Month: August 2016

Magpies – Magging the Pie the right way

Post author By steve
Post date August 28, 2016
No Comments on Magpies – Magging the Pie the right way

Did you know that your magpie issues and woes are at an end…true! well that’s if you have the special magpie App…yes ! did say magpie app…read on

MAGPIE SWOOPING SEASON 2016!

http://www.magpiealert.com/

Australia’s social website to track aggressive magpies in your area. If you are a cyclist, walker, runner or maybe a concerned member of the public then help protect others and share swooping magpie attacks on-line here!

In 2015 it was reported…

http://www.magpiealert.com/Magpie-Story.php?story_id=71

Battle of Bulcock

September 1st, 2015 By Jaime Buchanan

In the heart of downtown Caloundra QLD a daily battle rages. Residents of this sleepy little community find themselves the spectators of a twice daily struggle between good and evil as the local postman, who in my opinion deserves the Australia Post employee of the year award, fights to complete his deliveries. Others who dare to make the trip along the same stretch of road are mysteriously immune. The battle is his … and his alone!

Tags Magpies

Food

Its bacon and its tasty

Perfect Balance

OK get ready this BACON BACON BACON… To be creative is a gift, a gift that allows you to derive pleasure from something you conceive of and bring to fruition, it is in many ways unsurpassable in the joy it can bring you personally; this joy is often magnified when to your delight your creativity is enjoyed by others.
The creatives among you will understand exactly what I’m talking about.

On the flip-side there can be an even greater joy experienced when someone of their own volition gets creative and shares their creativity with you, particularly if that someone is important to you and has taken the time and care to create something truly unique and refined that fits a place in your psyche so snug that it becomes perfection personified.

I had just such an experience earlier this week, I was blown away by the thought, by the genuine uniqueness, the non “cliche-ness” and the beauty of the idea let alone the craftsmanship required to bring it to reality.

Regular readers of my Bacon Posts will know my love of simplicity my preference for simple clean bacon dishes tweaked with a touch of difference to make them surprising, unique and wondrous.
You have probably also noted that I don’t get so excited by the excesses of gluttony to be found in copious quantities of grease, cheese or egg often associated with bacon.

But here I was stopped in my tracks by what I would otherwise have promptly dismissed had I read it on a menu. “Bacon Cheesecake” sounds positively cholesterol; had i not been presented with it in all its godlike glory.

They say we eat with our eyes, never has this been more true.

This is art, this has been thought through, it spoke to me on so many levels
it couldn’t be dismissed I had to try it, wouldn’t you?

To my absolute delight it sliced perfectly, the baked cheese cake style filling held together beautifully maintaining its integrity right to the final crumb on the extreme point of the first slice as it eased out of the whole.

On my plate it cut easily with side of my fork, the texture in my mouth was dreamy and the flavours balanced perfectly to provide a light savoury flavour with elements of sage, celeriac, lemon, and of course bacon, delightfully combined to leave a truly once in a lifetime impression.

Of even more significance was that this was made by my daughter and she nailed, visually, architecturally and contextually it was perfect, and I got to savour and enjoy it in the spirit it was intended with the person who intended it; I am blessed.

I will gladly post the recipe for “perfect balance bacon cheesecake” if you request it
Importantly though; I hope you are fortunate enough to experience perfect balance for yourself and that when you do; you are sufficiently aware to recognise your own special recipe.

Enjoy

Dave Fellows Perfect Bacon :2 written by Dave Fellows of the TooMoo220 fame….the TooMoo22o0 has to be experienced its a stunning Queensland ride…not to short and not to far…just enough time to make new friends and tell a few “porky pies” a long the way…and no you don’t haveto be a whacky bacon lover like Dave, but it could help?

Check out your next TooMoo220 opportunity right here

Tags Bacon, Dave Fellows, toomoo220

Video

GC100 a very GC experience

Post author By steve
Post date August 25, 2016

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The GC 100 offers much more than just a cycling challenge, it offers a comprehensive scenic tour of the Gold Coast.

