Chris L

I'm posting here now solely because I've just had to call off a pre-dawn ride due to some thick bushfire smoke blanketing this place. Evidently some idiot thought it would be "really kewl man" to start a fire somewhere in the vicinity of Mudgeeraba, and right now, just breathing is painful enough. This weekend's century has now been thrown into doubt, too. It's nothing a decent downpour wouldn't fix (even a sea breeze would probably help), but that isn't going to happen during the dry season.

In all seriousness, this is proof that our creator (i.e. God/Allah/Buddha/whomever) was quite obviously imperfect. Why are people like this given hands? Surely there are more worthy recipients out there. Heck, so far this months I'm barely averaging 40km/day.

madpogue 

Bloody rain can be very messy. Ordinary rain would probably be more desirable.

Chris L

If it puts the fires out, I don't care how messy it gets! Even a hail storm would do.

countryrider

too bad you don't live up here. It rains every weekend! trust me enough rain gets annoying.

HereNT

Blame Prometheous.

Dutchy

Hey Chris, we have just had our wettest first week of August in 165 years. Something like 70mm in Adelaide and significantly more in the hills. We've already passed our monthly average in 7 days. The only problem is that when it rains down south the temperature is usually between 10-15ºC, (closer to 8º where I live) for 3 months. Bring on Summer.

CHEERS.

Mark

Chris L

Yeah, I learned a few hard lessons about southern rain in Tassie last year. Mind you, 10-15 degrees C doesn't sound that bad to me -- it was actually 12 on my commute this morning. Still, I'm glad someone is getting some rain. I'm sure most of us up here would happily trade our fires for your rain.

NZLcyclist

70mm in 7 days? hell some parts of our country are getting that in a day. You can have our rain anyday!!! we've had enough! oh yeah the bitter cold and wind can go over your way as well.

Chris L

Yeah, I was wondering about those figures, too. We got 250mm in five hours one night last February. Of course, that was in the "wet" season.

geebee

Chris, you should have been in southern Tassie this year a lot more rain and a lot colder than last year, I doubt a fire bug could light a fire if they wanted to.
I agree with your thoughts about fire bugs.

H. Star

Be careful what you wish for because you might get it. We have had rain every day for over two weeks. If you stand still for very long you will grow mold on the shady side! I had a flat tire around dawn yesterday and must have gotten 30 misquito bites before I got underway again.

Chris L

I wouldn't be terribly bothered if it rained everyday. I still ride in the rain regardless, if anything I like it better than riding when it isn't raining. In fact, all this smoke (it's still here this morning) is about the only thing that prevents me from riding.

greywolf

yeah Chris harden up mate !

AndrewP

I will send you some dehydrated rain packets. You just have to mix with water.

Hitchy

G'day,

Only a bloody Queenslander would be wishing for rain in winter!.......send 'er down Huey...(but only on mudgeeraba)

cheers,

Hitchy

willic

You can have some of ours, AUGUST and SEPTEMBERS average rainfall has just occured in 2 days here

Chris L

I'm not wishing for rain in winter. Spring started up here on July 15.

Incidentally, I'll be down in your neck of the woods probably in late November for a bit of a cycle-tour, do you know of any reasonably scenic routes from North Melbourne down to Frankston, and on to Stony Point? I'll be "officially" starting from Phillip Island, but I'd like to ride that bit too.

wabbit

I guess rain has a different meaning for aussies, but really, you can have some of our rain. We've had one nice day this past week and now we're going to get MORE rain because of Bonnie. In fact, it started raining just now! I don't need a bike, i need a boat!

Hitchy

G'day Chris,

From Port Melbourne to Frankston is known locally as the ' beach road' rides. This is the weekend cycling mecca of the universe!. On any given weekend, there will be literally 1000's of cyclists of all abilities out on 'beach Road'.....in november when the weather is a bit warmer it will be 'chocka' with bikes, especially early AM on either SAt or Sun. This is the venue for the world famous, 'Hell Ride', So named for it's speed rather than the venue!)......hope you enjoy your trip to the cycling capital of the world,

cheers,

Hitchy

Chris L

Thanks for that Hitchy, it's actually my second trip to Melbourne. I spent some time down there briefly a couple of years ago before riding the Great Ocean Road (now that was a treat!). Looks like this time there will be plenty of people to embarass the guy trying to haul his camping gear down the Beach road.

Great news this morning, both the fires at Mudgeeraba appear to be OUT!!! There's still one in the vicinity of Mt Tamborine, and another (I think) at South Stradbroke Island, but things are improving. I have a ride this weekend. Ra!

operator

Hold on a second, what type of weed is this?

Chris L

I spoke too soon about the fires obviously. Another has just commenced out at Nerang, and it is huge! The smoke is blocking out the sun from 12km away.

Chris L

I've just been looking outside after shutting all the doors and windows of my apartment to try to keep that smoke out, and seen the most amazing thing. When looking up toward the sun through the cloud of smoke it appears literally blood red, and it's currently reflecting off the canal outside. Incredible! Of course, it just had to be now that I'm without my camera.

AdrianB

Hope the smoke clears soon! Otherwise, smoked passionfruit...

Bop Bop

Chris,

I live in an area in Arizona known as the Valley of the Sun, largest city Phoenix (temps this time of year run 105 to 110F, not uncommon to do 115F or better). Last year we had less than 3 inches of rain total. This year we are going to give that a run for it's money. This time of year is known as the "Monsoon Season". AZ is only one of 5 places worldwide where the monsoons hit, they come up from Mexico. So far this years Monsoon Season has been a bust. We are in the middle of a nine year drought. The rain here is so infrequent that when it does rain people go out in the street to party.

Because of the drought and the Bark Bettles the AZ forests are like knidling. We have had a number of fires in AZ this year some within 20 miles of the house. While we where able to see the smoke we where not effected. Last year two different fires joined together to form the largest fire ever in AZ and possibly in the USA, 475,000 acre.

So I'm with you, BRING ON THE RAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!