Living Contentedly

I'm certain that my love of cycling, on what is about week 4 of Krampus ownership, has never been higher.  I want to ride as often as I can and feel elated for the remainder of the day.  The highest point in my past cycling life was when I rode to TAFE perhaps three times a week on my red Giant Cypress.  That bike had a very relaxed geometry, but with an alloy frame, was quite a good mover. I said to my local bileshop guy that I hoped to rekindle that feeling. And gladly certain this has happened. Moving towards the  Thunderbolt rally, I'm getting my gear sorted. I've organised to return my newly purchased bivy bag and hope to rebuy a OR Stargazer bivy. This one is lighter and hopefully better quality.  SLEEP SYSTEM This bivy will become the mainframe of my sleep system. This will be completed by my old Black Wolf 3/4 sized sleeping pad, and the sleeping bag liner I used on my camino walks. In colder months, I will probably pack a sleeping bag. In emergencies, w...

Reasons for enlisting for the Thunderbolt:- ∆ k's (training & event) ∆ to learn from bikepackers ∆ upscale riding & camping So, I may ride to Gloucester. A train from here to Dungog would avoid possible death on that busy narrow road. Then its 60k on a side trail for the first bit & possible overnight camp. So, 60k x 2 to & from plus 47k on the event. A 110k ride over a few days, some camping (formal & stealth) & some road food scrounging as well as cyclists for company. Sounds more than good, great!

News emerging from the Epstein files is disturbing. Once thought to contain information relating to child trafficking and sexual abuse its worse.  Hints of global child abductions on a massive scale, forced pregnancies and then disfiguring and killing those babies. Upsetting, and beyond our darkest imaginations . This is also how those that have read the files are describing   what they've seen. So keep your babies close and turn off the news and prepare to be mind f#$%ed.

OK its not the Silk Road or Atlas Mountains, but I've timidly entered the Thunderbolts gravel event, Gloucester. I'll be riding The Remington, 47k with a healthy vertical register, but its  cruise not a race. Stopping for photos, rests & coffee is encouraged. While I don't intend to ever race, it will be good to see how the top riders go.  

11 Feb: Visiting my daughter out west of the state and not being able to ride due to heavy rain, was frustrating. I could not wait to get home and at least make progress on setting up for bike packing.  Yesterday I bought three items:-  A stove windshelter for the trangia. I took it out west and on several training rides making oats and coffee and two things happened. One the wind carried off the flames causing heat loss/ wasting fuel. And the flames lashing about presented a real fire risk. $14 well spent on a device that is 250g & stows flat. Bivy Bag : for me a tent seems so not bikepacky due to its bulk, weight & excess comfort. Whereas a good bivy bag can provide weather protection, quick set up, stealthy, light & small pack size. Research reveals that many Silk Road racers used the Outdoor Research type bivy, their particular model is expensive & works in -20°C etc. I discovered the Stargazer model which is cheaper, lighter and smaller, & practical f...

Made it to here Saturday evening and great to see mia. Yesterday she and Zack picked up a ute tray for hilux. I did gardening here, and rested. Good light meal last night and with being well rested, I wake to solid rain and thoughts to head off.  Would like to return soon to render this place!