You gotta get back on the bike, they say, and I knew I had to after fracturing my elbow. I'm not the kind of person to quit something I enjoy. Besides, somehow my hips don't mind moving in that plane - the muscles don't complain, and I get the feeling of motion. You can put as much effort as you like into an e-bike and they certainly don't have to do all the work for you. I can make my thighs burn or I can coast to the top of a steep hill.

I've been wanting to cycle to the next town over for a while, but wasn't sure what the track was like. There's a couple of walking and fire tracks that run between the coastal road and the bush - thousands of hectares of beautiful national park. The views are just stunning. Pick any track and cycle in the direction you want to go - especially when it hasn't rained for a while.

Jamie took his bikepacking bike - I lose track of what bike he's working on. He doesn't want to spent 10,000 on a fancy new bike but I think he's put a pretty good kit togther. This photo is for @stortebekker who might make more sense of it than me. It's a trekk frame and that's all I know. He's put the panniers and storage together out of discounted and found items and I think he's done a good job keeping costs down.

The fire tracks and telegraph tracks run like central arteries down the coast and whilst some are badly rutted, for the most part it's smooth sailing. The wind is up and it's cold (we're wearing puffer jackets) but it's not too bad, especially with that blue sky.

In the far distance you can see the lighthouse at Airey's INlet - you've probably seen it before in some of my beach shots.

I'm very, very cautious- I really don't want another fall - but I start relaxing a little, though I"m still concentrating hard, watching for tree roots and potholes. Sandy is doing well - she's great on the tracks. Jamie reckons I need better tyres but I only skidded once. Blue gravel is scary.

There is one section that is super steep and wet clay - I made Jamie take Sandy down that section. The photo doesn't do the hill justice but have a look at where the track disappears. Eek. I really didn't want to come back the same way - and we didn't, taking the higher tracks.

It's incredible to think we live here - this is world class amazingness. That's all just out the back of my house, y'all! Wild.

I feel a bit silly sometimes with the basket on the back but hey, I'm e'biking and I'm proud. I do need a phone holder though.

Eventually we make it to Airey's Inlet and go to the local French bakery, owned and run by French people and selling amazing pastries and filled baguettes and quiches that might cost an arm and a leg, but are delicious and a good treat.

I love the little 'quoi?' - where? - and the Eiffel Tower pasted on this local artwork - a bit of humour. Where exactly are we - Australia or France? Oh, shame about France losing this morning - my neighbour is French and she'll be crying today.

We shared one baguette and an almond croissant, and set off again just as it started to rain.

We cycled along the river a little way, taking an alternative way home.

THat flatland you see has been bought up by a local co-op on a 100 year lease and will be rewilded which is amazing news. Some good things DO happen in the world.

There's some enviable houses along route, worth a lot of money, all black zinc and corten steel. I don't take photos though as that would be rather voyeuristic, though this one appears to be empty. Imagine that view from the house. Oh for a few million more bucks - but the bushfire risk would be insane.

Back along the track we went, poor Jamie havig to pedal up hills all by himself. I was a bit worried about the battery as I hadn't charged it and we ended up pulling into the driveway just as the light started flashing. She can go for 150 km on her battery but that is only if I've remembered to charge her!

Say what you like about e-bikes, but I'm going to say how happy I am that I can get out with Jamie on his bike, and feel like I've had an adventure and some exercise. I'll never feel the burn up a hill and I'll get there faster, so what's not to like?

Whilst I might not take @stortebeker's admittedly hard track in Baja, I might be enthusiastic enough now to do a longer bikepacking trip, such as along the Danube... anyone want to join me?

With Love,