4 Flats In One Ride

Hi Blog, 
It's nice to be back with you!  I've been a bit distracted lately...

We did the Silverdale loop today.  Our first flat was about 10 mins past Silverdale.  We fixed that and took off for about 10 metres until the next tyre blew!  That got fixed.  By then standing around in the drizzle, even though it was muggy, it started to get rather cool.  Off we went and just towards the end of Whitehills Road another rider got a flat.  It was almost a disaster as the young girl dropped the black knob that hold the skewer in place, without realising!  Luckily it was found.  We had a good cycle back until Northcross when I got a flat at the bottom of the hill, going through the lights.  It was the last tube that anyone had, which was a tad annoying.  Luckily I always carry 2 and had enough.  Some people had none!  Anyway, we still had a good ride.  

Echelon Christmas Ride

We were a fabulous sight to see!  About 30 riders all dressed up and on our bikes to bring a bit of cheer to the early morning commuters.  It was cool to see the 'fast' group enjoying themselves and riding with the rest of us!

Tuesday Albany Loop

This was John's first ride with his new Specialised bike.  What a difference it makes.  He was zoooooming up the hills.

Taupaki Loop - Hot As

I had a shocking start to this ride.  Left my socks at home so went back for them.  This made me late for the start so rushed to get ready.  I realised about 2kms down the road that I'd forgotten to put on my gloves and grab my sunglasses.  Thank goodness one guy wasn't wearing his and lent them to me :-)  It was sunny and hot - summer is here!
I love this ride.  A good mix of flat, undulating and good climbs.

Bling Ride

Another fabulous morning for a ride.  I went with Brett from Echelon Cyclery so it was a ride at a great pace.  Lots of bling on Strava!  It was great to do a different ride as well.  We went down some roads / areas I've never ridden before.

Thursday Albany Loop With John & Lorraine

Awesome morning ride.  The conditions were primo!

Tuesday Albany Loop

An easy cycle this morning with Lorraine & John.  It really is awesome to have them back on the road again.  I'm really enjoying their company and the fact that they are keen!
Great news that Maria & Michael from Wellington have joined Team Awesome.... BOOM!


31.28km
1:15:56
24.71 av speed
59.33 max
78 cadence

Silverdale Superstars!

Our usual leader was away on Saturday and I had the pleasure of being 'camp mother'.  We had an awesome cycle with loads of laughs and great camaraderie. 

On the ride we had: Myself, Ro, Nan, Sam, Greg, Peter, Nerena and Kara

87.40km
3:29:36
25.02 av speed
67.09 max speed
80 cadence

Clearing Emails I Found This

An ex parent of mine emailed this to me earlier in the year.  I had forgotten about it.  Superior skills!

Second Ride With John & Lorraine

We had an awesome ride this morning.  Great conditions and it is very cool that John & Lorraine are both keen to get out and about on the bikes again.  John is super keen and is looking to buy a new bike.  At the moment he is on a hybrid type bike I think..!
Strava crapped out on me again so no record of the ride unfortunately.

Lorraine and I with our sponsors gear!

21.44kms
52:14
24.63av speed
41.10max speed
77 cadence

Close, But Yet So Far!

5:10 was the official time.  12 mins over my goal!  However, it was windy and I cramped from about the 90km mark.  My nutrition and electrolytes were sorted so upon reflection it was probably due to not putting myself under 'race' conditions and pushing my body before hand.  The shop rides always stop and start to wait for people - this is great as nobody gets left behind.  And when I ride by myself it's only 30-40kms.  Good lesson - next year a bit of stress on the body before hand.  
What I did enjoy on the ride was the exhilarating feel and sounds of being part of a HUGE peleton.  There would've been about 100 riders crusing up to 45kph along the flats from Turangi to Hatepe hill.  
I almost collapsed at the finish line when I took my right leg over the seat.  My leg cramped like I've never felt it before.  Fortunately a young girl asked if she could take my bike to the bike valet!  Once I'd sorted my leg out I had to find her as I had no idea where my bike was!!
The afternoon was spent in Schneider Corporate tent that John & Lorraine had managed to score for us!  Complimentary drinks, food with Schneider and entertainment in the form of a live band courtesy of race organisers.  What an awesome way to finish the day.
Just found the results.  20th in my age group.  Gotta be happy about that!

