Edward Re's Page

Orissa and Chatissgarh are great places to go riding. It's really no different to the rest of India. The rural areas are great but the cities can be difficult. Sometimes the roads are great and sometimes they are horrible. The only problem with Orissa and Chatissgarh are the Naxolites but they aren't bothered by foreigners, in fact, they stopped us often so they could have their photos taken with us and their machine guns. The problem is you can't camp in India and accommodation can be more than 100kms apart so you can have long days on bad roads. Some of the driving is also very questionable.

What do you consider 'easy'? My easy probably isn't the same as yours. I have asked Noel for a suggestion on an easier part of India as he has been riding in India since the 1970s. Perhaps down the west coast from Goa to Mangalore might be easy as it's a coastal road and there is lots of beach towns and accommodation might be closer together. We rode along some of that road and it is very good in some parts and totally crappy in others but still doable.
I can't remember if it was a busy road. When you say kids, how old are the kids?

I have asked Noel and all of the Indian women at work and none of them are aware of any place in India where the traffic is slow or that there is a bike path that is seperate from the traffic. In some areas they have a smaller lane for bikes, animals, carts, people and two wheelers but you aren't seperate from the traffic like on a bike lane. As for your statement about crime- wherever you go in the world there is crime.

India is not an easy country by any means, you get stared at and the crowds can be overwhelming particulary for a female. It's noise and dirty but very rewarding if you can handle it.

I have never heard of anyone being kidnapped but I have been warned about it -usually from high caste or rich Indians. Here's the thing about India, the poor way out number the rich and the rich are incredibly scared of the poor. The Indians that are in Australia are either high caste or rich and they will say all this bullshit about the poor in India including being kidnapped or that they are dirty and diseased. The poor in India are the kindest and most wonderful people and I have a lot of time and admiration for them.

You will not get kidnapped in India.

Hi Edward,
I recently received an email from you but can't find it. Apologies for delay in responding but it's been busy lately with tomorrow's HarbourLink deadline, however on Friday informed it's been extended to December 6.
Carolyn New developed North Shore Rail Trail concept. Regarding progress, it will probably be achieved in stages e.g. Willoughby Council implemented a relatively low cost Greenway between Park Rd through to near St Leonards station around a decade ago.
In last couple of months Tony Arnold (TonyA) has pursued soon-to-be-constructed duplication of Boundary St bridge (Roseville) along rail corridor. RailCorp had considered an SUP (shared user path) but apparently dropped idea due to cost! Tony’s has contacted his local member, Gladys Berejiklian (shadow Transport Minister), hoping she be successful. Following NSW election next March she may be in a position to instruct RailCorp to provide cycling facilities in all their projects. RailCorp is pathetic. About 5 years ago we met with them regarding Chatswood Station & widening due to additional tracks. In particular, we requested an SUP along rail corridor including an overpass of Albert Ave to connect to existing shared path extending south towards Mowbray Rd, but despite them saying they would consider these matters little resulted.
I’d recommend contacting Gladys about these matters.
Regional Bicycle Route (RBR) linking Gladesville – Lane Cove – Chatswood was well into planning stage when then Roads Minister, Carl Scully, was transferred to Police portfolio. Incoming Roads Minister eliminated Regional Bicycle Route budget so planning was never completed. It was planned to use Pacific Highway footpaths (on both sides) between Longueville Rd and Mowbray Rd then underpassing this road then along rail corridor … a great pity that Scully was transferred.
Planning for a RBR was also well progressed along rail corridor from the Gore Hill Freeway thru to Chatswood. Again, this was stopped.

Hi Edward,  Did you solve the tink problem.........?

Just glad you solved your problem.  Once you had eliminated the obscure causes (like clothing etc) and you narrowed it down to just when you applied pressure to the right pedal, there was only the right crank and its two joints (pedal and bottom bracket) that could have been at fault, I think.

I hope you did replace some grease onto the pedal thread though, otherwise it will be very difficult when you come to remove the pedal next time.  :-)

i don't know why, but I feel like apologizing for being an engineer.......  :-(

Hello! Great to meet you tonight. Always nice to put a fact to an online identity!