A wild night, but great morning ride

During the night we had the most ferocious thunderstorm and huge winds (can't measure them the BoM lost their instruments and have no readings). The rain was fierce, the wind was howling and the thunder and lightning was amazing. The lightning just rolled around and around with no break with the constant rumble of thunder. I was thinking, oh well, there goes my morning ride. i suppose I will have to catch the bus. Or at the very least that I would get very wet.

Well, come 4.30 and I checked the radar. Hmm, looks like I can fit the ride in. 5.15 first light and look not all the sky is grey, there are a few clear patches.

So, in I rode and I'm so glad I did. All went very well. There was one huge puddle on Northbourne that went almost to the centre lane of traffic and was as deep as the gutter. I stopped, checked traffic and then rode around on the road. I was enjoying my ride so much I did a detour heading out into the west basin and then again I detoured near National Archives to head up and look at the clouds forming behind Parliament House.

The ride would have been absolutely wonderful if not for the clicking that is getting worse. I have checked and checked. I have even left a note near the bikes for a cyclist to help me figure it out. If it had been fine weather I would have ridden to the bike shop at lunch, but more thunderstorms are forecast. Hopefully someone will phone and help me.

The noise let the ride down as I was worried, but apart from that, brilliant.

Tuesday

Another lovely cycle. Despite the overcast conditions sun did occasionally break through and it was a lovely ride. The weather was warm, winds light. Simply perfect riding weather. I could have kept going. Maybe I should be working at Tuggeranong!

Seriously, it was just lovely pedalling and enjoying everything around me. The baby bunnies, the swans on the lake. The canoeists. No rowing sculls or dragon boats today. Such a wonderful way to start the day.

Just one down side. There is a clicking noise coming from the front wheel of my bike. I can hear it. I got off twice to have a close look, but I can't see anything that would catch and make the noise. I need a MAMIL to look at it. Perhaps while Erin is at clarinet I could quickly duck to the Belconnen bike shop. But then I just realised - I can't have the bike in the car with 4 children. We simply don't all fit and putting the rack on the back is a pain in the proverbial!

Oh What a Beautiful Morning

Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day! It really is glorious out there this morning. A crisp 10 degrees, clear skies, no wind -- just delightful.

Every minute of the ride enjoyable. Perhaps I should work at Woden to get to ride further! Is there an off-road cycle path?

Anyway, it was just lovely. In the little frost hollow on Barton Hwy a lovely fog and a good 5 degrees colder, but just those few hundred metres. Apart from that spectacular. I just love my ride to work. Can I get out and do some more?

Rain and a southerly

Rain, rain and more rain. All the way in rain. On top of this a SSE wind. Not too strong but enough to blow the rain onto my glasses and be annoying. But I was warm and the top half dry. My feet felt like I had been walking through Lake Burley Griffin, but my top half was dry and snug. (Have no idea why this last bit is underlined and bold and I can't turn it off!)

I really don't mind riding in the rain. I even covered my bike rack bag with my reflective vest and everything inside was dry as well. I have spare everything to change into except one thing - socks. Let's hope they dry over the next 8 hours. I did wring them out in the sink and hopefully I might be able to find a hand dryer in the ladies on the ground floor.

Anyway, a delightful wet ride. Not many pedestrians/other cyclists about this morning. Didn't even see the rabbits. They were sensibly in their nice warm burrow.

Grey and dreary again

Despite being overcast and dreary again, it was a pleasant ride to work. The rabbits were numerous hopping everywhere but when I stopped they disappeared so quickly and I had so wanted to take a photo.

Just a regular commute. Still can't work out why I was tooted at twice today within about 2 minutes. I was minding my own business in the cycle lane. One truck came close this morning with left hand wheels in the cycle lane. Where is my "A metre matters" sticker, or even better a stick that hits their car/truck if they come too close!

Foggy Flex Day!

A flex day today! Hooray! But still an early start to make the most of the beautiful morning. Cold, 6 degrees, and foggy but still a great time to be out.

I did my normal weekend route but the difference on a weekday! More than double the number of joggers, dog walkers and others all out and about. Also enjoyed sleeping in by 45 minutes. I could easily do this every day .

