Update 1: I completed the ride. I was part of a pack crash on day 2 so I missed the very enjoyable downhill run on the Byerstown range but I completed all of the major climbs (Kuranda and Desailly ranges) and there was still the nice downhill run near Black Mountain on day 3. The bicycle will need a new front wheel and the body is mending nicely.
Update 2 (December 2022): Alex Ison has won the GPS-based clock and Graham Woods received beer! The clock is working well (and I assume the beer tasted just fine).
Thanks to everyone helping and sponsoring this year
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I am again riding in support of Cairns Hospital (FNQ Hospital Foundation) from Cairns to Cooktown in September 2022, and seeking donations.
To reward my supporters (please donate), I am raffling a hand crafted digital clock that can (or will...) automatically synchronise with a GPS satellite's clock reference. For a second prize, there is a 6-pack of Asahi Super Dry (because people really appreciate Asahi Super Dry).
The new clock design just needs power and clear access to the sky. Don't expect it to work underground or inside a sealed metal cage (any above ground location where a human lives should be OK). There is some irony in producing a clock that locks into high precision time references from a GPS satellite as my current work involves replacing such systems.
The main clock parts currently look like:
... and eventually this stuff will look more like:
The design notes from the 2020 clock prize provide some info but the display has changed (and soon the need for an internet link).
- Ride highlights: Kuranda Range climb, Desailly Range climb, and the Byerstown Range (downhill)! These links show you some of the very attractive scenery. Meanwhile, any engineers on the ride can enjoy Lakeland with Australia's first grid connected battery and solar farm on what is a "leaf node". This route map which was provided for my first ride in 2011 shows extra detail when zoomed in.
- Raffle draw details: the raffle process uses arc4random_uniform() like
in this C++ program to obtain a fair result.
9 comments:
Mihai R, Adelaide: Good luck on the ride, and even better luck on the fundraising, Dr. Phil!
Thanks Mihai. I'd really like to try one of the SA rides one day. Of course there are wineries but I also remember an interesting clock shop in Hahndorf.
Toni W, Sydney: Impressed with your continued years back of riding. It’s a great cause.
Thanks Toni. I'm happy to say the bike is showing more signs of wear than me (at present).
Alan L, Cairns: Hi Phillip, have a great ride. Glad to sponsor you again.
Thank you. Maybe we need your help with daily yoga because the males in Cycling Yogis have been half hearted on previous rides. Do you have a bike (yet)?
Richard I, Cairns: Hi Phillip, This time, you Can have my vote... ??
Thanks Richard. If only I'd joined the ride about 5 weeks earlier! Maybe next time...
Graham W, Townsville: An inspiration to us all!
Yeah but I haven't managed to persuade you (or those other engineers in your grad year) to try this instead of fishing (and drinking). Thanks Graham.
Kathleen A, Cairns Go well, Phillip!
Thanks for your support, Kathleen.
Andrew Duncan, Perth: Enjoy the ride
Thanks for your support. The bike may not yet know the way but I do now recognise some anthills.
Joan M, Townsville: Once again, enjoy the ride. Good luck.
Thank you mother! If the 2nd generation vaccines become available, maybe you can join in again (but as an observer).
Peter E, Melbourne: Good Luck with the ride, you sure must have done a lot of km's over the years! That atomic accuracy clock would look pretty nice next to my bluetooth controlled musical coffee grinder...
Thanks. I'm tempted by a voice activation link for the em4300 coffee machine (PID temperature control loop!) but not further up the processing chain. Bluetooth control ... so did you use an ESP32?
Natso fatso, Cairns: Way to go Phil Is this number 11 times you have done this…remarkable ??
Crikey, it is number 12. At some point, I have to learn to say no. Thanks for your support. Hope the MTB injuries are well recovered.
Robyn F, Cairns: Great cause. Go well!
Thanks Robyn. Yes, our little group is getting ready to be reacquainted with the ant hills and cows on the side of the road!
Barron River Hotel Trivia Night
Hey Joss, thanks for running our Trivia Night again.
Alex I, Cairns: I know that riding is what you do, but this yearly feat still amazes!
Thanks Alex. We're doing another Lake Morris ride this morning (part of the scramble to regain some stamina on hills). When I started doing the ride, I didn't imagine doing it 12 times!
Lynne K, Ayr: Enjoy the ride
Thanks Lynne. Hope the clock is working well.
Hetty M, Cairns: Thanks Hetty and sorry about adding this note so late.
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