Australia

Adelaide. Got some friends in Melbourne. Can try to answer stuff?

Lfgss.cc Australia chapter anyone?

Sweet! I was going to ask about where to stay/look for renting but my partner's already sorted that from what I can tell :)

Been applying for a few office jobs here and there, do you know what the 'standard' dress code is like over there? It was pretty relaxed in Wellington - trousers and a shirt as a temp and mostly jeans and a shirt for "proper" staff unless there were client/board things going on... hoping to ditch the suit jacket before the flight but that might be a bit premature...

What's the bike locking situation like too? Double d locks everyday or is it more targeted stuff like in Welly (lock up with a cable in town while they cut your garage door open back home...)

What's cool in Adelaide? We're planning to work for a bit then potter round for a while, I know shit about Aus other than it's a larger than Wales so the itinerary is pretty open.

I had a look for the Australia thread but couldn't find it, maybe @hippy knows...

I’m in the People’s Democratic Republic of Brunswick.

My advice: Australia is the most shithouse place to cycle so get video cameras.

It's bad but it's no Romania.

I don't know which thread you mean but felt this was worth dredging:
https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/191007/

Adelaide is smaller than Melbourne or Sydney, and thus a fair bit more relaxed. People are less busy, there's less hipsters and less rushing around. On the flip side there's also less high rise buildings, public transport, cultural stuff and the likes. It gets put down as a bit parochial but I love it here.

There is a great choice of food, some wonderful markets (Central market stands out), lots of local produce and great coffee to be had.

Then of course there's easy access to city beaches (1o mins drive or a tram ride), 5 wine regions in the state, and stuff I don't care about all that much like cricket and Aussie rules at the Adelaide Oval, Hindley Street (red light district) and the casino and whatnot.

If you want to venture further, there's access to Kangaroo Island, the Flinders ranges, the river land and all that.

(Mad) March is when ALL THE THINGS seam to really happen. There's the festival, the fringe, the WOMAD, the clipsal 500 for all petrol heads, and the town is overflowing with people of all shapes and sizes. The rest of the year the pace slows down somewhat, which I personally enjoy.

For cycling, I can really not imagine a much better place in terms of access to great rides, many solid climbs and flat beach loops, all within reach from the city , plus the weather is okay or great for most of the year unless it's rainy 5-8 degs winter or a stinking hot summer day of 40+ degs.

If you're into MTB riding there's a shitload of trails and a few MTB parks as well.
Just outside the city there's gravel galore, so 'adventure' riding is good.
Treadly is my bike shop of choice, but there's plenty of other shops.

Should you come to town, hit me up and we can ride together (I'm slow, mind) and have the obligatory BBQ of course.

My advice: Australia is the most shithouse place to cycle so get video cameras.

It's not that clear cut. It greatly depends on where you ride. It's different to the UK, but overall in Adelaide I feel a lot safer than London, although there's roads that I for sure avoid.

One example is that the overtake and immediate left turn here doesn't happen nearly as much as in UK because peds have right of way at crossings, and cars are used to stop for them at red lights when turning.

Recently some states (including SA) have introduced min passing laws, which have made a small difference also.

Some pics, all shot within 30 mins riding ish from city centre

(I'm in Germany as I write this, and I really wish I was back already and wouldn't have to freeze my nuts off)

5 Attachments

Then of course there's easy access to city beaches (1o mins drive or a ram ride)

Obviously, everyone knows about the Aussie reliance on sheep, but surely that's taking it a bit far.

That's a 🥝 thing. I just can't type on a smartphone.

I think we're staying in Brunswick for a week or so (I could be completely wrong though!).

I've heard loads about terrible driving, still going pick a bike up for commuting if possible and hopefully get back into a bit of randonneuring. Guess we'll find out how bad it is...

Sweet, cheers! Nice snaps too! Will give you a shout if we get over that way once we've got a few $$$ sorted :)

🥝

I can't see this character properly, whatever it is. I only get a box with what looks like hexadecimal code in it.

hmmm, like this?

|( | \/\/ |

: )

[okay, I know that’s nothing like hexadecimal]

[cartoon character with narrowed eyes.jpg]

It was a kiwi fruit ... sheep, kiwis, geddit?

The driving standards ain't great, that's true. In Brunswick itself, just take care of trams and car doors. Last very public fatality I can remember was a guy getting doored and then run over by truck.

Some roads, i.e. Sydney Road, are pretty precarious. That said, there are calmer back streets that you can go on and I do seem to remember a lot of good cycle lanes as well, although I only had a few days on bike there.

It was a kiwi fruit ... sheep, kiwis, geddit?

just take care of trams and car doors

Not to mention the rams, won't someone think of the rams? :)

#thisonewillrunandrun

Having spent a couple of days wandering round now it doesn't look any better or worse than most major cities (Manchester, London etc.) there does seem to be a bit more infrastructure though and various cycle paths and things which look alright.

Now just to find a job and keep my eye out for a second hand Steamroller or Pacer... hmm...

Exactly what I found. How long will you be in Melbs for?

6-8 months I guess, work through winter, tour in spring.

Sorry for the piss-weak response time, and welcome to Melbs if you're already here! There might be some work going at my place, depending on prior experience and qualifications, so feel free to drop me a direct message in that regard.

From the temp work I did and the full time work I have now, dress code is pretty relaxed. Shirt and trousies sort of thing.

Regarding bikes and locking, I feel like you are FAR safer locking your bike here. I carry just a Krypto Mini, and without QR's don't feel worried about people nicking wheels. I had a dickhead mate who rode a Cannondale Supersix around and to the pub, never locking the wheels and never lost them. There is bike crime, but I'd say it's much more opportunistic (bellend at the cafe leaving his bike around the corner etc).

Happy to take you on some rides if/when you're here to show you some nice loops or overnighters. My Wolverine thread probably gives a good idea of the riding around here (SHAMELESS PLUG).