On the bike again

Yesterday, I woke to howling winds and driving rain. Still got dressed to ride to work. Having breakfast and it seemed to have eased off a little. Time to do the final check opened the curtain and flash followed by boom - a thunderstorm. Oh no, not after last week. So changed into work clothes read for 30 minutes and took the car. All the way to work I was thinking - the storms over, I could have ridden. Interestingly I didn't see one other cyle commuter on the trip in. I felt awful that I didn't ride and trying to tell myself that I did the right thing. At my desk about 7am and heard rain on the roof (unusual in our building), went to the window and it was positively pelting down with driving winds. Okay, I am glad I didn't ride - at least not in that!

Today no rain this morning (although very cloudy) and it is my last commute in daylight for a while. On my trusty bike I set out to enjoy my ride.

Despite being windy and much of the time a crosswind I made good time and had a great trip. I've taken so many pictures by the lake I decided to detour and take a pic or two at the little park in the middle of town by the bus interchange. It looks very pretty at the moment with the pink blossoms. Just a pity it was a nondescript gray day.

It's raining

Okay, it was only showers when I rode, but now its rain. Despite the drab weather and intermitten showers on the trip, it was a thoroughly enjoyable ride. Singing as I rode, I had a lovely time quiet and on my own.

I realised only the other day I never mention riding home, or only rarely and I think I have only stopped to take photos once or twice. Probably because I am always in a hurry to get home to the children and on to the first of the afternoon activities when often there is only a 10 minute turnaround at home. If there is a strong headwind - and we've had a lot of those lately - the ride is slower, and it's more uphill so again slower. And I'm in a hurry, can't be late for clarinet, cello, violin, scouts, swimming, Cool Kids or other extra activity.

Anyway, yesterday in my "wisdom" I decided it was a beautiful afternoon with only light winds and I would go a slightly different way. I was happily pedalling and enjoying myself when "Bash!" a huge clunk on my helmet. A silently swooping magpie! Normally you can hear them flapping their wings as they approach, or you know that in that tree he is there waiting, but this was totally silent and unexpected. Magpies - the only thing I really dislike at this time of year.

A lunchtime ride

I did my normal commute this morning but just an ordinary morning, cloudy and just ordinary. But at lunchtime I have done a quick circuit of the Central Basin and it was absolutely spectacular with the warm spring sunshine. I should have taken more pics but I was in a hurry so I wasn't away from the office for too long (I had to stop in at Floriade to see Erin and Kathryn play with the school band.)

Towards the end of the trip I decided that this was my last opportunity to take a photo so another shot of the Carillion. Now I've done the lunchtime ride I know how long it takes and will do it again. It was a great break in the middle of the day and according to Map My Ride it was 9.37km. Will need to add that to my Commuter Challenge log book.

Magnificent Monday Morning

It was a magnificent Monday morning this morning but I'll be honest, much of the way in I didn't feel magnificent this morning. The weather was beautiful but the ride seemed an effort. I decided to take the longer way on the city side of the lake and I'm glad I did from then on I felt good.

It was just going alongside Gungahlin Drive, it seemed never ending today and I felt like I was pedalling uphill. Not sure why.

But anyway, a beautiful day. A Monday, only today and 4 more until the long weekend!

Damp but not miserable

A damp, but not really wet local ride this morning. Parts were drizzly, other parts totally dry. Brisk wind from the south (a change from the northerlies). Lots of dogs out today and amazingly every one was the same sandy colour and all but about one were golden retrievers or labradors. How weird was that?

Pics of the ride to follow when I upload them from the phone. It was great to see green leaves on the poplars again.

Finally Friday

This week seems to have dragged so much at work but the joy of riding in doesn't diminish. A lovely brisk northerly allowed me to take it easy on the ride in and I coasted along with my average HR only 126 instead of the usual 135 and still did it in the same time.

It was warm too, about 12 (after yesterday's -2) so with the warmer weather, blue skies and tailwind almost perfect riding conditions (as long as you are heading south!). I did feel for the two cyclists going uphill towards Mitchell with the headwind on Gungahlin Drive!

Up, Up and Away

Not 1, but 4 balloons in the sky over Canberra this morning (the 4th was already over into the western basin when I took the picture).

On a clear day, crisp -2 morning with a frost, the balloons looked spectacular. Today perhaps I should have cycled on the city side again, the photo would have been much better. But I just wanted to get to work. I had left 7 minutes later than normal and so thought I had better ride the "normal" way.

The sun hit me before I got to the golf course. The mist was on the Mulanggari and Gungaderra Grasslands and then again at the Crace Nature Park. It looked wonderful. It was very icy in the frost hollow. I'm convinced that section of the ride is about 5 degrees colder than anywhere else.

I had left late because I felt awful this morning, even considered not riding, taking the car or even having a sick day. I started out on the bike thinking I could always turn around partway and catch the bus back but I'm pleased to report that the bike ride has made me feel much better. I feel normal again.

