Saturday, October 2, 2010

Recovery update - PAP 2010

Physio has taken longer than expected to improve my condition.
I started getting acupuncture and it is really speeding things up.

I am on the exercise bike and have got upto 5km at a time and want to push it higher soon.

Good luck to all the men and women in the 2010 PAP (Perth Albany Perth - 1200km). I had been training for this ride and am missing due to injury. I hope you all have an absolute blast and I can hear read about your great rides soon. I will be at the start to cheer you on.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Arthritis

The physio is treating my knees for arthritis.
After another painful riding session of 10km, I went to the physio.
After examining xrays, she is looking at managing and not curing.
I am guttered and can't believe it has happened and happened so suddenly.

I am following her treatment to the letter (stretching, strapping, treatment) and hope
the condition improves.

If anyone has any remedies let me know.
I do not want my riding days to end.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Almost Ready to Ride

I tried the knee out on the exercise bike last night and it still gets very sore after about 2km, So more rest and treatment. Four weeks off the bike so far. :(
I think I will be fine this time next week.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Knee Trouble

I can't take a trick at the moment.
I did the 200km, pulled up without any  soreness or pain.
Two days later I have pain when walking - right knee, over the knee cap.
More time off the bike - Just when I need to build my fitness.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Audax Perth 25th Anniversary Ride

I want to sincerely thank Perry and all his volunteers who organised a fabulous ride to celebrate 25 years of Audax in Perth.


It was my first ride that included support at each check point. What a great way to get through the 200km. The volunteers were friendly and cheerful when Glen and I rolled in. This gave me extra incentive to get to the next checkpoint. At Chidlow, food was saved for us, the kettle had just boiled and there was still plenty of pumpkin soup and fruit cake.

The ride itself was brilliant. The Gazelles bolted and Glen and I settled into a comfortable pace. A couple of buddies cruising along on recumbents catching up on the latest, sun shining and the scenery picture perfect. In some sections it felt like I owned the road as there was no traffic at all. Glen is very strong up the hills as I struggled to maintain the same speed. Brilliant when you realise how effortlessly he floats the 17kg trike uphill as if was a sub 9kg roadbike.

The challenges of the day were of course completing within the time limit, the long climb out of Bindoon and Toodyay. I had never done the Bindoon hill before and it wasn’t until I was half way up it that I realised… this is it…and with a nice high cadence got over it and into Dewar’s Pool Road.

The last time I crawled out of Toodyay it was 35+ degrees, on my own and I only just made it with a mechanical issue on the rear wheel. This time riding with Glen, we paced ourselves up the steep inclines and they seemed to flatten under my pedals with no hint of distress.

There is no shoulder on the Great Eastern Highway section and I was very happy to get off it into Coates Rd. Into Werribin Rd, the Checkpoint crew waved as they drove past and I mistakenly thought Wooroloo was the Chidlow checkpoint. How my heart sank and mind played games with me. I really struggled on the last section into Chidlow.

Refreshed after the compulsory checkpoint stop, my Ayups lit up the road and it was very reassuring to see so far ahead. Out on the country road without any street lighting, those lights showed their brilliance.

The shoulder on Great Northern Highway is very wide and smooth with little debris along the way. Trucks and cars could be seen in the rear view mirror long before they could be heard. And finally the last checkpoint with all those wonderful people congratulating us and feeding us. It had been a super long day for them and without their cheery support the ride would have been very tough indeed. So once again, many, many thanks to Perry and all the volunteers for such a memorable ride.

Monday, July 19, 2010

First No Cycling Week

No cycling this past week as I took the family on a Bali holiday.
Very relaxing and lots more bicycles in and around Kuta than ever before. Cycling is even taking off over there. Next time I will hire a bike and ride along the beach paths which are long and smooth.

Now I have the flu pretty bad and so will have to wait for that to clear up before riding.

Cadel fell and broke his elbow while I was away. He won't win the TDF this year either. :(

Friday, July 9, 2010

Canning Bridge to Claremont and return

I joined Rob and we did a loop ride, staying with the Freowheelers Thursday group.
Pace was very solid and we slowed after major hills for the not so proficient hill climbers to catch back on.
Very pleasant and dry but very cold.
We peeled off at the roundabout at Christchurch Grammar.
On the way back we did a loop of Kings Park. It was dark and colder than near the river.
Very happy as no pain in my right ankle and my right leg is getting stronger. Evidenced by the again higher gear used to climb hills in Kings Park and the ease at which I stayed with the group.
Half an hour after finishing a very big storm hit Perth.
No more riding until it blows over.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Sunday ATTA marshall

I did not ride but instead marshalled in the zero Celsius condition while over 100 cyclists challenged the 20km course a Champions Lake.
Good event with the fastest in the high 40s.
Again I did not ride and came home and relaxed, happy to watch the football.
The next two weeks I have lots of time, so am planning to ride everyday, no matter the weather.

