Today was my first road ride. I was panicking I wasn't going to get up in time. I did. But I spent about 15 minutes phaffing about securing Ruby to my car. I'm not used to using the transport thing.
I arrived at Cycle Science to learn the ride was going to be into Wellington - Lyall Bay to be precise. I was sort of pleased because it meant I didn't have to contemplate Wallaceville hill. I was pleased until the first traffic lights at Melling. It was here my first separation from the riding bunch occurred. I missed the lights and boom, that meant I was alone on the Hutt motorway.
Nathan (the man with red helmet in the above picture - although he is of course much more than a man with a red helmet!) waited up for me. This was to be a reoccurring theme for the day.
As we got to Thorndon and just pass Iride but before the Wellington Railway Station, the thought crossed my mind that I had $15.00 in my bike pocket, and that would be more than enough to get me back to Waterloo Interchange. I don't know where that thought came from. I wasn't actually physically tired, but I felt like I had to think all the time - about my cleats, about the lights, my cleats, lights. I was seriously contemplating it, but then I told myself I had to get a grip - or equivalent because in no way would that be acceptable!
I missed the lights again near the Rydges, but Troy (who is an awesome genuine Ironman, in the way he provides leadership and support) was waiting for me on the wharf. This is Troy below running with me on one of the early run group runs - my first attempt at 3km I think.
Troy navigated me through my first Sri Lankan dance party, the Wellington waterfront on Sunday market day and Test match cricket day, and past the crazy man that was a cyclists nightmare. It was a huge help. If he hadn't been there at that point and time I probably would've despaired with the crowds, but he made it possible to do the drive through.
The next part of the ride was to Maranui Café. Great, I thought, "coffee", and at Maranui! But no, that was just the half way mark. We turned around and rode home.
Uneventful until the Chaffers Park New World, where I almost had a panic attack in the middle of the road, so decided to go via Te Papa. This worked, but some older lady did tell me off as I was shaking on my cleats that is was a pedestrian area. I shook in my cleats, literally, but then cycled on to the petrol station near the railway station, where fortunately I was reunited with the bunch.
Rawiri gave me a banana, and I realised, I had been remiss in taking any "fuel". I'm not sure why because I usually do.
Vicky, Fiona, and Michelle helped me ride home on the motorway. Vicky suggested we go via Hutt motorway, and that seemed like a brilliant suggestion to me.
I actually found the ride quite stressful, so couldn't post up on Facebook that I loved it. But now that I am home, I'm really glad that was the first ride. The important thing is it took me out of my comfort riding zone with all the lights and Wellington traffic. I'm used to riding on basically traffic free roads, and not having to think about cleats and lights.
I feel like I've done a real road ride now! I realise there's nothing like time in the saddle to get the confidence.
I had thought the cycle leg was going to be my strength - I'm now thinking it better be swimming - possibly it will be swimming, because I have reasonable upper body strength. But what I was reminded of today was that whether its running, cycling, or swimming - the only way to get better and faster is to do the miles.
I'll be back, because I'm not going to be deterred by a few traffic lights!
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