Last week of Serious Training

Team Members, here's a few Rides to consider this weekend? Dave Hill, myself and my twin bro will be riding them all.

Thursday evening from 5:00pm till Dark - Memorial Park "Circuit"
Friday @ 0800 Zube Park - 40 Miles
Saturday "Katy Ram Challenge"
Sunday @ 0800 Zube Park
If you are going to make it leave a comment or contact Dave or myself

Swanee

Swanee a song made famous by Al Jolson is now my official "get up and go song" as the Swan River here in Perth has revived my marvel at natures beauty and how a well developed and organised city can make a difference in keeping its people happy. You ROCK Perth !!!! Perth is a mixture of Boston, San Francisco, Cape Cod and Napa Valley, with inhabitants who are just amazingly friendly. One challenge this morning was coming across an organised run. As I was merrily pedaling along I passed a lone runner coming my direction with a number proudly worn on the front of his shirt. If he was the "fox" then there were over a thousand hounds right behind him munching on his heels. Not wanting to be part of the salivating pursuit I quickly took a detour and found yet another fantastic stretch of water along the Canning River, an off shoot of the main Swan River.

I might not have my usual Buddies in Dave & Andy to drive the pace, but heck, who would want to charge along at 25 mph and miss all the fantastic vista's. Apart from the conspicuous Swans, enjoying the river I saw a number of nest that look like they were the home of a small elephant or terodactyl. I am told these are sea eagles who are rumoured to carry away small calf's or even an odd poodle. Off again this afternoon after my I pod is charged up.

Calm Before the Storm

Port Hedland (Western Australia)
After Spending a week in a town that was not included in one of the "breath taking" wide shot, back drops from the new Film Epic "Australia" I am glad to report I have escaped.
Port Hedland is essentially a huge Iron Ore Facility in the middle of nowhere. Because of this little luxuries are scarce and that includes accommodation which is a premium.
Because of this a recent addition to Port Hedlands Hotel opportunities materialized as the accommodations grew short it was decided to turn the towns detention center into a Hotel....mmmmm Motel.....mmmm Camp!! Although most of the razor wire had been removed the ambiance was quite reminiscent of something Al Capone saw at Alcatraz.

I have now reached the civilized city of Perth. Right now Perth could actually be Cleveland or Coventry, Siberia our outer Mongolia, it doesn't make any difference because I have escaped!!!!

Hilton Hotel, Crisp White Sheets & shower that actually resembles the purpose for which it was designed.

The time is clicking now with only two weeks to go until the MS 150 there is no other place I would rather be to embrace the CALM before the storm. Perth is a "Bike Friendly" City and the routes and scenery breathtaking. I borrowed a bike today from a Perth work colleague who lives in a a suburb about 12 miles North of the city. I headed west to the coast and a beautiful Indian Ocean.

There was a healthy sea breeze blowing but it didn't phase me because the scenery was fantastic. I headed south to Freemantle and then East to Perth and the Swan River. Half way along the Southern part of the River is a Hobie Cat rental business where I had a two hour pit stop to cool off and sail backwards and forwards across the River.............BLISS!!!!!

After the sail I jumped on the bike (Bit sandy, soggy and burnt) and cycled for another 10 miles around the river and back to the hotel. Going to push it hard again tomorrow and with a better appreciation for the route I am looking forward to a great Sunday on the road.

WWLD?

Today was a great Ride and a Great Turn Out as four of us executed a 40 mile route from Zube park.
Dave, Kenny, Sean and myself.
Dave was a horse as always and did most of the pulling but for one rare opportunity I did feel my old form start to creep back as I took the lead on a very fast stretch.

We soon caught up with a 40 - Deep "double banked Peleton" in cruise control that was as wide as a large elephants backside. Its always a challenge passing riders at high speed but more daunting is when they are double banked...or should that be baked?

From the back I heard Dave & Kenny shout "WWLD". I started to salivate at the thought that this might be a new restaurant like KFC or TGIF.......A burger at this stage of the ride sounded like a great idea as I felt the sugar pumping into my legs as we scurried along at 20 + mph.

WWLD I questioned innocently feigning my desire for a "Triple layer Sandwich"

WWLD =What Would Lance Do? ....Dave shouted laughing.......

Suddenly the double banked Peleton turned into the Champs Elysee's with the Arc de Triomphe beckoning.......The streets were paved with every ex girlfriend that did me wrong, and every bully I ever encountered in life.......Rose Petals fell from the sky and Lance was by my side.

Well Paddy you are kind of a Texan "So what are you going to do" asked Lance with his Yellow leaders shirt reflecting the magnificence of the day.

Before I knew it we had flown by the Peleton and the smell of road kill replaced the sweet smell of Paris Pastries.

Lance was no longer there and my heart was reminding me that I maybe pushing it a little. Great ride! and Great Company!!

Sundays ride was accompanied by Andy & Sean, it was blowing a bit but we prevailed.

Miles for the Week 145

Ultimate Defiance

We have all had that experience once in our lives.....some of us more than once when we have just had enough!!!! In the UK they have a very quaint expression for this phenomena called "Throwing the toys out of the pram". It really doesn't need much explaining but to give you a good definition I would say its when you Really.... really.... really...... really...... lose all sense of reality and make a right royal mess of the nursery, toys all over the floor, dummies spat left right and centre, buggies over etc etc...........Get the picture!!!!
I found evidence of such extreme defiance on my ride today. As we were meandering through a sun filled Terry Hershey Park a solitary Pacifier lay dormant in the middle of the cycle path. This once cherished "Binky"; this object of nurturing wonder left deserted on the asphalt. Would the Queen abandon her crown? The bishop his Chalice? Perhaps the moisture content of the poor lads "huggies" had got the better of him? or maybe it wasn't a baby at all? History recalls a number of examples worthy of "Toy Throwing".

Napoleon decided to attack Russia after being spurned by Josephine.
Paris Hilton discovered jail did not have room service or organic cotton sheets.

Or maybe the thought of the MS150 Houston to Austin Bike Ride being only a month away is getting "too close for comfort"