geomack | george mack | Travel Blog

Europe » Norway June 3rd 2017

Our bike has arrived! Tomorrow I put the bikes put together and the panniers packed. Train to Bergen Sunday. On the plus side, a nice day site seeing around Oslo!... read more

George and Anna Nordic Tour

Europe » Norway » Southern Norway June 2nd 2017

geomack

We've made it to Norway, but now we're stuck in Oslo. We had to change planes in Reykjavik and the baggage handlers decided to put only 1 bike on the plane! After a great deal of searching we found the 1 bike. We went to the baggage claim office and after a good deal of clicking we were told the other bike was still in Reykjavik. We had a train reservation to Bergen the next day and were assured they would get the bike to the hotel in time for us to get to Bergen. So now we sit without the bike and the train has long left. No available train seating until Sunday. So a flurry of changing reservations and now we continue to wait for the missing bike. At least we'll get a chance ... read more

Australia Tour

Oceania » Australia December 20th 2008

geomack

Map of my 2 months in southern Australia.... read more

Australia - Sydney

Oceania » Australia » New South Wales » Sydney December 8th 2008

geomack

Hi All, Well I've made it to Sydney! A great ride up the coast ducking afternoon rain showers and the evr present flys. I've also been very lazy, (wimpy) and staying in cabins in caravan parks when I can. Reasonably priced and so nice and dry and comfortable! The last few days I've been riding with a fellow on a recumbent, Arlyn. He's from Alberta Canada and he's been here for three months. We were riding the last stretch to the small town of Tamwell where we planned to take a train into Sydney. A very scenic ride but the last bit was hot and up hill. As we were grinding away we saw a touring couple headed the other way. Turns out it was the couple I had met several weeks ago in Bairnsdale, (Betty ... read more

Australia - Batemans Bay

Oceania » Australia » New South Wales » Batemans Bay November 30th 2008

geomack

Hi All, The first day of summer here in Australia. Christmas decorations are going up and it's a beautiful 25C day. I'm presently in a Batemans Bay, a small coast town about 300K from Sydney. The rains have caught up with me, but they've mostly developed in the afternoon and I've managed to get settled in before they hit! Went whale watching in Merimbula and got to see a couple of hump back whales and calfs. Also in Merimbula, I was invited on a morning sea kayak paddle in the bay and saw a sting ray and inspected a commercial oyster operation. Hope all is well with everyone and for those in the states, you had a good Thanksgiving! Take care, George ... read more

Australia - New South Wales

Oceania » Australia » New South Wales » Eden November 20th 2008

geomack

Hi Folks, Chages, changes! I didn't like the route in the Snowy Mtns, so I decided to continue up the coast! Continued varied riding, forests, farm country, salt marshes and of course the ocean. Also managed about 60k on a rail trail where I saw an Echidna! The biggest surprise was a 4 foot Goana crossing the road!!! Wow, I tried to get a photo but he was so fast and by the time I had the camera out, he was about 12 feet up a big gum tree!!! I've come through a number of little towns, Traralgon, Bairnsdale, Orbost, Cann River, Mallacoota, and I'm presently in Eden and it's raining like crazy! The thunder and lightening chased me into town, but at least I beat it this time!!! Take care all!!!! George... read more

Australia - Bairnsdale Victoria

Oceania » Australia » Victoria » Melbourne November 12th 2008

geomack

Hi Folks, Just a quick note. I've headed more inland and with that and the fact that summer is closing in, it's been warm riding, 30+ today. I was in Melbourne for several days. Quite a city and I only got pan handled once!!! After San Francisco where the panhandlers stake out every corner and are a daily fixture, a pleasant surprise! Also no homeless or street people that were obviously in need mental care! Anyway, I'm heading for the Snowy Mountains! Take care, George... read more

Australia - Melbourne

Oceania » Australia » Victoria » Melbourne November 8th 2008

geomack

G'Day All, I'm presently at the Oasis YHA in Melbourne. I was lucky with the wind in Canada, but it's caught up with me here!! At least for the most part the roads have been lightly traveled and have a reasonable shoulder, but the head winds have been tough. Also, while the first couple of weeks were dry, the rains too have caught up with me and I've had a couple of wet days in the saddle. The incredible riding continues though, some long stiff climbs into temperate rain forest and long descents into open pasture. Lots of Kangaroos, Wallabys, and Emu's. The route finally headed to the coast and I've had some beautiful riding on the Great Ocean Road. Fantastic surfing beaches, and rugged cliffs, the 12 Apostles, (sand and wind eroded columns standing in ... read more

Australia

Oceania » Australia » South Australia » Mt Gambier October 27th 2008

geomack

G'day All! I know it's been awhile, I almost think I should have included a small lap top, would make things easier especially uploading photos. Of course even the camera is proving problematic. I need to recharge the battery, but the power here is 240 volts! I've checked several electronics shops, but the only transformer is $100, large, and about 3lbs!!!! I'm hoping I can purchase a charger!? Anyway, continuing to enjoy Australia!!! I road through the Barossa valley, wine country. Fantastic old vineyards and wineries, including Jacob's Creek. In the little town of Nuriootpa I stayed in a cottage next to a vineyard, beautiful! Nuri was also quite an experience. I was riding slowly through town looking for a place to buy white gas, (naptha, coleman fuel....), when all of a sudden a car door ... read more

TransCan To Australia

Oceania » Australia » South Australia » Barossa Valley October 16th 2008

geomack

Hi All, I made it, I'm in Australia!! Flew into Adelaide on the 14th. Getting through customs was interesting, to prevent invasives, they have strict policies on food stuffs etc. and to enforce, they come through the baggage claim area with a food sniffing dog!!! I had been given some trail mix, and I also had rice and cereal in my food bag and that all had to get tossed. And of course my fond experiences with security continued. I used 1 of my small panniers for carry on for my helmet and a couple of books, I thought I had cleaned everything else out of it, but some how I missed the Brooks saddle service kit. I went through security in SF OK, but in Sydney they found the small saddle tensioning tool. A small ... read more

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