The Winter weather has been unseasonably good this last week (and is showing signs of continuing to do so, I may say) so it would seem crazy not to take advantage of it and so I have been doing so. TWO rides this week, unheard of thing!
On Tuesday I did a quick run up to Sydney to visit #1 son and, since my wife had the car for a workshop she was doing, I decided to take the bike. NOW, having said on numerous occasions that I hate Sydney and Sydney traffic and that I would not like to ride through it, I decided that a mid-morning run wouldn’t be THAT bad, could it? Besides I could combine the care run with a run through the RNP, something I haven’t done for months and I could make a day of it.
Now it’s not as bad as it seems. Graeme lives in Marrickville which is on “our” side of Sydney and it’s only about 90ks to his place. We’ve visited dozens of times and we know the way and the shortcuts, even the right lane to be in at he right time, especially when it comes to the rat’s nest of intersections on the Rockdale by-pass near the airport.
My idea was to do a quick “up” run and take my time with more scenic pursuits on the way home. It really was a doddle and I made excellent time to Graeme’s place, checked in on how his recovery is going and lit out southwards in search of more interesting adventures. At Loftus I cut eastwards and started on the scenic route, through the Royal National Park and my mantra about only riding RNP in the midweek proved to be true once more. Despite the huge winds on the weekend, the roads were clear of debris and mercifully completely devoid of traffic. Not even the now-compulsory stop-go section in the middle could disturb my equanimity as I cruised on through.
It’s been a lot of years since I have visited Bundeena, the picturesque little village perched on the edge of the river, so it was time to renew the acquaintance. It’s still pretty, but it’s way more crowded than I remember it and the quality of cars cruising round the main street seems to suggest that serious amounts of money are now required should one want to live there. I don’t and I haven’t but that doesn’t detract from the beauty.
The road quality is a bit patchy (did you see what I did there?) but I wasn’t in a hurry so I had time to plan ahead and avoid the worst of the potholes.
I didn’t stop at Bald Hill (seen it once or twice before) and I tootled down the mountain and came home via the beachside suburbs. Only a few people on the beaches but that doesn’t stop them from being picturesque. I paused for a few photos on the Sea Cliff Bridge, something I also hadn’t done for quite a while. While I was there a nice young Indian man stopped and asked me if I wanted him to take a photo of myself looking out over the ocean! I thanked him very much but declined. How could he know that it’s just in my back yard? I was gratified to be asked anyway.
Anyway, here’s how Relive saw my day.
On Tuesday night I received a call from Tony, one of my regular riding mates asking me if I’d like to go for a ride on Wednesday. Would I ever. Once again it was an early start as Tony had to be home by a bit after lunch. We headed down through Jamberoo and out to Kiama then down the highway to Bomadery where we cut east and started home up the coast road past Shoalhaven Heads. That road has deteriorated badly in the time since I rode it last, not pleasant at all.
A leisurely cup of hot chocolate and a scone and jam and cream at Saltwater in the main street of Kiama then we headed in separate directions on our way home. No photos this time but a very pleasant ride once again. Tony is great company, we both ride in the same head-space and it’s great to get together with him. He’s looking for a new bike, too, something with a lower seat height, watch this space.
Again, Relive documents the journey, enjoy.
Catch you next time.