Rhysycle

😢

https://bicyclingaustralia.com.au/news/tributes-flow-for-indypac-veteran-chris-caveman-barker/?fbclid=IwAR2eSigksUx9ghYeuxzYu2PPbGMmKm6ExxkMzEcI8dhLmJ__-BB13ZJAA4E_aem_AZPGu9ClQOyPLpU3jRWBXc9UOht0RABowW9Ajp7fcj6c54Iw62k6ikcX920Yhu4h1iU

Tributes Flow For IndyPac Veteran Chris ‘Caveman’ Barker - Bicycling Australia ‘He’s one of Australasia’s most passionate, committed and accomplished long-distance bikepackers, and also one of the friendliest and most helpful riders out there. His sixth IndyPac start, at the end of the 2024 edition of the gruelling 5500km ride across Australia, Chris ‘Caveman’ Barker...

Well, so much for not riding INDIPAC this year because I’d started in a new role at work and it wouldn’t be appropriate to down tools to ride across the country at the busiest time of the year…

Being hit by a forklift has kinda forced me to down tools anyway. A full break of the right fibula and ligaments torn away from the bone means plates, several screws and “ropes.” It also means a recovery time somewhere in the vicinity of three months.

And the worst bit? No riding! 😫

I still have my eye on INDIPAC 2026 though! 🚴‍♂️

Whilst I iinitially intended to have another crack at INDIPAC in 2024, circumstances have changed in my employment and it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to down tools in the middle of the busiest time of year in my first year in a new role. I also won’t be riding INDIPAC in 2025 due to a special family celebration. So the next time I tackle INDIPAC will be 2026. In the meantime, I’ll do some smaller rides and explore other parts of the country. Stay tuned for more updates. It’ll be great! 😊

The annual trek to Geelong for the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race I missed the start today by 12 minutes due to unplanned issues earlier this morning, but this year I’m not going up to Challambra and missing the finish again So The Village is where I’ll stay today! 😊

National Ride To Work Day…
Did YOU ride today? 🤔

I’ll have more options for rest on the next ultra ride thanks to this awesome bit of kit! 🏕️

HILLS!!!! ,🚵‍♂️
WIND!!!! 💨

GARMIN: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/12307604313
STRAVA: https://strava.app.link/4pxtrlhTSDb
RELIVE: https://www.relive.cc/view/vYvEKweZyG6

Something A Bit Different Distance 85.80 km | Time 4:23:32 | Speed 19.5 kph | Elevation 839 m

Warm and windy. 🥵💨

GARMIN: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/12135761307
STRAVA: https://strava.app.link/cQJRCWYavDb
RELIVE: https://www.relive.cc/view/vMq5eJDgwQq

Morning Ride Distance 58.48 km | Time 2:24:24 | Speed 24.3 kph | Elevation 181 m

Surprised how good that felt.

GARMIN: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/12093220919
STRAVA: https://strava.app.link/KjG8qJ8TlDb
RELIVE: https://www.relive.cc/view/v8qVQyLJn36

Ride Home From Family Birthday Celebration Distance 53.80 km | Time 2:20:32 | Speed 23.0 kph | Elevation 204 m

The girls had other things to do, so I took the opportunity to take the bike to a family birthday celebration instead of the car.

GARMIN: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/12091624898
STRAVA: https://strava.app.link/dLVvODwTlDb
RELIVE: https://www.relive.cc/view/vJOKZGVDewv

Ride to Family Birthday Celebration Distance 55.31 km | Time 2:31:10 | Speed 22.0 kph | Elevation 325 m

Good follow-up ride after yesterday. Windy and warm again, and one more bastard magpie.

GARMIN: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/12040458106
STRAVA: https://strava.app.link/WyebYT5N9Cb
RELIVE: https://www.relive.cc/view/vXvL1W2d97O

Morning Ride Distance 112.39 km | Time 5:04:50 | Speed 22.1 kph | Elevation 461 m

Windy. Very windy. 💨
And… Just as I was thinking I’d completed a ride without encountering any magpies, BANG! A vicious one gets both my ears multiple times! 👂🐧

GARMIN: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/12032906230
STRAVA: https://strava.app.link/aiYFdF1d8Cb
RELIVE: https://www.relive.cc/view/vrqoPYKNoyv

Lunch Ride Distance 49.63 km | Time 2:13:40 | Speed 22.3 kph | Elevation 170 m