Music on the Move

Pic from Outdoor Ukulele website

A guitar noodler since a teen but in recent years I have become quite smitten with the humble ukulele.  I have a because Kala tenor thin body travel uke that play almost everyday either alone or with others through music Facebook and Meetup groups.

Recently I've a desire to bring my ukulele along on some travels and outdoors activities but not really keen on exposing my $350 Kala to the possible rough and tumble.  Outdoor Ukulele has come to my rescue!  This Bend, Oregon company makes a line of all weather, composite polycarbonate ukes that are very reasonably priced and play surprisingly well.  Check them out:

www.outdoorukulele.com

I purchased a beer bottle brown soprano with low G strings and a strap button.  The tenor is probably a better fit for my size but I have a tenor uke and the smaller overall size will be better for packing.  It only weighs 15 ounces!

Cool translucent composition

I must say that I am truly impressed with the sound and action on this little uke.  I restrung it with my favourite Aquila Red strings with low G.

As arrived

On Gozo

In the bag

Killarney train station waiting room

Sunshine Coast Bicycle Ramble

This past week I cycled part of the Highway 101 'Sunshine Coast Cycling Route'  from our place in Gibsons Landing to our friend's cottage at Garden Bay.  I loaded up my trusty Bike Friday with camping gear as my initial plan was to carrying on to Powell River then cross over the strait to Comox and then south to Nanaimo and home.

The route for day one

The first leg is 72 km and after this day I realized due to a series of unanticipated factors (hilliness of route, weight of loaded bike, lack of recent cycle training, age?) I somewhat over estimated the joy of this trip.  Decided to change the plan and on day two cycled back to Sechelt where I camped at Porpoise Bay Provincial Park then cycled back to Gibsons on day three.

A total of 165 km and overall good time with some gentle reminders tossed in!

Selfie at Trout Lake

Big old hill

Chez Doug for a great overnight stop

Mixal Lake near Garden Bay

Wild fire haze over Porpoise Bay

Porpoise Bay cyclist's campground

In preparation for this ride I replaced out my well worn front Schwalbe tire.  I have used these 1.75" tires for years and have been very pleased with the durability and puncture resistance.  

Guess the worn one?

Picked up this $18 rubbery mobile phone holder for handlebars.  Low tech and worked well.  Used it to track progress on Map.me and play motivational Spotify tunes while peddling.