Misty morning ride

THE Coach was happy today as he was riding in fine company.  Gerard and Annie joined Phillip and THE Coach on a speedy ride to La Pa.  The misty morning didn't phase them a bit.  As they pedaled off into the soft, white morning, I dragged myself out of bed for my one and only ride this week.  

I met Gen and Bill at Centennial Park so we could ride a few hills before the cafe stop.  Only 18kms today but the Hill Coach was encouraging, and even made a positive report to THE Coach, over coffee at Phillip's favourite Buzy Bee cafe.  (No raisin toast this morning as I was tempted by banana bread - a mistake- will return to the usual next week.)

The mist had cleared by the time the two teams met up.  As you can see below, THE Coach looked positively chipper after his ride without his trainee. 

 Best get back on my bike this week, as I was bluntly reminded that it's less than two months till we climb the hills of the Dordogne. 

Cyclists everywhere

Yesterday THE Coach and I set out on a 40 km ride with Bill and Gen to The Armory Cafe at Newington on the edge of Olympic Park.  I guess it was a surprise reward ride.  THE Coach rode with us for the entire distance, and we stopped for coffee and raisin toast - well that was my order, so it appeared to meet the criteria of a reward ride. 

It was a perfect day for cycling- we weren't alone in our thinking.  Homebush was crawling with cyclists of all descriptions.

Although the ride is mostly through the suburban back streets of Five Dock, Abbotsford, Concord and Rhodes, it is quite varied as the on road cyclepath also winds through streets of factories and runs along the river - in parts it is quite picturesque. 

When we finished Gen and Bill stopped in for a cuppa to "talk cycling in France".  We poured over travel guides and maps as we began to make more detailed plans for the cycling leg of our trip.
Since I blogged a few weeks ago, some blog readers have requested our itinerary.  We are using the cycling company Cyclomundo and so far they've been great.  We've planned a self-guided group tour of the Dordogne and Lot districts.
Day 1Arrive in Souillac and transfer to stay overnight in Sarlat.
Day 2 Cycle from Sarlat to Montignac (25kms)
Day 3 Cycle from Montignac to Les Eyzies (26kms)
Day 4 Cycle from LesEyzies to Monpazier (40kms)
Day5 Cycle from Monpazier to Sarlat (53 kms)
Day 6 Cycle Sarlat environs.
Day 7 Cycle from Sarlat to Rocamadour (54 Kms)
Day 8 Cycle from Rocamadour to Labastide-Murat (30 kms)
Day 9 Cycle from Labastide-Murat to Vers (28Kms)
Day 10 Cycle from Vers to Cahors (15km)
Day 11 Train from Cahors to Paris.

We'd love any and all suggestions for 'must see' spots in this southern part of the Dordogne.  Thanks to Anne for the email with details about caves worth a look and to Catherine for tips about unmissable lunch stops.
ALL suggestions will be greeted with delight.

The Handover at Centennial Park

Only two rides this week.  One on Monday with Therese and then a reward ride on Australia Day with THE Coach in Centennial Park, where we met Bill and Gen for the official handover of Melissa's bike.

It was a warm morning as we joined hundreds of cyclists ranging from the slick, speedy Italian looking blokes cycling in packs, to the elegant solo rider, leisurely pedaling along on her lovely bike with basket.

THE Coach had a plan. He led us five, or six times round the park, always leading from a distance in front well out of shouting distance so he couldn't hear our calls for a drink stop.  To earn our coffee we also had to climb the hills - yes, there are two hills in Centennial Park and we rode up them several times till THE Coach was satisfied that we were sweating.

Finally, we were allowed out of the park for a coffee and quick bite of delicious fruit toast at Monica's favourite Woollahra cafe.

Gen seemed to take a shine to Melissa's bike enjoying the raised flat handle bars and suspension seat, but not the toe clips.  Only one slight accident as we slowed to cross the road with Gen forgetting to step out of the clips, but a few grazes didn't faze her, as we were almost back to the cars.

All up it was about 30kms, probably about the distance we'll be riding in France on some of the shorter days.

Until next week...