
I had arranged with Helen that she would accompany back to Queensland on Tuesday morning and that I would spend the Monday exploring Adelaide.
South Australia provides free public transport to Seniors Card holders irrespective of which state they are issued in so at 9.30am on Monday I caught a bus from my hotel into Adelaide. I got off at the King William Road - Rundle Mall intersection. This took me back to June 1960 when Margaret and I first arrived in Adelaide.
South Australia provides free public transport to Seniors Card holders irrespective of which state they are issued in so at 9.30am on Monday I caught a bus from my hotel into Adelaide. I got off at the King William Road - Rundle Mall intersection. This took me back to June 1960 when Margaret and I first arrived in Adelaide.
This shows the intersection as it was in 1960. In the background is the Post Office Tower and we were put up in an hotel just the other side of it. We walked up from the hotel to Rundle Street, Adelaide’s shopping centre.
Rundle Street in 1960
This narrow little street was the epitome of fashion and when Margaret saw that one major store, Charles Birks, was displaying what they called "Gussies" and she knew as "bloomers"in the ladies underwear window she was appalled!
We spent the morning, up to 11.00am, exploring the shops when suddenly everything just shut down. That was it for Saturday mornings in Adelaide back in the 1960!
Rundle Mall 2011
I had morning tea and spent the morning walking up and down what is now Rundle Mall. What a change. See http://rundlemall.com.au/
I walked from end to end of the Mall and it brought back many memories of Margaret and my 38 years in South Australia. Rundle Street was where we had to go and officially register Helen as our adopted baby in February 1963 having first picked her up from the Queen Victoria Hospital in Rose park. Finding somewhere to park was a problem. We used to come to Adelaide a couple of times a month to go to the pictures and loved the old Regent Theatre ( http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/1587 ) now long gone. Margaret did most of he shopping for clothes in Adelaide.
After exploring the Adelaide Arcade my walk took me along Hindley Street where we hunted for somewhere to eat the first Sunday we were in Adelaide. We found one restaurant open, The Copper Kettle, also long gone but replaced by dozens of eateries.
Finally I ended up at the Adelaide Central Market which being a Monday the Produce Market was not open the some stores in the surrounding arcades were. I had a snack a a Chinese Snack Bar before catching my bus back to the hotel to tidy up my bags for the trip home.
I had dinner in the hotel before going to bed early.
Helen and Ann picked me up at 8.30am and Ann left us at Adelaide Airport while we checked in. There was a minor problem as I had made a mistake with Helen's booking but we finally found it and we were off to Queensland. We arrived home a about 4.00pm.
Next morning we picked Louis up from his kennel where he had a great time. he was how ever pleased to see me.
Final Wrap Up
Kilometres ridden a little under 400 over eight riding days. This is about 150km less than I had intended but I enjoyed them all which i wouldn't have if I had completed the entire ride.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Tour Day 10 - 23 October 2011 - Final Riding Day
The proposed alternative shorter route today was a direct ride to Murray Bridge and reputed to be only 13Km. I had the bright idea to ride to Murray Bridge then continue across the old iron bridge and north on the road to Mannum thus meeting the faster riders coming south to the finish.
The first surprise was that the distance to Murray Bridge was actually 23Km. Having crossed the bridge I only got about 10Km up the road and I met the first fast riders and turned round back to the finish. Just before the finish the short steep climb up from the bridge gave my legs their final test on tour.
My route for the final day is at:
http://www.bikemap.net/route/1313934?131967808721280#lat=-35.12889&lng=139.25995&zoom=11&type=2
and I rode about 43Km.
The first surprise was that the distance to Murray Bridge was actually 23Km. Having crossed the bridge I only got about 10Km up the road and I met the first fast riders and turned round back to the finish. Just before the finish the short steep climb up from the bridge gave my legs their final test on tour.
My route for the final day is at:
http://www.bikemap.net/route/1313934?131967808721280#lat=-35.12889&lng=139.25995&zoom=11&type=2
and I rode about 43Km.
A pretty picture of Murray Bridge.
More information on Murray Bridge is at:
I arrived back in Murray Bridge about 1130am and picked up my lunch and after collecting my luggage sat around on the grass and chatting to other riders. At 2.00pm a truck arrived to carry our bikes back to Adelaide and a little later we climbed onto the bus for the last part of our tour.
We were back in Adelaide about 4.00pm. Helen brought my bike case in and I broke down my bike and packed it. Helen then took me to my hotel and left me at about 6.00pm, I was extremely tired and had a sore throat so after a light meal was in a proper bed by 8.00pm.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Tour Day Nine - 22 October 2011 - Another Short Ride - meeting Helen
I took it easy packing up my gear and tent before having a light breakfast and was on my way by 8.30am.. Helen would be at Callington about 10.30am giving me two hours to ride 30 hilly miles. Even the original route to Mount Barker has been changed to avoid the heavy weekend traffic on main Adelaide Road. We all took the quieter Callington--Strathalbyn Road as far as Woodchester where the faster/fitter riders took the Wellington Road to Wistow and on to Mount Barker. The slower/more sensible riders took the right fork on to Callington. Whereas on the day before I didn't meet any other riders taking the short cut today there were quite a few enjoying another perfect ride in the Adelaide Hills.
