Awesome ride today. Did the route 77 to M'borough. Wasn't quite sure if I would go, but then I heard two infectious disease physicians I used to work with being interviewed on national radio. They were talking about the effectiveness of immunisation. The topic had no connection whatsoever with deciding to ride. However, hearing the familiar voices, reminded me that riding is about my health.
So, given the weather conditions, I geared up in my tramping socks (expensive, but light and on days like today worth it), and two marino layers, plus my jacket. That's all it took, and I was extremely warm and kept dry for the trip. I still can't pump my tyres as I would like to. I'll seek advice from one of the owners of the straw house when they get home. They were pumped sufficiently for a decent ride though.
Because I head south to Martinborough, it means when I return home I ride into the Northwesterlies. The winds were quite strong today, so the return ride home was quite tough. The ride to Martinborough took about 1 hour 3/4 because of the wind behind me. I reckon I could have been 10 minutes faster if I hadn't got stuck behind some cows being moved just before the last hill into M'borough. I'm not that confident at riding through cows, so I decided to stick with the ute until they were moved. Then just as the last of the cows were turning into their run the farmer says "Hurry up girl - move along" . I stared at him, and then he goes "oh, sorry, I didn't mean you, I meant the cow!" Ha! It was quite funny.
I decided to ride the long way home via Longbush and the Masterton Rd (because that's what makes the route, route 77!). I really do like that road. I think because it is visually more interesting to ride and overall there is more variation in the road. There were moments of rain, but overall it was OK.
The best bit was when I was riding out of Martinborough. Just as I was coming out of the turnoff past Te Kairanga vineyards I saw these cyclists about say 700m ahead of me. Psychologically it was quite good because I hadn't seen any cyclists all day. One was wearing a yellow jacket like I wear, the other was wearing a purple jacket. Not only did I catch up to them, I passed them and never saw them again. Sweet! It was a couple. The look on the mans face when I passed him was v. sweet (for me). I'm sure he thought omg - wtf - how can that cyclist/lady have passed me. But I did. Ok, I don't think they were members of the Masterton riding group. They were like me (at the moment) Sunday riders. But you know, a riding pass is a riding pass, and for today I will take it. It felt good.
I'm beginning to know the road both ways. That helps. I think too I am beginning to find the hill climbs a little easier. So, that's a sign my legs are actually getting stronger. I can actually stay on the bike seat and just see the hill climb out (albeit slowly), so means my legs aren't banging the bike so much because I lean into the bike.
Riding home to Carterton was awesome once I got to the church turnoff. It meant that I could see the Tararuas, and there were several shades of grey because of the shifting sky, and periods of blue light. There is something about the light and way it reflects on the landscape on days like today that make riding into the wind worth it.
It took me over 2 hours to ride home. But I figure that's ok, becasue of the wind factor.
Another Sunday ride: "completed".
No comments:
Post a Comment