Phil and Susan's Blog

Just a quick thank you to those that came out on Sunday and rode with us on the Arthur's Seat ride. It was a great event and we enjoyed catching up with many past AllTrails cyclists. Susan was very happy with her ride completing the full 113km including the big climb up Arthur's Seat. Phil sustained a knee injury about half way around which slowed progress however still enjoyed the day!

Look forward to seeing many of the riders on future tours in the coming months.

Phil & Susan

Here is an extract from an email blog received from Ben - tour guide currently on Stage 1 of Australia Ride from Cairns to Mt Isa.

Day 1 was tough, for all but Ross.

Day 2 while longer was significantly easier with plenty of downhill, which had Boris, Phil and Barry in a tight group barreling along. Again Ross ahead on his own.

Undara is a great spot. The Accom while simple had plenty of character with the rooms inside old train train carriages. The three campers had themselves a lovely group site looking out towards granite hills. With plenty of wildlife about, Kookaburras, cheeky Coorarongs and Wallabies the guys decided they had to try some for dinner. Dinner was served in a large open air restaurant surrounded by train carriages that have been converted for dining and a bar. With the sound of the Coorarongs singing in the tree next to us we enjoyed our dinner, which included kangaroo and more meat than you would find in a town butcher. The dining area was relatively quiet and empty, but the group made up for that! Plenty of laughter and loud chat. When the rest of us turned to our rooms Boris and Phill who have a constant Aussie - Kiwi rivalry going but are rarely seen apart headed to the bar. Boris was last seen heading to his room with a bottle of red in his hand and proceeded to play quite lovely music is his room.

Day 3 - A cooked breakfast enjoyed with freshly baked bread got the group ready for their Active Lava Tunnel Tour. They returned at 10am on the dot for Susan's amazing Anzac biscuits which were sent from Melbourne especially fro ANZAC day. We held a minute silence before we headed to Mount Surprise, which isn't a mountain at all as it is a beautiful downhill run into town. The original MT - meaning Mining Town has been replaced with Mt then Mount. Anyway, the cyclists flew in and were glad to have it so easy after the last two days. Lunch at the Gem Den was served by Pam, who looked familiar. When we heard that she was running for the electorate I realised I'd seen her face on roadside signs. We agreed she was worth our vote after enjoying the lunch she put on for us before heading across the road to Bedrock Caravan Park. This is where Rob gave up his well travelled and once much loved piece of foam he called bed and tentatively asked if he could get his hands on one of those mats that Wayne had, as while everyone else was on their morning tour Rob had tried his matt out for a post breakfast kip and now couldn't face going back.

Dinner was cooked on the fire, a feast of veggies and lamb roast which had the group almost too full to fit in the camp oven apple crumble. The fire while lovely to look at was a bit hot at 25 degrees so we stayed in our camp area and Boris and Phill told us about the characters they had met down at the pub, which seems to be Boris's third port of call at the end of every ride. First shower, then laundry, then pub. He loves the chat.

Day 4 - Was a great day for riding. With lots of cloud about and rain forecast the temperature was a little lower and the wind while slight was in our favour. there is constant banter and much laughter on the road and at every stop. Arriving into Rough Creek rest area for lunch the guys were met with clear flowing water and a beautiful shaded bank. Within minutes we had two naked men jumping in, which frightened a water monitor which swam through the water and provided everyone with a bit of excitement, especially when they thought it still to be a snake. You can imagine the jokes which ensued. With Alan and Rob, fresher than the rest of us we enjoyed our salad lunch.

The rain started an hour after we arrived in Georgetown and stopped and started until 10 this morning. With town 1 km away most rode in while Boris walked. Looking perhaps a little weary, a lady picked him up and dropped him off at the pub where he and the others met Bertha, a South American girl who is cycling the same route as us just a little slower. There was admiration for her effort, but I don't think any jealousy as she pulled out a packet of 2 minute noodles for her first meal of the day.

Phill met a lady from his hometown Timaru, who told him things about friends he never knew. The things that is not the friends. Boris was left in the pub alone as the rest returned for dinner and faced with a 10 minute walk tried his luck by asking the local copper for a lift, who was happy to oblige.

Day 5 - A long day with 146km, but with the morning rain to keep it cool and a bit of a push from the back it wasn't as tough has some had feared it might be. A solid level of propriety in manners and conduct is being upheld by Peter and myself which has a flow on effect most of the time however everyone is enjoying themselves and each other's company. The meals, WWALs, profiles, distances, riders health (but for buts, which is discussed in length on a frequent basis) is all going along great.

Until next time...BEN

Susan and I are getting ready for Rome to Paris in July, so we jumped on the train to Moe then rode through Erica to Mt Baw Baw at 1500 metres high via the gravel back road.

Totally exhausted, we grabbed a room, then next day we rode to Healesville, then home via the Warby Rail Trail.

