The Aussie, the American, the bike formally known as (BFKA) Neutrino, the bike known as Mabel Syrup, and the Skyline

March 10 - 25^th 2012

Canberra

So I highjacked my friend Mick's roadtrip/biking adventure. Okay maybe he invited me but it's more fun for me to imagine holding him (or more liking BFKA Neutrino) hostage until he caved. That's much more exciting than the true events so I'll stick with the hostage situation.

Anyway I said goodbye to Perth and flew over to Canberra. The little visited capital city. Mick's cousin is going to Uni there and as such had a Uni open house policy. The ladies were really friendly though they weren't around too much with school and all.

Mick was able to borrow a bike for me to use so the next day we went out to do some mountain biking. He was quite a trooper as I am beyond sucky and he would patiently wait for me to get through a run. It always amazes me how quickly I get tired while MTBing but I think part of it is that I tense every muscle in my body the whole time which causes early fatigue.

Mick sniper attacked me at the end of a run

After the morning outing we made the fatal mistake of eating lunch and getting comfortable so we didn't end up going and seeing the city (or the symphony playing Hollywood Hits) that night and instead went to bed early as we had an 8:00 am MTB date. The friend who lent the bike was keen to come out with us and wanted to head out early. I did however get Mabel back together so the afternoon wasn't competely unproductive.

Dave met us at the house and we headed on the short ride to the park. All other MTB areas around the City were closed due to the crazy amount of rain that had fallen. Both the guys were again really great to ride with and Dave made sure to wait at all the junctions so I didn't get lost. I know the guys probably would've gone out for longer and been faster had I not been trailing along so I really appreciated them taking it  down to my level.

After the MTBing we made a temporary bike shop in the driveway and changed out the seals of Dave's front shock. We said bye to Dave and had a quick lunch prior to heading out to explore the city. We went around the west side of the lake and then stopped for a half dinner prior to heading back home for some more food and beers. After a refuel and remembering to grab a couple of beers we went to explore the east side of the lake. Turns out the reason there wasn't much bike/ped traffic on that side was cause a section of the track was washed out. So we headed back and just sat down to drink our beer when a fireworks show started on the other side of the lake. Pretty awesome timing on our part!

With most of the MTBing tracks closed we decided to head out the following day.

To Sydney and Sydney -

We headed towards Sydney and this was officially my first view of the Australian countryside. It was pretty, starting with rolling hills and then coming into eucalyptus forests.

Soon we were back at the coast. Camp tonight was suppose to be in a State Forest that ended up being a National Park. After a very minor getting stuck episode we headed back to the first campsite we found and put up camp. The night was great as we had a great view of the stars and mostly no wind.

The next day we made it to Sydney and Mick's grandmothers house. She is 95 and quite spry! Mick's uncle was also there so we all chatted.

The next day Mick went MTBing. Finally able to quench his MTB itch without having to be patient with me tagging along. I headed out on Mabel to explore the city. As I inefficiently found my way across the Harbour bridge I ran into a bike shop which gave me a map of the city and some suggestions of must sees.

I spent all day wandering through the city at a very leisurely pace. It was so much fun to be riding in a city again...playing with traffic! I love how fun it is to be moving with city traffic and watching out for all the obstacles...people, doors, cars, debris. So fun!

Some building in Sydney

because Mabel wants memories of the trip too!

As the afternoon was coming I decided to meander back to Mosman so I didn't have to find my way in the dark.

The following day was rainy and gloomy so a perfect day to catch up online and give the parents a ring. Rainy days can be fun when you aren't camping.

On the Road – Sydney to the Gold Coast

The weather improved the next day so we decided to continue on our way. Mick chose an amazing place to camp! But prior to that we went on a koala hunt at the nearby koala reserve...needless to say we did not spot a koala. Though we did see a kookaburra and a pelican hanging out on a street lamp.

closest koala I saw

Mick taking a break from the koala hunt

Pelican just hanging

Mick drinking a beer enjoying the view

The view

Just because your camping doesn't mean you can't be gourmet

After we finished our little jaunt through the woods we drove to Myall Lakes National Park. The camping location was great as it was right next a lake and we could hear the ocean on the otherside. The best of both worlds. After setting up camp we went to sit on a log and enjoy the sunset. Another clear night allowed for great stargazing and a few shooting stars were spotted.

The next day we stopped by Dark Point to go for a swim at the beach prior to heading on for the day. While no swimming was possible due to the roughwaters it was great to climb up what seemed to be a small sand dune to find ourselves with a stretch of 300 or more meters of dunes prior to the beach. It was awesome. As I was behind Mick as I came over the dune he looked back with what I can only imagine was the same eye to eye grin that I had on my face. Such an unexpected brilliant start to the day.

As we left the dunes it started to sprinkle which would happen off and on all day. As we headed inland to our next destination it became more consistent. We kept up hope that the rain would not hold has we headed onto the gravel road in Barrington Tops National Park. Needless to say we didn't see much as we climbed. What little we could see seemed to be quite impressive. After discussion we still believed that the rain would not get worse and as such we should camp. Since the fly wasn't waterproofed we first set up a tarp in the windy drizzle. Then we proceeded to put up the tent. Of course it was nice and rocky requiring all stakes to be pounded into the ground.

