History
story here Thought you guys might appreciate this story. A couple of young women in 1946 cycling the east coast of australia. They got attacked twice en route. Not to mention no brakes or gears.Edited by: NewIslander
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On your love of history and reading. Is of women on bikes but not Oz.Pedals and Petticoats: On the Road in Post-war Europe
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pedals-Petticoats-Road-Post-war-Europe/dp/1840244399
The reviews are right:
It's very easy to read, is just delightful. Made me want to get on my bike and head off myself!
It highlights just how easy travel has become in the modern era. (Ties in with the other post you're commenting on)
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Thanks for that link - looks like a very interesting story. Pity that it's only getting publicity now because of the authors passing. I've added it to this list of around 100 cycle touring books by female writers .6
Syd, if i'd known you were keeping such a list, i might have kept on with my book which i gave up on but still think would have been well worth while. ie that was to be a decent book about touring in india. Ah maybe someone else will have to do it. Alas it won't be what i'd have written about no doubt.7
That link is not working for me.On the subject though I have a trip this Dec/Jan to the Coorg inspired by one of the saints of cycling writing, Durvla Murphy. I have been around the Coorg three times but have never been into that corner of Karnataka.
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I have. Do you want any tips? I did a little bushwalking hike to places you can't go by bike. I'd say its a nice idea. Also i'm sure you will spend some time on an estate but don't spend any more than necessary time in the main centre. There was a lovely ride coming from a town as if you were on the road from Halebid. I can't remember the name of the place where its starts being nice except that it started with S and i spent the night there. If look at the map from hale bid to coorg then it should be obvious which road i'm referring to, I hope. Gosh i can't seem to remember too much now. Oh on the hike i went on, we stayed at one of the old estate houses which had a creek running past which we all had a swim in. Staying there was rather special.Oh its important not to eat that local famous pork dish in the main town centre at that horrible hotel that poses as the smartest place in town. I got a tummy bug from that pork. I am sure it was from that dish and it wasn't yummy, just a lot of fat. So try not to be tempted.
The link should work for you if it worked for others noel.
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Andrea, do you mean Madikeri for the 'main centre' and was maybe Sakleshpur or Somwarpet the 'S' town? I didn't mind Madikeri at all but then again I didn't have the infamous pork dish. I had a good time in Coorg but the roads were generally the bumpiest I found in south India. My visit to a coffee estate was a bonus - the owner of one was so taken by my bicycle tour that he invited me to stay as a guest of his family and wouldn't accept any payment. It was a gorgeous picture postcard of a place too! .11
OH yes thanks syd. Yes madikeri is the main town that's not very interesting but you've got to go there. And i mean Somwarpet as the one end of the lovely road.Lovely shots Syd. I didn't have time to explore it indepth on my bike. Yes Madikeri was ok but not worth spending any time in considering how nice the countryside is. My assessment of the town is not based on getting a tummy bug, which didn't strike until i'd left if i recall but only the next day when i was on a hike. Our hike took us up the tallest hills in the area. I've got pics somewhere.
I had a funny experience in this area too. I came to a little chai stall where there were a bunch of men drinking coffee as is the habit down there. One of them, one not too bright judging by the laughter of all the others, couldn't believe his eyes and asked me if i was a man. Unlike Dervla Murphy who lifted her top to show her breasts when a chief asked her this in Camaroon, i just pointed to my chin and said, "look, no whiskers".
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The CGOAB record will help Syd. We have 16 days from Bangalore. Hopefully will get to have a day to the coast too.
