Cycling, Summer and Serpents

Thought I'd relate a little 'tale' re: a recent encounter on a Perth cycleway whilst riding to work one day this week.

Tootling along the cycleway on the South-West side of the Maylands Peninsula at about 7:30am. Google Map below shows the cycleway (the thin brown path) next to the green park leading to the river:

View Larger Map

On the path just below the large empty block in the center of the map, I looked up to see a largish Dugite spread across three quarters of the path. Given that I'd only just looked up, I was travelling 30+ km/h, I wasn't planning on stopping, and there was a gap, I blew past, and looking back, spied the snake (having been rudely awoken) making a slither for the reeds near the path from which I assume it had come.

I know it was Dugite - its colour and slender head was a giveaway, and I've seen a few in my years living and working in the wheatbelt as a kid and student.

So, a nice reminder that Summer is coming! :)

I decided to check out the Wikipedia site for some info on Dugites, and funnily enough there's a pic of one in the entry - sunning itself on a cyclepath near the Roe Highway, which is in Perth! Small world! Damn, should've snapped a pic! Especially seeing as the one I saw was fairly large - maybe 5 ft?

Wikipedia entry for the Dugite

So, keep your eyes peeled if your cycling along the river in Perth!

Cadel Evans wins ProTour classification

Go Cadel! A great result for a great year of riding. Cadel has shown he's a great GC rider, consistent and strong across the bike. He's done a power of work this year. Go to Cycling News to read the two part interview with him (linky below):

Cadel Evans interview on Cycling News

Also, check out his website and leave him a 'good onya' message.

Cadel's Website

City of Perth Great Bike Ride 2007

Sunday the 25th of November is the date for the 2007 City of Perth Great Bike Ride, a jaunt (or flog depending upon ones desires) around the Swan River from Perth to Fremantle and back.

The website for the ride is a good one, with explanations of the event, route, info, merchandise, entry procedure etc - url is below:

City of Perth Great Bike Ride Website

This is the fourth year it's been held but will be the first time I've (hopefully) done it. The first year I wasn't aware of it, the second I was away, and the third I entered but got a monster summer-style flu' the week before the event and chickened out! So, fingers crossed for this time!

There's options of a 53km one or 106 km two lap ride - I'm partaking in the shorter one, as I am NOT a morning person and couldn't imagine starting a 106 km ride at 6am! The 53km ride has a much more sociable 7:40 am starting time :P

Below is the link to the Google map of the Swan River (unfettered by street names) - refer to the Great Bike Ride site to suss out the route: it basically follows the river anticlockwise from the green arrow start and end point.

Link to Larger Map view

Really looking forward to this - will try and blatt it out as hard as I can just for the fun of it.

Any Perth-ites interested can register on the site - go for it! It's for a great cause ("hosted by Rotary Club of Perth and raises much needed funds for three worthy charities: the Heart Foundation, St John of God Foundation and Hope for Children") and a great opportunity to ride around suburban streets in organised safety. Let's take over the streets for a couple of hours!