Started with a ride to the PITS on Friday morning - arrived around 11:40. Plenty of warnings about the 3 being closed due to a big accident northbound so pulled into PITS for a coffee break. Decided to wait around til Rob, Mr Wasabi and Philbo arrived for the putty rd run and left about the same time - 12:30pm.
This weekend was to be a bit of a shakedown for the Gingers Creek ride in a couple of weeks. I've managed to do some damage to my right shoulder about 6 weeks ago which is making riding very painful. Took the F3 all the way up to where it turns towards Newcastle - went this way mainly because of my ability to get lost even with a GPS. Rode to Stockton and spent the weekend there. From PITS to there 145kms. Got there and the shoulder wasn't hurting too badly but 2 hours later it was throbbing.
Spent saturday crusing around Newcastle. Not a bad place to spend a weekend
Walked along the pier and visited The Brewery. They have a Bluegum Ginger beer - really nice. Can also recommend the Sticky Rice Thai Restaurant in Scott Rd for dinner - awesome and slimming Rode home today - 190kms from where I bought petrol in Hexham. Came straight through non-stop. Shoulder is pretty good right now but will see how it goes over the afternoon.
All up had a great time and want to get away a bit more often now. Doubt I'll make GC this year as the shoulder is hurting riding a long straight road - really doubt how it will go with 500km with corners but will certainly be working on getting everything sorted for some longer rides.
Up until now my longest ride has been my place (Penrith) to BP Nowest to the slab, back to PITS and home so today was my longest non-stop ride. Coming home was really windy but fine and sunny. Bit nervy riding at 80kmh and everyone rushing by but on the whole it was great.
If any learners are a little nervous about riding longer distances (like me - yeah I know, GSB) I'd have to say doing it a great way to gain some confidence in yourself and your bike. Not as exciting as riding the OPH or Putty Rd but it's a start
A couple of notes - I've recently fitted a top box to the bike. It's waterproof and has an LED brake light with quick connects for removing it from the base plate. Really happy with it but it's very easy to overload it. It's high and behind the rear axle and catches wind like a spinnaker. Makes traveling easy but any wind around makes it a little unsteady. I carried my backpack with my clothes packed in it, my rain suit and my tool bag with basic tool kit and compressor.
Aldi's tank bag - excellent. I carried my warm gloves, a clear visor, water bottle in the main component. Cleaning cloth, cat crap, V sponge in one side pocket and cable ties, fuses, ear plugs in the other. Bluetooth GPS, iPod, headphones and 12v mobile ph charger in the bum bag pocket. Didn't take the lower portion - with it on the bag is very tall - I could probably rest my chin on the bag.
Looking forward to doing it again
