I was on track to head off on my Saturday ride circa 8.15amish, had breakfast (Special K) and a little mixed fruit, 2 cups of strong black coffee, hung out the washing. "It was a beautiful day". Then I looked south. Clouds. Big grey clouds. Where did they come from? I was debating (with myself) whether I might need to actually wear my jacket. I haven't worn it for several rides now. Then RAIN. Lots of it - from the CLOUDS. What to do when it rains? Wait. Until the rain STOPS.
Yes, you can ride in the rain. I don't really mind riding in the rain. But I'm also really consious I don't want to get a "cold" pre Taupo. On the whole I have a pretty robust immune system, but heaps of people at work at the moment have "colds", so I am a little angst about getting a cold. Yeah, people contact of course increases the risk of "catching a cold" - which is one reason, I'm generally quite immune - ha~!
So, headed off about 9.30am once it looked the rain had done its thing - rain really only does one thing- RAIN. There is currently more wind about than "normal". So, the wind determined my initial direction. I find it easier if I start off riding into the wind, as it serves as pcyhological incentive that "later" at some point, the wind will be on my back.
Statistics
Distance: 122.3km
Average RPM: 66
Calories burned: 1886
Heart rate: At one point it got up to 145 - but for most of the trip was arounrd 120
Average speed 21.2km
Time: 5.46min
Drank: 3 litres of Powerade - 2 from my Camelback and one on the bike
Ate: 1 banana, 2 muesli bars - one which I will buy again for Taupo, the other I wont. I think tho the one sqaure meals give that total sugar fix!
A little (just a little further) than last weeks ride. But no real hills. But no big hour coffee stop in between. The only rest breaks were those of necessity - which was more than I would have liked.
The rpm measure seemed to disappear for some of the ride, which was annoying, but came up on the average at the end. In the first half of the ride, I did manager for parts to increase it for periods of 80-90, but it dropped again in the second half, and then I couldn't see what it was.
It was a mostly flat ride. I started and ended with the Westside route re Matarawa/back of Greytown, headed up to Masterton, the back route up to Matawhiri vineyard, and the back via Masterton airport/Gladstone. I got a bit lost in Masterton until I found the airport. I also spent about 5 mins under the eaves of the Moore Wilson there while it rained.
There was an incredibly strong wind today, which I would have spent half the trip riding into. I figure that was as good as riding into the hills. It doesn't make for particularly enjoyable riding ;-)
I needed to go the toilet a lot today. I thought I had solved that problem. I'm not sure if it was the volume of drink, adding Powerade in, or the wind. I think the wind and drinking coffee before the ride are factors. I'm a big coffee drinker, but I don't think it works pre rides for me. CH said she finds it works, but she only has 2 or say cups a week - whereas I have up to 4-5 a day! So, I think in my case, I'll wont drink coffee. I think its better to say have an extra banana. (for me).
There better be 40km left in the "engine" for tomorrow - to get to the Tin Hut and back. It's a flat route though. I may relent though and ride part of the distance on the motorway, which I don't really enjoy to keep the distance to a minimum.
I got a bit angry just in the last 1km or so becasue these runners were running side by side on the road, and didn't go single file when they saw me. Dangerous! I didn't say anything to them, but it was arrogant and stupid because to pass them I had to go right in the middle of the road.
The other thing today it was so fricken windy, I stopped wearing my music - and also had to take my sunglasses off.
.....and just to end:
I love sheep. Not sure why, I just do. I also love seeing all the calves at this time year cuddling up to each other, and sleeping together.
Here's a sheep game - instead of a music link. Try it!:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/sleep/sheep
According to this game, I am an "ambling amadillo". I tried it a couple of times (ok three times!), to see if I could improve my "rating" to a "turbo charged cheetah". But nope, that's what I am - an Ambling amadillo. At least according to the "Sheep Dash". An Ambling Amadillo that is going to ride 156km next Saturday, within 8 hours!
The "Sheep Dash" says I need to "improve"!
As for tomorrow, I just have to get to the Tin Hut and back! - depending on the wind, I may try for a little further. I'll see how I feel tomorrow.
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