Jason's Mystery Tour De Gravel

I met Jason on the coffee ride and got invited to one of his 'Mystery Rides'.  I was a bit perplexed as to why there were only 4 us going.  I now understand why!  It was actually a very cool ride.  Even took my baby over 3 or 4 gravel roads which at one point I got off before I fell off!  The hardest part was not knowing where the hell I was in terms of the finish line!  
One of the best parts of the ride was brunch at Coatesville.  I needed it as my feet were starting to cramp and my arse was sore as!


109kms
4:27:29
24.45 av speed
68.44 max speed
77 cadence 

Coffee Ride!

I discovered today that there's nothing better than a 'coffee ride'.  I met some fellow cyclists on Saturday who live on the same ride as I do.  I got myself invited to join their Sunday ride with friends.  It was awesome cycling with no urgency just a common purpose - enjoying the sunshine with great company.  This was all the more sweeter when I got home and read on Facebook that the 100km ride I was supposed to go on was cut short when the peloton crashed going 40kms per hour.  A few broken collarbones and lots of blood was the verdict from my friend who was riding.  
A reminder to keep your wits about you especially when riding in a large group.



46.9kms
1:56:20
24.18 av speed
65.92 max speed
79 cadence

Hills, Hills & More Farkin Hills!

We cycled the Silverdale Route today.  OMG it was hard.  After having a pretty full on day yesterday there wasn't much in the tank.  However, once I hit Beach Rd I knew it was nearly over... I also decided it wasn't a race even if Strava was tracking my every move.  I even stopped at Rothesay Bay for some water!  Rebel man...


92.67kms
3:39:47
25.29 av speed
63.40 max speed
Cadence wasn't working

YUSSSSS!!

What an awesome total.

Can't wait to get my white with black polka dot cycling jersey.

Here's hoping the money raised makes a difference and saves lives!

Gorgeous Morning Ride

What an awesome ride this morning.  Perfect conditions.  I felt like I was flying heading down to Takapuna.  Strava didn't think so though!  I was sure I'd get some PBs!  Nevermind.... there's always the next ride!


31.67
1:16:36
24.81 av speed
57.97 max speed
76 cadence

Sunday Sunny Sycle!

After having a wee sleep in I finally got my a into g and got on my bike.  Today's ride was one of those days where no matter what direction I was cycling it was a full on head wind.  I can't wait for the day that there's a tail wind all the way around.  Strava will go wild!

Saturday Taupaki Loop

A great ride with the Echelon crew today.  I've been sampling/ trying the various gels and chomps and bars on the rides.  Today's one was a Peak Fuel gel in a toothpaste like tube.  It was bloody awful in texture but seemed to do the trick.  Beach road after 65kms was ok.  My top one would have to be a natural product from Health2000 at the mall called BOOM!

Mid Week Cycles

Midweek cycles were on the rollers this week.  Pushed for time I had to avoid the road and do short bursts on the rollers.  So not much to show for it!
15kms
27:30
32.82 av speed
38 max speed
82 cadence

Tuesday Taka/East Coast

After a week off I thought I'd ride better than this.  I'm starting to panic a bit about Taupo.  I need to fit in a couple of big rides over the next couple of weekends.
Onwards and upwards!

How Much Does One Person Have To Deal With?

I have just got home after taking my friend Yvonne into Auckland Hospital as her cheek, on the side where she lost her eye to cancer, has become infected again.  It is awful what she is going through after losing an eye, radiation for 5 days a week for 6 weeks and 2 lots of chemotherapy.  Now, as if that's not enough, she is on her 3rd or 4th infection.  NOT FAIR!

Guilty.....? No Way. Great Sleep Instead!

After having spent the last 4 days in Hamilton, at Ulearn13, with a big night on Thursday night I had to consider whether I'd ride on Saturday morning with the Echelon team.  The weather forecast wasn't promising and I was knackered so it was a no brainer really, sleep in it was!  I slept for 12 hours and woke up feeling awesome!
It was hard work to complete a mere 20kms on the rollers though.  Hopefully the weather is better tomorrow.  Need to try and fit in a big one.
20kms
36:59mins
32.49 av speed
38.39 max speed
83 cadence

Tuesday Morning with Echelon

Funny!  I set off feeling fit as a fiddle with the fast group.  The intention was that the mediums would break away and create another group.  We hit the first hill and they left me for dead.  I could have possibly managed it on fresh legs but after a week of great cycling no show!
So I waited at the top of the Wairau hill for the other group and I created a group out of the slower riders.  So with about 6-8 of us we set of at a great pace.  It ended up being a bit shorter than what I'd hoped but a good ride all the same.


34.01kms
1:16:20
26.73 av speed
60.11 max speed
79 cadence

Madness!

I can't believe that I actually set my alarm for 4:45 to go for a cycle!  Utter madness.  BUT it was worth it.  What a magic morning for a cycle.  I went with the Echelon shop owner, Brett and Kara & Nick.  Brett took us on a hilly cycle where he looked like he was going for a walk in the park and the rest of us were burning as we attacked the mountains he made us climb!  As Nina my old neighbour would say "Good training!"


52.53kms
2:06:39
24.88 av speed
57 max speed
77 cadence

Sloowwww Riderrrr!

Jeepers it was a real struggle to cycle yesterday.  But I managed it with a few stops along the way.  At the top of North Head and then at the cuzzies in Takapuna.  Felt great when I got home though and the new seat seems to be a winner.  Just need to sort out my numb feet after 20kms now....


45kms
1:55:28
24.08 av speed
58.75 max speed
74 cadences

Velominati - The Rules

I never knew there were so many rules for cycling.  
Rule #5 is the best of course!

Rules for cycling

Echelon Taupaki Loop

I went in the medium slow group today.  It ended up being a great medium ride in the end I reckon.  We were all of a similar ability which was awesome!  My ride didn't start too well with a slight fall at the start, in front of everybody!  What a plonker.  In my defence I've got new shoes with new cleats and they're a bit stiff....

80kms
2:54:09

27.60 av speed

60.11 max speed

74 cadence

Earn a Gin or Two...!

Another day of chilling and eating far too much.  What is it about getting back to mum and dad's that makes you eat most of the time!


33.45kms
1:13:50
27.18 av speed
62.43 max speed
76 cadence

Time To Get Cracking!

After a day of chilling out, in my pyjamas, reading for most of the day I decided I'd better hit the tarseal and get moving!  It was worth it with 3 Queen of the Mountains titles!



33.65kms
1:14:17
27.18 av speed
64.18 max speed
77 cadence

Windy Season & New Shoes!

Finally, I got to try out my new Specialized Shoes from Echelon Cyclery today.  Have to say the wind was a challenge.  I was doing 22kms per hour heading into Waipu City and heading back from Waipu City to Mama & Papa's I was doing 44kms per hour.  The difference of having a tail wind is HUGE!
There were a heap of road works from Waipu to Langs.  Heading back to Waipu down the Langs Beach hill I nearly collided with a ute that had stopped, with another 30 odd cars winding up the hill.  I hit some gravel, which mixed with brakes isn't flash!  Fortunately there was nothing coming on the other side of the road so avoided a collision....  When I got to the bottom of the hill there was a very nice young 'lollipop' man!  He let me go before any cars went, "I'll let you get a head start, love!"  Fantastic!


33.27
1:15:49
26.33 av speed
66.31 max speed
78 cadence