I neared Callington at about 10.15am and Helen was there to greet me. She had been greeting the other riders with a wave and some others who stopped to look at the remnants of an old amusement park closed about 20 years ago as being too dangerous.
Helen takes photos of everything including me and an albun of this day is at:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.246903978692172.55773.100001177142734&type=1
Helen scouted out Callington for a tea stop and found the one pump service station which also sold refreshments. Several other cyclists were also there and soon the great savoury snacks baked at bakery in another local town. These soon disappeared and as Helen pointed there would be several residents missing out on a lunch time snack today.
After tea I pushed on to our camp site at the Monarto Zoo education centre. My day's ride was about 40Km and as I was fresh after setting up camp I took the shuttle bus from the camp to the visitor centre and visited the chimpanzees.
In the evening we dined in our Marquee and some riders dressed up in black-African style. We were inundated by zebras. One lady stole the show by blackening her face, wearing a clerical collar and a short white ballet skirt over her back tights - she was Bishop Tutu.
After diner we were told about next year's tour through the Copper Triangle and the Riverland of SA. Body willing I shall be there. Incidentally the oldest rider was 76, about 15 months older than me. I hope he is there next year.
My final camp site
The Monarto Zionist Lutheran Church,.
Literally in the middle if nowhere but it's members served us up a great dinner.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Tour Day Eight - 21 October 2011 - Rain, rain go away!
As said in the previous blog it was raining quite heavily overnight but that didn't stop us having another great meal provided by the the football club in our rain proof marquee.
Unfortunately it was still raining when we woke up meaning we had to pack our wet tents.
The ride was scheduled for 60Km and included a ride to Meadows and then a back track back to Strathalbyn. It was 30Km to the morning tea stop at Ashbourne and I set out early. I was riding well and enjoying the ride especially when we took the Creek Road through Cox Scrub (see http://www.australianplantssa.asn.au/australian-plants/places-to-visit/43-cox-scrub.html ) I was in my home town riding area when I lived in Adelaide in the 1990s. At Ashbourne we stooped at the local hall which was one we had used for a meals stop at an event which I had helped organise.
Unfortunately after tea I began to shiver in the cold wet weather and made another decision to take a short cut to Strathalbyn. The advised route took us over two steep hills which in my old fitness would not have been a problem but I decided to go directly to Strathalbyn. This included one serious climb and a 14Km ride against two hard climbs and a 39Kmride.
During the next hour I had the best ride since my accident in 2001. The climb was about 7Km but easily manageable in my lower gears. The scenery was great but I did not stop in the rain for fear of getting cold again. The next 7Km was a swoop down into Strathalbyn and the camp site. Here I arrived at the same time as the leading, faster riders who had done the full course. Weren't they surprised!
I set my tent up and after a hot shower dressed in long pants and pulled on a jumper and was soon warm enough to explore Strathalbyn, my favourite Adelaide Hills Town see ( http://www.southaustralianhistory.com.au/strathalbyn.htm and http://www.adhills.com.au/tourism/towns/strathalbyn/index.htm ) it is worth two links!
A great thing happened later when my good friends Brenda and Lionel visited the camp site. My first Hills Ride back in 1991 was lead by Lionel with Brenda and about six other riders. We rode back from Strathalbyn to Meadows up the big hill and I was suffering. Lionel, like all good leaders, dropped back to check on me and I told him that I was OK as I still had one lower gear to go. Lionel rode behind me and replied " No you ain't!" but I made it anyway. Brenda and Lionel are both a couple of years older and me and still involved in cycling.
We had another good football club meal and were entertained by the Town Band and I went to bed happy.
Unfortunately it was still raining when we woke up meaning we had to pack our wet tents.
The ride was scheduled for 60Km and included a ride to Meadows and then a back track back to Strathalbyn. It was 30Km to the morning tea stop at Ashbourne and I set out early. I was riding well and enjoying the ride especially when we took the Creek Road through Cox Scrub (see http://www.australianplantssa.asn.au/australian-plants/places-to-visit/43-cox-scrub.html ) I was in my home town riding area when I lived in Adelaide in the 1990s. At Ashbourne we stooped at the local hall which was one we had used for a meals stop at an event which I had helped organise.
Unfortunately after tea I began to shiver in the cold wet weather and made another decision to take a short cut to Strathalbyn. The advised route took us over two steep hills which in my old fitness would not have been a problem but I decided to go directly to Strathalbyn. This included one serious climb and a 14Km ride against two hard climbs and a 39Kmride.
During the next hour I had the best ride since my accident in 2001. The climb was about 7Km but easily manageable in my lower gears. The scenery was great but I did not stop in the rain for fear of getting cold again. The next 7Km was a swoop down into Strathalbyn and the camp site. Here I arrived at the same time as the leading, faster riders who had done the full course. Weren't they surprised!
