One Final Ride For 2011

Cleveland Point

I've been trying to find time to jump on the bike all week, but instead, have found myself busy carrying out last minute preparations prior to my impending departure.

After a ride invitation last night, I finally manage to slot in one final ride for 2011 on a stunning Saturday morning. A quick 55km run around the Redlands visiting both Wellington and Cleveland Points, followed by a leisurely breakfast at Raby Bay Harbour.

Wellington Point Jetty

The Route

Where to start? That was the big question on my mind 10 months ago when the decision was finally made to take extended leave and travel by bicycle.

My original plan was to circumnavigate Australia. As the planning got underway, it dawned on me that the luxury of taking 12 months leave does not come around every day, so why blow it in your own backyard. I have previously travelled throughout Australia extensively and the remainder of the word started calling, and calling loudly.

Having spent 9 weeks in the UK and Europe in 2008, I was left craving more. This was the perfect opportunity to return, but what would I do between the New Year and spring in Europe? New Zealand had been in the back of my mind for some time but I was fixated on some style of tour in Australia. It wasn't until my good ex-wife raised the idea that I physically locked it in. 

A Custom Headbadge

I recently installed a custom head badge to my Surly LHT. It's a little unique and hopefully creates a talking point when I'm on the road. This bespoke headbadge was commissioned from Laura of The Path Less Pedaled (Thanks Laura). 


Handcrafted from copper with a dark patina the badge really makes a statement against the LHT's Truckaccino finish. Check out Russ and Laura's page at www.pathlesspedaled.com Their web site is full of beautiful photography and interesting articles about their travels. Russ and Laura are currently in NZ so who knows, I may just run into them on the South Island in early 2012.

Zee Humble Steed

Choosing the correct touring bike for your needs can be a long and painstaking process. Unfortunately, in Australia, cycle touring is a mysterious pursuit, undertaken only by those who are perceived to be, well, plain crazy in the head. Australia is a large, hot and dry continent and Australians, due to necessity in part, have the car bug, and they’ve got it bad. I’ve known friends to start the car only to drive 200m from their tent to the toilets when camping. Given this attitude, the cycle touring market in Australia is small, minute to be precise when compared to the likes of the UK and Europe. Very few local bike shops stock, let alone understand what constitutes a quality touring bike.

The Adventure

On Tuesday the 17th of January 2012, I will be commencing an adventure of a lifetime, cycling throughout numerous countries around the world starting on New Zealand's spectacular South Island. The planning is well underway for this mammoth 12 month self discovery tour.

I guess I was born riding a bike, as a child that was all I did, ride, ride, ride. I lived, breathed and dreamt about cycling. Unfortunately I was born into a less than sports orientated family and my passion was never developed. When the age of 17 arrived I got my license and embarrassingly fell into the same way of life as many using a motor vehicle far too often. During this period I maintained my interest in cycling, I've always owned a bike but it spent more time being garaged than being loved.