2013 ; The year that was

It was the year of the Boston bomb, the Rana plaza collapse, the Oklahoma tornado, the runaway Qebec train, typhoon Haiyan, Sarin attacks in Damascus, the Higgs boson Nobel prize, Soverieign Borders policy, the US Fiscal Cliff, Edward Snowden spying and NSW bushfires. We saw Julia then Kevin go, Tony arrive, Benedict out then Francis in, Prince George born and Morsi deposed. We lost Ronnie Biggs, Margaret Thatcher, Lee Rigby and Nelson Mandela.   

Another year over and a new one just begun said Mr Lennon. 2013 has passed fast, seems the years accelerate a bit more every year. I can't rely on a poor memory, the habit of keeping a bike diary recalls many moments otherwise destined to oblivion. Yes, it may be a bit too number nerdy, but it keeps things positive to look back at where you've come from. (despite the rare and miniscule increases in performance) 

It took 2 Vredesteins, 4 Michelins, 5 tubes, 3 chains and 2 services to get through the year. (only 8 punctures) Travels included a Tour de Pub, a Cat lap, a Fruitloop, a Breakaway ride, a Fryers to Flinders, 2 Dookie circuits, 2 Ardmona loops, 2 Camel laps, 3 Kyabram courses, 3 goes at the 7 (or is it 21?) bridges, 3 laps with Wozza, 3 Rushworth rides, 16 with the P&W's, 21 short (solo) circuits, 24 with the Library bunch, 26 solo Toaster laps, 31 Kialla Couldabeens, 34 with the Hospital bunch,  48 Saturday circuits, 61 Tues/Thurs Couldabeens blasts and 89 laps with long time bike buddy Cougar.  21 rides were at 2 degrees or below, just 6 were over 30, several frosts and lots of wind (one at 56km/h) tested the resolve. 31 rides were rain abandoned, 3 from being crook. Guinea fowl, rabbits, dogs and monkeys (driving cars) kept our wits sharp, I bit the dust once, Mike had a Tuesday night stack, Jamie a Thursday night gymnastic prang and June 7 claimed many injuries with 51. My October challenge chalked up 1613k's, I turned up to a Library bunch of one (me) in September, the bike turned 9 years old, I lost count of the coffee and banana toast consumption and I was pretty chuffed to clock a Fryers to Flinders (173km) in 5:02:09.

The years' 18,028 km burned up 414,318 calories, the equivalent of a rather large Christmas dinner ; 
100kg of roast turkey, 50kg of leg ham, 30kg of roast beef, 50kg of roast chicken, 5 kg of garlic prawns, 40 large roast potatoes, 25kg of baked pumpkin, 20 roast carrots, 10kg of beans and a 14kg plum pudding with 4 litres of custard, and one wafer thin chocolate mint, all washed down with 12 bottles of red. Buurrrpp.....

But the important data is thanks. Thanks guys and girls for all for the advice, the stories, the tows, the waves, the experiences, the support, the laughs and the friendship. Far more important than the numbers.  Might just do it all again next year............