See the healing power of exercise.

Simply dazzling!

Canberra was simply dazzling this morning! You couldn't get more different weather to yesterday and with the change in the weather the number of people out and about also changed. There were joggers and walkers everywhere!

I am so enjoying the daylight ride with the sun rising when I was at the southern Kosciusko Av traffic lights. It's hard to imagine being back in the darkness in just 2 weeks time. Oh well, it will get light soon enough again.

It was so beautiful I took the long way and rode on the city side of Lake Burley Griffin. A very pleasant change (even though for some reason I dislike Kings Avenue Bridge). Stopped several times en-route to take these lovely pictures.

What a wonderful start to the day!

There's nothing like a thunderstorm to improve your speed!

What a mild morning, 18 degrees at 5am. All appeared good when I left home, a nice northerly giving me a bit of a push along - this should be a great ride. Halfway down the hill and flash. Hmm that's not my ay-ups flashing, that's a bit stronger and all around, not in front. Then came the thunder. Okay, not my favourite place to be, riding a bike in a thunderstorm is not something I would intentionally do. Two options: (1) turn off Gungahlin Drive into Kosciousko at Palmerston and catch the 56 (hopefully it has a bike rack) or (2) just keep riding, my tyres are rubber aren't they?

Got to the first Kosciousko lights and there had only been one more flash of lightning and thunder, so thought I'd keep going, there is always the second set of lights after the hill. All was fine. I wasn't really worried about Northbourne avenue as there are bigger trees and buildings but along Gungahlin Drive and Barton Hwy is very open and I would probably be the highest object - on a metal frame. I kept cycling.

Going along the open grasslands I was very conscious of the storm bearing down from behind and my legs went flat out. Thankfully it was a tailwind and not a headwind! Stopped on Barton Hwy to take a photo of the storm approaching and disturbed an injured kangaroo. It was still hopping but very wonky. I think he must have been hit by a car. I returned to the bike lane and left him alone.

Generally the ride was lovely with a tailwind and very mild temperatures, but the threat of the storm with occasional flashes and rumbles kept me pedalling away. I definitely increased my cadence today (and I don't mean perfect or plagal).

Did get a little wet but the warm weather dried me off just as quickly. It was a great ride and I'm glad I didn't stop and wait for a bus. I knew deep down I would be disappointed in myself later in the day if I'd hopped on the bus. If it had been a really bad storm with driving winds and heavy rain, for safety it would have been another story, but it was just a small storm and I think my judgment today was good.

So another day, another excellent ride to work. The only way to go!

Good to be cycling again

After Friday with its toxic chemical fire at Mitchell then a weekend away I didn't get any riding done on the weekend, so it was wonderful to be out cycling again this morning.

What a magnificent morning to cycle. The mist on the grasslands, the clear skies, the beautiful lake and two men standing on the footpath ... a new statue of Curtin and Chifley.

What a great way to start the day!

Time alone

It is actually very sad when I think about it that the only time I get to myself is cycling to work. On the weekend Kathryn or Erin might ride with me so my work commute really is the only time I have alone. In 16 months in Canberra I have had 2 hours alone at home while I was waiting for a delivery. That's it. There is always someone there. Can't even always escape in the bathroom!

So riding to work is a great idea for busy mums who need some solitude. Yes if the school phones with a sick child (and let me tell you it does happen) you might take longer to get there to pick them up but you can definitely enjoy those minutes before picking up the sick/vomiting child. I've had enough of those lately, it's time for a clear run.

Anyway, another beautiful morning on the bike path/road. No wind! Wish I could say the same about the afternoons though. Also saw the first balloon in ages floating around Parliament House. Took the photo but it is hard to see, it's actually below the flag in the triangle bit (yellow and red Questacon balloon).

Arrive at work inspired, invigorated and enthusiastic

Do you want to arrive at work inspired, invigorated, enthusiastic and full of energy? Ride a bike! That's how I feel when I arrive at work and how many people can say that?

There are not enough adjectives (maybe I'll have to read the thesaurus for new ones) to describe the beautiful morning today. I am always using beautiful, glorious, gorgeous because it is! The full moon setting in the west, the civil twilight and down by the lake full sunshine. Today was the first morning I stopped to put sunglasses on!

-2 again but I was not in the slightest bit cold.

Couldn't resist staying by the lake again, it is spectacular down there.

Who would sit in a car and just watch the car in front and keep with the traffic when you can feel the wind on your face, the sun warming your body, watch the "dragon breath" as Andrew calls it when you stop at traffic lights, enjoy the feeling of ... how do you describe it. The feeling of being free, being in the fresh air, enjoying everything around you. What a wonderful way to start the day!

Now how many people can arrive at work as excited as that?

The Joy is in the Journey

It's not so much getting to work, it's enjoying the journey. The joy is in the journey. Cycling gives me the time to enjoy the scenery and my morning. It was so beautiful this morning. I know I say it every day, but every day is beautiful in its own way.

