You can always tell when its mango season up north. Apart from having to dodge fallen fruit on the road from overhanging trees (serious cyclist hazard) and the stink of fermenting mangoes on the ground, the Townsville ( north Qld) locals go totally weird.
Cut off by a "female" attending the steering wheel of a taxi in Flinders St East. Caught her at the lights and she told me that "the road is for cars , get of the bloody road and get on the bike path" . I rang the Depot and made a formal complaint, name address etc. That was a week ago, nothing heard back so I bet next time I ring for a cab I will be whistling dixie.
Next night on the Strand a white Magna zooms past in opposite direction, yob in the back yells some **** and launches a near full can of bundy n coke at me - just missed front wheel. Do another loop and some hill work in Cleverland Terrace and back along Strand to head for home. Just turn off into Howatt St near Jezzine Barracks and silvery Honda roars past, more garbled **** yelled and another near full can of bundy n coke launched at me, just misses top bar and knees - sticky **** every where and stink of rum.
Friday night and running late, dont start ride till 2100 but its cooled down a bit. Anticipate **** so avoid Strand as the monthly markets are on. Ride up Palmer St, past Metropole pub and out towards level crossing and the reclaim. White Falcodore roars past, lots of yelling from all windows and another near full can of bundy n coke comes my way. Drop short and rattles off into gutter. This is right outside South Tsv Police Stn but there is never any one there.
So, its got me stuffed, either the locals are trying to coach me in riding, think I look thirsty or there oughta be a serious health warning put out about bundy n coke being OFF.
Had a good ride this morning (Sunday)with the Childrens Cancer Ride bunch. Same ride as last week. Out to the Prison, Copper Refinery, Oonoomba, Railway Estate, Reclaim, Sth Tsv, Strand and then home. Ended up being 65km for me and average of 24kmh.
Wonder what excitement this week will bring. At least we havent had any serious rain yet so cane toad dodgems hasnt started.
Cheers
Hugh
Cut off by a "female" attending the steering wheel of a taxi in Flinders St East. Caught her at the lights and she told me that "the road is for cars , get of the bloody road and get on the bike path" . I rang the Depot and made a formal complaint, name address etc. That was a week ago, nothing heard back so I bet next time I ring for a cab I will be whistling dixie.
Next night on the Strand a white Magna zooms past in opposite direction, yob in the back yells some **** and launches a near full can of bundy n coke at me - just missed front wheel. Do another loop and some hill work in Cleverland Terrace and back along Strand to head for home. Just turn off into Howatt St near Jezzine Barracks and silvery Honda roars past, more garbled **** yelled and another near full can of bundy n coke launched at me, just misses top bar and knees - sticky **** every where and stink of rum.
Friday night and running late, dont start ride till 2100 but its cooled down a bit. Anticipate **** so avoid Strand as the monthly markets are on. Ride up Palmer St, past Metropole pub and out towards level crossing and the reclaim. White Falcodore roars past, lots of yelling from all windows and another near full can of bundy n coke comes my way. Drop short and rattles off into gutter. This is right outside South Tsv Police Stn but there is never any one there.
So, its got me stuffed, either the locals are trying to coach me in riding, think I look thirsty or there oughta be a serious health warning put out about bundy n coke being OFF.
Had a good ride this morning (Sunday)with the Childrens Cancer Ride bunch. Same ride as last week. Out to the Prison, Copper Refinery, Oonoomba, Railway Estate, Reclaim, Sth Tsv, Strand and then home. Ended up being 65km for me and average of 24kmh.
Wonder what excitement this week will bring. At least we havent had any serious rain yet so cane toad dodgems hasnt started.
Cheers
Hugh