The Garmin 1000 is the leading edge.

The Garmin 1000 is the leading edge.

Friday, December 23, 2011

Christmas Eve ride with eXsight Tandems.

 

Another exciting week at week conquering the world.  But first today I went out with eXsight Tandems for a ride along the east coast of Wollongong.  What a beautiful days riding.  Hot and humid, no rain, just beautiful sunshine.  I would lilke to wish all members of eXsight a wonderful Christmas and I look forward to riding with you again throughout 2012.

So I suppose you're all wandering about the tour.  We've got 7 days to go to the start of the new year and I hope it's one hell of a year.  I've had some emails with people confirming their participation in the tour, so now's the time to commit. 

Safe riding and I hope you all have a special time with your families over the holiday break.

Regards Terry

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Weekly update: 11th December 2011.

3peaks tour profile.  March 2012.
Now we all love a day in the mountains, but the 3 peaks challenge profile does look a little difficult.  To my training partner Ashley Lester, you seriously need to start training.

Now for the weekly update: 

Still the interest is good but one can never say with certainty that those who have indicated they wish to take part in the tour will commit.  Now I know some have work commitment and can't get the time off, and others are just waiting for the 1st January 2012 for the decision to be published.

I hope you liked the article about Mulga Bill as much as I did reading it for the first time.

The entries for the tour will close Australian Eastern time at midnight of the 1st January 2012.  It will be on the basis of first in and those who have already indicated by email they wish to take part will have priority.  If the numbers go over 20 then some will have to miss out.  As this will be the first attempt at doing this, the numbers need to be limited to ensure everyone has one hell of a holiday.

Safe riding.
Terry

Friday, December 9, 2011

Mulga Bill's Bicycle. By A.B. "Banjo" Paterson. A true blue Aussie.

I first heard this poem when a fine man called Mr Peter Lamond recited it one evening during my journey through Africa.  Well I found it and just had to post it.  Banjo Patterson is one of the most famous poets of Australian history and obviously had a passion for bicycles just like Peter. 
This post is sponsored by Peter the Plumber, Capetown South Africa.


'Twas Mulga Bill, from Eaglehawk, that caught the cycling craze; He turned away the good old horse that served him many days; He dressed himself in cycling clothes, resplendent to be seen; He hurried off to town and bought a shining new machine; And as he wheeled it through the door, with air of lordly pride, The grinning shop assistant said, "Excuse me, can you ride?"
"See here, young man," said Mulga Bill, "from Walgett to the sea, From Conroy's Gap to Castlereagh, there's none can ride like me. I'm good all round at everything as everybody knows, Although I'm not the one to talk - I hate a man that blows. But riding is my special gift, my chiefest, sole delight; Just ask a wild duck can it swim, a wildcat can it fight. There's nothing clothed in hair or hide, or built of flesh or steel, There's nothing walks or jumps, or runs, on axle, hoof, or wheel, But what I'll sit, while hide will hold and girths and straps are tight: I'll ride this here two-wheeled concern right straight away at sight."
'Twas Mulga Bill, from Eaglehawk, that sought his own abode, That perched above Dead Man's Creek, beside the mountain road. He turned the cycle down the hill and mounted for the fray, But 'ere he'd gone a dozen yards it bolted clean away. It left the track, and through the trees, just like a silver steak, It whistled down the awful slope towards the Dead Man's Creek.
It shaved a stump by half an inch, it dodged a big white-box: The very wallaroos in fright went scrambling up the rocks, The wombats hiding in their caves dug deeper underground, As Mulga Bill, as white as chalk, sat tight to every bound. It struck a stone and gave a spring that cleared a fallen tree, It raced beside a precipice as close as close could be; And then as Mulga Bill let out one last despairing shriek It made a leap of twenty feet into the Dean Man's Creek.
'Twas Mulga Bill, from Eaglehawk, that slowly swam ashore: He said, "I've had some narrer shaves and lively rides before; I've rode a wild bull round a yard to win a five-pound bet, But this was the most awful ride that I've encountered yet. I'll give that two-wheeled outlaw best; it's shaken all my nerve To feel it whistle through the air and plunge and buck and swerve. It's safe at rest in Dead Man's Creek, we'll leave it lying still; A horse's back is good enough henceforth for Mulga Bill."
The Sydney Mail, 25 July 1896.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Weekly update: 4th December 2011. 3 Wise Men.

This weeks update is proudly sponsored by Spearman Cycles Wollongong.  The men either side of me are Mr Peter Lamond (L) from Capetown South Africa and of course Mr Rodney Hilton Sanders (R).

Firstly congratulations to Rodney for completing the Tour of Thailand this week.  Rodney's journey took him from Chang Mai in the north to Phuket in the south. Tonight I sent away an email to a visually impaired cyclist who appears mad enough to come on the holiday next year.  I should know shortly the outcome of my email.

This week has been sending off emails and getting in touch with the police service re escorting the cyclists to the end of the tour.  Like everything when you're dealing with a bureacracy, it takes a mountain of work to get an answer.  

Last weekend I went down and watched the international criterium race at Wollongong Harbour, the end point of the West to East 2012 Tour.  What a fantastic race and more importantly a beautiful place to end our tour.  You will not be disappointed, I guarantee it.

Safe riding
Terry



Friday, December 2, 2011

Come and join me in a nice Sunday ride.

3 Peaks Challenge 2012


http://www.bv.com.au/general/great-rides/42359/

Members of eXsight Tandems at Wollongong Harbour, New South Wales.

Today an article appeared in the Illawarra Mercury touching on the history and members of eXsight Tandems.  I have to thank Geoff Stratton for giving the West to East Tour 2012 a plug for me.

I hope you can read the text.

Safe riding
Terry.