I had a Psalty song in my head this morning "you and I've got to have a heart to change the world" la la la I can't remember the rest of the words, but the tune was going through my head anyway.

Saw 4 other cyclists before I got into town. Hundreds (literally) of joggers along the lake. Unfortunately they took up the whole path from one side to the other causing those coming the other way onto the grass and I just left the path completely when I realised I couldn't get past. My little bell wouldn't have moved them one centimetre.

Anyway, I still enjoyed the ride. A couple of pics today from Barton Highway and the National Gallery.

Magic Monday!

The weather was crisp and clear for my ride in. Getting down to about -2 gave that lovely crisp feeling, with a light frost on the ground. Clear skies and virtually no wind (unlike the weekend!).

Coming down Gungahlin Drive I had a kangaroo hop next to me for a while. Whilst I realise he was trying to get away and only looking for a hole in the fence, it is nice to imagine he just wanted to ride with me a bit.

The rabbits were out this morning again too. I missed them last week.

Very few joggers/walkers out until LBG. Even my regular guy near The Lakes wasn't around this morning and I was reasonably on time judging by where I passed the buses.

A beautiful day to be out. It is so great to be able to enjoy the fresh air and being in the open when I know for the next x amount of hours I am inside unable to even look out the window without getting up and walking down the corridor. Starting the day with a ride really is the best way to go!

Swans with their cygnets

Here is the pic of swans with their cygnets on Yerrabi Pond this morning.

Riding my bike on a Sunday morning

A beautiful morning to ride with Kathryn. Even after a late night last night, she got up at 6am to come with Mum for a ride.

It was a lovely morning. We saw the first cygnets of the season at Yerrabi Pond which she thought was so exciting. It is lovely to see everything looking so green after the small amount of rain last week.

Very leisurely pace, but great to enjoy the journey.

Thank God its Friday

Thank God it's Friday -- nothing to do with bike riding, but I am ready for a day off. Pleasant ride in, around 6 degrees. Overcast, not so brilliant weatherwise, but still enjoyed the trip. Lots of seagulls this morning.

Oh what a beautiful morning!

There's a bright golden haze on the meadow ... well a white mist on the paddock and the golden haze is over the lake, but it is still a beautiful morning. -2.3 and absolutely gorgeous yet again. Stopped at 3 separate spots to take the beautiful photos today.

We will be getting rain later, but I am enjoying the weather for now.

If you're happy and you know it ride your bike!

If you're happy and you know it ride your bike. That was my refrain yesterday riding home in the rain and then again this morning. Along with forget all your worries, forget all your cares, we go cycling.

I just had to sing it was such a beautiful morning. Almost needed sunglasses by the lake. It was simply gorgeous. Coming along Barton Hwy was amazing with the frost on the ground, fog and the sunrise over Mt Majura. Pity the camera doesn't see it quite the same as me, but I've posted the pic anyway.

Almost made it, but not quite

It was such a lovely mild morning this morning. No jacket, just my jersey. Had a lovely trip, a polite bus driver who waited behind instead of overtaking then stopping in front of me.

Lovely, until I looked north west as I crossed Commonwealth Avenue Bridge. Ooh, that looks nasty. I hope I can make it to work. Then down by the lake taking my usual pics, just watch that cloud roll in, wow!

I'll go the longer way today it's lovely along the lake I thought to myself.

Just on Kings Avenue and saw a rainbow whilst sitting at the traffic lights. Instead of moving off, I (on the footpath) got my camera out and snapped the rainbow. Next green light I cycled off, halfway across the intersection and down came the rain!

I stopped on the other side and put on my raincoat. So close and yet so far. Almost made it to work dry, but not quite. The last 1.5km were pelting down (and I only have my little Aldi raincoat today) but at least I was dry.

Coming up National Circuit at Sydney Road there was a beautiful rainbow over Parliament House but alas too much traffic on the road to stop and take a photo. By the time I got to our building, although the rainbow was still there the angle wasn't right and you couldn't even see Parliament House just the DFAT building - not quite as good a shot.

Anyway, the outcome is a pleasant ride to work and I am dry. Thankfully I had the spare stockings in my bag - they were the wettest part of me!

It's Monday again!

A really warm 9 degrees this morning and went out in my summer jersey with my arm warmers, only to find it was raining. Back in to get spare undies, stockings and raincoat. It rained enough to get wet knicks and undies, but was generally dry. A pleasant ride.

The sun broke through as I was descending from Commonwealth Avenue Bridge. Looked beautiful. Only just managed to grab the shot in time.

I had also noticed that the blossoms were out along the shoreline, so of course I had to click a pic of those too!

Another week has begun.

4/9 a beautiful Sunday morning

Sunday was a lovely day but I knew if I didn't head out early my ride wouldn't happen. Enjoyed a leisurely trip around Gungahlin Pond.

Later in the morning i was at ANU with Kathryn and managed to snap some other gorgeous Canberra scenery.