Tunnel vision

Yesterday was the long-awaited Burringbar Tunnel ride. I was expecting a relatively simple and easy cruise, with the daily distance promising to be no more than 140km. I should learn to never underestimate any ride -- ever. Yet for some reason, my own psychology continues to defy my experience. When will I ever learn?

First of all, there was the flat tyre on the infamous "beer bottle" stretch at Casuarina Beach. I had actually avoided riding through that subdivision for a little over a year, but my alternative route through Chinderah was blocked with a "road closed" sign, so I had little option this time around. In truth, the flat tyre would do little more than delay the start of the ride, and would be the extent of my mechanical problems -- I'd get off lightly.

Ultimately, there would be only three of us doing this ride. Dave from Tweed Coast Treadly, and his usual riding partner Mark. We set off over the beautiful climb of Cudgera Creek road, with it's pretty switchbacks in the rainforest, and great views over the Burringbar Range. This time we would head for Wabba road at the top, but I managed to find another access point which eliminated the 26% gradient that we had to contend with last time around. The view from this point was absolutely stunning, as it passed through a slightly higher cutting in the mountain.


We started to negotiate the muddy, leech infested, slippery trails of Wabba "road". I managed a minor crash here (my fourth in four consecutive months), but the bruise to my hand was nothing compared to what would happen when Mark broke his chain not once, but twice. I've carried my own chain tool since the famous chain-snapping incident on Tasmania's Strathgordon road in 2004 (when my own frozen fingers prevented me from using it anyway), now I was using it on someone else's bike. We eventually had to take six links out of that badly worn chain, which limited the number of gears Mark had at his disposal. Still, the climbing gears were available, and that's usually all that matters in these parts.


So it was on to Stokers Siding, and the track toward the Burringbar Tunnel. A narrow sealed road became a narrow dirt road, which eventually became a paddock next to the railway line. A little later on, the paddock disappeared, and we had to ride literally on the railway line. The sleepers caused a few (ok, more than a few) bumps. I realised that the best way to deal with them was to ride faster, but even that had it's limitations. The railway line has been closed (and accordingly unmaintained) for over five years. Without any trains using it, there's nothing to stop the incursion of lantana, which can result in a few additional scratches.


The tunnel itself lived up to every expectation, and more. The glow worms lit up the roof like the night sky, there were bats sleeping in any isolated patch they could find, and even a waterfall at the southern end (inside the tunnel). I rode through the tunnel, before walking back to explore it on foot (it was around 500 metres long). This was definitely worth all the aggravation earlier in the day. Lunch followed, before mopping up the final couple of kilometres and a rickety rail bridge into Burringbar village. Somewhere along the way Dave had buckled a rear wheel (probably a result of his crash, which I somehow didn't see).

I'm not sure what the final leech tally was for the day. I ended up with four, but that was considerably fewer than anybody else (who said being anal about sunscreen was a bad thing). I do know that with only a flat tyre, I got off pretty lightly in the mechanicals department as well. I was dead tired at Burringbar, and decided on the "direct" ride home over the Burringbar range and Tomewin. I started to feel better shortly after setting off (it's amazing what removing leeches can do for your stamina) and promptly slaughtered every hill that got in my way, including the 350-metre climb of Tomewin. The tailwind helped a bit too.
Everyone's reaction after this ride was "never again", but it's amazing what 24 hours of reflection can do for your enthusiasm for this sort of project. This ride really was a special experience, and it's not everyday someone can ride along an old railway line before it's developed into a rail trail. The closest I've come to that was the track to Montezuma Falls in Tasmania some years back. Thinking back on it, it's definitely a ride I'd like to do again some day... maybe not tomorrow, but some day.

Bike Rack Issue and Ride

Passed on Tuesday Coffee - tired and did not want to deal with the coffee group. Was late morning when I headed to town for my blood draw, stop at the bike shop, and bike ride.

Talked with Blaine and we looked at the problem with the Yakima rack. Forgot to take a photo while it mechanism was open on Sunday. From the photo here, you can see the right latch finger was broken off (red plastic piece). The rack is useable for now. See what Yakima says about the failure.

From the bike shop I headed to Wabash Trace trailhead for a ride on my road bike. From what I could hear, sounded like my heart is in A-Fib. Getting the bike off the rack and ready for my ride, the heart monitor verified my diagnosis. that, and i have been sluggish all day.

