Flat Tyre!

This had been going to be the first week where I had ridden to work all 5 days -- and it nearly was. But found a rear flat tyre. Flat as a pancake.

Ahah! I will use my newly acquired bike maintenance skills here. It's wonderful to have quick release wheels and, of course, I remembered to undo the brakes. Got the tyre off easily. Removed the tube. Checked the tyre itself for nails, glass or whatever had caused the issue. Got my new tube out, lightly filled it just to give it shape, put it back into the tyre and put the tyre back onto the rim.


The putting the tyre back onto the rim took ages -- longer than the rest of the process put together all because the valve did not want to go through the hole! It was so frustrating!


Anyway, got the valve through the hole pumped up the tyre to a reasonable pressure and went to put the wheel back on the bike. Ah, that's where the fun (or not) started! Just couldn't remember how to hold the derailleur to get it back on, especially in the dim light of the garage.


Anyway, I have my wheel ready to replace and a one wheeled bike sitting waiting until this afternoon when I can take it to the Bike Shed to ask them to show me how to put it back on. In the meantime, I have my car here at work.


I'm sure there is a reason for this. Maybe I wasn't meant to ride for whatever reason. Anyway, I'm reasonably happy with my tyre replacement skills. Just needed to remember how to hold the derailleur to put the wheel back on with the chain in the correct spot.


The end result. A car trip and extremely dirty hands!

3pm and I finally realised the easiest solution. I should have just taken my old Giant. It is there ready to go. Okay it would have been a slower ride, but I could still have ridden and wouldn't have felt guilty all day. Oh well, I know for next time. Just annoyed I didn't think of it at 6am this morning. Aah, the other thought though, it wouldn't go on the bike'n'ride. Would be pedalling all the way home! Not so bad on a Thursday - no other commitments and would have taken the bike path through Lyneham etc.

Monday again

After a very foggy start which made me believe it was going to be a very slow, careful ride, the fog lifted just at Palmerston (before Oodgeroo Ave). A beautiful morning. -3 but a lovely clear sky. The lake was gorgeous and I was rewarded with the beautiful sunrise.

Fingers were a bit cold at first, perhaps I need to wear my really warm pair of gloves and keep my normal ones which I can change into if I am too hot.

Another dark, windy morning

I sometimes wonder why I keep taking photos of the earliest rays of light. They are always so lovely to look at but not reproduced as well. The later civil sunrise is always better, but then realised that at least this is a record of how dark it is when I am heading to work. I will appreciate it more when I remember back to the dark days of winter in the lovely hot summer. Was there really a time when I needed my sunglasses along Gungahlin Drive and complained about sun in my eyes on Barton Highway?

Another "ordinary" ride today. Met another rider who tagged along behind ... he didn't like riding in the wind.

Also, another vote of thanks to the best bus driver, Nick, who again provided personalised service with a stop on the 52 route for me.

Wind, Rain and Annoying Drivers

Rain and wind made it seem colder this morning but nevertheless I did enjoy my ride in. I had some stupid songs I haven't heard for years going through my brain for some weird reason, but I suppose they were really no worse than Erin's Negative Numbers or Why Must Maths be so Torturous songs.

On Northbourne Avenue I encountered a really annoying driver. He slowed right down to be travelling next to me just alongside Infrastructure House, then started accelerating and pulled into the left parking bay cutting me off well and truly. To make matters worse he didn't even get right off the bike lane but left his boot poking out across the bike lane into the left traffic lane. My bell would have been pointless and I managed to stop with only about 30cm to spare. Then the car behind him in the normal traffic lane yelled abuse (not at me, at the driver).

This incident was soon forgotten though as I was rewarded by a beautiful pre-dawn pink sky. Photos never do it justice, but nevertheless. It lasted around 3-4 minutes and was beautiful. What a blessing to have been able to see the glorious colours across the sky.

Windy Weather

Very strong Nor-north-westerlies this morning blew me through the first part of the trip, then almost a cross wind for the middle part, then the last little bit along the lake a tail wind again. Trip to the city in record time. Coming along Gungahlin Drive at a wonderful 39-40 kmph! So serene, so little effort, such a lovely speed.

On Northbourne Avenue had to steer carefully as the wind was blowing me a little sideways, coming over Commonwealth Bridge -- a lot sideways!

Standing down by the lake trying to take a photo you could hear the water pounding against the lake edge, not usual for LBG. The wind almost blew the bike over too. Extremely strong by the lake, the BoM says it gusted up to 72 kmph.

Going home tonight is going to be the fun part!! If only the 52 had a bike rack!

Monday 19/6/11

Had a lovely ride in yesterday morning. Barely a pedestrian about down by the lake, was amazed how deserted it was. Not too cold either, about 6 degrees. Enjoyed the fresh morning air and the exercise.

A different way to commute

Had a change today and came by bus. Realistically I left home about 10-15 minutes earlier but was at my desk earlier. Arrived at work about the same time so theoretically the trip is around 10 minutes longer, however I save about 10 minutes in the bathroom once I arrived at work (on the other hand I didn't burn as many calories!). The connections were excellent 51, 58 and another bus (didn't see what number), then walked from Brisbane Avenue and it worked really well. I was totally amazed at the circuitous route both the 51 and 58 took, but nevertheless I got here. I understand now why so many like the 200 despite the extra stops on Flemington Road.

