Relaxed and comfortable - Not when you cycle through Balmain

Now back on my bike having had a restful couple of weeks. I'm actually in credit with THE coach, but need a bit more saddle time before I cash in my well earned reward ride.

Today I tried something a little different. Following Catherine's advice, that my preparation for riding in the Dordogne must include lots of hills, I decided to try a morning ride around Balmain. So I rode over the Iron Cove bridge, along the main road into Birchgrove and down towards the water through back streets, then back along Darling street, over Victoria road and through Rozelle. It was with great relief that I safely joined the Bay cycleway and rode home. Yes there were a few very short hills, but unfortunately there were also lots of potholes, narrow streets with many parked cars and quite a lot of morning traffic, including large buses. It was not a relaxed and comfortable ride. Don't think I'll do it again.

For tomorrow's ride it will be back to the tranquil cycle paths of Five Dock and Homebush where dogs off leash and ambling walkers listening to ipods are the main cycling hazards.

Have made progress with our trip plans. We will be staying in this apartment in Paris - thanks Beth for the recommendation.

On the cycling front I've been sourcing a few ideas from the following websites and photo collections on flickr.

An interesting website with general information about cycling in the Dordogne http://www.mayq.com/Best_european_trips/Dordogne/Dordogne.htm

Planning a trip is really half the fun...