Monitor readings were steady but high (at about 130 when normally mid 60s when prepping for my ride). Decided to just ride to and around Manawa. By the time I was on the last 1.5 mile section of the ride, I was fading.

I had been keeping hydrated on the ride. It might have had something about that I did not eat much the last 2 days. Before departing the trailhead, I drank a quart of PowerAde Zero and headed to Freddy's for some food. Felt better after the food, yet heart is still in A-Fib.

Beautiful day to be out of the bike. Forecast is great weather the rest of the week. Hoping to get out some more rides.

Hiatus

A peaceful park image - especially when the water is running! I've pawed my secretary for a while about putting "Monday Captions" on hiatus for a couple of months. By the fall, we can stockpile some great pix! I want to apologize that I haven't been around to your blogs - my mom has had a busy weekend and barely got this post in before work! Have a peaceful Monday.

Long weekend

'Tis the season for baby toads.

Everywhere a nest, nest.

Woodpecker playground.

Top of the previous tree, now on the ground.

Somewhere behind these leaves, many warblers were cheerfully singing.
(Kentucky, Blue-winged, Common Yellowthroat, Northern Parula, Louisiana Waterthrush.)

Happy with "just clover".

Black Knot & the Cherry Tree.

New Curtains

After watching Julie & Julia, I bought some blue gingham check curtains for my kitchen. I loved the ones in Julia Child's kitchen and wanted to get that look. I already have red gingham check curtains for the kitchen. Either color matches as most of my kitchen is red and blue with touches of yellow.
I think I'll hang the red ones in the winter to warm things up and the blue ones in the summer to cool the room down. I'm going to leave the blue ones up through this winter, though, since they're new. I just love gingham curtains. They're so clean, fresh, and country.

True Colors

Mum's Market Bag




Shell frame with lime design in center
Cover-up for???????

Fruit! The colors of which look pretty gross if you ask me. A pear, an apple, grapes and a lime, and... a chayote! It's a fruit you can eat with or without skin. In salads, it tastes sort of like a combo cross between a potato and cucumber. You can cook it any way you want and serve it with butter or herbs and spices. Here's to lime shades. Happy Thursday!

From the Eastern Sierras to the Old West!

Momma here: seeing so much beauty in a few packed-full days should be criminal, but we indulged! This is Mount Williamson, the second highest peak in the Lower 48. As we drove out of the town of Independence toward the valley below Mt. Williamson, the scenery grew even more breathtaking (and that's no joke!). We were headed for the Kearsage Pass trailhead in Onion Valley (9200 feet) and hike up to Gilbert Lake (at almost 10,000 feet), so the thinner air really did take our breath away. The dogs did really super - it was as if they'd lived here all their lives. Okay Sammie... take it away.

So the above picture is where the trail started and this is Onion Valley. See that ridge up there? That is where we were headed - to a lake. The slideshow at the bottom of this post has lots more pictures of the trail and lake.

On another day, we roadtripped up to Bishop and headed for Rock Creek. No hiking today but a ton of swimming and leaf-peeping for Mom and Dad. Lake Sabrina is a pretty alpine lake that we drove to.
After we left the Bishop area, we headed back to Lone Pine, our HQ, and decided to check out the film museum there, cause on the way to Mount Whitney on the Portal Road, there are a bunch of rocks, collectively called the Alabama Hills. 100s... maybe 1000s of movies and TV shows have been shot there and the museum has a lot of media memorabilia in it. Afterwards, we actually went and explored in and about the rocks and had a great time chasing all manner of furry creatures heheh!
There was a spectacular sunset, and even though it wasn't all pink and orange and rosy, it was very dramatic, just like those spaghetti westerns. You'll see some pictures of that in the slideshow too. The next morning we had to pack up and leave...
This is the cool highway we've been following almost ever since Mohave.
Here we are, traveling north and climbing a pass as we leave Mono Lake, which sits in a valley just east of Yosemite National Park.
That evening, we reached Virginia City - our final destination before driving home the following day. This guy doggehsat us for a while. Look at that gun!
He wasn't a very good doggeh nanny, cause we escaped for a while and got Mom in trouble. Uh oh.
In addition to what we barked below, we suggest you might like to view the show enlarged by clicking on the double squares, lower right. Enjoy!

We know this is a huge post and don't expect you to look at all these pictures, but for those of you who might like to see more of the Eastern Sierra... well, we wanted to share our adventures.

