There is nothing like waking to the sounds of a branch breaking to startle you from your slumber. At least that's what I thought it was. I looked around to see two humps in the bunk. The oil heater had dried most of the kit after it's scrub in the shower the night previous.

Read more: The company you keep

The first time I was allowed to ride around the block it was a personal milestone, of unparralled adventure.

Since my first 'epic' I've never looked back and each time I plan a ride, part of the 'planning' involves making it more challenging, memorable and sometimes even forgetable.

Read more: Carrying the world on your shoulders

It doesn't have to be fun to be fun.

Read more: Brush with nature

The last leg of my ride to (R)Adelaide.

Read more: Happy 'TDU' Friday

Crossing the border includes travelling through the fabric of the space, time and cultural continuum.

Read more: The seed that was planted.

241km in adult talk.

Day two of my ride to (R)Adelaide from Apollo Bay to Hamilton. Featuring an all-star cast of Austrlian flora and fauna.

Read more: The distance

It generally takes me longer to write and recollect these days than it does to turn the pedals. Much like the road itself my mind considers what line to take, where to deviate, what to ignore and what to focus on.

One detour I will mention briefly is the inspiring ride by Jesse Carlsson to Adelaide. JC read my previous ride to Adelaide story and thought it sounded like his kind of holiday. JC rode the same route as I did but managed to cover the 900km in a brief 38 hours. This in turn became inspiration for me which I'll get to later. Did I mention he completed it on a single 75" gear?

Read more: Tour Down Under - Stage One

If you can't wait for the post ride report, follow the FYXO TDU on twitter or Instagram.

I've finally succembed to peer pressure and will be taking a support vehicle for the ride this year. I plan to raise funds to bring the broadcast of future Tour Down Under back to SBS, or at a minimum commentators that know how to correctly pronounce the surname of the greatest cyclist of all time.

Read more: NOS-talgia

Welcome to 2012.

I have few resolutions for 2012 so I'll run you through them right now in alphabetical order:

Dream big.

Learn how to manual on a BMX.

Other than resolutions, I hope to make many a revolution in 2012 and if you are willing you are welcome to tag along.

Read more: A New resolution/revolution

I like to ride. If you are here then it's a given that you do too.

I like to ride nearly as much as I like to sleep, and far more than chocolate, building amazing bikes for customers, and dare I say it 'Campagnolo C Record'.

This particular 'ride' is probably more to bite off in a single day than for most but that's why it's personally memorable. There is nothing memorable about rides to Mordialloc, but you never forget getting rained, hailed or snowed on, been blown into the gutter by gail force winds, blistering heat and 'popping' like a bag of crisps because you didn't consume enough gear earlier in the day.

Read more: Bormio - Mortirolo - Gavia

What you missed this morning.

Read more: Nocturnal behaviour

Read more: This is how we rolled.

I've done some rides in my time. Big one dayers, weekenders, and week longs and this puts them all in the shade.

This is the ride by which all other rides will be measured.

Read more: The road less travelled.

The first thing I did as soon as I got home was sleep. It was 9am and I had no chance of fighting it. I woke 8 hours later at 5pm. Sunday I went for a ride on my favourite loop. A month of new experiences is a lot to process and I've been mulling over where to begin.

Then I was presented this postcard.

Read more: Writer's block

Read more: Merci Roubaix

A rare encounter with a friend of the bush. The Wombat. Frequently seen roadside, flipside and dead. This fella came from 150m away and ambled its way towards me, and kept coming until I said 'Hello'. Look out David Attenborough!

Read more: Before dawn

The home stretch.

Read more: Great(est) Victorian Bike Ride - Day 6

It's been a dozen years since I've ridden at Lysterfield, and a lot has changed - but the fun of getting muddy with mates is just as good. The trails are significantly better and more extensive and the bike I'm riding is a space age version of what I last rode there on.

Read more: Detour.

Could this little adventure get any better that yesterday?

That all depends on your definition of 'better'.

Read more: Great (est) Victorian Bike Ride - Day 5

Read more: x marks the spot