Jocelyn and Alexander Come to Visit

 Alexander's mega cup of coffee at the National Library

 Red Centre Garden at the National Botanic Gardens

 Alexander and Jocelyn at the Botanic Gardens

 View from Dairy Farmers Hill at the Arboretum 

Jocelyn with Jack and Luna

Last week we had a mid week visit from Jocelyn and Alexander from Sydney. Alexander needed to do some driving to get his hours up, so they drove down Tuesday afternoon and stayed with us. We got to catch up and then on the Wednesday I played the tourist guide with them. First off we headed to the National Library and we managed to get a free 40 minute tour of the Treasures Gallery and had a very informative time and saw lots of interesting things. Next we had lunch out on the verandah at the Library and enjoyed the lovely sunshine. Then we visited the Botanic Gardens, where I got to see the new Red Centre Garden for the first time, then we drove home via the Arboretum and got lovely views of Canberra. It was good for me to have rest day from all my riding and it was lovely catching up again!,

Luna Loves Lettuce

I was clearing out the fridge and was going to put the lettuce out for the chooks, however I turned my back and someone else decided she needed a healthy afternoon salad! She munched about half the lettuce and then left it, so the chooks did get the left overs in the end!

Gold Rush To Goulburn

 Lunch stop at the Green Grocer Cafe at Goulburn- a cafe, bike shop and green grocer all in one! Great place to refuel for lunch,

 Morning Tea stop at Collector

 Bikes having a rest at Collector while the riders eat

An early lap around the forecourt at Parliament House before we head off on our big ride

Another big training ride this week on Saturday. We meet at Parliament House at 7am and then 23 of us all on our yellow bikes ( bar one red bike) headed to Goulburn via the Old Federal Highway, Collector and Breadalbane. We look quite an impressive sight in our yellow gear and on our  yellow bikes. We had lunch at Goulburn and then headed back the same way arriving at Parliament House about 5:30pm. I struggled on the way back between Goulburn and Collector- not sure if I had not eaten enough but I must have hit the wall which has never happened before, it took about 60km and a few nut bars and snakes before I got my second wind and felt better. Glad to get home and soak in a bath! Only 5 weeks to go!

6 Weeks to Go

It is just under 6 weeks till I leave for Europe for my big ride. I have been increasing the kilometers last week I did and 80km, two 95km  and a 100 km ride. Feeling a bit tired lately! On Saturday I rode into Parliament House where we took a team photo, Michael Milton rode with us. We then rode up to the Arboretum, I never knew this sign said - Wide Brown Land! Here are a few shots of our adventures that day.

 Here we are at the top of Mt Pleasant- lovely views over the city and a great day for riding.

 These photos are a bit out of order but here we are at Parliament House. This is the whole Aussie Team apart from one Sydney rider. Michael Milton is the guy in white. He is not coming with us, would have liked to but he has been a great support to our team.

 Here is another shot of us out the front of Parliament House

  A photo of me and my bike we look like bumble bees!

 The boys playing around withe their bikes!

View from Mt Pleasant. We rode up The Arboretum, Black Mountain and Mt Pleasant- by the time I rode in and back it was 100 km. I am not getting much else done apart from the basics around the house and the moment!

Canberra to Jervis Bay in a Day- on a Push Bike

Last Saturday was cold- 3 degrees when we started and wet- light rain, rather than stay inside and keep warm I rode from Parliament House to Jervis Bay with my fellow Team R riders and part of our Denmark to Paris training. I was very anxious about it all week due to the weather forecast but there was nothing I could do but get on my bike and ride and try and keep warm. The worst part was the first 66 km to Tarago where we did have light rain most of the way and the water from the road would spray up, but I did arrive reasonably warm but a little soggy!

Bill came along as a support car and was the lead vehicle, it meant I had a place to keep some extra clothes which came in handy.

 Here was are leaving Tarago after morning tea, at least after this the rain did stop, with only the occasional short light shower and the roads were not as wet. After stopping I was cold when I got going, was shivering but had dry gloves on and a warmer jacket, after about 30 minutes I finally warmed up and actually was looking forward to a hill to ride up to warm up. From then on I was reasonably warm and dry.

 We rode through some lovely scenery and the roads were pretty quiet. Cars that did pass us were very good. On a nice day it would be a lovely ride. It was about 7 degrees for most of the morning.

 We stopped for lunch at Nerriga Pub and enjoyed sandwiches and wedges by the open fire and a chance to change out of our wet nicks and put on some dry clothes. I think I had too many wedges then had to ride up a big hill out of Nerriga. After that it was good riding, a few up and down river valleys and then a nice downhill run to some falls were we took the group photo below.

 It was great to finally arrive and have a hot shower, have another group photo and head out for dinner. 

 Bill, me and Damon Oliver at the pub Saturday night for dinner. 

  Next morning we went down to Hymans Beach- pity it wasn't sunny like this the day before. We had a paddle and water was surprisingly warm! It was a great weekend- great group of people to ride with, I only managed 175km out of the 200km as I got two punctures along the way- Amy called me a slacker!

Team Rynkeby Bike Has Arrived

My bike for my Denmark to Paris ride arrived this week. We all had to buy the same bike - there were over 700 Bianchi bikes ordered. I picked mine up last week- it certainly stands out with the bright yellow and it even has some pretty butterflies on it- some of the boys are not to pleased about the butterflies! Don't ask me what the running gear is or group set-but I can tell you it has that lovely mint green on it and pretty butterflies. Seems to ride well, will probably swap over the seat as it it a bit firm!

Sydney Trip

I have been a bit slack with my blog the last few weeks, so trying to catch up! ANZAC Day in the afternoon I drove up to Sydney and stayed with a good friend of Bill and I - Jan Brown. Hadn't seen Jan for about 5 years so it was lovely to catch up. I stayed with her Friday night, then went up to the Sydney Temple Saturday morning. Bindi was up in Sydney with Charlie and Mia for her Aunt's 100th birthday party so we caught up with lunch before they headed off to the party- always lovely to see them.