Sydney and its surrounds is a wonderful place to live and ride a bike. But one of the things that makes the riding so rich and inspiring – the natural amphitheatre of flora and fauna that surrounds Sydney on three sides (the other is the Pacific Ocean which is quite hard to ride in) – also makes it subject to the full force of Mother Nature from time time. Like today. The sky is orange. The region is literally on fire. Many homes have been lost. But thanks to the splendid efforts of the RFS and wider emergency services, so far no lives have been lost. Here’s hoping it stays that way.