I set my tent up and after a hot shower dressed in long pants and pulled on a jumper and was soon warm enough to explore Strathalbyn, my favourite Adelaide Hills Town see ( http://www.southaustralianhistory.com.au/strathalbyn.htm and http://www.adhills.com.au/tourism/towns/strathalbyn/index.htm ) it is worth two links!
A great thing happened later when my good friends Brenda and Lionel visited the camp site. My first Hills Ride back in 1991 was lead by Lionel with Brenda and about six other riders. We rode back from Strathalbyn to Meadows up the big hill and I was suffering. Lionel, like all good leaders, dropped back to check on me and I told him that I was OK as I still had one lower gear to go. Lionel rode behind me and replied " No you ain't!" but I made it anyway. Brenda and Lionel are both a couple of years older and me and still involved in cycling.
We had another good football club meal and were entertained by the Town Band and I went to bed happy.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Tour Day Seven - 20 October 2011 - A Great Ride
Today we did a sixty kilometre loop around the Fleurieu Peninsula and it was great. I got up early and after breakfast set out at 7.30am. Most riders had the same idea and steady stream of us headed out of Goolwa. There was hardly any wind and although the first thirty kilometres to morning tea at Mount Compass was all uphill it really wasn't difficult. The scenery was lovely as SA has had good rain and the hills were green not their normal burnt colour.
Morning tea at Mount Compass was supplemented by a local selling real coffee and he did a roaring trade which was fair as he had let us use his property for the tea stop.
After tea we had a downhill run back to Goolwa but there was one steep hill which forced many riders to walk, including me. However nothing could detract from the terrific ride.
I got back to Goolwa about 12.30pm where we had lunch made by the local football club. it was a magnificent hamburger and salad. It is now raining quite heavily and I am typing this in the marquee where we have our meals.
Morning tea at Mount Compass was supplemented by a local selling real coffee and he did a roaring trade which was fair as he had let us use his property for the tea stop.
After tea we had a downhill run back to Goolwa but there was one steep hill which forced many riders to walk, including me. However nothing could detract from the terrific ride.
I got back to Goolwa about 12.30pm where we had lunch made by the local football club. it was a magnificent hamburger and salad. It is now raining quite heavily and I am typing this in the marquee where we have our meals.
Mount Compass from the tea stop
The tea stop
Tour Day Six - 19 October 2011 - Rest Day In Goolwa
As it says it was a rest day. I tried to contact my old friend Kevin but he wasn't home so I explored Goolwa instead. It is quite an interesting old town which used to build Paddle Steamers. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goolwa,_South_Australia
I had King George Whiting for lunch which must be the best white fish availble in Australia.
In the afternoon I caught up with my blog.
After dinner we had a talent contest which was terrible but great fun.
I had King George Whiting for lunch which must be the best white fish availble in Australia.
In the afternoon I caught up with my blog.
After dinner we had a talent contest which was terrible but great fun.
Tour Day 6 - 18 October 2011 - A boat ride with a short bike ride at the end.
We packed up camp early on Tuesday morning as all our gear was being taken to Goolwa for our next camp site. There were several ride groups for the day. The fast (also mad) were riding 130Km to Goolwa and set off early. Another group took a bus with their bikes on a trailer behind to meet up with the mad ones and ride 50Km to Goolwa. The rest of us were split into two groups. The first left on a bus to catch the boat a 7.00am with their bicycles going of on a truck to Hindmarsh Island to meet them after the cruise. The rest, including me, had to hang around until 11.00am for our bus and we had to leave our bikes behind.
We arrived at the departure point for the cruise to find that the boat had not arrived and the bus left us there. There were sixty of us with no bikes or other transport in the middle of nowhere. After about 20 minutes the two boats arrived and we commenced our cruise of the Coorong (see http://www.thecoorong.com/ ) During the cruise we were3 given a great lunch and the Captain gave us a running comm entry on the topography and wild life. We took a forty five minute walk to the Southern Ocean and the boat took us to the Murray Mouth and the barrages (see http://www.murrayriver.com.au/river-towns/barrages/ ).
At the end of the cruise we were left on Hindmarsh Island but our bikes hadn't arrived yet and we had to wait a few minutes for them. The it was a short thirteen kilometre ride over the imfamous Hindmarsh Bridge to our camp site in Goolwa. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindmarsh_Island_Royal_Commission
We had good dinner and settled in for a three night stay.
We arrived at the departure point for the cruise to find that the boat had not arrived and the bus left us there. There were sixty of us with no bikes or other transport in the middle of nowhere. After about 20 minutes the two boats arrived and we commenced our cruise of the Coorong (see http://www.thecoorong.com/ ) During the cruise we were3 given a great lunch and the Captain gave us a running comm entry on the topography and wild life. We took a forty five minute walk to the Southern Ocean and the boat took us to the Murray Mouth and the barrages (see http://www.murrayriver.com.au/river-towns/barrages/ ).
At the end of the cruise we were left on Hindmarsh Island but our bikes hadn't arrived yet and we had to wait a few minutes for them. The it was a short thirteen kilometre ride over the imfamous Hindmarsh Bridge to our camp site in Goolwa. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindmarsh_Island_Royal_Commission
We had good dinner and settled in for a three night stay.
Where are our bikes?
