Finally an Outdoor Ride

Saturday, 22 November 2008.
Finally the weather cleared enough to get out for a ride. BT, with his new Ti steed, joined me for an outdoor ride. The weather wasn't great, and there were a lot of storms around, so we intended to stay in Centennial Park close to home in case the weather turned bad. Well indeed it did. After a few intemittent showers dampened our enthusiasm slightly, the wind really kicked in. At one stage it felled a couple of the big fig trees in the park and the gusts were so bad I thought BT was going to come off. Suffice to say we exited the Park after only notching up 64km. Disappointing, but at least we got out for a change.

BT and the new BTi steed. Here he is saying he only needs 2 hands to lift this one.
My trusty steed.

Come Sunday, the weather had really taken a turn for the worse. Gale force winds meant no outdoor riding once again, so it was back into the House of Pain. This time I stuck it out for a 90 minute session.

Friday, 28 November 2008.
The last of the Movember shots. Come Monday, this will be going, going, GONE!

Saturday, 29 November 2008.
Weather wasn't great with a lot of rain about, so I spent the best part of the day at work. By the time I got home, I prepared to go for a ride in the Park, but storms started rolling in again. Another 90 minute trainer session insued. Funny, thing actually. A lot of people driving or walking past had a laugh at me on the trainer (including one very, very cute lady - I'll have to find out who she is). They weren't laughing so much when the storm hit 30 minutes into the session and dropped close to 10mm rain in less than 10 minutes. Very heavy.

Sunday, 30 November 2008.
Another day helping my brother with his plumbing at the new house. Finished earlier this week, and got a 65km ride in the Park in the late afternoon. Felt good being out on the "road" even if it was car free day in Centennial. Still very windy in Sydney, and the weather forecast is for rain again next weekend. It could just be one of those summers....

Movember - Week 3

3 weeks and just over 1 week to go for Movember 2008. With 21 days now passed, and just over a week to go, I think I can hold out from here. Where is Merv Hughes when you need him for comparison??
Surprisingly, I'm becoming quite attached to it now - but it will go on 01 Dec 08.



Up close and personal.... Look at that undergrowth!

PS. If you are interested in making a donation and sponsoring my cause, click on this link.... 'Sponsor Smarty'
Thanks in advance, Smarty

Smartys' House of Pain

It's been an unfortunate weekend both weather wise and other commitments. So, to keep up with the training programme has meant a lot of time on the trainer in the garage. Not the most spectacular, or pleasant, way to keep on top of things, but nonetheless very effective.

Saturday saw me helping my brother do plumbing in his new house again (hopefully the last weekend I need to carry baths and vanity units up stairs). By the time we finished, it was after 5pm and the weather had set in. Meaning either getting rained on or time on the trainer. I opted for the latter, with an 80 minute session.

Sunday morning was feeling the effects of carrying all day Saturday, plus 2 partially deflated car tyres from running over nails sometime the Saturday. Bugger - 3 Valleys ride with BTi and Mike is now not an option - or a risky one given no second spare car tyre. After a few hours of stretching and procrastinating, wind and some rain, back on the trainer for another 80 minute session.

All up a good weekend. Two 80 minute sessions and some 90km covered. Not what I would have preferred at the start of the weekend, but definitely better than nothing.

The scene.

The view.

The form.

The result....

Movember - Week 2

Ah, 2 weeks in, 2 weeks to go for Movember 2008. Well and truly on our way now. Had a visit from National Parks and Wildlife today - want to declare my top lip a State Forest. This could get ugly (well, uglier...).

Blogmeister Smarty

After much procrastination, and deciding to ditch the website format for now, I have finally created a Blogspot (I was feeling left out). Anyway, without much ado, here we go into Blogland. Hope to keep it updated as best as possible.
With Hamsterelli now left the country, this is probably the best way to keep him and everyone else updated with the latest in the world of Smarty.

At Hamsters recent farewell, the Movember addition was unveiled. As I have since found out, these facial additions play havoc while riding, but not more than a backpack on some of those French Alps (or those wing-nuts for that matter). And, just for the record, that is NOT ananas!
(Image courtesy of http://www.langles.blogspot.com/)