Downtown

Mon 25th Oct

A shortish ride north into downtown Perth to get some lunch and groceries shouldn’t be too difficult, or so we thought. On the maps, today’s ride read a 28 or 30 kms round trip from our base at Bull Creek, a quiet suburb on the south banks of the Canning River. Factor in some deviations, getting lost and “I think it’s that way” we rode a total of 52.5 kms. Much too much just to do lunch and stock up for dinner.  For a first day’s ‘long ride’ we did pretty well, battling the relentless winds of the Fremantle (Witch) Doctor * and got re acquainted with the sights, smells and sounds of Northbridge, Subiaco and Leederville.

Much has changed since Feb 2007 as 2 train stations have gone underground, and the city has took on a more Asian immigrant feel. While I shouldn’t get into a debate on the pros and cons of that, the city centre seemed busier than years past and the economy’s booming. Good times for West Australians. Heck even Elite Racing Cycles has taken over it’s neighbour, and for a few magical moments I was transported into Eduardo Bianchi’s bike shop in Milan.

After looking at some menus and getting over the initial shock of their prices, we settled down into an early and slow Vietnamese lunch. Hunger had set in at 11.30 hrs and we knew that the Vietnamese portions were huge. Bring on the sodium and complex carbohydrates of grilled pork and broken rice.

Close to home, this Spitfire from the RAAF Museum is a sight to behold each time we ride by. Today it's 1000 hrs and a late start.

Although just 6 kms long the exposed bike path along the Kwinana Freeway is no fun with buzzing traffic inland and strong headwinds from the Swan River. Even the roadies were suffering

As much as I tried I couldn't make it over 100 kmp/h

There's a nice toilet nearby but I still cannot figure out what's below their waists ?

Are these convenient or what ?

A no entry sign I can live with

A naughty part of Northbridge

Eduardo Bianchi would be proud

Postman's bike with front hub 'assist'

An all time record low price for.... coffee

Yeah....right

To make the most of our downtown day, I whipped out my 5 year old Perth CBD map and decided to take a longer way home while avoiding the CBD proper. This brainwave probably added another 10 kms or so of  ”I think it’s that way”  but truth be told we did see a few very expensive townhouses in very exclusive neighbourhoods, rode a few down hills (can’t complain here) crossed the Swan River at Victoria Park and ended up on a beautiful foreshore bike path (along Sir James Mitchell Park) opposite the city, before we found ourselves on the dreaded next to the Kwinana highway bike path, right under the Narrows Bridge. Where did our 7 hour outing disappear to ?

Perth city at 4 pm

The amazing bike lane under the Mt Henry Bridge, but our fun's almost over, as we still have to cook dinner ! Time check, 4.50 pm

*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fremantle_Doctor

Ready to Roll

Washed and waxed, sliced and diced, cut and dried our bikes are set for 2 weeks in and around Perth. Just about an hour spent on elbow grease for each bike. Waffling and thinking about the trip? More than 12 months.

Sanitized to keep Australian customs happy. Half baked mudguards to accommodate 1.95 tyres

Zero grime on the chainrings

Mirror like White Industries Tracker hub circa 1992

Bar end shifters forever

Miss Marin still at a very svelte 10 kgs even

Don't ask !

I reminded Coleen that she will be asked by other cyclists about her strange looking fork. esp from those not into mountain biking in the early 1990′s. Her answers, as in 2005, was to point to me and  say ‘Ask him’ or Google AMP Research.

Nov Update : True to form, her fork stopped a jogger in his tracks as he did a double take, turned around and stared and started touching the fork. We saw all this from inside a Vietnamese restaurant while having lunch. The other jogger presumably a wife or GF stood arms akimbo, jogging on the spot. WTF ? What tantalising forks ?

Prophetic headset cap

My wax of choice is Eagle One’s Billet Aluminium Polish. The stuff that prepares cars and chrome wheels for shows and exhibitions. Sold. It’s been replaced by it’s ‘Nevr Dull’ metal polish series. http://www.eagleone.com/pages/products/product.asp?itemid=1006&cat=5006

For painted surfaces good ol Johnson wax or Armor All does the job perfectly.

Heading South for Spring ?

It has been a long time coming . About 3.5 years. Come late October, we’re flying south to the remotest capital city on earth, Perth. Western Australia. Unlike Coleen who has one mountain bke, I can’t decide which bike to use, yet. I sort of know, but it’s always ‘fun’ to think of, what if I used another. If I could bring a fast one and a slower one that’ll be just right, but it’s silly wasting time and effort tinkering with bikes when the great outdoors, open spaces and fresh produce (wife’s input) are waiting. About 700 kms worth of cycle friendly bike paths and more.

I shall do the tinkering back home but as usual, pack a mini workshop of tools and a slew of parts, mostly tyres and tubes, saddles and clothing to suit the rides. Our home base for 14 days will be at a good friend’s who already has a Brompton and a Dahon Speed Pro, ever ready to bolt out through the front door. Then there’s the  um ‘harem’ More  later after we come back in November, or not

Hope to see some real ones this time

Space and respect for bikes

No parking woes at the market

Paddling not pedaling

Another dawn to dusk ride