The boats arrive
Exploring
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Tour Day 5 - 17 October 2001 Common Sense Prevails
During the night I had to take another of Maurine’s tablets but when I woke and had my two slices of toast for breakfast decided that I could make the 80km ride which was a loop to the local Aboriginal settlement. I set out early and was among the first on the road.
Over night the wind direction had changed. It was still very strong and against me once again. I pedalled on for about 10Km and realised that I had no energy which wasn't surprising as I had only eaten two slices of toast and a handful of scroggin inthe last thirty six hours. This is not enough for a hard cycle ride.
I turned back to camp which as I had started near the front meant that the majority of the riders saw me amble back ( if you can amble on a bicycle). I soon got tired of telling everybody that I was OK and managed to hide on a bicycle path.
Back at camp I changed and talked to other riders who were not riding that day. Actually I enjoyed their company but after a while I walked into Menigie to get something to eat. My ordered lunch was 45Km down the road. I soon found a bakery and ordered a Kitchener Bun the iconic SA bicycle food. Accompanied by a coffee this made my lunch for the day. I haven't had a Kitchener Bun since leaving South Australia in 1958. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitchener_bun for it's description.
I had enjoyed walking along Meningie's main street and foreshore of Lake Albert (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Albert_%28South_Australia%29). I realy enjoyed my enforced rest.
That evening I was able to eat a good filling meal and am looking forward to s short ride to morrow.
Over night the wind direction had changed. It was still very strong and against me once again. I pedalled on for about 10Km and realised that I had no energy which wasn't surprising as I had only eaten two slices of toast and a handful of scroggin inthe last thirty six hours. This is not enough for a hard cycle ride.
I turned back to camp which as I had started near the front meant that the majority of the riders saw me amble back ( if you can amble on a bicycle). I soon got tired of telling everybody that I was OK and managed to hide on a bicycle path.
Back at camp I changed and talked to other riders who were not riding that day. Actually I enjoyed their company but after a while I walked into Menigie to get something to eat. My ordered lunch was 45Km down the road. I soon found a bakery and ordered a Kitchener Bun the iconic SA bicycle food. Accompanied by a coffee this made my lunch for the day. I haven't had a Kitchener Bun since leaving South Australia in 1958. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitchener_bun for it's description.
I had enjoyed walking along Meningie's main street and foreshore of Lake Albert (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Albert_%28South_Australia%29). I realy enjoyed my enforced rest.
That evening I was able to eat a good filling meal and am looking forward to s short ride to morrow.
Some other riders taking an unscheduled day off
Birds on Lake Albert
My Kitchener Bun
Lake Albert foreshore
Meningie Main Street
Monday, October 17, 2011
Tour Day 4 - 16 October 2011 A Tough Day
I woke early and packed up my camping gear before 7.00am when breakfast was available. By 8.00am I was on the road. The wind was still very strong from the South West but our first 34km was east and was comparatively fast and we arrived at morning tea in about and hour and three quarters. I had my two ladies brom the day before to lead the way.
At the tea stop I didn't feel too great but forced my self to eat some fruit cake and grabbed a handful of "scroggin" (nuts, sultanas and fruit jelly sweets) to keep me going. We crossed the Murray River on the Wellington Punt and then headed due south into the strong wind for the next 45Km. I has lost my ladies and rode on my own being overtaken by a stream of much faster riders. I struggled the first section of 24Km to lunch where I was unable to eat the nice ham salad roll waiting for me but collected some more scroggin.
After lunch I just faded and had worries about finishing. After a while after stopping regularly, drinking and forcing scroggin down I bucked up and rode slowly to Meningie which I reached at 3.30pm
After putting up my tent and having a shower I talked to other riders who had also found it a tough day
I covered about 82Km which is the longest ride I have done since 2001 and felt quite good at the finish in-spite of over 50Km into a relentless strong wind.
At dinner I was unable to eat the meal as I had developed severe gastric problems. I was given the necessary tablets and went to bed early with out having my normal ration of wine. I also did not feel like updating this blog.
At the tea stop I didn't feel too great but forced my self to eat some fruit cake and grabbed a handful of "scroggin" (nuts, sultanas and fruit jelly sweets) to keep me going. We crossed the Murray River on the Wellington Punt and then headed due south into the strong wind for the next 45Km. I has lost my ladies and rode on my own being overtaken by a stream of much faster riders. I struggled the first section of 24Km to lunch where I was unable to eat the nice ham salad roll waiting for me but collected some more scroggin.
After lunch I just faded and had worries about finishing. After a while after stopping regularly, drinking and forcing scroggin down I bucked up and rode slowly to Meningie which I reached at 3.30pm
After putting up my tent and having a shower I talked to other riders who had also found it a tough day
I covered about 82Km which is the longest ride I have done since 2001 and felt quite good at the finish in-spite of over 50Km into a relentless strong wind.
At dinner I was unable to eat the meal as I had developed severe gastric problems. I was given the necessary tablets and went to bed early with out having my normal ration of wine. I also did not feel like updating this blog.