A moment around the campfire... above... and...
...in the spirit of Halloween - the "Bucket of Blooooooooood"!

Council Bluffs Riverfront

This week work started on the Council Bluffs Riverfront - Phase 1. This section is just South of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. Click HERE to see the plan.
Trees being cleared between the Iowa Riverfront Trail and river. for the new green space. On the other side of the trail construction is continuing.
My ride started from the Western Historic Trails Center. Rode to the pedestrian and over to the middle of the bridge. Took a few photos there. Then road on up to N. 25th St.
Stopped at the construction area again to take more photos. While just about ready to head back to the trail center, was hailed by Mike - a guy met on the trail Sunday. He was on his bike (thinking its his first bike ride of the year). Nice chat there.
On the way back home stopped again at Xtreme Wheels. Became a busy day at the shop. Almost like "old home day". Randy (and tribe) and Andrew were there. Few others I don't know remember (I hate it when that happens).

Volcanoes at Petroglyph National Monument

When I stuck the door of my room this morning, the sun was shining. Just could not get moving. Thought about ride a bike - check out the trail near the hotel. I was a bit windy, to decided to check out the Volcanoes day use area at Petroglyph National Monument.
This area is at Exit 149 of I-40 and a couple miles North. It was a bit breezy out on the plains. Didn't seem too bad so walked the 1/2 mile to the JA Volcano and the valley vista shelter.
Mountain bike trail web sites had mentioned trails in the area. But, being it a National Monument, I was not sure. Sign at the trailhead showed that bikes are allowed. As I walked, I was thinking how much easier it would be to ride the trail to tak photos.
I did not stay much time at the volcano. The wind was strong from the NW - and a bit brisk and biting. Besides, it gives me a reason to return with my trail bike to explore more of the trails there.
The photo on this post shows the trail to Black Volcano as viewed from the trail to the valley vista.

Braunston circular

Led by Mel. With Norma, Maureen, Gordon, Barry, Barrie, Terry, Ian, Carol and me. Fine weather, but some overgrown fields and in places muddy conditions underfoot. Just under 6 miles.

The footpath sign is just by the churchyard gate

We started from Braunston church, which we should have looked at a little more closely. - Confession time - we visited Braunston next day, took some better pics, and went for lunch in The Old Plough. A baguette with filling, salad with dressing and coleslaw for £6.25.

Though the interior is interesting, the most intriguing feature of All Saints is outside. Go around the side of the west tower and there you will find an roughly carved statue, about 3 feet high, depicting a grinning figure. The reverse of the figure is flat, and it was used for many years to form a step, so the carving was only discovered when the step was taken up.

No one knows how old the carving is, or what it is supposed to represent, but it is almost certainly pre-Christian. It may be a symbol of an ancient fertility cult, or some form of Celtic Earth Mother. Whatever it is supposed to represent, it is a quite extraordinary bit of primitive sculpture, and deserves more recognition.

More discussion on this stone carvingand more info about the church and carving.

According to the info board she is supposed to ward off evil spirits.

We walked through the churchyard to take the footpath going west. After a couple of fields the path crosses the young river Gwash, and turns south-west. It followed field edges climbing gradually , with clear way markers until we came to a field of long grass where we followed our noses and the map, diagonally upwards to the opposite corner. In fact we veered slightly to our left, but rejoined our route after going through a gate at the top of the field.

Checking grid reference and map

We followed a wide bridleway east along the top of the ridge, until we reached a junction where we turned right. We walked downhill to and through a strip of muddy woodland. At the edge of this we turned left uphill along what looked like a wet and muddy track, but in fact it was reasonable for walking. The path met another track and we turned right and downhill for a short distance, before turning left again, following a bridleway to a junction of ways, where we stopped for a break, just after the three-mile point.




We continued walking straight on ( east) as far as Leigh Lodge. There we turned left (north-east) and followed the route of the Macmillan and Leighfield Ways, up a metalled road, for about a mile. When we reached the minor road to Braunston we turned left (north-west).




The original plan was to take a bridleway on our right, and follow the river Gwash to Braunston via the sewage works and the bridge pictured below. As it promised to be a mud-bath, we took the road instead.

Braunston

All Saints church, Braunston

Drawing of All Saints church by Harry Hamill

The walk touches/overlaps with these two previous walks - this onefrom Nov 28 , and this one from July 21 .