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Rank: Administration  Groups: Administrators
Joined: 1/25/2009 Posts: 491 Points: 1,491 Location: Newcastle, Australia
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Time's here. I was planning to cycle up to Brisbane in August, but didn't feel that I was ready at the time. I haven't cycled nearly as much as I should have since then, but I think I'll be okay. I'm giving myself an extra day in case I'm not fit enough. When I get home today I'll send out a PDF to tell people about the trip and thereafter there's no turning back:) On the 26th of September I'll leave Newcastle and fly back from Brisbane on the 6th of October, giving me 10 days to cycle the +/-800kms. I'll aim to do it faster than that, but rather not set myself up for failure. This coming week I'm going to Brisbane for Microsoft's TechEd. So I won't get much cycling done this week, but at least I'll get to see Brisbane and have an idea where the airport is etc. etc. From next weekend though, I'll have to put in a serious effort for the last 2 weeks. I'm home and here's the PDF: Brisbane cycle trip
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Rank: Administration Groups: Administrators
Joined: 1/25/2009 Posts: 491 Points: 1,491 Location: Newcastle, Australia
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Last night I dreamt about my Brisbane trip. Well, kinda. I dreamt that I asked two people from work to take me to the airport, we got stuck in traffic, then stuck in some house with a murder investigation doing on outside or something and finally I was sitting in the bath listening to my 2 colleagues outside complaining about how much work they could have had done by now if they weren't stuck in this house when I realized that I didn't need a lift to the airport cause I'm cycling up to Brisbane and not flying up and cycling back... duh?
haha, I guess the trip must really be on my mind if I'm mixing it with work in my dreams already :)
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Rank: Administration Groups: Administrators
Joined: 1/25/2009 Posts: 491 Points: 1,491 Location: Newcastle, Australia
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I'm in a bit of pain :) This past week I've been at the Microsoft Tech-Ed and been eating WAY too much. On Thursday I decided that enough is enough.
As I'm nowhere near my bike and I need some practice getting up hills, I decided to run/walk up some stairs in the hotel. so, I had a shower, ran/walked/puffed up 11 flights of stairs and had another shower. I was quite disappointed coz at the time it didn't feel like my legs got enough of a workout, but aerobically I was almost dead. So that was it and we moved on - to another LARGE breakfast at the hotel:)
The evening I decided to rather give the festivities at Dreamworld a skip as the best way not to overeat is to avoid the temptation all together. Probably stupid as I'd never been to Dreamworld and would have liked to see it. Nonetheless, I ended up having 2 small sausage rolls at a petrol station and that was it for the evening - much better than the rest of the week !!!
Friday morning, however, it became very clear that my legs did get some exercise and still feeling it today. My calves and thighs hurt. I managed to cycle my 23kms to the office this morning, but every time I get up from my desk, I can certainly feel my legs. Anyhow, at least it means that I did get some exercise this week, little as it may be.
I want to move soon and maybe I should move to an apartment in a building with a few floors so I can use the stairs as exercise when the whether is not so good for cycling...
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Rank: Administration Groups: Administrators
Joined: 1/25/2009 Posts: 491 Points: 1,491 Location: Newcastle, Australia
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Here's my ambitious version of the trip:) Click on the map to see the actual towns and distances.  I say it's ambitious cause it's aiming for 120kms per day on most days and I'm not that fit yet. But I'll give it a try and if I don't make those distances, I will have my tent with me and I do have additional days if I need more time to complete the trip.
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Rank: Administration Groups: Administrators
Joined: 1/25/2009 Posts: 491 Points: 1,491 Location: Newcastle, Australia
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/7/2009
Posts: 2
Points: 6
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Hey Mr D
12 days, nervous or excited.
I am so unfit, I wouldnt be able to carry the bicycle to the start line.
But Summer on the way, so I plan to get a trainer on payday, as I have to do something with this body.
Yeah, vain, but vanity = health, kind of.
Wish you were here, as yesterday I was doing DIY, tring to hang a sliding door.
Well it was eventually hung, but if I had a rope, I would have hung it, skew walls, and me missing the nail, then hitting the rail etc etc etc, and the profanity, SIES
At that moment, I thought of this brilliant idea, DIT = Do It Together.
1.Sponsors like the Bosch, Buiders Warehouse etc - they sponsor the DIY tools and materials
2. People like me pay a small fee for the LIVE demonstrations, and hands on trainig!
3. We do the (demonstrations/physical fixing while we learn) at schools, baby havens, poorer community halls etc
4. The Companies sponsoring get BEE recognitions, CSI Corporate Social Investment etc etcWe all win.....
Oooops I tried to color it, and now get all these tags??????
Ok, I assume when posted they will change cover, I hope.
Anyway, enojy all your preparation, we know you gonna do well.
Chat soon.
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Rank: Administration Groups: Administrators
Joined: 1/25/2009 Posts: 491 Points: 1,491 Location: Newcastle, Australia
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Count down
11 Days to go
I just realised that I've probably had my last Monday morning ride before the trip! Riding every day this week except Friday morning when I'm taking the bike in for it's final service and to get new tyres etc. If I do a trip this weekend where I ride long rides both Saturday and Sunday, then I'll rest next Monday, Ride Tuesday and Wednesday and rest Thursday and Friday.