Take the Long Way Home

Take the long way to work. Just need to amend the words of the song. Took a beautiful long, slow ride to work. Normal until Lake Burley Griffin then stayed on the lake right through to Kingston then up through Telopea Park.

It had been cloudy all the way in and I thought we were in for another drab day, but just coming up onto Commonwealth Avenue bridge the sun shone through and the clouds dispersed. As you can see from my pic, a beautiful day.

took the time to stop and enjoy my surroundings. The joy is definitely in the journey. Enjoy the ride, you will get to the destination all to quickly enough.

Oh, and today is the first day I have forgotten something ... stockings. So here is sit in my work clothes with bare legs and joggers. Oh well, could have been worse!

Oh, and I forgot something else. Today is to be my first swimming day. I have everything except goggles. Oh well, I'll just have to manage without. I never had them growing up so I suppose I will survive today.

Cycling is Therapeutic

Another dull day but a splash of colour from the dragon boat paddlers in their red jackets brightened up the overcast morning.

Yesterday I was told that my ride seems to be therapeutic and on considering that ... it is. I can think through things, sing through things, just let my mind wander. What a wonderful thing. No children calling "Mummy", no rushing to go to violin, scouts, clarinet, cello, athletics, swimming, Cool Kids, just me and my bike in the lovely city of Canberra. The fields, the lake, even the road. On Northbourne now I am even on "hello" terms with the regulars at the bus stops. As I've said before, I arrive at work relaxed, inspired, invigorated and enthusiastic.

I love my morning commute. I am so glad I started.

Time to smell the roses

Back to a normal ride today. When packing this morning I noticed my tail light (from the bike bag) had gone missing. How annoying. When could I have lost it? Amazingly enough, I found the light on the footpath, just where I stopped to get my drink bottle out yesterday afternoon. I am so thrilled. Just a little thing, but so glad I didn't lose it.

The ride itself, was lovely. A brisk morning, but beautiful weather. Have taken so many pics of the lake and it is spring with beautiful flowers abounding, so took some photos of the lovely rose gardens in Parkes. In a car you either wouldn't notice or you wouldn't bother stopping. On my bike I have time to smell the roses ... literally!

15/11 To Convention Centre and Beyong

The inaugural conference today and a beautiful morning. Just to the city, not across the bridge, along the lake and up to Forrest, so I decided to leave at the normal time and explore the city side of the west basin.

What a lovely time I had on this glorious morning.

Monday again

Another Monday, the start of another week. Loved my ride this morning. I rode in my joggers instead of cleated shoes and was so much more comfortable. I tried to change the pedals last night but couldn't move the left one so had to leave them on.

The ride was good. Pleasant temperature, no wind. Rode in my trisuit with matching jersey. The plan is to head to the pool at lunchtime. I really would like to swim reasonably. I will be embarrassing to watch today, but it's me, it's my personal attempt I am working at. No one else matters.

Didn't take any pics from the lake but furtehr up the hill in the Parliamentary Triangle. Wouldn't get to enjoy any of this in the car. Cycle commuting is the way to go.

Somewhere new

An overcast morning, but perfect weather to go somewhere different and see something new. Started my ride the normal way along both Gungahlin and Yerrabi Ponds then headed off up past Forde and Amaroo to near the Little A's fields. Explored some great bike paths up there, but was very disappointed when this wonderful path just stopped. I saw a sign coming up and turned the corner through the trees to read Bike Path End 50m and it just stopped in the middle of no where. I would like to think that TAMS will complete it as I was enjoying being out in the countryside.

I rarely see anyone I know out and about but this morning I saw Mrs Jose walking her dog.

It was such a lovely morning to be out, it's just a pity the sky was so grey and the water so brown after all the recent rain so the photos aren't as beautiful as they could have been. But all in all I really enjoyed my time out alone this morning. Can I go again this afternoon?

Cold again

I had been enjoying the warmer mornings, but back to 5 degrees this morning and out came the full fingered gloves and long sleeves, even my beanie (but it got too hot and I took it off along the way).

It's amazing how much earlier the sun is rising in just a couple of days. I suppose with all the rain and fog this week I just haven't noticed it as gradually, but with clear skies today it was obvious.