If my ankle gets better and better I may have a chance of starting the PAP in October, but must do at least one 600km first.

Saturday chills

I missed the Freo Wheelers ride because I was absolutely tired and it was freezing cold.
Instead I did and afternoon ride upto Christchurch Grammar.
The river and surrounds were picture perfect.
What I planned to take 90 minutes was only about 70 minutes.

I am happily having some new treatment on my ankle and have found some new power and speed.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Bragging Rites

Just have to post as I am really pleased with myself.
This morning's ride was an OMO (On My Own) ride. The others didn't show.
The Shelley loop was the usual, but instead of finishing at Canning Bridge, I chose to cross the river at Mt Henry Bridge and ride down the East side of the River, under Canning Bridge to the Narrows.

Time going under Canning Bridge was 6:50am
Time at the Narrows turnoff was.........6:58am !!

Amazing! :) I did bridge to bridge in under 10 minutes, very still conditions, no tailwind!!
You little ripper! That is a 37.5kmh average. I have been smiling all morning. :) :)

Monday, June 28, 2010

Gosnells and back Sunday 27th. Looking like an M&M pack.

Up early and attacked a ton of paper work and preparation for work.
By lunchtime I only had a small tidy up left, so by three in the afternoon was getting ready to get outside in the sunshine.

Where to ride? Go and say hello to my trike buddy Chuck? Good idea. Map? Naah, I know the way.
Ring first? Naaah, nice surprise.
As I was going to ride on roads most of the way I went for the high vis clothes.
Bright orange leggins, blue knicks over the top, red longsleeved jersey and my bright day glo flag.
Can't believe how well it all worked. Drivers could really see me. It was a little distracting at first to have bright orange knees come into view. Easy to count cadence today. :)

Roads were good, traffic light and my pace was nice and fast.
No one  home so rode back to Roe highway path and up to the Freeway.
Almost empty path, a few walkers and I use the slight uphills to do some interval training.

The sky was glorious with brilliant sun beaming through heavy dark cumulus.

Saturday 26th Freowheelers Down to Zero

Well almost. '0.' something?
I had three layers of summer stuff on.
Peeled one off before the start at Freo and was pretty warm while riding.
But when I stopped I started to ice up as my perspiration turned me into a freezer.
I must fork out for some winter gear.

The Freo Wheelers group was small and at Mt Henry, we lost them. They chose to do a short ride and their were other riders in the group who were not part of it. I did not know about the short cut.
No harm done. These rides always work out for the best and are enjoyable, no matter what.
We could see them two to three hundred metres in front. We chased them to the Narrow's without bridging the gap. So being close to home and with Rob doing a short ride, we bailed for coffee in Mends St South Perth. That is where I started freezing. My buff was soaked and my hair wet.
Glad to get home to an early warm shower.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Only one ride this week

A huge storm on Tuesday and Thursday I couldn't get my helmet on. I had a skin cancer removed from my forehead and it was pretty painful. Also severe ankle pain due to extra assessments by surgeons (30 year old motorbike injury requires knife work).
I am looking down the barrel of ankle fusion to reduce pain. The sooner the better as after cycling the pain is incredibly severe. That means I am off the bike for 3 months and will miss the PAP and start of the ATTA season.
Around the river with the freo wheelers.
I was thoroughly enjoying the roll ons and was mid pack in all the climbs.
Rob punctured at Ardross so stopped to help and keep company.
We shortcutted to Berwick and Canning to pick up the group after a 10 minute wait.
The firefighters were closing the Bunnings buildings as a water main had broke and Bunnings was flooded in waist deep water.

Was doing fine until the last climb out of Cottosloe. I was only 100m off the group but could not catch them on the sprint into Port Beach. I had spun up my highest gear which equates to about 45km/h.
Average for the ride 33km/h
Geoff in Group 2 punctured 3 times.
Ride home was good fun with about 6 riders.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Sunday Reverse Around River Ride

I missed the Saturday ride due to work but met the guys for a coffee where I was invited to ride with them on Sunday. Me with the Group 2s - Oh yes!

Kept up on the flats and low hills, but the steeper climbs around Buckland Hill and Mosman was where I suffered.
Even so I am riding those hills three cogs stronger, so was pretty pleased with myself.
They blasted away the last three kms at 43+.
Couldn't hang on, so sat on about 40km/h and reached the finish 100m or so behind.
A fabulous ride, beautiful cold sunny weather, no wind,  and fantastic scenery.
Thanks guys

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Long Weekend 5,6,7th June

I was strapped for time this long weekend, but managed short rides on Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday
After getting the new furniture from IKEA home, I was off on a ride. It was a toss up between scooting down the freeway south path for a set time or a more picturesque up to Bethesda in Claremont and back.
By the time I arrived at the Narrow's and viewing the river and parks along the way, I decided I wanted more of that and went up to Bethesda.
Staying on the PSP along mounts Bay allowed me to ride within metres of the water. Something for some reason I really enjoy. Four biplanes in formation flew overhead and I let out a long wave.
The Uni was very busy with students just leaving. I thought this odd for a Saturday. It must be exam week?
Jutland parade was an absolute scenic delight. River, boats, parks, trees, houses..... and I was pulling a gear higher on all the rises thanks to a strong tailwind.
Back at the Narrow's I decided to ride up to Canning Bridge and back which made a very memorable magic ride.