Ride the beautiful Gold Coast Beach esplanades before challenging yourself on the undulating back hills of this region, finishing back on the beautiful Southport Broadwater Parklands alongside the sandy shores of the yachting precinct. Start and finish your ride in this magnificent Gold Coast playground, for you it will be “Cycling Paradise” central.

[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]JTNDaWZyYW1lJTIwd2lkdGglM0QlMjI3MDAlMjIlMjBoZWlnaHQlM0QlMjI1MDAlMjIlMjBzcmMlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnZpZGVvcHJlc3MuY29tJTJGZW1iZWQlMkZXNjBsY0NTNyUyMiUyMGZyYW1lYm9yZGVyJTNEJTIyMCUyMiUyMGFsbG93ZnVsbHNjcmVlbiUzRSUzQyUyRmlmcmFtZSUzRSUwQSUzQ3NjcmlwdCUyMHNyYyUzRCUyMmh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGdmlkZW9wcmVzcy5jb20lMkZ2aWRlb3ByZXNzLWlmcmFtZS5qcyUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRnNjcmlwdCUzRQ==[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Tags GC100, Gold Coast

Video

Cyclists who ride fast – A Cyc’d production

Post author By steve
Post date August 25, 2016
No Comments on Cyclists who ride fast – A Cyc’d production

Cyclists who ride fast – A Cyc’d production, what do you reckon? this is more than pushing pedals fast, this is clan Cyc’d a family who ride together.

In the beginning, sure you may have thought that this cycling lark was to get fit, or scratch that inner competitive itch, or like a lot of cyclists these days, you suddenly realise that you are running out of time to become that athlete you always knew you could be. But what you did’t know as you made your way into a club or a group was the process of assimilation, an engulfing of your physical and mental time, a slowish creep like a snake consuming its prey or better still a metaphorphic experience over comes you as you transform into a Cyc’d Chick or a kangaroo, perhaps a “Tarbabie” or a Kruzer, how about a “Grumpy old Fart” yes that is a taste of the Cycling Groups that ply their trade on the roads around the lands of Oz and the Long White Cloud.

There is most definitely something special about a name and the unification and camaraderie that it engenders…enough with the dribble…on to the Cyc’d Shjow case… if you want to spot more of this Brisbane Clan of Cyclists you will find them lurking arounfd on the “Ride Brisbane” Facebook…keep a close eye on Bear Liange and his shenanigans…

Enjoy

Cheers Steve

Tags Cyc'd, Ride Brisbane

Feature

Ladies of the Strade

Post author By steve
Post date August 18, 2016

Sunshine Coast Queensland

Noosa Strade Bianche is in a class of its own

A snapshot at the girls as they take centre stage at this years Noosa Strade Bianche

Want to see more…Check out the famous Lemon Girls of the Strade Fb album

More from the Ladies of the Strade fb Album

A Gran Fondo, bike show & swap meet in the vein of the famed L’Eroica in Chianti, Italy, for
STEEL FRAMED CYCLES

About

The Noosa Strade Bianche is a homage to the ‘golden age’ of cycling. In the vein of the famed L’EROICA in Italy, Noosa Strade Bianche is strictly for steel framed cycles with downtube shifters (or bar-end shifters). As a celebration of the steel framed cycle, there is no restriction on age of the frame set. NSB encourages the renaissance of the artisan-built steel frame taking place across the world.

Set in the beautiful Noosa hinterland, the Noosa Strade Bianche – Grand Fondo is a 137 km loop encompassing picturesque country roads, stunning vistas and characterful country towns.

New for 2016 is the ultimate: The Imperial 160km.

In keeping with the original L’Eroica, there are several challenging climbs & descents, and of course several sectors of ‘strade bianche’; the ‘white’ or unsealed gravel roads. En-route, there are an assortment of cafes & bakeries, even a country pub or two, for those so inclined.