I did miss the bike ride, but took the bus because I know I won't get away before 5pm and that is late and I don't want to be worried about whether there is a bike rack or not on buses.

The other highlight this morning was the lunar eclipse. Norwin and I watched it around 5.10am. Hopefully I will be able to add Norwin's pic -- it looked great!

Windy ... almost blown backwards!

Riding up the Palmerston Hill when I heard this noise. Couldn't place it, then a bike went past. Well it certainly wasn't a bell but one of those "honk" squeeze things. Anyway, this guy passed me easily going up the hill. Well what's new, everyone passes me uphill. Then on the downside I flew past. He started pedalling like mad to catch up and asked if I minded if he rode just behind me. He doesn't have any lights. So as the guy did for me a few months ago when my Ay-ups died, I rode next to him and it was so good to be able to talk to someone riding along.

It turns out its his second ride into town, in fact his first cycle to work. He is going to buy a light today. The first trip was on the weekend, a trial run. He took the back cycle path through Lyneham etc rather than Northbourne Avenue (hope it is well lit!) so we parted company, but it was nice to have someone to chat to.

As for my ride, the very strong southerly made it slow going with only a 20.3kmph average. Oh well, still made it in 58 minutes so really can't complain. And think of the extra calories burned!

Today's pic is from the National Gallery. Something different as taking a photo of the lake in the dark is getting rather tedious and it was too overcast (with some drizzle) to photograph the lake again. (what is with the bold and underscore -- I don't know how to turn it off!

A short week!

Felt a bit yuck this morning and didn't fancy riding, congested and just urgh. Decided that even if I rode slowly and it took 90 mins to do the ride I would ride. Well it did me the world of good. I took 53 minutes (which as the winds were southerly wasn't too bad) and was glad I did it. I'm still all congested but drinking lots of water and feel good for riding.

Highlights today were the rabbits as usual. I just wish they wouldn't run away when I approach. I would love to take a photo or even cuddle them, they are so cute.

Also runners along LBG. I have never seen so many, literally hundreds. At least 4 groups of probably 30 people. Plus the usual alone or in 2's or 3's. My bell was well and truly in use!

I'm feeling more confident on my clipless pedals too. I was clipped in most of the way and felt reasonably confident. It helped that I went from Sandford Road to Haig Park without having to stop, but I wasn't as scared which is good after all this time.

Sunday, an almost all daylight ride

I so love these beautiful cool winter mornings. Not too cold today, above zero again. No wind, few clouds and absolutely gorgeous. This was down at Yerrabi Pond.

After watching Sister Act 2 last night, my main song this morning was Joyful Joyful, as well as O for a Thousand Tongues.

It is lovely riding in daylight rather than pitch black almost all the way. And the photos are so much nicer when there is daylight!

A lovely Saturday

Erin and I had a great time at the library yesterday morning. I love the Bunyip, aka the Monster who Ate Canberra. Just need to find a copy of the book for the kids. Also, of course, enjoyed my morning ride alone. Another glorious morning on Gungahlin Lake.

Wednesday, 8 June

The most gorgeous clear morning but even in the twilight you can still see the chop of the Lake.

Yesterday, Wednesday 8 June

Very strong northwesterly. Blew me to work, hindered my trip home

More cold, no frost -- Thursday 9/6

After a couple of cold and windy mornings I am still amazed that there has been no frost. Not as cold this morning 2.5 at 7am. But the wind. Last night my average speed dropped down to around 16kmph with the fierce headwind blowing around 35kmph -- and it was cold with an apparent temp of -4 (what would I do without the BOM observations page). Anyway, I have figured out how to put the pics in with the help of a card reader from Woolworths. Firstly today ...

Fog, Fog, Fog

Another brisk morning and fog, but being Sunday at least I was out in daylight!

A couple of extra pics from last week 28/5 and 1/6

It was suggested this week that I rename my blog "A Public Servant's trip to work". The same person also commented that my pics almost make Canberra look attractive.

My only comment on that is that Canberra is a great place to live. I love my city and my trip to work is the best way to start the day.

A quiet local ride

Just stayed fairly close to home today while riding in the drizzle. Cold and windy, but not negative temps so can't really complain. Just overcast and nondescript.

A foggy but not cold morning

A lovely ride in again today. Not a breath of wind and a heavy fog. Stopped at about four places to take photos. Hopefully I can upload them tonight. Sometimes I thought I was cycling into the dark abyss with just my headlights to see and pitch black all around. Down by the lake you couldn't even see the carillion. From the middle of Commonwealth Avenue Bridge you couldn't see the library. Very foggy, but a most enjoyable ride. Kept singing "they are new every morning, new every morning, great is thy faithfulness O Lord, great is thy faithfulness".

Had a definite case of helmet hair with my new hairstyle, but hopefully after a few minutes at the bathroom mirror it will dry to look something resembling what it looked like when I left the salon last night!