Conquering Mount Lofty

Autumn in Adelaide is setting in, trees changing colors from green to yellow and red and orange, orchards in the hills giving a golden hue to the hills, cool breeze teasing you when you set out early and the occasional showers exemplifying the dynamicity and life in universe. This city is beautiful in the sense that it is not  bustling like Sydney or Melbourne nor it is quiet and sleepy like Christchurch or Hamilton. It is like a large country town with  a big CBD. Lots of beautiful suburbs, hills just a ride away and the sound of sea waves audible for long distances in the quiet night.

For a single working man, life can chose two ways, it can be boring and monotonous, or it can be exceedingly colorful. I am trying to chose a middle path. A bit of study and a bit of music, a bit of salsa and a bit of bike riding, trying to keep myself from becoming an idle creeper. Salsa is quite interesting we'll talk about it later.

My interest in bike riding was kindled by Peter, as I call him, a veteran bikie. When Guna uncle came down to Adelaide, he stayed in Peter's place and that's how we met. Peter is one of those people with warmth in their heart and an infectious smile on their face, vibrating with friendship all the time. Quite different from what I heard about Germans.  He is quite active, always busy, engaged in creative work. I later learnt that he used to be a professional cyclist. He took us in his car to the top of Mount Lofty the highest point in Adelaide. We had three bikes in the car boot. We reached the hill and parking our car about 50 metres from the summit, we set of on our "uphill" ride to the summit. What a view! just breathtaking!!
Then we set off on our bikes the long downhill ride to Peter's home, a distance of around 40 kms. But most of the time, I need n't have to pedal at all, just sitting on the bike and enjoying the beautiful sights, sounds and smells of the hills was just wonderful.  When we were sitting and relaxing at Peter's house, a bit tired after the long ride, Peter got ready to go and get his car up in the mountain. A 40 km uphill ride!
It took him two hours. That was the day I decided i would go on a bike and conquer Mt Lofty.