Countdown: Two more days to go!

I went for the practice ride on Wednesday with two of the cyclists: Irshad and Arif. Riding through London streets is exhausting! You really have to keep your wits about you! As a general rule here, cyclists don't wear helmuts and they don't stop at red lights - so it was quite a new experience for me! I felt like a country girl, though I've lived in cities all my life!

We went to Alexandra hill (?), which seems to be the only hill in London! The first ride up was harder than the second, which was because the second time I did it I knew how long (or short) it was. For Brisbane people, it is maybe a third (or a fourth) of the size of Mt Cootha, and much more gradual - no steep parts. For people from Canberra - this hill had nothing on Mt Ainslie as far as steepness is concerned!!

Though I must admit, I was quite tired by the end of it all. We only rode 40 km, but a combination of the London traffic, the last dregs of jet lag and the gap I've had since last riding in Brisbane left me ready for bed!

This Sunday it all begins! We ride out from the Embankment Gardens at about 3pm (after a rally which begins at 12 noon) and travel about 35km to Dartford. This is a nice short ride to give us a taste of the group!

Luggage is quite a hassle! My bag can hardly fit my necessities, and now I learn that there is even more to add - a plastic plate and bowl and a knife, fork and spoon! I have to do a complete overhaul and see what can stay and what can go!

I will sign off here. Ciao for now! Micaela