Sunday
I volumteered to marshall a corner for the ATTA Shenton Park event and left at 6:45am by bike riding through all the side streets to the registration area.
One of the positives of marshalling is you see all the riders come through.  You also see how they are looking each lap. The top riders are brilliant. Always composed and always fast. A perfect line through the corner with the power on. There were some good tips for me.
After I chose to ride down to Freo but only got as far as the Showgrounds station. Ron on his Sigma was riding towards Subi, so went with him and got the latest info on his upgrades to the Sigma. I really want one of these lwbs but only after they have done all the improvements. I test rode it last year as was impressed at how well it did everything. Commute, tour, race.
I think it is a good platform for a Cyclo team. If only I can get 5 bikes and 5 riders organised.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Saturday Ride 105km

Usual Saturday group with a 32km/h (20mph) average.
I stayed with them for the whole ride. Took my place in the roll ons and it was all good fun.
There is a final sprint down passed a beach area into a headwind - about 2km.
I was at the back when the sprint started and fragmented the group. I blew past the lead riders with
about 1km to go and held to almost the end when they caught me.
That's the first time I have ever done that and it felt awesome.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

No Riding Today

A huge winter storm came through Perth today so I stayed inside.
I did 20km on an exercise bike.
Hopefully, my new winter gear arrives soon and the weather won't bother me.
I have ordered full fingered gloves and waterproof jacket.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Update

Since the Champion Lakes ride I have been completing the regular Tuesday and Thursday rides and the Saturday morning with the Freo Wheelers.
I missed last Thursday  and Saturday due to weather.
Three rides or about 160km a week will have to do for a while as family and work commitments are high on the list.

This morning we went up to Kings Park and I was rewarded with two things.
1. I rode the hills at a very fast pace, even though the others were way ahead of me.
2. The city backed by the dawn light was a beautiful sight to behold.

I spotted a good secondhand Oppy on the weekend, but justed missed out on it.
I think I missed it as I am in two minds to get back on a road bike.
So to clear the mindset up I am doing up the MTB and will commute on it to work to see how it goes. I have  a spare set of pedals and crank length adjuster so it will be setup properly.
the thing is I really love the Baron and I really like to ride in a group.
Time will tell.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Champion Lakes 20km TT

A fast 4 laps with a strong headwind down the 2km backstraight.
That headwind sucked my average speed down under last year's effort.
It was still a great TT going close but not doing a PB.
I only used the top three gears for the whole course which is big plus.
With more power in the legs I will do better.
I think I am reaching a threshold speed and need to traing differently to improve further.

The big plus was the family out to see the action. It was great to see and hear them as I finished each lap.

Distance 20km
Time: 33m 34s
AvSp: 35.7km/hr

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Saturday River Ride

Bike Bag setup. Also some image of how I make and use my hydration bottle.

I use the Radical Seat bags to carry my spares, pump, water, food and other bits and bobs.
they work really well. Even when they are bulgingly full they are still quite aero. I have taped a water bottle cage on the stem to see how it goes. Water in that bottle and a cordial mix in the hydration bottle that goes in the bag.

I rode to Freo with Rob. There were less than 10 riders in Group 3. Busselton ironman half marathonTriathlon was on this weekend. Road home giving about 110km. the group ride (65km) averaged 30 to 32km/h. Give or take traffic light stops.
It was a very pleasant ride but not very sociable. One rider commented to another that they did not like being behind a recumbent. "Why is that." I ask? "When I turn my head to the side you are too low to be seen." Okayyy.
I wonder if I was met so stoically by the others because of their issues with recumbents?
I am sure some to them are of the opinion that group rides are for DFs only. MTB and TT bikes are also excluded. Should I continue to persevere riding in a group?
Other than watching them just in front or using them as a hill target, I did not feel like I was keeping
good company. Is a recumbent rider's lot is a solo one I don't want to go there?
Why aren't any other RR (recumbent riders) interested in forming a group ride.
I perceive the Sunday ride to be for the old RR brigade.
I love riding recmbent and don't want to change, but how do I get into a fun, fast sociable ride.

I might try riding 10m behind the group for the whole ride and have a coffee with them at the end.
Next week I will do the usual Tuesday, Thursday  rides.
The 20km TT is on Sunday - season closer.