Haydn, strangely enough I seem to be getting less and less nervous as the trip gets closer. This morning I was riding against a bit of wind and again realised that I'm not very fit at all, but I do seem to be getting better at both the hills and riding against the wind and most importantly, my legs seem to be able to go on for longer despite hills etc.
We'll see, but right now I'm feeling more excited than anything else.
Dude, clearly your memory is failing you!! If you think I can help with anything related to DIY, you're seriously mistaken. I used to phone Irene to help me change a light bulb... well, almost.
However, if you do get something like that off the ground, I'm sure Thamsanqa will have lots of DIY tasks for you to practice on at the foster homes. Being right there in Port Elizabeth, you have no excuse:)
ciao,
D
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Rank: Administration Groups: Administrators
Joined: 1/25/2009 Posts: 491 Points: 1,491 Location: Newcastle, Australia
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Count down
9 Days to go
Bike's at the bike shop. Though I don't think there's anything wrong with her, I'd rather let them give her a once over. And getting new tyres.
This weekend FireWeb and I are cycling to Hawk's Nest and thereafter there's less than a week to go... Time's up and "I'm not nervous"!! Erm, okay somewhat nervous.
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Rank: Administration Groups: Administrators
Joined: 1/25/2009 Posts: 491 Points: 1,491 Location: Newcastle, Australia
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Count down
7 Days to go
Today, in 1/2 an hour I'm leaving here and heading out to Hawk's Nest with FireWeb. I've got my "new" pannier bags fitted and packed some extra stuff that I won't need for this weekend, but just to get a feel for the weight. Having a bit of trouble with the tent, which is bigger than I thought, but I'll go try again now. The pannier bags are huge. I thought I'd have to pit my sleeping bag on top of the tent (which, I now realise would have been a problem, but it fits comfortably inside the one pannier bag with lots of space left.
So this should give me a pretty good feel for the weight I'll be carrying next week.
This time next week I'll be a little more stressed out I imagine:) Can't believe it's one week to go and I don't feel terribly fit. Ride today and back tomorrow, rest Monday, ride Tuesdag and Wednesday, rest Thursday and Friday and then I'm off to Brisbane :)
Anyhow, let's hope this loaded bike doesn't give me too big a shock when I feel its weight just now.
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Rank: Administration Groups: Administrators
Joined: 1/25/2009 Posts: 491 Points: 1,491 Location: Newcastle, Australia
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Rank: Administration Groups: Administrators
Joined: 1/25/2009 Posts: 491 Points: 1,491 Location: Newcastle, Australia
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Count down
4 Days to go
I'm happy to discover that there are 19 train stops between Newcastle and Brisbane and all of them have at least one train per day heading back to Newcastle. I won't be right next to the railway line all the time and at time, in fact, it looks like a good few kilometers from where I'll be to the railway line. However, it does add a nice safety net to my first long trip. If something really does go wrong and I'm not able to complete the trip or if I run out of time, I can just make my way to the nearest railway station and wait for a train. I'm printing the stops now :)
It will be a bit disappointing so I really hope I won't be getting on a train, but it does give me some peace of mind.
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Rank: Administration Groups: Administrators
Joined: 1/25/2009 Posts: 491 Points: 1,491 Location: Newcastle, Australia
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Count down3 Days to goWorried? I'm not worried! The weather man says the wind is 66km/h with gusts of 85km/h here in Newcastle at the moment, but I'm not worried :( I also discovered yesterday that I've waited just too long for this trip. Basic on historical data, the wind direction up until August is mostly from Newcastle to Brisbane, but in September it turns around and is mostly from Brisbane to Newcastle. I looked at a couple of places along the way, so it looks like that's pretty much the story all the way. So, erm.. Well, I'm praying the weather clears up by Saturday and that I'll have great weather all of next week. UPDATETurns out I had no idea what was going on outside... It was dark when I arrived at the office, but this is what Newcastle also looks like this morning http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=sydney+red+dust
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Rank: Administration Groups: Administrators
Joined: 1/25/2009 Posts: 491 Points: 1,491 Location: Newcastle, Australia
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Count down
2 Days to go
SCARY!! 2 days!! Actually I am a little concerned about the wind still blowing outside, but mostly I'm excited about the trip now. Must just do my best and make it work.
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Rank: Administration Groups: Administrators
Joined: 1/25/2009 Posts: 491 Points: 1,491 Location: Newcastle, Australia
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Count down
1 Day to go
Yeeha, hopefully tomorrow this time I'll be on the road :) Do I really have everything I need? Am I really going to be able to cycle +/- 100kms per day? I'm sure the first day or two will be fine, but getting out of bed on the third day... that's where my stress lies.
Anyway, none of that! I'm finished stressing now and just going to have fun :) erm? Torturing your butt on an unforgiving saddle is fun, isn't it?
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