More lives than a cat just cycling around Brisbane
Current mood: quixotic
Category: News and Politics

 

I had cycled to Brisbane today to do some shopping and to have my bike checked over by Planet Cycles, in Woolloongabba. I then went to visit the new Queensland State library in Southbank. On my way back from Brisbane I was almost run over not once but a number of times along Beaudesert Road. On three occassions two semi trailer trucks and a car had cut in front of me and drove over the side of road where I was readying to ride my bike over. Then there were a couple of cars that drove over the side of the road and deliberately drove over the dirt area whereby dust would billow at my face. The red sedan was a Ford Falcon, mid 1990s model, similar to Frank Tufuga's car, except that it was not Frank's car. Then I was almost hit by a huge Jeep-like four wheel drive car with attached bull bars exiting the Beaudesert road towards the Calamvale Hotel exit. This is not the first I have been hit on this exit. Last month a white Japanese made four cyclinder sedan almost hit me as well at the very same exit. The driver was a young man in his early twenties who sped away without even slowing down. In that occassion the near fatality collision would be truly instant and most certainly deliberate. Today, the repeat offense is certainly deliberate as well.

I have more lives than a cat and since I have been riding my bike into Brisbane now I am certain that I ride with an acceptance that it could very well be my final journey everytime. I also acknowledge that if ever I am involved in an accident it will not, by any means, be an accident.

I had taken some photos on my Kodak Z650 digital camera on top of the Mt. Gravatt lookout. My pictures are a bit off I had just cycled all the way from home to the top of Mt. Gravatt then took some photos then cycled into Brisbane then cycled all the way back home carrying my shopping on my back. I was nearly killed on three occassions. Being near is not going to kill me so this is not going to stop me.

By the way I have entered into the Amy Gillet Southbank to Surfers Paradise bike ride scheduled for the 9th December, 2006. I have just paid my entrance fee in the City and now I am training for the event without being killed in the process I hope. The ride will also feature Robbie McEwen, the Green jersey sprinters champion, from the Tour De France, 2006, from Australia, and he will be cycling for his company (Team Lotto)no doubt during the Criterion racing in Gold Coast on the following day. I have cycled between Brisbane and Gold Coast on a number of occassions and I can do this event alright. It is over one hundred kilometres of intense riding. I will find the going a bit tough though because the pros are riding as well. You know the Tour De France riders as well. They average over 40kilometres an hour over 100kms. I will be lucky to average over 32km I suppose? It all depends though on what will motivate me to cycle with and remain attached to the peloton.

The ride will commence at 0600 on Saturday morning from Southbank and directly due south over the V1 to Surfer's Paradise, Gold Coast.

On Sunday, 10th December, the Gold Coast Criterion will be on. Robbie McEwen will be racing on this event.  

I hope to see some friendlies to ride in the peloton because believe me there are a lot of hostiles around. I have always wondered why there are not many Pacific Islanders taking up this sport I have finally figured it out. Due to financial constraints I have not been able to compete in the Shepparton Half Ironman so I will be riding in the Amy Gillet ride instead.

So lets hope to see you at Southbank on Saturday morning 9th december, 2006. Mr. Robbie McEwen will be there.