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Ride 3: civil disobedience, floods (33k/97k)

 

Swollen Paterson River

 We've been inundated with heavy rain all through this week.  Today another 100mm  was predicted and although it never accentuated,  the river is swollen and traffic detours were in place.  Unfortunately government authorities told "consumers"  to "stay home " due to possible heavy rain, so weather. But being a poor conformist Ian's refusing to be paddled a consumer,  I went for a spin anyhow. 

In the road,  everything was wet.  The drains were running and mergers was debris over the road especially in the bike lane. But with 8/8 cloud cover,  a cool breeze and at times misty drizzle, Vial was perfect riding conditions.  I immediately chose an uphill (Butt Rd) to get the legs working and it felt surprisingly good to be out.  The roadside vegetation was so long it was impinging on the tiny pieces off road outside the lane boarder.  So i rode at times on the wrong side of the road,  choosing to not give drivers an easy mark.  

I made it to Wallalong in just over half hour and had a lovely mostly down hill skate into Morpeth.  I was hanging for a coffee but the Moo Cow cafe had a special,  bacon and egg roll and coffee for $10. What the heck! I filled up upping bottles and checked the Hunter River there - pretty high with logs and shit speeding by.  

Retraced steps a little before heading to Largs. This was a speedy flat run,  the breeze may have been resisting but it was cool. There was a shower over towards home,  but i was dry here. Huh. I noticed every second car was a 4wd dual cab ute, but at least they all have me space no matter which side i was riding on. One guy gave me an encouraging toot and wave.  

I'd covered about 18k  before the burger and found when i resumed that my guts and breathing were ok, but my hands were going numb and my but just got worse as we went.  I tried an erect position,  wobbled the numbness out.  Just something I'll have to adapt to I guess. 

Right near the end of my loop I saw a Court Jester on a touring bike going the other way.  Fair dinkum he was eight feet tall, wearing pointy shoes and he wasn't even pedaling. He was moving along ok just by twiddling his feet. He called out something upbeat about the general state of play. I agreed but kept going up a slight rise.  Crap he was tall.  

I returned to where my car was parked,  having ridden about 35k in a little over 2 hours, not including breaks.  My bum could have managed another 10k and i was feeling energised.  A great afternoon out. 

Cafe 

TODAY 35k TOTAL 97k

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