South Perth - Claremont Loop

Yippee! A great ride this morning as it was my first with rolling hills alongside the Swan River.
Steve's Hill is about 10km out and even though I needed granny and three, I climbed it without too much effort. Jutland Parade was pleasant and got over the little rollers without too much trouble (although in a lower gear ).
There were plenty of big groups around as well as small groups of three and four. From one big group I hear the shout of "Get a real bike!". I laughed as I hadn't heard that one in a while. Sometimes its feels good to be noticed, no matter what.

No sore knees or busting lungs which gives me confidence that my training is going well. My back specialist strongly recommended swimming for my back, so I will do alternate days swimming and cycling. But if it looks a better option to ride than swim I will always go the bike.

South Perth - Matilda Bay Loop

A lovely cool cloudy morning at about 7am.
Fences and the start of marques are all around the river in preparation for Australia Day Celebrations.
Plenty of walkers, joggers, commuters etc but all went smoothly.
Plenty of people fishing too.
A short 18km ride but I only had an hour and it fitted really well.

South Perth to Shelley Bridge and Return

I started at 5:30 hoping to miss a large number of commuters.
Conditions were cool with cloud cover and park sprinklers were washing over the cyclepath
at the start in South Perth. So I felt quite chilled until I dried out near the Narrows.
I met the famous Susie from ATTA fame at Canning Bridge and stopped for a chat.
She is one of the chief organisers of the very successful time trialling events here in WA.
If you want to try something different try a time trial or two.
Anyone in any condition can enter these organised events.
The Chittering 40 is on at Bullsbrook on Sunday.
Check their website at ATTA.

I felt pretty good but very thirsty going through two bottles on a cool day.
I was a little more comfortable with the commuters for two reasons. The early start and going in the same direction for more of the ride. Between Canning Bridge and Mt Henry Bridge I used the road on the Mt Pleasant side and did not ride the path on the freeway side or cross over Mt Henry.
Total time 2 hours which was 10 minutes slower than Wednesday but did a lot of spinning and
intervals along the way.

First 40km

SP_SB_Return



http://www.bikely.com/

 
I finished my first non-stop 40km ride this morning. The scenery was beautiful as usual. The ride
takes in the Swan River and Canning Rivers upto Shelley Bridge. There were many others out enjoying it before the heat sets in.
Cyclists (mostly commuters with back packs on their backs and small groups) were quite daunting with overtaking in both directions. I got very anxious when they would dangerously overtake others and duck in just in time or cut me off. I had to take evasive action a couple of times and thank goodness for my revision mirrors. I think I will avoid the Freeway PSP between 7:30 and 8:30am.

First Rides 2011

After New Year's day I couldn't wait any longer, so I set the bike up and went for a short ride.
It was early morning along the river cycle paths, cool air and glistening water and one very happy rider.
I stopped at Matilda Bay (half way) rested with a coffee and beautiful view. Total distance for the return ride is about 16km.
I have done that ride three times now and also ridden to Mount Henry Bridge and back (25km) with and without stops. I stop if I feel any stiffness or soreness in my knees or back. So far so good as the rides are pain free :) YAY!
These rides are on the flat and a great way to ease my self back. The hills and Kings Park will have to wait a while longer. The pleasant surprise is cycling without any pain. I will mix the cycling with swimming and see how fit and thin I can get.