Road Cycling

What a great day it was today. Felt good and strong on the bike. Completed 30km in 54 minutes. Have changed my training schedule slightly. Have oppted to embed some weight training into my afternoon routine.

Weather in Townsville - Summer

One thing which really gets me each year is the amount of rain that Townsville seems to experience each year for extended amounts of time. It's the kind of rain were the weather man says one thing and it always ends up being the other way.

The last 3 weeks Townsville has experienced rain on an almost daily occurrence. To the extent it never seems to rain during the day only in the afternoon when I go for a ride.

It's annoying in a way. I had a good training routine up until the rains came. Now I'm struggling for a quick sprint off at the traffic lights. Even a fast cadence is proving difficult.

Hopefully there isn't to much more raining in the afternoons. Maybe more in the morning would be better :p --- I would go cycling in the morning in Townsville if I didn't have to start most days at 7am or Uni by 8am.

Next weekend I'll be in Cairns looking forward to clear blue skies. :D

What's with the 2.5 inch speed bumps in the Queensland Rail Offices where I usually ride my bike through in Townsville? ... Now why did you have to do a thing like that QR.

Stay Safe When Riding, Cars Will Not Watch Out For You!

Just over a month ago I had the expierence of being hit by a car. It is not a fun thing by far. It is scary and really makes you think twice before going for another ride.

You see, I was hit by a car driver that wanted to get through a yellow light when I was going straight through and the car was crossing over my path. Unfortunately the person driving didn't see me. So he hit me on my back wheel after I moved to avoid the collision as much as possible.

As of that day when I got hit, 21 September, 2008 I am ever so careful about where and who I ride with.

That is why I have made the devision to only ride my road bike in the early hours of the morning at 5:30 - 7am. I'm no longer prepared to ride my bike in the afternoon or when there is any large amount of cars on the road.

I hope that none of my blog readers are ever faced with a bike acciden.

So take heed and choose to ride when there is no cars out and if this is not possible only ride in large groups of riders.

Paluma Push 2008

I competed in the Paluma Push this year for the second time. I did really well, although I could of done better if I didn't come of my bike going down that hill. Yet, I still managed to increase my poll position from 15th last year to 7th. It is intereting I have come 7th in every sports event I have done this year, the cross-country at my school 7th and Paluma Push. Wow, Strange.

I will be posting a video on YOUTUBE soon about The Paluma Push Townsville. This video will show all the riders starting and a few finishing. Until then, I have education to stick my head into!

Hazard!!! Please let the other riders know

I was riding this morning along Bundock street, Townsville with the Townsville Cycle Club, near all the roadworks. Well I was just writing this to let everyone out their that rides a bike to be careful and remember the other riders in a bunch.

I merely escaped a accident that could of left me unconscious. You see the other rider to the right of me was riding along and no-one directed their was a hazard or said anything. So, a fellow hit on of those markers that the council use to block of lanes and tumbled while the rider behind him followed. We called an Ambulance which also took 30min, even though their was an accident they didn't come very fast even with the rider in an unconscious state.

It just makes me annoyed to think that this could of been avoided if the riders ahead were alert.

Just as well the fellow had an ICE number. I know that I will be having a tag around my neck with an ICE number like the fellow who came off. I want to make it to the hospital and alert my friends / families of my accident.

 Please, remeber that if you are in a group ride or riding by yourself, to always have an ICE number and a mobile phone.

Out of the 12 riders, only 2 had a phone.

That's it for now, and please alert other riders of hazards!