My creative space: on the bike

(taken on Tuesday near Gariwerd, The Grampians)

Sometimes bike touring is easy. The sun shines, the wind is at your back, your legs feel strong and you can't imagine being happier doing anything else. It is a time for ideas, for possibilities. You literally feel yourself unwind. It is very much a creative space. There are endless hours, just to think. No multi-tasking, except for turning those pedals and letting your mind wander (and trying to avoid those swooping magpies).

And then there are those other times.

When the wind and the rain are in your face, when your legs are telling you you're on a hill but it can't possibly be, it looks so flat. When you're still 30 or 40 (or 60) km from where you need to be and you've had enough, and you curse your pride from stopping you flagging down the next car.

It's a love-hate relationship.

(p.s. if you're in the Grampians area, I can highly recommend the Willaura Bakery)

As always, you can find more creative spaces over at Kirsty's

Why I want to live in the country...

Imagine being able to ride your bike in through here every day (well, maybe not every day, but whenever you feel like it).

I was in the Grampians for the weekend and managed a short training ride on Saturday morning. Even met a local out on the road who told me to watch out for deer. I asked him if they were a pest and he said, officially yes, but the tourists like them so much they don't do too much to manage them. Wonder if that's true?

I also made some time to start a baby hat:

and I almost got it finished before realising I missed 8 rows, and therefore it's looking oddly stunted. Will have to unpick and start again. Ugh!

Maillot Jaune

The end of another Tour de France. Life goes back to normal for another 49 weeks...