After camp was nicely set up we retreated to the car to play games on Mick's iphone. Then we made dinner...luckily we did not have to cook it on the campstove. By the time dinner was finished water was creeping dangerously close to the tent...or should I say castle surrounded by a moat?! Another discussion, and it was determined to sleep in the car. We set up a nice entertainment system and watched a few MTB videos prior to heading to a dry sleep.

Unfortunately the rain hadn't cleared by the morning and we took down the unused tent in it. Heading through another day of off and on rain left both Mick and I cranky. Each time it appeared that the rain was finally gone it would come back stronger just to completely squash all hope of a dry day. We took the coast road which did give a few great dry views of the coast. We begrudgingly headed toward our final destination and the inevitable wet tent and wet set up. We were so sure of this that neither one of us mentioned picking up beers.

As we turned onto the minor road to the campsite the sun started peeking out of the clouds and even gave the forest an amazing golden appearance. We set the tent up to dry and headed to the beach. It was completely abandoned accept for us. Plus the waves were just rough enough to be lots of fun without pounding us. We dried off and were both in a better mood. Actually in complete shock of how nice it was! We then headed for a short ride to see if we could get good photos of the trees but it appeared we missed our moment. Still got a couple but missed the really good light.

The rig

my beach

trees

The next day the sky looked menacing and we were doubtful that it would be a good day. After heading along the coast we started to head inland to the next Park and the sky slowly started to clear. We got into camp and could actually sit around outside for awhile. We made our dinner and were soon visited by possums who were quite cheeky and one even touched Mick before it burned itself on the mosquito coil we had going.

This was viewable for exactly 5 minutes...perfect timing yet again

Cheeky guy just burnt himself

Of course all thing have to come to an end and it started to sprinkle just as we were going to go for a night walk to see night creatures.

The next day we headed for the hike that Mick had planned to do.  Since the last bit to the peak was a granite face which was slippery due to the rain I turned back prior to the summit.  No point in tempting fate.

As I went on the easy flat hike I saw the worlds slowest race when two slugs were following each other.  Then got to see a bearded dragon and these other lizards that scooted across water.  The granite landscape was amazing and reminded me of the stone giants from "The Never Ending story"

slug race!

giant's doorway

Once we were both back from our hikes we decided to go for a little bike ride.  We ran into a couple who told us we wouldn't be able to cycle up the hill to the hike...we were optimistic that we could do it.  To the couples credit it would've been a hard climb for someone not use to hills especially as it got quite steep in the middle.  I got a little out of breath but slowly and steadily made my way up.  Mick of course didn't even seem to realize there was an incline as he is one of those people that LOVES hills (weirdo).

We then had to come up with a story to tell the couple to not feel bad about themselves.  As it turns out the wife had just learned to ride a bike for the first time in her life 3 months before and I would have been amazed had she been able to conquer that hill.  I did mention to them that both of us also cycle across countries to hopefully not discourage them...plus I'm not too proud that I push my bike up hills sometimes still.

The next day we headed out to camp near a new mtb park that came about due to a new dam being built.  As we started setting up camp we soon made a friend...a long slithery poisonous (but not too poisonous) friend. Let's just say I'm not thrilled about poisonous snakes..or anything poisonous other than a platypus really.


And it was having a grand old time climbing up and down the tent.  Now this was annoying but what was really bugging me was how we were going to know if we had a snake surprise when we tried to get into the tent later.  Mick on the other hand was enjoying this immensely...partially I'm sure because I would scurry the other way to keep a maximum distance between me and the snake (could this one strike only a third of it's body length or the full length?).  Of course as I left the excitement to use the bathroom it started heading towards the toilet block and to my great horror there was a perfect snake sized gap at the bottom to ensure air circulation!

Anyway after awhile the snake got bored of tormenting me and headed towards supper.  Mick needed to do some bike maintenance and I figured I should do some myself.  We got done and went for a short ride mostly to check out which runs were closed due to rain and if Mabel could pretend she was a mtb.

making friends my mom warned me about

Mick doing maintenance 

purdy 

hanging out in a tree

The next day Mick went off on the real runs as I meandered through the easy tracks with Mabel.  She actually did a lot better than I thought She was going to.

Once we had lunch we packed up the tent and headed to the Gold Coast where I would be staying with Verin.  Mick and I said our goodbyes outside Verin's apt and then Verin and I went to catch up.  It was quite funny to realize how much I had missed female friends!  I had been surrounded almost entirely by men for the last six months and it was so nice to talk with a lady!!

I really only had three times in my travels where I had female travel companions and that was with my Aunt in Bangkok, Laos, and then Chiang Mai.  I always have more male friends partly due to my profession, growing up with brothers, and being into bikes but this trip made me cherish the lady friends that I have and that I made!  It was so nice when I was talking about something that upset me and Verin just got up and said "This is a chocolate conversation" and came back with Tim Tams.  Those are the small things that men wouldn't understand.

It was really great to catch up with her and a slight shock that she had cut off her dreads but she looked cute as ever in her rotating hat collection.