Nothing Like a Good Ride

Since moving to Australia there’s one thing I’ve not done enough of; random rides. Sure I cycle to work most days and have clocked up many miles cycling from A to B but what I’ve not done is just go out for a ride just because. I’ve probably done three or four such rides in the past year and that’s a shame as there’s so much beautiful scenery around just waiting to by cycled through. I think part of the reason was fracturing my wrist last October. It meant I couldn’t do Fitz’s Ride or the Winery Ride that I had lined up and by the time it’d full healed I took it easy as I didn’t want to re-damage it. Excuses I know but a valid one I think.

So the other week I took two days off work in the middle of the week and finally attempted the challenge I set myself before we even moved here which was to cycle up Black Mountain. It’s not the highest peak of the Parliamentary triangle here in Canberra, that belongs to Mt. Ainslie I think, but to me it’s certainly the steepest! The first good chunk of the ascent felt like it was almost vertical and most definitely a shock to the system as this was the first proper hill I’ve attempted to cycle up for well over a year. My legs churned away and slow but surely started to climb Black Mountain. The view as I was going up was spectacular as the weather was kind and had beautiful blue sky with clear views all around. On my way up I passed a rather energetic runner who looked worse for wear but was looking rather determined. As I finally made it to the top I did a typical Tour de France celebration and started my descent; the fun part!

As I pondered whether I wanted to ride home or carry on to some other destination I spotted Mt. Ainslie on the ride down and figured that, since I was feeling okay, why not tackle that hill too. It was less of an incline and a faster descent too. I then started to cycle home and was tempted to do the final hill of the triangle, Redhill, but decided against it figuring I should really be getting home and having some lunch. It was a great ride and certainly makes me want to go on more rides once the football season is over. At the top of my list is Redhill so I can complete the set but I’m also tempted to ride down to Point Hut crossing and ride up to Uriarra crossing and back home. That route will mirror what I would’ve done on Fitz’s as I won’t be taking part in it this year either but will give me an idea for when I tackle it in 2014. Until then, there’s plenty more riding to be done and plenty of sights still to see.