I have some catching up to do – you have all been very busy riding and writing. I noticed one challenge is radiation – or something similar. Well, I did make reference to ‘radiant’ in my most recent post so I will link to it HERE. The thing is that we have days following an … Continue reading "A bit of Radiant Heat wouldn’t go amiss"
It’s mid-winter here and we are having a foggy, frosty damp time of it. It feels like my brain has shut down and I have gone into a state of torpor. The above picture is from a wintery Melbourne some years ago. Found it when looking at pictures taken in June over the past few … Continue reading "Not doing too much"
I don’t have many old pictures related to cycling, so this month’s challenge is, well, a challenge. I do, however, have some recent before and after pictures from nearby. Taken on bike rides but not showing bikes so not really an entry. The above is my shortest “standard” ride. It’s 15 kilometres that can be … Continue reading "Old, damaged and then GONE"
Yearning to be able to return to Swansea on Tasmania’s east coast. However, it was my birthday and I was on a ride. Towards the end I realised I could make it a ‘ride your age in kilometers’ ride. The story is HERE.
There’s the golf ball. No recent cases of covid-19 in Northern Tasmania. In the north-west it is another story with a large cluster focussed on the North-West Hospital and a patient returning from the Ruby Princess Plague Ship. This is a ride I put together for the Melbourne Brompton Club’s blog. Hi Dayna,In these isolated … Continue reading "Still here, still riding"
Still able to get out and cycle in this State, I cycled a short loop out of Longford and on the way back headed to the shops. Click Here for the story. Stay well everyone.
More of the same I am afraid. A little trip around Longford and a visit to the shop. This time the local Bottlo to purchase the weekend supply of IPA. How are you all going in this time of restrictions? We are knocking over home type tasks that have been wanting for some time. Cleaned … Continue reading "CLC #4. Longford, TAS"
It’s Autumn. Sometimes summer hangs on well into autumn. This year it loosened it’s grip on day 1 so the cold and COVID-19 eases its way in. Tasmania has closed it’s borders to anyone not Tasmanian. Today a friend from Hobart is attempting to fly back from Hanoi. He has cut his cycling tour from … Continue reading "Cycle Life Challenge #2 : Longford"
For my CLC Ride #1 I decided to take a trip to Launceston and buy a Trangia Triangle. What is it? A mini support and windshield for a Trangia stove burner. They do exist and here is a picture of one from the Interweb. I tried to find one and failed, so I bought something … Continue reading "CLC 2020. Ride #1. Launceston"
At last – the picture I have been looking for. Almost. The image above includes cycle plus sheep. You can’t really see though so here is the sheep in shadow. The front one thinks she is in the shade, or just enjoys snuggling with a wheel. The other one really is in the shade of … Continue reading "Sheep in Shadow – again"
Today there were plenty of sheep but none in shadow. Although the sun was getting up there, the cool wind from the east was keeping the sheep in the field. When it gets hot they often seek shade in the shadows thrown by the pivot wheels (sometimes even the shadow from the main bar!) – … Continue reading "Hunting Sheep in Shadows"
I have been pushing the ever-decreasing “Little Grey Cells” to set a challenge for myself. I set out this morning on a short, slow ride around Longford deliberately looking for inspiration. Then, AHA!. While out cycling we often see sheep sitting or standing or fighting for space in the shadows – to get out of … Continue reading "Sheep in the Shadows"
My challenge to self for 2019 was to cycle 6,000 kilometers in the year. “Ride with GPS” kept my totals with a difference between two of the 2019 counters. I could not work out why this was so. By yesterday I was still short by one of the measures but a ride this morning on … Continue reading "2019 Challenge – Success at last !!"
I tried to get a summer picture at the same place – but couldn’t see the sun! So I have to stand further back. Brompton is in there standing against the house. Thank you all for your recent comments. Our area has no fires at the moment but friends both here is Tasmania and on … Continue reading "Solstice in Tasmania"
Hi there, I haven’t posted for a while. The last 2 months have been awful with weather patterns being driven by unusual sea temps in the Southern and Indian Oceans causing winds normally south of us to be lifted to Tasmania. The winds have been strong. Cycling has been difficult. I have my annual challenge … Continue reading "The wind has dropped !!"
