20 updates

Well, not quite, but it could well be. Largely due to my being so far behind schedule. Actually, most of the events concern Thursday, and I have to say, I came out of it a little more cynical (if that was possible). Thursday night was the Bicycle Gold Coast Christmas dinner, and it was a sad reflection of the "within the designated areas only" cycling culture that this place has. First there was the "why?" and the strange look when I mentioned that I had gone for a ride rather than watch a criterium in Surfers the previous Sunday (oh puh-leaze).

Then, of course, there are the usual people with the usual whines about "dangerous bikepaths", but no vow not to actually use them. I don't know why so many cyclists feel as though they have a duty to use these things when there are so many patently better options around (i.e. the existing road network). I guess there's the old "they mightn't build us any more facilities if we don't use them". Well, it's not like they know how to build them now. Nights like this make me seriously wonder about cycling advocacy at all.

Then, of course, there are the usual homophobic morons on the Gold Coast if a male dares to wear lycra while cycling. The scary part is, I actually think one of them was trying to come onto me on Thursday night. Even if I was that way inclined, I doubt a 45-year-old teenager in a ute would do anything for me. I think the sign in Bright best summed it up: "Boys will be boys, and so will a lot of middle-aged men".

Still, I managed to get a pleasant Austinville ride in this morning. Totally buggered up the obligatory photo (being stung by a wasp does that), but it was still a pleasant ride. Might ride a century tomorrow.