28.Ride No. 10 - My Milestone Ride!

The plan this morning was to meet Mr M2, drop in to dive shop to say hello to a few people and get dive computer and transmitter fixed, ride through Natio to Bald Hill, try to find our way to Nan Tien Temple in Wollongong and home. The goal was to clock in 200kms... instead my 10th ride ended up being an epic 320km milestone ride!!! =))) This was how it all panned out...

While Mr M2 and I were turtling our way through natio, a whole bunch of riders started overtaking us... and for some odd reason, every rider that passed started waving. I was thinking... hmmm, what a friendly bunch. It wasn't until we got to Bald Hill did I realise they were all part of SR. Lol.

Anyway, we all stopped to chat at Bald Hill. I found out the ride was for the gang to ride to KV. Neither Mr M2 and I were keen until Mr R asked if we'd like to come along. The ride plan has now change and they were heading to Mac Pass. We were both initially quite hesitant as this meant that someone had to slow down and wait for us... In the end, after a few people suggested that this would be a good opportunity, we both decided to sign up for it... well, Mr M2 got dragged into it really.

Here's the ride route we did... http://g.co/maps/2zb84

We went through Mac Pass where there were a couple of pretty sharp hairpin turns... it was a really good experience considering my limited skills!! Also went through a bridge which was under water!! That was fun!! =) We then rode to Bowral and into Mittagong for lunch.

It was nice meeting a few new people. We stopped by at Yerrinbool for ice cream and made our way through the hume highway to Appin, Engadine and finally to Kirrawee where we stopped for Maccas. This was where everyone split off and headed home.

Overall, great experience for me. I learnt heaps and managed to put a few things into practice.

PS Big thanks to Mr D for waiting, Mr V for leading part 1 of the ride and giving me tips and Mr R who hung back the whole time at turtle speed and keeping me safe! =)

27. A Nice Little Run to Watson's Bay

On Monday, Mr M2 and I went out for a ride along New South Head road to Watsons Bay. It is a fairly short run and always good for a weeknight after work! =) We also had dinner at Ichiban Boshi (Bondi Junction) and than doubled back up to to do another run to Watsons Bay! Fun night! =)

26. Keeping Up and Frustration

This weekend was a rather interesting one for me... I learnt alot (which I thoroughly enjoyed) but at the same time, I went through periods of frustration of just not understanding. It felt like a reharsh of my learners and it wasn't a plesant feeling. I felt dreadful all day...

On Sunday, Tweet and Mr and Mrs V took me out in an attempt to do the Putty Loop. Unfortunately, because of my poor riding skills, we only ended up only making it to Colo. It was however one of the most valuable riding lessons I've had so a very big Thank You to Tweet and Mr and Mrs V.

I've learnt that as you're riding, you should always be in the correct gear. For the last whole month, I've been riding the bike like it is an automatic. Was I suppose to know better? Not sure.

Regardless, I wasn't able to keep up to speed because I ride in the same gear. For example, as you're riding up hill and the bike starts to not keep up, you're supposed to shift down a gear. And depending on what you're facing as you exit the hill, you change gear accordingly. Say as you exit a hill and its a dead flat straight road, you shift back up to 5th gear. But if it is a flat for a bit and a sharpish turn, you shift up gear as you exit the hill and shift down gear as you appoarch the turn to slow down. And the same thing, as you're going down hill and you feel like your bike is running away from you, you shift down gear and the concept applies.

At this stage, it appears like after I've had the lesson, I've been able to keep up and I'm changing gears more frequently. I'm still not good at judging when I should and shouldn't change and what the right gear is when, but I think I'm starting to get the hang of it. I'm sure with a bit more practice, I'll do alright.

Despite the rather slow and interesting day, a couple of good things still did come out of it
1) I've learnt something new.
2) I clocked a total of about ~210kms. This included my trip to Bondi Junction and back.
3) I rode home from Bondi Junction on my own and not knowing my way home I got stuck in a long long stretch of uphill traffic. Very good practice for uphill starts and stops though! =D
4) I no longer have super sore hands... no more death grips... it has somehow gone away on its on.

25. Weeknight riding! =D

So far, I've ridden twice this weeknight!! Yayy!!

First ride was to Chat Thai at Manly Wharf and some Ben and Jerry's icecream by the beach!! Chat Thai was alright but I thought the Haymarket branch was wayyyyyy better but the queue would also be 1 hour long before you get a table. As for Ben and Jerry's ice cream.... it was yummm!! Had half a big tub of the Choc Chip Cookie Dough!!! I'm still thinking about it....

Anyway, when we got back to our bikes... I found that both bikes were covered in BIRD POO!! I was so totally grossed out. I've never seen that much bird poo in my life. Anyway, being a girl, I normally have spare tissues and was sooo glad I had them that night. NEVER PARK UNDER A FREAKING TREE!!

After the first run of bad luck with bird poo, I got rained on too... but I guess it wasn't all that bad. At least the ride was fun and more importantly, the food and company was good. Oh! I rode in front on the way home too! =)) Getting a bit better as I go along!! I also found my own way home! heehee!

PS. Wind was scary on the Sydney Harbour Bridge! A total weight of rider and bike of 200kg doesn't really hold you very steady....

Second ride this week was to La Pa where we hung out with duffs duffs for a while... and than we made out way into the city and under the habour bridge. It was beautiful there. There were a few corners and I had heaps of fun!! =D Thanks to Mr M2 and Mr J for asking me to tag along!

This time, doing 40+kms feels more like taking a walk in the park as opposed to a run in the park!! =) Slight progression again! YIPEE!!

Already looking forward to the next ride! =)

24. To Natio and Back

The weather today was the perfect riding weather! Nice and sunny but not too hot and not too cold! Today, Mr M took me for a ride down south to the Royal National Park where I clocked a total of 154km. This is more than the last 5 rides combined!! =D

This is also the first time I've attempted twisties of any sort and it was soooo much fun! I mean, yes, my eyeballs were mostly popping out and I gripped the throttle for my life but I made it through all of them bar one (opps).

We had our first proper break at Bald Hill and the view there was fantastic!! We than made our way to Scaborough Hotel for lunch and it was a straight ride back home after! =)

Oh! I finally have enough coordination to nod my head as I ride... no more the rude rider! =D 

Looking forward to my next ride already!