Not terribly picturesque but the picture does show flags. I am trying “Pray Flags” on the trike but they are not getting much response. Except – “I didn’t see them!”. So I suspect you won’t see them either and will concentrate on the subject – the flag at half-mast. The green fence surrounds the Longford … Continue reading "Local flag at half-mast"
This picture was a day early because I won’t be at home this evening. Yes, the driveway is pretty much oriented east / west. The Winter Solstice picture. From now the sun will “walk” south (left) for the next 3 months and we should enjoy some warm weather. This week there has been a run … Continue reading "Equinox in Tasmania"
Colin took this picture during Sunday’s Launceston (TAS) Tweed Ride. The riders are on top of the Levee that protects Launceston from flooding. The surface up there is bumpy with large gravel. Bluey took the bumps better than Red Magnum so Colin took a more comfortable detour and waited for us to return. There is … Continue reading "A Line of Cyclists"
I have just drunk my Sunday morning coffee having dressed in Tweed for today’s Launceston Junction Art Festival’s Tweed Ride. While quenching thirst I caught up with the “In Line” entries. So many and so good but I hadn’t time to comment on each – so here is another! The picture is of a row … Continue reading "Trees in Line"
Pivots are irrigation devices that pivot around a huge lump of concrete. They can be many units long and the wonders of electric motors and GPS keep them in line while performing a 360° circle issuing water to the crops. Friends who have flown to Hobart in summer say the countryside has been transformed by … Continue reading "A Pivot Line"
I cycled past this Blue Gum then turned and went back. The Blue Gum flowers are a critical food source for the endangered Swift Parrot. The Swift Parrots come across to Tasmania (from mainland Australia) in Spring to breed and, on arrival, have to seek the flowering trees. Blue Gums don’t flower every year – … Continue reading "Blue Gum. Eucalyptus Globulus"
I logged in this morning to see how the monthly challenge is going. Well, it took ages to read everyone’s posts; Subject: Trees. A very popular challenge it seems and a very interesting one. Today I add another Eucalyptus …… sorry, not sure of type. When I cycle out of Longford, this road is one … Continue reading "A Simple Gum Tree"
The weather stayed fine for an extra day. After this it’s back to cold and wet and I am scheduled for a needle to relieve (I hope) a part-frozen shoulder. This will stop riding for a couple of days. So, on a sunny but cold yesterday, I went for a ride to Bracknell. In the … Continue reading "Another acacia – the Blackwood"
Native to California and Oregon, one found it’s way to Longford, Tasmania. I cycle past this one any day I ride the Brompton to the shops – a couple of times a week to get papers and milk for Latte making. It’s looking it’s best at the moment. Also known as Silktassle Bush, you can … Continue reading "This one is a Garrya Elliptica"
I had to visit Launceston, Tasmania (not the English town of the same name) today and the thought was with me – “Bricks” and the Cycle 365 challenge for May.
Yep. 500+ kilometers in February even though it only has 28 days and on the last 2 days I can’t cycle – involved in showing family members the delights of Tasmania. More details can be found here – TC Blog
It’s been a busy month down here in Tasmania for me, which means I haven’t clocked up quite as many kilometres as I would have liked. It’s all good though as I plan on being much more relaxed about my cycling in 2019. No chasing distances or Strava segments or anything like that. I’m simply … Continue reading "January Challenge – The smoke clears"
I rode to Deloraine for an overnight camp. This sky looked great. The first day was very windy, the second day OK. The overall average speed was very slow. The story of the ride can be found here.
It’s been cloudy or I’ve been asleep or I just plain missed it – but yesterday I managed a sunset picture. Our driveway heads somewhat east / west so I took the shot there. I will probably have to walk a bit further along to get the winter solstice picture!
My 2018 challenge is to ride 100 k each week. This changed to 5,200 k in the year (average 100k) after some weeks not making the 100. 2 weeks and 161 k to go. To help the totals along this week I “did” an S24O ride. Notes can be found HERE. This coming week I … Continue reading "Shhhhh …. My 2018 Challenge is going well"
“We can’t stop here, this is bat country!” – Hunter S. Thompson All the Coffeeneuring and Vinouring posts on here got me thinking. I’m not much of a wine drinker, but I do love a good whisky or dark rum every now and then. So I had an idea … … Could Whiskyneuring be a thing? … Continue reading "Whiskyneuring – Could it be a thing?"