Morning Tea
On the ferry
Crossing the Murray
The wind at the lunch stop
Views of Lake Albert
Tour Day 3 Continued
The first riding day of the tour was meant to be an easy 50Km ride from Murray Bridge to Langhorne Creek. It turned out to be a very hard afternoon’s ride. The wind was blowing hard from the south west. The first 24km were south with a dangerous cross wind which made riding difficult. The next 24Km were due west into the wind which by now was blowing a gale. I was reduced to about 8KPH bur speeded up to about 12KPH when i was overtaken by two young women who provided me with a a wind break to close to our destination.
I would have expected to complete the ride in about two and a half hours but took four. I was not on my own as the topic of discussion that night was the wind and whay tomorrow would bring.
We had a substantial meal provided by the local football club in their club rooms and after sending my previous blog for this day went to bed early.
I would have expected to complete the ride in about two and a half hours but took four. I was not on my own as the topic of discussion that night was the wind and whay tomorrow would bring.
We had a substantial meal provided by the local football club in their club rooms and after sending my previous blog for this day went to bed early.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Tour Day 3 - 15 October 2011
Just a few pictures:
Loading the bikes
It got there OK
We were given a good lunch
and sent on our way.
The the hard work started. We headed South West into a really strong South Westerly wind but made it OK.
The tent is up, I have have a couple of drinks and a big dinner so off to bed.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Tour Day 2 - 14 October 2011
Helen picked me up a 930am and drove me to have visit with her and Ann in their old house in the Adelaide hills town of Charleston. After a boisterous welcome from her dog we toured the property before unpacking the bike where we found that the big chain ring had been badly bent.
It looked like a packing problem as, apart from some scuff marks, the case was not damaged but I needed to fix the chain ring. It was not possible but Helen knew of a Bike Shop in the next little town. The shop is the base for a mountain bike tour business and had exactly the correct replacement which the owner fitted on the spot and tuned the other gears as well. Apart from the cost of a new chan ring the owner would only accept $10.00 for at least a $50.00 job.
After a good lunch cooked by Ann Helen drove me back to Adelaide to drop the bike and my camping gear off at Bicycle SA where I registered and picked up my ride pack.
Helen dropped me back at the Hotel I had and early dinner and am now off to bed.
It looked like a packing problem as, apart from some scuff marks, the case was not damaged but I needed to fix the chain ring. It was not possible but Helen knew of a Bike Shop in the next little town. The shop is the base for a mountain bike tour business and had exactly the correct replacement which the owner fitted on the spot and tuned the other gears as well. Apart from the cost of a new chan ring the owner would only accept $10.00 for at least a $50.00 job.
After a good lunch cooked by Ann Helen drove me back to Adelaide to drop the bike and my camping gear off at Bicycle SA where I registered and picked up my ride pack.
Helen dropped me back at the Hotel I had and early dinner and am now off to bed.
The Bent Chain Ring
Tour Day One - 13 October 2011
Today was spent getting to Adelaide from Tewantin in Queensland and started when I repacked my luggage.
The bicycle partially disassembled and in its case. The saddle and stem are in the blanket and the front wheel is waiting to be packed.
Everything is in the case. The white thing is the top of my home made anti-crush support i.e two flat pieces of wood screwed to a piece of dowel.
My luggage. The bike case is normal airline size. The red duffel bag contains my tent, sleeping bag, mattress, crash helmet and cycling shoes. The black duffel bag contains my clothing and personal gear while the blue pannier bag contains my net-book computer and medications.
I was picked up at home by the shuttle bus at 8.00am and arrived at Brisbane Airport at 10.30am well in time for the 12.00noon flight departure. I had some difficulties coping with the four pieces of luggage. The trolleys were across the road and I could not leave my luggage unattended in the pick up area to get one. I was rescued by a young lady who got one for me. I wheeled my trolley all of 40 metres to the priority check in counter but couldn't work out how to get my $4.00 deposit back for the trolley - perhaps you cant!
I spent the next hour in the Virgin Lounge having a coffee and a snack - it was too early for a beer but some people were indulging.
The flight to Adelaide took two and a half hours which meant that I could have a leisurely lunch with a glass of wine. We put down about 3.30pm local time and Helen was there to meet me. After collecting my luggage which was made much easier with two pairs of hands and a free trolley Helen drove me to my hotel just south of Adelaide. After I settled in we had a drink and a chat before Helen drove home.
I had an early dinner and also went to bed early.
Tomorrow I visit Helen and Ann for lunch before taking my bicycle to the Bicycle SA offices where I will reassemble it and leave it overnight with my luggage for transport to Murray Bridge and the start of the ride on Saturday morning.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Only Two More Days
In two days time I set off on my holiday. My bicycle is in its case and I have my camping gear packed in one duffel and my clothes in another. My little notepad computer has been test packed in one of my panniers and will be part of my carry on luggage. At this moment I am typing this on the notepad using my Teltstra 3G Mobile Broadband USB stick.
The last couple of weeks have passed very quickly but I did manage to fit in a 60km bike ride last Wednesday and have also made a couple of MOW delivery rounds.
