It was going to be my:
- first long road ride (not a commute)
- first real hills
- first group ride
Going around Centennial Park is actually quite boring after a while, so it was good to get out and about.
We met at 6:30am and I was expecting to just be alone with my husband, but we had 3 friends come along, which made it much more social and I was very glad. (I don't work that well directly with my husband haha).
Worst parts
The hills.I know now why everyone tells me that Centennial Park has no hills (despite me still struggling up the slight incline between the kids bike track and the horse gates)
The worst was the first hill. I didn't realise it was happening and by the time I realised, I was halfway up and in the incorrect gear so I stomped through.
2 metres to the top I could barely turn the pedals and almost became stationery and rolled backwards down the hill but noticing a cyclist behind me, pulled out some extra and made it that extra bit.
Phew.
After a whole lot more riding, we got to Coogee.
The last hill (Torrington) was crazy. I was about to give up after Mons, and the guys had to wait heaps for me, but I thought, I'll just keep rolling and maybe one do more hill, but I was lucky and Torrington was the last one.
Best part
Riding with friends on the road.
Having the road all to ourselves and not having to worry too much about motorists / traffic. It actually makes the 6:30am start soooooo worthwhile.
NEW TOY! Commuter bike update!
We also went to the local bike shop and put aside a rack to be mounted on my commuter bike.
I was thinking of getting a rear basket as well but the shop recommended getting panniers so the weight on the bike is lower and it's a bit easier to manage.
Looking briefly at the pannier bags in the store, I said "but they're so backpack looking, I wish there were pretty ones!" and they suggested Gazelle bikes nearby that stock Basil bike bags from the Netherlands.
Yeah, there's a lot of floral...
Initially, after seeing it on CycleStyle, I was thinking of getting the Basil Elements Shoulder Bag which looks more like a handbag.
(Great review by velo-city-girl.blogspot.com.au)
But then thinking a bit more about it, I think I will get this one - purple Jada shopper XL
Rather than a bag that will replace my handbag, I think I want a bag that might fit a smaller handbag but also a change of clothes + bike lock etc, and so I think this one kind of suits.
And hopefully the purple is likely to match the pink & black of my bike.
But I'll wait until I get the rack installed on my bike so I can check the sizing. (It's a bit hard to gauge off the internet).
It's finally happened
The car has been relegated and the bikes now get ownership of the garage.
Holiday!
My current goal (to have it recorded it here) is to go on a LaPa ride every 2 days...
We'll see.