Last Sunday I headed north to take on the 100km Sally’s Ride. Tony also rode (the 45km route) on his ‘bent and you can read his post here. All the proceeds from this Charity Ride go to much deserving local charities. Many of the State’s strongest riders turn up to hammer the metric century route … Continue reading "THANKSGIVING CHALLENGE: SALLY’S RIDE (100KM)"
Today I cycled the 45k ride in Sally’s Ride, Launceston, Tasmania. The profits from the ride all go to local charities – so I reckoned it fitted under the banner of community service even if not directly.
Coffeeneuring Ride Number 6 took place on a lovely 23°C day, no wind until on the way back and a chance meeting with friends on the way. Read all about it HERE
The day for Coffeeneuring dawned very windy, stormy and without power due to electrical cells in the storms. Only a short ride then. But where? Ah, there’s a new Bakehouse in Perth and a new bit of track at the end of the the Breadalbane to Perth shared track to try, so starting at Devon … Continue reading "Tasmanian Coffeeneuring #4. The Country Bakehouse, Perth"
G’day there cycle buddies! I’ve been away from the site for a little while due to this and that. Mostly because the guy a couple of doors down dug a trench straight through our broadband internet cable, grrr! I’ve been reading a few posts, but haven’t been able to comment or write one of my … Continue reading "September Challenge: Watch out for wildlife!"
Saturday morning I set out with a solo 100km in mind. That’s about as far as I ever go. I’m no long distance cyclist, preferring to smash out a more intense two or three hours in the saddle. Sometimes though you need to go on a journey and as I had nothing else to do … Continue reading "An accidental imperial century"
Featured image: A gloriously chilly winter morning sunrise from the summit of Mount Nelson. With half the year gone already (whaaaaat?!?!) I thought I’d check in on how I’m getting on so far. I don’t really set mileage goals as it’s so variable, but in a previous post somebody asked if I would hit 10,000km for … Continue reading "Half Yearly Progress Check"
We were riding River Road at Deloraine after overnight rain. The colours in the eucalypts really stood out in the sun that had just appeared. The picture also contains the bike in shadows in the middle at the bottom. The colours did not transfer to pixels too well but you will get the idea.
Scott asked for it – so here it is. Today (or maybe tomorrow depending on offical Astronomical reckoning) is the Winter Solstice. The weather has recently returned to being around 0°C overnight and 10-12°C during the day and sunny once the early morning fog goes. So today the sun is out and there is no … Continue reading "Winter Solstice in Tasmania"
127 kilometres cycled this week – my personal weekly challenge met. Next week maybe not as a lot of rain is scheduled. To read about it hop over to here : tonyscycling.blog
Back in the day in Tasmania there was a passenger rail service. In 1978 the last trip of the Tasman Limited took place and I believe this is the train that would have stopped at the Perth Railway Station.
After a crap week I had a ride along the Perth to Breadalbane cycle path looking for a suitable tree to use in the Challenge. Previously I had taken bridge pictures but the realised I took them on June 1 so they were now just so yesterday. Why was it a crap week? did I … Continue reading "A young gum tree"
June challenge! What? Is it really June already?!?! Where do the months go… We’ve had some sketchy weather in Hobart of late as we slide into winter. A couple of weeks ago the city experienced the most rainfall in a 24 hour period in something like 60 years. Many homes and businesses were flooded and/or … Continue reading "Sleeping trees"
The days are really cooling down now. If the sun doesn’t come out the house stays cool, the outside air is cool and the inside heater is on! Minimum cycling temperature for the week was 4°C at a 10am start and that did feel a bit chilly. This has caused winter cycling gear to be … Continue reading "2018 week #20 – good cycling this week"
I don’t really set distance goals these days, I just try and ride my bike as much as I find enjoyable. After all, I ride purely for enjoyment with the fitness aspect being a nice bonus! That said, I do try and hit 200km per week as a very rough general target. Some weeks I … Continue reading "Passing 4000km for the year so far"
The iconic (for Tasmania) Tasman Bridge is the main connection between the Eastern and Western Shores and a significant landmark of Hobart. I cross over the Tasman Bridge each weekday on my journey to work and back (aboard my motorised two-wheeler rather than by pedal power). I have cycled across it a handful of times, but … Continue reading "The Tasman Bridge Disaster"
I have been thinking about all the new Challenges appearing and how and which to tackle. Then it struck me, I had better stick to the Challenge I set myself at the beginning of the year – to ride 100 kilometres each week. I allow myself to ride any or all bikes in the stable … Continue reading "Challenges galore – what to do?"
