N E W S - 2 0 0 4
Oct- Dec
CYCLING- I managed to complete my first 160km bike ride at the end of October. From Canberra I rode with a couple of friends south along Cotter Road, past Tharwa to Fitz's Pass, then back along the Hwy. I was pretty tired afterwards, especially after a very fast 80km ride the day before with the Canberra Saturday morning bunch ride (I think ther are a few guys who ride in the big European races that like to turn up the gas on the front of the peloton).
ALPINE TRACK- somehow I managed to drag myself out of San Andreas and have spent many night poring over maps to complete the Autralian Alpine Walking Track in January 2005. It is a 700km track which pretty much traverses all of the Australian Alps. I will be using my custom designed outdoor gear, keeping weight to a minimum, and hoping to be covering some long daily distances. It took a lot of organising for the equipment, food drops and plotting the route. I was getting butterflies just looking at all the maps and how highly remote the track is. Establishing evacuation strategies for the different sections, especially since I will be on my own, has some sobering prospects for how long it may take for me to get to civilisation, or for assistance to reach me...
COMPUTER GAMES- After finishing Far Cry on my housemates PC I reawakened my liking for computer games and purchased a Playstation2. After a couple of games, the new one from Rockstar- Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas has really captured my attention. It is amazing how far games have come along since my Atari 2600. After a couple of hours playing GTA San Andreas I feel like I am living a second existence in a virtual world. It really is a peice of art, with a great soundtrack, solid storyline, well defined characters and fantastic cynical humor on western values.
Jul- Sep
JAPAN- I had a fantastic time in Japan from 22nd July to 20th August, competing at Unicon 12 in Tokyo for the first week, travelling through northern Honshu and the Japan Alps in the second week, staying with my good friend Megumi and her family in Kanazawa in the third week, then back through the Alps and on to Tokyo and Disneyland in my final week. It has been a real eye-opener going to another country, especially an eastern one. Many things are different culturally from that in Australia. Bewteen planning, going on the holiday, and then resuming work, getting my fitness back on the bike and editing my 7hrs of video footage it has taken the best part of 3 months!
Apr- Jun
CYCLING- The cycling has been a lot of fun lately, with the chance to compete regularly, and meet lots of new people. I served as a domestique for Gav at an interclub on 4th April and helped to lead him to victory. It felt great to be part of a team, and stimulated me to put a sponsorship proposal to a local business to develop a local team. I have been regularly riding 50km before work up to the northern suburbs, or around Lake Illawarra, both of which are a great way to get the day started.
FILMING- I purchased a video camera and remote lens attachment which I hope to use in filming road cycling races. I made a nice short film on the descent of Mt Keira, and look forward to getting some racing action soon.
SEWING- I have sewed myself a new wardrode from the great fabric I ordered form the Canadian company Textile Outfitters. I am especially happy with my powershield jacket which cost me $70, but a Canadian friend valued at over $500. The overlocker I bought myself for christmas is great- one of the best investments I have made.
Jan- Mar
Summer in Australia has been great- long sunny days, and heaps of sports to get into. I have been settling into my new home and rummageing through all of my stuff to find the various sporting equipment I have accumulated these past few years.
NEW ZEALAND-
The 2 weeks I spent in New Zealand were simply amazing. I cant believe that Australia has such a beautiful, mountainous country right on it's doorstep. Elouise and I got stuck into the walking straight away, completing the Dusky Trail in 5 days. The Mountains were great, the trail challenging, and the sandflies bloody annoying. It was a great chance for me to try out some of my lightweight techniques, incluing joggers instead of boots, my 1kg Primaloft quilt, and a pack that weighed 200g. These made a huge improvement to the comfort on the trail, and allowed us to shave 3 days off the usual 8 recommended. The high rainfall was quite a change from Australias dry climate. We also looked at the Milford Sound, the Glaciers and went kayaking in Marlborough Sound. The Jugglers Rest was a nice way to relax on our last night.
CYCLING- I obtained membership to the Australian Cycling Federation, and started racing both in criterions at Sutherland, and road races with the Illawarra Cycle Club. It is a great sport, and I am looking forward to racing more competitively as the year goes on. Working with Gavin who has been racing for 10 years has allowed me to get up to scratch on the strategies which appears to be the most crucial part of cycle racing. My fitness should improve now that I dont have a car, and am commuting on my bike everywhere!
OUTDOORS- The Blue Mountains beckoned, and I got to do some canyoning in Wollomgambie which was, as usual, spectacular. I also did some walking through Bluegum Forest and surrounds in a dehydrated state after realising that the water bowsers are dry... When I walked from Sydney to Wollongong in a day I took plenty of water though. I managed to get to the northern suburbs of Wollongong after 8hrs- not a bad time to cover 50km for the day on trails. Surfing with Scott Griffen was fun, and a few days later we went snorkling off the Lighthouse in Wollongong.
You can also view my 2003 NEWS