Bobby , 12 kg and Flags

Today we went for another ride. This time with Bobby, our trailer. We had in mind to do just a short ride.

Last time we took the trailer for some practice, we loaded only 6 kg into it. As we hardly could tell the difference, we came up with the idea, this time it should be 12 kg. By 6-15 am we left home. Went along Warwick Rd then turned left and heading north along Wanneroo Rd. As we turned left into Gnangara Rd. a hill of about 300-400 m tested us for the first time. At least this time we could tell, that we had something in the trailer.

As we came over the Crest, we stopped, because we had to take some photos of this amazing Sunrise. Things like this just makes it worthwhile to get up and go early in the morning.

After about 10 min we started riding again towards Ellenbrook. As it was just after 7 am, we didn't want to invite ourselfs for a Coffee and wake the Bulloch's . By the roundabout we turned left into Lord Str. and had another 4 km to ride before we turned into Whitemans Park. Had the usual stop and something to eat. We tried to set up the camera on a bench to take some photos of us riding past. Set the camera up on a table on continues shooting, ( 3 photos in a short time ). Sorry we did not have much luck even after a couple of try. First there was nothing at all, then only the front wheel and the last one was only of half of the trailer. We will try again another time and maybe ask somebody to take the photos.

About 1/2 h later we started heading back home along Marshal Rd and and Beach Rd. towards Warwick.

We had no problems with Bobby and the weight we put on. We will do another 1-2 rides with the 12 kg before we increase the weight to 18 kg. We also hope by then to have the 2 new back Panniers and the Rack. I still have to make it because of the set up we have with Bobby. Today was the first time we had two Flags flying behind us. One is the Aussie Flag and the second one is the Silver Fern ( NZ). We sure had a few heads turning when they saw us going past.

We rode 43.9 km and the av. was 21.3 km/h

Mosman Park Hill

We left home really early (5-45am) , so we could be back home before the heat set in. The forecast was for a high of 36. Before we left, I checked the temperature on the computer and it was already 22 degrees.

We were on a mission to prove to some people something. We went our normal way to Osborne Park. Instead of going through the City, we went past Subiaco down Thomas Str. to Nedland. Here we turned left into Mounts Bay Rd and then right into Hackett Dr. where we had a quick rest. We carried on along the top of the Cliff with a nice view of the Swan River. Once we past Point Resolution Res. we could see across the Bay what today's ride was all about. But first we had to get there, so we rode on to Claremont, turned left into Stirling Hwy and shortly turned left again towards The Esplanade and then Johnson Pde. Then here it was, the

MOSMAN PARK HILL.

We had wanted to try to ride up this hill ever since we heard some people say, you would not be able to ride up on a Tandem. Well guess what,

WE DID IT.

without stopping and getting of the bike. It sure was a great achievement. Now there was no stopping us to get to Freo as fast as possible for a well earned Coffee and meet up with Paul as arranged last night.

We did not stay to long, as already some of the groups were starting to come back. They needed lots of room and we probably took up to much parking space with the Tandem. So we headed back towards Cottesloe and Scarborough, were we stopped for a quick Ice cream before we carried on towards Home.

We rode 70.4 km and the av. was 23.7 km/h

Sorry no Photos today!

Kalamunda-Mundaring

As you can see, we had a good long break from bike riding over the Holidays. One of the reason is by the 23 th Dec. I had reached my goal for the year doing 10 000 km. Between Christmas and New year we went down south to Albany, Stirling Ranges and Shannon NP. and took the MTB with us, but never used them as it was just too hot in places.

Yesterday evening, after a long ride to Fremantle and back home,we decided to do some Hill riding on Sunday. The plan was to put the Tandem on the back of the Van on the rack and drive to Midland and park by the old railway factory. It is very impressive to see both wheels sticking out each side by about 30 cm. As we left home by about 6 am I was not too worried about it.

It took us about 30 min to get to Midland where we parked the Van and got our self ready for the ride. As we left we had a nice headwind straight away. After a lot of hard work we arrived at the bottom of the Zigzag. That's were the Railway used to go up to Kalamunda, zigzagging its way up the Hill. We had a rest for a few minutes to get our breath back again, as we already climbed a decent hill to get here. We talked about going up the wrong way ( one way ) for half the climb before it changes into a two way street or not. Because if we went up Kalamunda Rd. we would have to go down again before we would reach Kalamunda Rd. And some parts of the climb are quite step. Plus this was our first ride into the Hills and we were not 100 % sure, how we manage the long climb.

The decision was made, and of we went up into the one way Street. About half way up, 2 guys on single speed bikes past us. So that made us feel good for riding up into the one way Street. About 1 1/2 km before Kalamunda we were past by another group of riders and they also had to come up the same way as we did. Made us feel not to bad.

In Kalamunda we had the well earned stop for a Coffee. Jenny and I were really pleased the way we got up the Hill. It was a climb of about 260 m and it was not as hard as we had expected. I have to say, we did not speak very much with each other all the way up, because both of us were concentrating on riding.

From here we carried on on Mundaring Weir Rd towards Mundaring. To start with, we had a nice long down hill for 2- 3 km before it went up again. On the way down we reached speed of up to 60 km/h and Jenny gave me twice a knock on my back . I knew straight away what that was about. Then it went uphill again till we reached the car park at the Dell and had some Bananas and Muesli bar to eat.

From here on it was all down hill to the bottom of the Weir. A long Climb up to Mundaring was our last big Hill climp for the day. Again by the time we reached Mundaring we both were surprised, how good we worked together uphill and it was no drama at all. Here we had an early lunch in the Bakery. I had a home made Bacon and Egg Pie and as dessert a big cream doughnut. Jenny had a custard pie.

After about a 1/2 hour rest, we attacked the last leg of the ride. It was mostly down hill from here on back to the Van. Was hard to get back into riding again after all the eating and resting. Just before we got to the bottom of the Hill, we reached the highest speed for the day of 68.5 km/h. At least this time Jenny was well behaved and no more knocking on my back. I think she just closed her eyes.
We did 64.5 km with 3 decent hills and we both been very pleased with what we achieved today.