Next challenge is the Arthur's Seat Bay to Bay Ride on April 29 - we would love you to join us - let us know and we can enter a team!

Another very exciting year for AllTrails this year.

Getting ready for our Tassie tours this month, East and West with 65 cyclists in total.  Looking forward to these tours, with our rest day in Hobart where we climb Mt Wellington (on bike) and then visit the outlandish MONA Gallery.

When we return, Ben & Peter will be on their way to Cairns for the big push half-way around Australia, to Perth.

Lots of activity down the coast of WA.  People want to be there.

GreenEdge are the team to watch with Matt Goss leading the tour Tirreno-Adriatico and Gerrans and others working together as one.  Loving their job.

We recently had an email from a friend of ours who came on a ride with us back in 1997. He and his wife came out from the USA and we spent a great day in the Yarra Valley.

The email reminded us of those days when we were one of the first companies around to have a website. It was 1997 and not many people even had email addresses, let alone websites for their business, but this couple actually found us by searching on the internet. What an amazing piece of technology it was back then which could put somebody in touch with you when they were half way across the world. Of course the internet has now become 'part of the furniture' in every business.

So as we slide in to 2012 not only will we be celebrating the 15th anniversary of AllTrails Bicycle Tours, but also the 15th anniversary of www.alltrails.com.au which in itself is really something quite impressive.

Remember When...

Cyclists are an interesting group of people. Most adult cyclists get a real taste of nostalgia when they hop on a bike, perhaps for the first time in 10, 20, 30 or even 40 years. There’s an old saying that “once you learn to ride a bike, you never forget”.

It’s a beautiful feeling to sit up, push the pedals, and away you go; wind in your face and the feeling of freedom, simplicity and achievement. You feel energised, and once rolling the urge comes to go a little faster and a little further. If it’s your own bike you start to think about how you can use it to explore even more places. If it’s a borrowed bike, you start thinking about that old bike in the shed that you could get out – pump up the tyres and away you go.

People all over the world are leaving the car in the garage, putting the saddle bags over the back wheel and heading off to do the shopping. They are being energised, discovering the delights, enjoying new lifestyles, meeting new friends, experiencing fun weekend activities or taking spectacular cycling holidays such as they had never dreamed possible. It’s all so easy.

The beauty of it is that you can do as much or as little as you like – the chioces are enormous, the enjoyment is everlasting, the friendships will enhance your social scene, while your health and fitness will improve rapidly.

AllTrails have been leading cyclists right around Australia on bicycle tours since 1997 and these amazing people treasure the opportunity to experience the true Australia as they propel themselves through dense forest, over scenic mountains, past golden sand beaches, or across outback desert plains. We are helping many of them achieve their goal of circumnavigating the country – every journey starts with one small rotation of a pedal...

So next time you get back on your bike, cast your mind back to when you first learned to ride. Remembering that feeling will let you experience it again, and again. And get ready to push yourself to explore a little further.

Bicycles are back! There is no pollution, carbon or expensive fuels required, just hop on your bike and ride – you’ll love it. AllTrails are renowned for “taking people for a ride”...can we tempt you?

Phil & Susan McDonald

AllTrails Bicycle Tours

G'day,

We're back from two fabulous tours through Thailand & Laos.  Cycle Legs 6 & 7 have both been wonderful successes!

The cyclists were exceptional, making what most people would say 'a tough day on a bike', look quite easy.  Their enthusiasm to jump on the bike each day and enjoy whatever else was on offer made the whole package a real pleasure for us and others to share.

Among all of the Australian rides we have planned, we are also looking forward to our next Cycle Leg adventures in Italy & France next year!

We hope you can join us.

All the best,

Phil, Susan & the Team

More Photos from Cycle Legs 7 in Laos

A brief blog sent back by Phil & Susan via text message last night:

We got the bus out of Bangkok to avoid the heavy traffic and began our ride at a school just out of town where we met our tour guide Woody's little son and classmates. School children very excited to see us. The villages we ride through are remote, quite primitive, busy, and extremely friendly. Cyclists ride big distances daily but we are always happy to finish in best hotel available which is usually excellent. Some days all riders ride as a group, sometimes we ride flat out stopping every 20 km for water stop or morning  tea / lunch. The hire bikes are first class, brand new smooth tired. Weather is hot but lovely.

More to come down the track. Everything going great so far!

Phil & Susan

A quick note sent back via text message from Phil & Susan as they finshed off CL6...

Phuket to Bangkok absolutely fantastic: weather, people, accom, beaches, swimming pools, road conditions, tour guides and group.

Susan rode partial distance everyday and Phil rode the whole distance every day as did most of the cyclists. Swam everyday, Thai people all wave and yell out as we pass. "Sawardee Carp" means Hello. The areas we ride through are not visited by westerners so we are something of a novelty and attraction for the locals. The ride has been a complete success, especially Bangkok floating market and hotel by the river. Congrats to all who made it such a memorable journey.

Phil & Susan