Recipes James Rickard Recipes James Rickard

Port Sorell Noodles

Tonight we enjoyed a fare of noodles, after a hard days work. We thought it only fair that we share this new road recipe with you.

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Touring Tasmania James Rickard Touring Tasmania James Rickard

The Departure: Part One

Today we departed on our bike adventure. It rained and rained in the morning, while we walked around the house gathering and yelling, sorting and eating, packing and building our bikes. Bits and pieces from our previously assembled test run were repacked as we were beginning our month long trip bicycle touring in Tasmania.

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Touring Tasmania James Rickard Touring Tasmania James Rickard

Changing, Before We Begin

The rack we had fitted to the back of my bike (codenamed Papa Bear) was recalled, citing hidden cracks, breaking while riding and injury to either rider as a result. Not news you want to read less that two weeks before a month long bicycle trip.

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Touring Tasmania James Rickard Touring Tasmania James Rickard

A Fall. A Crash.

I hate riding on the bike trainer, yet due to a crash it is all I can do to keep riding. All I can do is keep turning the pedals, on my bike attached to the trainer. I keep on moving because in my mind I have kilometers of riding in Tasmania drifting on my mind.

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Touring Tasmania, Touring Setup James Rickard Touring Tasmania, Touring Setup James Rickard

A Long List of Requirements Just to Get About

Contemplating our bike setup for our family bike ride has been time consuming and has taken us down many roads. It's not as easy as just buying bikes and putting panniers on them, we are a large family and we have specific requirements. Deciding __what__ and __how__ we should ride has been difficult, at times it has almost pushed us to drive a car instead of riding.

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Touring Tasmania James Rickard Touring Tasmania James Rickard

The Beginning of Our New Adventure

There is a plan taking shape, it is happening behind us as we are searching and finding what we need to know. The plan is still hazy, but bits and pieces are starting to show and then get nailed into place as we see how it is taking shape. It is different to what we thought it may have been, and most of us are okay with that.

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Wedding in the US James Rickard Wedding in the US James Rickard

Washington, The Memorials and Long Streets

I stand in front of the Lincoln Memorial. His face crafted in stone and etched in eternity as a president who survived the Civil War but not an assassins gun shot. Each part of the statue looks as if it was crafted with a fine eye for detail, from his boot that hangs over the edge, to the hair on his head. I wonder if the artists took shortcuts when working on the hair we cannot see.

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Wedding in the US James Rickard Wedding in the US James Rickard

Today, In Transition

Jazz floated through the air. Sonorous music weaved in syncopated patterns as we enjoyed locally brewed beer and hearty meals. The setting was perfect, dark wood floors, high ceiling with wood panelled walls. It felt so homely that it encouraged discussion, and relaxation, which we did.

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Wedding in the US James Rickard Wedding in the US James Rickard

Wedding in North Carolina

The grounds for the wedding are beautiful. Thin trees, bare from a cold winter, surround the grounds of a castle. The ground is covered in leaves that had fallen months ago and had been covered with snow. The nice weather during the last week brought the green leaves, and small flower buds out from their winter slumber.

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