The ride was great. I saw more cyclists than I ever have, particularly between home and Barton Hwy and nearly all going away from the city. Is there something I don't know about? It was just a lovely morning to be out on my bike.

I must admit, however, that I am very much looking forward to the weekend.

Morning Fog

A heavy fog coming in this morning. All I seemed to do was wipe my glasses so I could see through them! Can someone invent windscreen wipers for spectacles.

Apart from first heading out and feeling the water droplets against my skin, it was a lovely ride. At the bunny corner there were more than I've ever seen. At least 20 were out and about and blocking the path. They soon scattered as I rode through with screeching brakes.

Didn't see any fellow cyclists heading to town this morning. Just the one guy who turns into Sandford Street.

The lake was foggy, but beautiful. Could barely see the boats out there, but they were there.

My commuting addiction

I've been awake since 3.30am listening to storms rumbling around, heavy rain, flashes of lightning. Even at 5.30 I looked out the window and reluctantly resigned myself to having to either catch the bus or drive, park at "Shrek in the Swamp carpark" and walk.

I knew that I would really regret not riding. that was when I knew that I have an addiction. I am addicted to my morning commute. The thought of not doing it was painful. Do they have a CCA (Cycle Commuters Anonymous group). Mind you, I don't think it is a harmful addiction. In fact, I think it's quite healthy.

Anyway, I checked the BoM radar on my trusty Samsung Galaxy phone (same phone that takes all these great pics) and realised that the worst of it had passed.

I had my exit strategy. I could just ride to the interchange at Gungahlin. I could catch the 56 from either end of Kosciuosko Ave. I could turn into Wells Station and pick up the 56, 57 or 58. Same with turning at Stanford and once down to Northbourne there are any number of buses to collect.

So I quickly through my knicks and jersey on, shoved my shirt and pantihose in my bag and off I headed.

It was actually a great ride. Nice and warm but with the crisp clear air after the storm. Absolutely gorgeous. On Northbourne I saw the guy in front wearing a Grape Ride shirt and I asked him about it. He has moved from Mudgee 6 months ago. We chatted a little at each set of lights about pros and cons Canberra v's Mudgee (mind you I think for most things Canberra wins).

Ended up a most enjoyable ride. I've started my day properly.

I am now regretting another decision - not to bring my tri suit and goggles to swim at lunchtime. There is always tomorrow!

Overcast but lovely and warm

17 degrees here this morning. Rode without ear warmers or sleeves and only fingerless gloves. How free did that feel! Overcast today and a northerly blowing so got to work in great time.

Just lovely to be out and about on my own this morning.

Also, trying to figure out how I could fit swimming into my busy schedule. Think I have the answer and the problem of cossies solved. Ride to work in my tri suit (with jersey over the top so I don't look too silly). Lunchtime into the tri suit, zip down to Manuka Pool on the bike. Jump in, swim some laps, get out, hop on bike and back to the office. Have my super-dri towel here (hopefully I can leave clothes and towel in toilets hidden under the sink or somewhere), quick tidy up and back into office clothes. Wear normal knicks home keeping tri suit here for swimming days. I'm not competing in triathlon this year (at least I don't plan to) so having the suit here would be better than in the drawer at home. This also solves the problem of cycling clothes to get to and from the pool, changing into cossie and back etc. If only there was somewhere to hang my wet tri suit and towel (apart from draping it under my desk).

I'll head down to the pool at lunchtime today and investigate admission etc. It has me excited. My swimming is awful, but with some practice ...

Another beautiful day

Another beautiful day in our nation's capital. The swans, ducks and geese were enjoying the early morning sunshine. Riding west on the trip home with the sun against my back was just delightful.

Thank God its Friday

I truly do thank God that it is Friday today. It has been a long, tiring week out every night until after 9.15pm. Didn't sit down at all last night, straight from busy working around the house to bed. The only time I was on a chair was eating dinner. I am totally exhausted. But this is not the place for venting. This is about my commute.

Cool again this morning, back to 5.something but clear skies which were beautiful. A light frost in a few places and mist over the paddocks along Mullangarri and Gungaderra. Truly spectacular.

Lights were totally knocked down by a car at Stanford Road. Would have hate to have seen the car.

Saw my favourite rabbits and a duck with her ducklings on one of the many small ponds along the way.