Gong

The air, thick with spring,
tarmac beckoning once more -
to the 'gong we ride.

Tomorrow I will clip in to my new bike (!) and head off on the road again.

Just a day trip this time, without luggage but with many companions. A ride with a difference - to raise money to help those suffering from MS - Multiple Sclerosis. To help fund research, to help find a cure perhaps, to help people do everyday things that we take for granted. Like riding a bike.

To donate to this worthy cause simply click on the link below. Even though the ride is tomorrow, donations are still accepted until the end of November.

http://register.gongride.org.au/2012-Sydney-to-Gong-Bike-Ride/gabriellemassey


      


And the new bike ?

After much deliberation I decided on a Surly Long Haul Trucker. Basic black with 26" wheels (Schwalbe Marathon Plus 1.75" tyres), trekking bars, half and half pedals (an adventure in itself, learning to ride, or rather to mount and dismount, using these) and of course my old worn in Brooks B67 S.

It's still a work in progress, lacking mud guards and racks but I have begun the gradual pannier makeover with an Ortleib bar bag. And Neil's new bike ? It is scheduled to make an appearance next year...

*text & pics - Gabby

Crazy Guy on a Bike

Trapped between four walls,
I'd rather canvas again -
memory's sweet sting.

Finally, now the Christmas craziness at work is over, and since the rain here in Sydney has been relentless, I've had time to finish putting the gory details of our jaunt across Europe into readable form. Well, I hope, anyway.

If you would like to read more about our bike journey last year either click here or go to the Crazy Guy on a Bike website (there is a link on the right of the page) and search for 'Blame Dervla Murphy' by Gabrielle Massey.

Camping in the Fontainebleau Forest

And while you're there get inspired by all the other excellent journals...