Living Contentedly

5 April: After too long spent screwing around with my chopper build, I finally got the carbs in and the fuel line connected. So I decided to have a lunch party only to realised that the cupboard was bare. So out with Rastus and panniers. Today I kickedcoff from the local school. What with me being tired and hungry I was going to chicken out and drive halfway. But, I'm really aware its only 20 days till my first Gravel Event and I needed to get miles behind me.  I forgot my speaker and wasnt wearing a vest, so to listen to the footy I had my phone in the lolly bag. I listened to my favorite team playing the locals. The locals came last last year, my team won the minor premiership. Guess who won? The ride was into a stiff breeze, but the aero bars helped a lot. The roads were mostly quiet, but you can never drop your guard. I had my mirror working, in the upright position only, and was ready to abort at short notice.  I arrived at ALDI at 23k and despite online info that they wo...

Some cyclists ride daily, each second day, or "every Saturday come rain, hail or shine". Ive noticed many touring riders, commute daily or hardly ride between tours.  Their basic riding purpose varies widely too: fitness, ecological, social and  practical. While their higher purpose may be; to collect (information, big things, historic sites etc), to avoid air travel, curiosity and so on.  That's all I want to think about now. 

A fog that rises to my front fence erases all manmade structures. Below and beyond the nation is engrossed in lethal doses of petroleum and chocolate. Here, a clarified air carries rich doses of oxygen and the cackle and screech of honeyeaters, king parrots and lorikeets. . 

Does the hype of aero bars'  comfort & speed stand to the light of day? Along with I was clipless pedals,  Rastus felt speedy. And no finger numbness.   

I'm wondering where adventuring will take me next. But I have an  adventurous life, perhaps a micro adventurous life, most days I do novel things, mostly related to building fitness. But last year's Camino taught me that getting in a grind for a month or more, doing one thing everyday for an extended period has significance beyond daily life. You achieve something that makes you go wow and takes you to a new level in life. A packaged travel deal experience is glossy and artificially positive. Many people enjoy that form of travel, but the fact that you leave as the next batch of holiday makers arrive and it costs a fortune, really make the experience very hollow. Lacking depth of experience and personal meaning. I now know that suffering is important.  On the other end of the scale is super adventurous travel. Again, this can be canned adventure, like a 7 day hike to Everest Base Camp, or even to the top of Everest. But, with respect and although these outings are mega ac...

My eagerness to return to the surf with both eyes working was tempered by an uninspiring surf. So I went running instead; 7k of laps along Glenrock Beach.