I leave home about 8.15am Thursday morning on the bus to Brisbane Airport and I should arrive about 10.30am in good time for my 12.00 noon flight. With my bicycle and gear I will be well over the 23kg luggage limit for normal economy which is charged at $15/kg. I assumed that I could be 20kg over weight making it a $300 excess charge each way. As it is I am 15kg overweight and $200 excess would be charged. My carrier, Virgin Australia, has a Premium Economy class which has a set fare for Brisbane to Adelaide of about $500 but has a 69kg baggage allowance. Normal economy is about $290 so I break even going Premium economy and get provided free meals and drinks, priority check in and use of their Courtesy Lounge. I haven't traveled in such luxury since I retired.
I am staying in an hotel just outside Adelaide on Thursday an Friday nights which will allow Helen and I to catch up with each other and I can also reassemble my bike.
On Saturday morning we travel by bus to Murray Bridge to and start riding about mid day.
Details of the ride are given at http://www.bikesa.asn.au/RideGuides_Tours_AnnualTour_RouteMap
During the ride I hope to be able to blog each day depending on internet connection
The last couple of weeks have passed very quickly but I did manage to fit in a 60km bike ride last Wednesday and have also made a couple of MOW delivery rounds.
I leave home about 8.15am Thursday morning on the bus to Brisbane Airport and I should arrive about 10.30am in good time for my 12.00 noon flight. With my bicycle and gear I will be well over the 23kg luggage limit for normal economy which is charged at $15/kg. I assumed that I could be 20kg over weight making it a $300 excess charge each way. As it is I am 15kg overweight and $200 excess would be charged. My carrier, Virgin Australia, has a Premium Economy class which has a set fare for Brisbane to Adelaide of about $500 but has a 69kg baggage allowance. Normal economy is about $290 so I break even going Premium economy and get provided free meals and drinks, priority check in and use of their Courtesy Lounge. I haven't traveled in such luxury since I retired.
I am staying in an hotel just outside Adelaide on Thursday an Friday nights which will allow Helen and I to catch up with each other and I can also reassemble my bike.
On Saturday morning we travel by bus to Murray Bridge to and start riding about mid day.
Details of the ride are given at http://www.bikesa.asn.au/RideGuides_Tours_AnnualTour_RouteMap
During the ride I hope to be able to blog each day depending on internet connection
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Reflections and Looking Ahead
Yesterday would have been Margaret's seventy fifth birthday which made me reflect on the happenings twelve months ago. Funnily enough my thoughts about Margaret's seventy fourth birthday are all positive and to understand this you need to read my previous blog about that day . See http://caringformargaret.blogspot.com/2010_09_01_archive.html
As you can see it was a happy time for us all.
Helen phoned me in the evening and we had a good chat about last year and both agreed that we had had a good time with Margaret. It was the last time that we were able to take Margaret out on a normal excursion.
Over the last couple of weeks I have been just pottering around home and tidying up the garden. I have also made a couple of MOW runs which, as always, were good fun and I actually was also able to provide some assistance to two of my clients. People imagine that MOW clients are little old ladies living in genteel poverty being looked after by Community Services. This is true in many cases but there are exceptions.
L lives by himself in a large modern home in the hinterland with a view across the range to the coast. This is a beautiful spot and the house and fittings are in the million dollar range. Unfortunately L has almost lost his sight due to Macular Degeneration. He lives alone and family and Community Services check up on him. Last week when I dropped of his meal he asked me if he could borrow my eyes. Somebody had been fiddling with his super Hi Fi system and he couldn't work out how to listen to the radio. It took a little while to sort it out but I left him happily listening to the ABC.
By chance my next client, also needed help. She lives down an isolated valley road and up a steep narrow and twisty driveway. It is too narrow to back down so you have to back into a little area to turn around and drive out. When I arrived my elderly lady client did not appear to be in so, as instructed, I left the meal in her refrigerator. As I left I heard a noise from the back of the house and went to check. The house had been build in a cutting on the hillside and backed onto a vertical cliff face just behind it. I heard a banging from the narrow passageway between the house and cliff and called out. My client came to meet me and after rescuing the meal from the fridge, it was still piping hot, went to see what was going on behind the house.
This time of year is bush fire season and the house was built on a heavily wooded hillside. When she and her late husband build the house he installed some large water tanks on the cliff above the house and in the event of a fire water could be run over the roof of the house and specially designed gutters would minimise the likelihood of it burning down. Now the house has not been properly prepared for bush fires and the gutters were filled with dead leaves. My clients son had phoned her to check that she could switch on the water in the event of a fire. She is old, frail and needs assistance around the house. She couldn't move the lever to switch the water on so it was Super Brian to the rescue. Well actually after some effort I was a able to shift the lever to let the water run onto the roof. With the aid of some WD40 from her garage I was able to make it free enough for her to operate. The day was a high bush fire risk day and as I drove off I worried about her living alone with her cat in a large house without adequate bush fire precautions. All I could to was to put in a report and Social Services will have somebody clean the roof and around the house.
