D-Day

Tomorrow is D-day for my touring plans in 2007. After tomorrow's visit to the dentist, I'll have an idea of what it will cost for that much needed work on my teeth. Having put it off once already, I won't be putting it off again. Early estimates suggest that it could be as high as $2,000, but I'll know more in 14 hours' time.

I had originally been planning a ride around Scotland or Wales, or possibly even riding the length of the UK from Land's End in the South to John O'Groats in the north (assuming I got enough vacation time for the detours that I would inevitably take). After riding New Zealand's South Island earlier in the year, the intention was to go somewhere completely different just to avoid comparisons, and I figured visiting a few castles may be a way to facilitate this (although I did visit a castle on the Otago Peninsula near Dunedin).

I am, however, reduced to considering other options should this one not come off. The two that are "in the lead" at present would be riding from Perth to Esperance (and back again?) in Western Australia, or returning to New Zealand to ride the North Island this time -- probably Auckland to Wellington, taking in the Coromandel Peninsula and the East Cape, with a possible detour to Rotorua. Yes, I know, I'm rambling again, but even "second-choice" tours are things I'd rather think about than a visit to the dentist! The ride to Mt Buggary from a couple of weekends ago has also fired up the juices for local touring. There are just too many places to ride full stop.

For this weekend, I'm probably heading for Currumbin Valley for a gentle spin in the morning, if only because I haven't been there for ages. I'll be in Brisbane on Saturday night and part of Sunday (more on that later), and consequently I'll look for a night ride of decent length on Sunday, possibly up to 130km. I haven't had a long night ride for a while, I'm actually quite looking forward to it.