This 1970’s style concrete road bridge is not as romantic as “Ferry Cross The Mersey” by Gerry and the Pacemakers but it got me from West to East Devonport. While crossing I didn’t sing “Ferry C T Mersey” much to everyone’s relief. Devonport is big on petroleum and bunker fuel imports. It smells very rich. … Continue reading "Brompton on a “Bridge cross the Mersey”, Tasmania"
My seventh and final ride for this year’s CLC is actually a number of rides melded into one. There’s a reason for this though. This week I’ve been on holiday along the North Coast of Tasmania so took the opportunity to do a bit of exploring by bicycle. My wife April knows I get a … Continue reading "CLC2018 Ride 7: Tourism Tasmania"
I could not rely on Kathleen’s good nature to let me off again (for not proving a purchase). So I remedied the situation asap with this ride around the Norfolk Plains area. Story HERE.
Whoops. I did it again. Again. A ride enjoyed, lots of photographs but none of the purchase to support local communities. But it was a good ride from Penguin to Turner’s Beach and you can read about it here.
Love em or hate em, hills are a part of cycling. They call your name, taunt you, entice you. I like climbing, but there was a time in the not-so-distant past where I would avoid any big climbs in favour of posting higher average speeds and more miles on the clock. These days I’m learning … Continue reading "CLC2018 Ride 6: Mornings on the mountain"
I am managing one CLC ride a week and, with 2 weeks left in the Challenge, should be able to hit the magic number 7 in time. This week’s ride was a tiny one so I will have to do better for #7. For the details click HERE. I have to say I am enjoying … Continue reading "CLC 2018 Ride #6 – one to go and 2 weeks left"
My weekday morning routine is pretty standard. Wake up early, bowl of porridge for breakfast, get ready, then wheel the Ninja out of the garage for a blast into the office. I plan my departure time depending on how long I want to be out cycling before work. There’s nothing like and hour’s sunrise pedalling … Continue reading "CLC2018 Ride 5: The seven switchbacks of Mount Nelson"
This morning I set out on my ride with two goals: to clock up 100km and to average 30kph over the ride. I had a plan to ride my local “Bakery Loop” training circuit until I had the job done. I love this loop as it snakes along the coastline offering beautiful views across the … Continue reading "CLC2018 Ride 4: Local loops and meeting new friends"
Today I rode to Four Springs Lake. The Lake is an artificial construct developed to provide low altitude fishing and is much used early and late in the fishing season when the highlands can be cool.
A wrap-up of the week’s cycling for me. I tried a new local cycle trail that came into view as we were finally allowed to drive a new section of 4 lane highway on the Midland Highway. Unbeknown to us the works had included a shared cycleway. It currently runs from a difficult to access … Continue reading "Whoops – forgot a title"
We have had quite a bit of rain recently. Nothing like in Queensland but enough to water the garden .. several times over. When it stopped and the wind died out I though “I haven’t ridden to Carrick recently”. It’s a decent ride, there is a Cafe for lunch – so I went for Ride … Continue reading "CLC 2018 Ride #4"
I am thoroughly enjoying reading everyone’s CLC entries – and viewing the pictures showing the various cycling landscapes. There are a number of places I would like to cycle in – starting with Dune from Bill. Here is the link to my latest ride : Tony’s Ride #3
Following alongside the now-disused railway track, the Hobart Innercity Cycleway makes for a great car-free cycle from the waterfront along the Derwent River up to Claremont and back. From my office, it’s a relatively flat 32km (~20 mile) return trip of wide and smooth purpose built concrete path. Sunrises and cycles. Repping in my Woking CC … Continue reading "CLC2018 Ride 2: Cycleway to Sweet Sassafras"
A cracking Saturday morning down here in Tassie so I planned to make up for last week’s disaster of a ride. With the sun still sleeping below the horizon as I unloaded the bike out of the car, I could tell today was going to be another perfect day for cycling. The Herd weren’t meeting … Continue reading "CLC2018 Ride 1: Hundred with The Herd"