My New Bike: 20 October 2006

I've been looking for a while for a new bike. My old bike was too heavy, almost 20 kg. It had plenty of life remaining but was not suitable for the longer rides I want to do, such as Adelaide to Melbourne early next year. I don't believe you have to spend a lot of money and $1,500 was my absolute limit. Better brakes, shocks, handlebars and rims tend to filter down eventually into the lower price brackets and I'm not interested in the latest stuff.

My new bike took me unexpectedly; I just started my search after someone suggested buying a secondhand bike. Within two days I found my bike. I very much like my Avanti road bike and was lucky to find a reasonably priced Avanti Hammer in my size.

Sydney Spring Cycle: 22 October 2006

The City to Surf for bike riders. This year was my third time along this 50 km course from North Sydney, St Leonards Oval to Olympic Park. This year Bicycle NSW changed the course slightly and there was no mad rush down the Pacific Highway on to the Harbour Bridge, instead they put in a few corners, I guess to try and slow riders down, didn't seem to work. I also noticed a lot more traffic on the road, there were not many complete road closures this year other than at the start.

I did this on my mountain bike, there was some rain at the beginning. My road bike was not going to be safe, thiner tires plus water on my wheels could mean that I'm not going to be able to brake. So this year I completed the ride in just under 3 hours, not a good time but you need to slow down with all the other types of riders ducking and driving and falling off all over the place. Great fun but need to stay alert.

Watch www.springcycle.com.au for next year's ride.