Introduced for 2013 was a shorter route, the 87km Media Fondo.

In 2014, the 33km Piccolo Fondo returned, taking place on the Saturday morning before the Bicycle Show and Swap-meet at Noosa Marina.

The Vintage Bicycle Show & Shine follows shortly after the Piccolo Fondo….. including a Swap Meet for those wanting to whittle down their collection! Those interested in having a stall at the Swap Meet should contact us via the ‘contact’ button or show up at the marina on the Saturday morning.

All events feature the local version of ‘strade bianche’ and require a good level of bike fitness. They are all self-supported rides, so you must carry your own spare parts, tubes etc.

The Sunday events feature several manned re-fuelling stations out on the road together with plenty of opportunities in the picturesque hinterland towns of Cooroy, Cooran, Kin Kin and Pomona, for toilet stops, coffee stops, even devonshire teas & counter lunches.

Take the time to enjoy the fabulous country vistas all along our 4 routes!

HISTORY

The Noosa Strade Bianche has now just had its fifth birthday and has grown from humble beginnings in 2011 to perhaps the premier vintage cycling event in Australia. Just before Christmas in 2011, with just 2 weeks notice, 18 riders took part in the inaugural ‘Noosa L’Eroica’ and a great little bike show was also held in the park alongside the Noosa River. In August, Noosa is blessed with great weather, and there are some fantastic roads and scenery just a short ride out of town As the event has grown, we have been able to support a couple of worthy charities, including Destiny Rescue in 2014, and Sunshine Butterflies in 2015. This event would not be a shadow of what we have today without the support of Noosa Marina, which is just about the perfect venue for our show and shine, as well as the ideal jump-off point for the rides.

Tags Nossa Strade Bianche

Blogs Holiday Lifestyle Women

Brisbane Valley Rail Trail with Gail

Post author By steve
Post date August 15, 2016
No Comments on Brisbane Valley Rail Trail with Gail

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail with Gail is an experience…enjoy” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left”][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail with Gail

This post begins a series of stories from my road trip in South East Queensland. With campervan packed and bikes loaded on the back, we went travelling old roads with new eyes.

One degree Celsius. Mostly sunny. Fernvale. 7am Sunday 3rd July. I stood in the car park wearing leg warmers, cycling shorts, three layers of merino wool under a shell jacket, a woollen skull cap and gloves. Shivering. Partly from the cold but also with excitement. I was about to ride the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail (BVRT) for the very first time.

Fernvale is a small town about 61kms west of Brisbane and 130kms north west from my home on the southern Gold Coast. Midwinter meant a pre-dawn start for our 90 minute drive but with motorways most of the way, the journey was easy. Plus we had people to meet.

Cars trickled into the car park at the Fernvale Futures Centre, driven by women in cycling kit and carrying bicycles. A large bus, a coffee cart and an empty removalist’s van waited to swing into action for the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail’s Women’s Ride.

After signing in for the ride, sipping coffees brewed by the Somerset Coffee barista, and loading bikes into the removalist’s van, our group of 55 riders boarded the bus and filled it with a pleasant blend of chatter and laughter for the thirty minute drive to Esk.

The BVRT Users Association holds regular events to introduce bicycle riders to the rail trail. The Women’s Ride would see us ride the BVRT from Esk to Fernvale.

I felt a little anxious about the ride.

The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail with Gail captures the experience and projects you into another world….Continue reading Gail’s experiences with some very excellent photos…

Gails Blog page

Gails Facbook [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Tags Brisbane Rail Trail

Food

Bacon Flavoured Seaweed

Post author By steve
Post date August 11, 2016

Some TooMoo secret Sauce?

Actually it could be the TooMoo220’s Breakfast of Champions…

Whats next Dave …Carbon flavour Bacon? or maybe Bacon Flavoured Carbon could go a little more viral?

