First steps in assessing the local bike scene

Riding my bike hasn't been an option for the last two months, but I've been scanning the local scene and figuring out where I can ride, once the PT says it's ok to get back in the saddle.

The local newspaper is The Adelaide Advertiser. What's nice about South Australia is that road biking gets newspaper coverage, like every other sport around here. Adelaide hosts the January Tour Down Under, so it takes competitive cycling very seriously. I've noted plenty of commuters riding M-F here, usually on limited gears "sit up and begs" and low end mountain bikes. Weather is a bit chilly in the mornings, but by 9am, it's like a warm Seattle day, so I find it funny how everyone is wearing scarves and overcoats as they ride around. On the weekends the flash set comes out to play. Lots of Giant carbon bikes, Specialized, and various European brands. Also a few super cool dude fixies about. I've seen only one type of folding bike, Dahon, and they're pretty scarce.

There are bike lanes in the city, not as wide as I'm used to, and I've seen a couple of close rider v bus encounters, and cyclists choosing (or forced?) to ride in high speed rush hour traffic. These things warn me about the state of the locals re "share the road," which basically isn't as advanced as I'm used to in Seattle. I am forewarned. It won't stop me riding, but cause me to adjust my road behavior to match.

I picked up a copy of the Advertiser's latest rides book (there are several) at the newspaper's retail sales desk on Waymouth St. I also quizzed a cyclist at the coffee shop at Mt Lofty visitor's centre last monday, where I went for a hike on the Queen's Birthday public holiday. Hard to missall the riders slogging up hill to the summit. Looks like I found one of the good training rides for the locals. When my shoulder can take it, I'll ditch the bus ride to Mt Lofty and ride with them.

Back in the saddle in South Australia

Woman on her bike has been busy moving to try out a new job in a new country. Riding's been on hiatus, due to the challenges of such an endeavor, along with living with a torn rotator cuff in the left shoulder.

When the physio therapist says: OK, she's be joining BikeSA and checking out a few of their weekend rides.