After getting my bike licence i was keen yet nervous to practice.
I kitted myself up in bike gear and went down to the hot underground car park with Rob to practice my turns and stopping.
Within the first 3 minutes i had fallen off and dropped my bike on its side. I was turning around a corner on flat cement and there was a large pile of water where i was turning, so i put my foot down for extra balance and it slid straight out from underneath me. Thankfully the bike was ok but for some reason i started to cry. I think it was a build up of emotions and nerves that came rolling down my face. Rob was quick to say ‘well im glad we got that over with, because it will happen again at some point as it does to everyone, so the sooner the better.’
Not sympathetic but what i needed, so up i got again and off i rode. Practicing my figure 8s and stopping. The basics but apparently the hard things to master. It was hot.
We then headed up to a few beaches, palm beach, whale beach. Had lunch in lovely Avalon surf club overlooking the ocean, close to where Robs parents use to live. We went for a swim and within 5 minutes Rob got stung by a blue bottle. He iced it and then ran it under hot water for 15minutes and iced again, as advised by the lifesavers. .i mean lifeguards. Mmm lifesavers lollies…
I have been stung by a jellyfish before all up my forearm and it blistered straight away. I couldnt do my next flight as it was still so visable. Robs hand was a little swollen and red . Thinking about it now i would have shown the same sympathy as Rob did when i fell off my bike. “You’ll be fine, its all part of the adventure” He was fine.
The day before we left Victoria i thought i would try and contact Robs favourite novelist Steve Crombie. His book inspired Rob to ride through North and South America. I did a bit of searching and found him on facebook and asked if he would be interested in a catch up. I told him how Rob had travelled after his books inspiration and about our current journey. He was so nice and keen as mustard. We met up with him last night and they both got along so well trading adventures like long lost friends. He has travelled most of the world by motorbike. What an amazing life.
Today was my first day riding on the roads. What a way to learn, through busy Sydney suburbs and packed hwys. I stalled it twice, may have almost wet myself a little but managed. Realised after half an hour in i was stiff as a board haha nervous.
We are now in the blue mountains just past Springbrook. It was sad to leave Linda and her amazing hospitality but I’m excited to see what the next few days have instore.
2souls2wheels 