Bacon Flavoured Seaweed

by Dave Fellows

www.cycleevents.com/toomoo220

“Don’t be coming the raw prawn with me”

A couple of weeks ago I was inundated with posts from concerned “Baconisters” pointing out a collection of articles proclaiming a newly discovered seaweed that when fried, tasted like bacon. A ridiculous proposition we know as bacon already tastes exactly like bacon, thereby rendering the impersonator completely useless … Ooo I can hear the Vegos collective squeal of protest echoing from the valley floor already, however while I may love you dearly, you voluntarily surrendered yourself to a life of bacon celibacy when you signed up to your legumous cult.

Anyway seaweed bacon got me thinking and this morning I prepared a far more palatable option for my guests

“Bacon a la mere”

Prawns, large Australian Tigers to be precise peeled with the heads tossed in with the bacon served on dry toast with fresh ground pepper and a generous grind of sea salt

Delicious and healthy with a touch of flare that will have your guests completely flummoxed at your capacity to elevate their breakfast experience as the vego on the other side of the table sucks seaweed and smiles weakly through green teeth.
Enjoy but don’t gloat

Tags Dave Fellows, toomoo220

Food

The Chant of Bacon …the end of ride climax?

Post author By steve
Post date August 4, 2016
No Comments on The Chant of Bacon …the end of ride climax?

The Smell of a Bacon Chant

by Dave Fellows the TooMOO220 man

a classic Queensland Cycling Experience

Eye of Spitting Bacon
Spinach fresh to the wilt
Pop Toasted Pumpkin
All over Maple be spilt
with Veins of Cheese Blue
All Ugly Nature be purged from you

This weekend Ugly Nature was in the house and feeling decidedly vindictive.

Refusing to succumb, I sought inspiration from within … the fridge.

With a little sizzle, smoke and swagger you to can work up a potion to defeat ugly nature.

As you serve this dish hold hands with your guests and make the chant

Laughter will ensue and purge the ugly beast at least for the duration of the feast.

Tags Dave Fellows, toomoo220

Video

A Nifty Brissie treat

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A Bear Liange special edition..

you can find Bears work most days via RideBrisbane

Enjoy Cheers Steve[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Starring Swalk Cafe ” style=”classic” color=”primary” size=”lg” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FSwalk-1504044923245647||target:%20_blank|”][vc_empty_space][vc_btn title=”Jump2 Ride Brisbane ” style=”classic” color=”primary” size=”lg” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FBrisbaneGroupShopRides||target:%20_blank|”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Tags Bear Liange, Ride Brisbane

Feature

Townsville to Cairns the Real and the Raw

Post author By steve
Post date August 4, 2016

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Fantastic at every level” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center”][vc_column_text]The Townsville to Cairns Bike Ride is a charity organisation that raises money for the Children’s Cancer Institute of Australia (CCIA) by holding a 3 day bike ride from Townsville to Cairns.

Riding for the kids !

Its a done and dusted event now, and I bet the cyclists had their fair share of dust!

What our Cycleevents.com team have noticed in some events is the unmistakeable “step change” in what events are offering to us cyclists. A significant step change in value exchange, and I am not talking about dollars or entry fees. What we cyclists are really after is true value as measured in meeting and exceeding our “Experience Expectations”

The Townsville to Cairns Event has a distinct advantage in their unique cycling landscapes, but it is all credit lays with the event organisers and their sposors for not sitting back on their chuffs, but instead rolling up their sleeves at every turn…working hard, as any great host would do to ensure from start to finish that their valued guests (us cyclists) are well looked after… and yearning to return again next year…. and yits infectious, watch the Vidclip and see how many brand new entrants hit the star line this year….Congrats

Enjoy the pics by Hello Blue productions[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_btn title=”Jump2 the event page facts” style=”classic” color=”primary” size=”lg” align=”center” link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fcycleevents.com%2Ftownsvilletocairnsbikeride%2F|||”][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Tags Townsville to Cairns. 80 years old