Cycling in Germany and France with Raelene.

Four intrepid cyclists met at the airport on a Friday morning in May and embarked on a trip of a lifetime for some of them. We were met by Mary and Alan at the airport so that we had a group of 6 cyclists who were all on folding bikes. These proved to be extremely satisfactory for touring, as well as travelling on the plane. We were given better luggage allowance for these bikes. We landed in Frankfurt, in Germany, assembled the bikes, and loaded our luggage onto them and away we cycled through a Beech forest and eventually made our way 30km to Mainz.

We had a beautiful camp ground to stay at, so put up the tent and left our gear, and shopped for the food for the next few days and settled in. We were allowing 4 days here to look around and get all that we needed. By the time we took off to start the "real trip" we were well accustomed to the bikes and cycling on the right hand side of the road.

We had a very well planned tour, in that we started off beside the Rhine River, on canal paths, and bike ways, for several days, and gradually we wound our way up the hills into the hillside villages and started to experience real countryside. The language had changed for starters; - not German now but French, in the morning its "Morgen" in Germany but "Bon Jour" in French, so out came the language phrase books!
We enjoyed shopping at the local super marche and there were loads of different ones, and the people who recognised that we weren't local, tried to help and were very friendly. The different experiences made us really appreciate our own group dynamics and we looked out for each other all the time.

We visited historic places as we rode along and met up with another couple for a week and enjoyed their skills with language and bike riding very much, - I am hoping that they will come to Australia and we can cycle together again.

As we approached the Alps we realised that we had ridden into some fitness and this would help us when we needed it. Several of the hills made Australia look flat! We were now prepared for Alp D'Huez, the big hill that the Tour de France riders do most every year, - except this one! Alp d’Huez is 1,860m, 14 kilometres long and has 21 corners (where you can catch your breath) as the degree of climb is 10% for almost all the climb!

I very much enjoyed the scenery and the opportunity to meet new people. We rode the whole distance from Frankfurt to Bourg D'Oisons (south of Grenoble) and our total distance was 1,465km. In 5 weeks away, that isn't a big average, but it is not easy to ride a loaded bike in that terrain all day long. We were trying to be into camp by 3-30pm so that we had the tents up before the rain came at 4pm. It is so beautiful and green in Europe even in summer and we had no wind to speak of, and it wasn't cold. I would love to go back again next year!

I have loads of photos to remind me about the trip away though so that may have to do the job!

Cheers Raelene
Editors "I will get some photos from Raelene to add to this story"

Young Jax has his first run on the Trike

Sorry for the lack of posts lately but I have been busy becoming a Grandpa.
My Dad Bob in Adelaide has also been a bit crook so updating the website has moved down the priority list a bit. However things a back on track so hopefully I can get a lot more riding in as well as regular updates of the Blog.

Inaugural Kona Mawson Marathon Ride

Hi Peninsula Pedallers
Karen & I are now entered in the Inaugural Kona Mawson Marathon Ride as a Straight Through Duo Pair. 367 km from Blinman to Melrose starting at 0730 Friday June 11th. Cut off Finish time is 5:30pm Saturday. Phil is our official support crew.
We are team ‘Hot Eyre’.
Having completed our longest training ride last Sunday of 10.25 hours we are now tapering for the big day & night! We are equipped with GPS navigation, hydropacks, Perpetuem liquid nutrition, electrolytes, mobile phone, emergency tarpaulin, spare tire, 2 spare tubes, tools, matches, first aid gear, LED lights, Buff headwear, weather proof clothing & changes & cans of ‘V’. Hope that covers it!
Cheers Sylvia

Late Update

Karin slipped & tore a hammy on Wednesday while mopping a floor so is out of action for a while! Mike Stockdale will ride instead so a Port Lincoln team should get to the start line next Friday

MTB ride out to national park.

Absolutely Magnificent day. After cancelling the kayak portion of the day due to the bad weather forecast we were presented with one of those special days just made for cycling. No wind, nice temperature and lovely scenery. Six of us headed out with Jim joining us for the first time on a MTB ride. We rode out along the trail till the National park were we did a figure of eight suggested by our ride planner Dene who is now recovering nicely. Some sweet riding along some overgrown paths and trails led to some superb spots along the shore of Proper bay with lots of photos taken. A climb up the hill from the entrance led us to a very rocky hill and descent with Jim handling the challenge with ease. Leonie was a bit more careful not to come a gutser on the rocky trail. This was followed by a return ride along the Parnkalla trail returning to Del Giornos for a coffee. Finally we returned to Arteyria gallery for a sausage sizzle for lunch made by Ross' Folk music group.

On the way out to the National Park



Two of the Ladies by the bay.



The view across the bay.








Mary


Jo


Jim



Climbing a hill in the National Park


Jim and Jo having a drink stop.

THE RIVENDELL LIST OF TIPS FOR BETTER CYCLING.