Only 2 More Days Until Taupo!

Only more 2 days until I get to conquer Taupo for the 2nd time.  There's nothing like putting a bit of pressure on myself.  I'd like to smash it in under 5 hours.  This is  realistic if the conditions are the same and I manage to keep up with a good paced peleton! I'm looking forward to the challenge!  I'll be thinking of Yvonne and Pat and all of the other cancer survivors as I'm going up those massive hills with Rule #5 firmly entrenched in one's brain!  Their pain would've been 1001 times worse than a bloody hill!

YUUSSSS! Finally on the Fitzwilliam Leaderboard!

It's only taken 7 months.... BUT finally I'm on the Fitzwilliam Drive leaderboard.  Great ride this morning.  Last one before Taupo this weekend.  The forecast is still not the best, but I guess this will force me to use Rule #5 and #9!!


29.46kms
1:03:16
27.94 av speed
64.95 max speed
82 cadence

First Ride With John & Lorraine #RTCCAK2014

Wahoooo!  Just like old times, this morning I was back on the road with Lorraine.  It was awesome.  John came too which was very cool.  The funniest part was stopping for them to take off their jackets and Lorraine asking when and where the next Pit Stop was!   This was after 8 kms!  I think she's thinking ahead to next year's Auckland Ride to Conquer Cancer!
I just need to talk them both into signing up for 2014.  I'm sure they'll sign up soon....

First Ride Success

Vic and Wayne completed their first 10kms on the road with success.  No crashes.  No swearing.  No near misses.  Just a few wobbles now and then.  They just need to do it more often and they'll be away.  The ride was finished off nicely with a shandy at New Brew in the afternoon sunshine.  Bliss!


11.21kms
33:15
20.23 av speed
39.75 max speed
72 cadence

Newbies On The Road

Vic, who I work with, and her fiancee Wayne have just bought new bikes.  Vic has signed up in Team Awesome for The Ride to Conquer Cancer 2014.  I'm working on getting Wayne there.  They haven't had much luck going for rides and when they do they've fallen off.... So this afternoon I'm taking them to an industrial area and practising unclipping and re-clipping and a bit of biking etiquette.  Hopefully they survive with no falls or crashes.... and a well earned beer or coffee at the end.

Saturday Silverdale Social Superstar Sycle

Awesome ride today.  Sun was shining, great company, loads of laughs and I felt fabulous climbing the hills.  Roll on Taupo next weekend.  Check out the stunning view and weather!

92.35kms
3:41:14
25.04 av speed
70 max speed
81 cadence

Hurtbox Tuesday

It felt like I had ridden 200kms in the weekend on Tuesday.  Still great to get out on the bike again.  The sunrise was amazing.  I should stop and take a photo one day.


31.32km
1:14
25.25 av speed
61.46 max speed
81 cadence

Auckland Ride To Conquer Cancer

What an amazingly epically awesomely weekend the Auckland RIde To Conquer Cancer was.  The incredible camaraderie, positive atmosphere, awesome people, fabulous stories, sad stories, heroic stories.  You name it! 
It was an honour to be part of it.  An honour to wear the polka dot shirt.  An honour to be part of a great team in Team Echelon.  
A magical life event!  AWESOME.  Roll on 2014 where Team Awesome will take part. 

200kms
9:27 hours in the saddle
24 average speed
72.71 max speed
76 cadence

Day One - Courtesy of Rob from the Vision Crusaders
Click on the Pic to view in full

Day Two - Courtesy of Rob from the Vision Crusaders
Click on the pic to enlarge

Thursday Albany Loop

Had no energy this morning. Still managed to get a Queen of the Mountains....On a downhill segment!
29.49kms
1:09:28
25.47av speed
61.66 max speed
78 cadence