Last Thursday I went on my longest bicycle ride in over thirteen years and covered over seventy five kilometres. The route is available at:
http://www.bikemap.net/route/1275030#lat=-26.48532&lng=153.09586&zoom=11&type=0
You can trace to route from the map by moving your cursor over the profile display which shows the position on the route as a little bicycle. I took the ride as a normal day ride. I stopped of at Yandina for a coffee and a cake. I rode across to Coolum for an early lunch and rode back up the coast via Noosa to Tewantin. It was very windy on the ride down to Yandina and across to Coolum but I had a tale wind up the coast. I was attacked by swooping magpies between North Arm and Yandina but if you just look ahead they attack from behind and just bask the helmet. They can be dangerous and on the same day a little boy had his eye attacked and may lose the sight in that eye.
The ride was great and probably as hard as any on my tour next month.
As you can see it was a happy time for us all.
Helen phoned me in the evening and we had a good chat about last year and both agreed that we had had a good time with Margaret. It was the last time that we were able to take Margaret out on a normal excursion.
Over the last couple of weeks I have been just pottering around home and tidying up the garden. I have also made a couple of MOW runs which, as always, were good fun and I actually was also able to provide some assistance to two of my clients. People imagine that MOW clients are little old ladies living in genteel poverty being looked after by Community Services. This is true in many cases but there are exceptions.
L lives by himself in a large modern home in the hinterland with a view across the range to the coast. This is a beautiful spot and the house and fittings are in the million dollar range. Unfortunately L has almost lost his sight due to Macular Degeneration. He lives alone and family and Community Services check up on him. Last week when I dropped of his meal he asked me if he could borrow my eyes. Somebody had been fiddling with his super Hi Fi system and he couldn't work out how to listen to the radio. It took a little while to sort it out but I left him happily listening to the ABC.
By chance my next client, also needed help. She lives down an isolated valley road and up a steep narrow and twisty driveway. It is too narrow to back down so you have to back into a little area to turn around and drive out. When I arrived my elderly lady client did not appear to be in so, as instructed, I left the meal in her refrigerator. As I left I heard a noise from the back of the house and went to check. The house had been build in a cutting on the hillside and backed onto a vertical cliff face just behind it. I heard a banging from the narrow passageway between the house and cliff and called out. My client came to meet me and after rescuing the meal from the fridge, it was still piping hot, went to see what was going on behind the house.
This time of year is bush fire season and the house was built on a heavily wooded hillside. When she and her late husband build the house he installed some large water tanks on the cliff above the house and in the event of a fire water could be run over the roof of the house and specially designed gutters would minimise the likelihood of it burning down. Now the house has not been properly prepared for bush fires and the gutters were filled with dead leaves. My clients son had phoned her to check that she could switch on the water in the event of a fire. She is old, frail and needs assistance around the house. She couldn't move the lever to switch the water on so it was Super Brian to the rescue. Well actually after some effort I was a able to shift the lever to let the water run onto the roof. With the aid of some WD40 from her garage I was able to make it free enough for her to operate. The day was a high bush fire risk day and as I drove off I worried about her living alone with her cat in a large house without adequate bush fire precautions. All I could to was to put in a report and Social Services will have somebody clean the roof and around the house.
Last Thursday I went on my longest bicycle ride in over thirteen years and covered over seventy five kilometres. The route is available at:
http://www.bikemap.net/route/1275030#lat=-26.48532&lng=153.09586&zoom=11&type=0
You can trace to route from the map by moving your cursor over the profile display which shows the position on the route as a little bicycle. I took the ride as a normal day ride. I stopped of at Yandina for a coffee and a cake. I rode across to Coolum for an early lunch and rode back up the coast via Noosa to Tewantin. It was very windy on the ride down to Yandina and across to Coolum but I had a tale wind up the coast. I was attacked by swooping magpies between North Arm and Yandina but if you just look ahead they attack from behind and just bask the helmet. They can be dangerous and on the same day a little boy had his eye attacked and may lose the sight in that eye.
The ride was great and probably as hard as any on my tour next month.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Gettin Fit
The title says it all. The last few weeks have mainly been concerned with restoring my cycling fitness. It is just over four weeks until I go on my Bicycle SA tour and I have been increasing my ride distances with the aim in covering about 70Km in under five hours including refreshment stops. This is what an average day on tour would be like.
To this end I devised a loop around Tewantin which I rode last week. Starting from my house I rode up the main road to Cooroy then headed north to Pomona at 20Km where I stopped for coffee and a cake. Next I headed east towards Boreen Point before heading south back to Tewantin. The ride had a couple of big hills and is never really flat. When I got home I had covered 55Km, my longest ride since my accident in 2000. I was reasonably fresh at the finish so decided to extend the ride a little and repeat it again this week which I did yesterday.