Learn right away that the front brake is the most effective one, and to never lock the front wheel in dirt (or on the road, but it's more likely in dirt). Learn how far you can lean over without scraping a
pedal.

Learn to keep the inside pedal UP when you corner, and learn to ride safely in all conditions. Be the master and commander of your own bicycle.

Signal your approach to pedestrians, especially if they're old, and a bell is better than "On your left! right" If no bell, try clacking your brake levers. If all you got is "On your left! right" that's fine, but if you ride a lot on paths, get a bell.

At least one ride in 10, go without your sunglasses and gloves.

Sometime next month, put some double-sided cheap-style pedals on a good bike and ride in non-cycling garb. It works shockingly well, and sends a good message to would-be bicycle riders.

Carry an extra tube you can give to somebody with a flat tire and just a repair kit.

If you're a guy, don't try to be a mentor to every female cyclist you meet.

Don't ride in shoes you can't walk through an antique shop in.

Don't wear clothing that makes your sweat stink even more.

Don't think you'll go faster in a significant way if you and your bike become more aerodynamic.

Put a $20 bill inside your seat post or handlebar and hold it there, somehow.

Don't ride until you're confident you can fix a flat.

If you ride more than one bike, have a set of bring-along tools for each one. Learn how to remove your rear wheel (put the chain onto the small cog, etc.).

If you ride in a group, bring food for you and somebody who forgot to.

Go for a one-hour ride underdressed sometime, because it's good to be really cold on a bike every now and then.The reverse (overdressing in hot weather) is not necessary!

Never blame your bike or your health or anything else if you're the last one up the hill or in to the rest stop.

If your brake hoods are black, wrap your bars with a different color tape, so it doesn't look like a one-piece set-up.

Never let your chain squeak.

If you pass another rider going up a hill, say more than "Hi," but if it's a woman and you aren't, don't assume she wants to chit-chat. Treat her as you'd have a generic guy-rider treat your wife/daughter/girlfriend.

If you're a woman and it's a guy, you can chit-chat all you like, they won't mind.

If you see another rider approaching you from the rear and trying to catch you, let it happen. Fun is more important than fast.

Don't put any cyclist up on a pedestal, except Lon and Freddie.


Sometimes, bring normal food on your ride. Sometimes bring none. If you're reasonably
well-rested and have eaten anything at all in the last eighteen hours (and are not diabetic), you should be able to pedal your bike for two to three hours without supercharging your system with carbohydrates.

Believe it or not, carbs really do make you fat, and are necessary only for long, hard rides.

Shoot photos on your rides and give them away.

Feel comfortable mixing high tech and low tech, old and new parts and technologies, and don't apologise to anybody for it.


Compliment other people's bikes, especially if they're new.

Buy the cheapest helmet that fits well.

Try seersucker shirts for hot weather riding, and long-sleeved ones are best.

Don't underestimate fig bars.

If you get a new widget and like it, don't "swear by it."

Don't always shop by price and never ask for discounts at your local bike shop. Every time you go into a bike shop, spend at least $2, and if you ask a question and get good advice, spend $5.

If you buy a rack, don't ask for free installation.

Don't assume your bike shop is making money.

Ride only when you feel like it.

If you know a fast new rider, don't say, "You really ought to race."

If you see a stocky woman rider, don't suggest she race track.

Have at least one bike you feel comfortable riding in a downpour.

Ride in weather that keeps other cyclists indoors.

Never keep track of your pedaling cadence.

If you have a normal loop or ride, count the number of times you shift on it; then the next time you ride it, cut that in half and see if it makes any difference.

Learn to ride no-hands and to hop over obstacles, but not simultaneously.

Never hit a pedestrian. In traffic, be visible and polite. Don't feel as though you must be a role model for all other riders; be polite for selfish reasons.

If you have several bikes, set them up with different equipment but always ride the saddle you like best.

Don't try to keep up with faster descenders if you're not comfortable descending.

Never apologise for buying something that's not quite pro quality by saying, "I'm not going to race or anything."

If you buy a stock bike, do something to it that makes it the only one exactly like it in the world.

Don't think it's important to match front and rear hubs or rims.

If you borrow somebody else's bike, for a short test or a long ride, say something nice about it.

Always bring a pump.

Build at least one wheel.

Wear out something.

Don't ever describe any bike, no matter how inexpensive or dilapidated, as "a piece of crap."

If you get a fancy bike assembled by somebody else, allow them a scrape or two, especially if the bike is really expensive.

Thanks to the http://www.adelaidecyclists.com/ for this interesting list from Rivendale website.

Commuting worth trying.

When you drive a car all the time you forget to see(or do not notice) some of the beautiful sites of your own town. Just a couple of examples of what I am talking about. A couple of photos of my extended commute home last night after dayshift.


Definitely better than being in a climate controlled box stuck in traffic!!

Raelene when she first started riding.

I just found this photo of when Raelene first started riding.







Wait for it!



















No not really. I found this photo on this interesting cycling Blog
http://saddleupbike.blogspot.com/