Waxing (not lyrical)

This is our seventh post - scroll down to see the first six !

Photo: Is Bruce saying goodbye to the hairs on his legs, individually ? (see below)...

We have to admit, somewhat ruefully, that we didn't actually go on the proposed Mt Dandenong Ride - we got involved in setting up this blog. Neither of us has done this before and there was quite a learning curve. We have tried to put information on the blog as well, so it is a hybrid blog-website. We hope some people find it of some small interest.
One thing we discovered while researching bike-ride-blogging was that we are not first! Quite a few Rotary groups in the U.S., Europe and Australia have organised marathon bike rides to raise money for Polio Plus. A couple have kept blogs. One example was a blog written by John Gatt (Junior) during last year’s Ride to Conference. He had some novel ways of raising money, including having his legs waxed and head shaved for the ride - the waxing event was even videoed.
Hmmmm ...a thought....would we be able to convince potential donors this way ? I suggested same to Bruce ... wondering whether he could go even further and undergo a Brazilian - but Bruce felt that no, that would not attract much interest , and anyway Rotarians would not know what a Brazilian was. But the discussion reminded Bruce of a story he'd heard at Rotary ....
Three Brazilian Soldiers
Donald Rumsfeld is giving the president his daily briefing. He concludes by saying: "Yesterday, 3 Brazilian soldiers were killed.""OH NO!" the President exclaims. "That's terrible!"His staff sits stunned at this display of emotion, nervously watching as the President sits, head in hands.Finally, the President looks up and asks, "How many is a brazillion?"

By the way I wonder if our readers know why road cyclists wax their legs ? More Things You Always Wanted to Know About Cycling will be featured in the next couple of weeks. Meanwhile, see our quiz question !

Scroll on down to see all our posts ....there are six before this one.

Our current theme song

Audio Clip

Thanks to Margaret and Graham Brown

Many many thanks to Margaret and Graham Brown, the organisers of, and support team for, this ride - without them it woudn't be happening. Their enthusiasm and attention to detail is amazing .. and I haven't even met them yet! (Katrina). Today we are doing a training ride to the top of Mt Dandenong from Camberwell.. And back (I hope).

Thanks to you all

We have been overwhelmed by the initial responses to our first email asking for sponsorships : we already have $1300, and many more "pledges" to come. Now we really will have to do this ride , and not walk at all ...

.... we have both become quite committed to the cause , as we have learned just how much Rotary has done , as the prime mover (leading other organisations such as WHO, UNICEF, and the Gates Foundation).

But how great it will be to get the job finished - until then, every case of polio is a preventable tragedy.

Tropical Altona

Today's ride was to Altona and back - the cooling sea breeze counteracting the 34 degree day. I (Katrina) remember at some time in the past thinking Altona was a long way. Now it seems a very short ride although it was 50 km return. There are beautiful bay views, and also, silhouetted proudly in front of the refinery ... a single date palm- well, with climate change Altona may end up being tropical.

Bruce's most edifying remark today was that owners definitely do resemble their dogs - this said after we passed a Beagle and its owner - both possible candidates for The Biggest Loser. I remarked that I should therefore own a stout and determined short-legged dog such as a corgi - and not a frisky young poodle cross, like our Mopsy. So today's competition question for our readers is: "What sort of dog should Bruce own ? " Please email us your suggestions ! (He is hoping you all suggest a greyhound ....)

Kinglake ride

Today we did a 75 km loop from Hurstbridge through Kinglake and Whittlesea and back. It was very sad to see the sites where houses had once stood, and the lonely "For Sale" signs. The charring of the trees reached up 7 metres or more, making us realise how enormous the inferno had been. There is green growth everywhere , and the gum trees look like huge monsters with furry wavy arms.

The Kinglake ride was otherwise very beautiful - except during the very long climb up to Kinglake, continuous uphill for about 15 km, climbing to 550 metres. One of us had to walk up the steepest hill, and it wasn't Bruce.

Whittlesea to Kinglake Loop

http://www.bikely.com/

Erudite dialogue of the day :

Bruce : I don't seem to be losing any weight

Katrina (always nice): Oh I think you are ..

Bruce: No, off my bum

Katrina : Ummmm ... I think you are

Bruce : Not bum, bum bag - because we haven't used any of the food in it




Photo : Does my bum look big in these?

Kinglake ride : Our conclusion : highly recommended - it is quite beautiful away from the bushfire-affected areas, and you can support the Kinglake community.

One month to go

One month to go .....

When Bruce and I first considered doing the 2010 Ride to Conference we truly believed we would be able to do heaps of training over the Summer ... now it is only one month to go and neither of us feels as fit as we woud like ! 525 km in 6 days ... Geelong to Albury ... first day is 99 km, that might be OK , but then we have to get up and do day 2...