I took the Gydnier Drive instead of the main road and joined the Cooroy at the top. This added a couple of Km and also removed the dangerous section of road as it climbed the hill around Mount Timbeerwah. This has a passing lane but the slow lane has no shoulder for a cyclist. As the slow vehicles are mainly trucks who don't give any clearance for cyclists it is a hairy couple of Km. I followed the same route as before except that I cycled into Boreen Point and sat by the lake while feeding my face with bananas before riding home,
The route is shown below:
The map has been produced using http://www.geocontext.org/publ/2010/04/profiler/en/
This also produced a ride profile:
To this end I devised a loop around Tewantin which I rode last week. Starting from my house I rode up the main road to Cooroy then headed north to Pomona at 20Km where I stopped for coffee and a cake. Next I headed east towards Boreen Point before heading south back to Tewantin. The ride had a couple of big hills and is never really flat. When I got home I had covered 55Km, my longest ride since my accident in 2000. I was reasonably fresh at the finish so decided to extend the ride a little and repeat it again this week which I did yesterday.
I took the Gydnier Drive instead of the main road and joined the Cooroy at the top. This added a couple of Km and also removed the dangerous section of road as it climbed the hill around Mount Timbeerwah. This has a passing lane but the slow lane has no shoulder for a cyclist. As the slow vehicles are mainly trucks who don't give any clearance for cyclists it is a hairy couple of Km. I followed the same route as before except that I cycled into Boreen Point and sat by the lake while feeding my face with bananas before riding home,
The route is shown below:
The map has been produced using http://www.geocontext.org/publ/2010/04/profiler/en/
This also produced a ride profile:
As you can see the ride starts with a steady climb from about 10m to 140m over the first 4Km as it rises over the first step up in to the hinterland and is never really flat for the whole ride. Yesterday was also very windy. I stopped in Pomona at about 25km ( the big dip in the profile) and had a coffee stop before a tough little climb followed by a terrific downhill back down the range to Boreen Point at about 44Km and my bananas. From there it was a bumpy ride into the wind back home and just over 65Km by my bike computer which tallys well with the profile distance.
I took it easy on the ride but still made it home in under five hours so I am on target. I hope to to the same ride each week until my holiday in about four weeks. This coupled with my club and shopping rides should mean that I will be able to cope with my holiday.
Apart from this I have been busy at MOW and my computer club. I appear to have regained my faculties and have had no little dizzy spells so life has returned to near normal.
Louis visited the Vets today and is doing well. He will be fit enough to go into kennels when I am away.
I have booked my airfares to Adelaide and am assembling my camping gear as I really believe that I will make it!
Friday, August 19, 2011
Report from the Stroke Clinic
On Wednesday, August 10, I took my good bike for a short tough ride around the Noosa Hinterland. My route took about 35Km through some lovely scenery and up and down some steep (> 10%) hills. On the way I took some photos.
After leaving the Noosa Parklands area of Tewantin, where I live, I climbed the range up Gydnier Drive which is known to thousands of competitors in the Noosa Triathlon as "The Hill". Actually it's a nice gentle climb if you are not racing.
Going Down
After leaving the Noosa Parklands area of Tewantin, where I live, I climbed the range up Gydnier Drive which is known to thousands of competitors in the Noosa Triathlon as "The Hill". Actually it's a nice gentle climb if you are not racing.
The Hill is also used for the Noosa Classic Car Hill Climb and has many turns.
At the top I turned left along Sunrise Road and on to the Eumundi Range Road where I stopped for brief rest and some refreshment.
The view across the valley to Cooroy was terrific and Mount Eerwah was in the distance..
I continued on passed Mount Cooroy and stopped in Cooroy for a coffee before riding back down the range on the Noosa Cooroy Road to Tewantin. The last couple of kilometres were a steep swoop down at 60kph with the brakes on to home.
Going Down
It had been a great little ride of about 35K and showed mw that I can still climb hills.
On Saturday we had a club ride which also went well.
This Tuesday I did the tough ride again and much to my surprise found it harder. This was disappointing as I felt that I should had been fitter.
Yesterday I visited that Nambour Stroke Clinic Outpatients department for a follow up visit. My specialist Is great because he treats me as an intelligent person. First he walked me through the nature of my stroke emphasising that it was caused by Atrial Fibrillation and that my vascular system was in good condition. The area of the stroke had affected my speech and cognition but these had improved and should return to normal. While showing me the CT scans and MRI images he pointed out walnut sized cyst to the side of my right orbit which had showed up in the scan. Apparently it was an old cyst which was benign and presented no risk but had caused some initial concern.
The specialist said that my treatment was based on four things. One was to prevent my blood clotting and causing future strokes during an AF attack. Two was to reduce the severity of an AF attack by reducing my heart rate. Three was to control my blood pressure and four was to control my Tyte 2 Diabetes. None of these would cure the AF but it should be under control.
He was pleased to hear that I was back to cycling, Meals on Wheel and my Computer Club as continuing interest and exercise where essential to a full recovery. I asked him about my disappointing ride on Tuesday which he said was not disappointing and could vary because my heart rate would depend on my medication levels. I take a quarter tablet of Metropolol twice a day which as the quarters were not accurate could cause variability in dose. This only affects one if you are really exercising. I will be weaned of Metropolol over the next few weeks and my heart rate, while sill controlled, would be closer to normal. At present it is about 50bpm and doesn't vary much during exercise. With the new medication It will still be low but will be allowed to increase to 100bpm during exercise thus making me cycle more strongly.
I am of to MOW in a few minutes.
Louis is getting better and allowed longer walks but no running.
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