Ride To Cure Cancer Blog Posts

Life's Like A Box Of Chocolates! - September 30

You never know whatcha gunna get! My friend Yvonne is back in hospital. This time with an infection in her lost eye socket. It's not bad enough that she's lost her eye, been through all of the treatment, moulting like my cat! but now is on her 3rd infection. This one bad enough that you can visibly see the swelling above her eyebrow and below her cheek bones. Not only does she have to cope with this but also the hideously disgusting food that the hospital dishes up. I think we need to get Yvonne's boyfriend, Jamie Oliver, over to help them out. Seriously the food is vile and unappetising to look at let alone taste it!
All of this certainly makes the hills easier to cope with. I keep thinking of Yvonne and her battles. A wee hill climb is nothing! 

Echelon Cyclery - 20 September

I have joined Echelon Cyclery Saturday morning shop rides. What an awesome group of people, who cater for all levels of cycling abilities. If you are struggling to find time to fit in some kms, come and join in. They are very welcoming, friendly and down to earth.
I had a bike Body Geometry FIT at Echelon Cyclery yesterday. It made the world of difference with the changes Brett made. Well worth the effort and cost if your cycling isn't feeling the best and/or you aren't achieving your goals.

Positivity - 17 September

I'm constantly amazed at my two friends and colleagues, Yvonne & Wendy, who have both battled cancer this year. Their amazing outlook on life and positivity at, what must be a traumatic time in their lives, is a real lesson to us all. Wendy is already back at work and Yvonne starts back next term. This in itself is to be applauded.
I'm in awe of these two women. I'm convinced that with their attitudes and positive outlook on life they will win their battles with the big c. 

Windy As Ride!

Crikey!  What a windy ride.  Several times it felt like the wheels were going to be swiped out from underneath me.  Shame I'd had such a manic week at work as I had very little in the tank to deal with a hilly ride plus wind AND rain!
92.23kms
3:42:57
24.81 av speed
62.05 max speed
75 cadence

What a windy ride today.  It was raining when I left home too.... I didn't melt!  Amazing!
Hard work today.  I'm not sure if it's end of term / end of a manically busy week or just the wind!  Anyway it'll make up for the excess in grape juice consumed this evening for Wendy's farewell....


31.62kms
1:19.54
23.74 av speed
55.25 max speed
77 cadence

Route Reversed

I thought I'd try the route I did last week in reverse.  It offers a bit of variety and approaching different hills from a different direction.

32.01km

1:15:30

25.43 av speed

60.69 max speed

79 cadence

Sunday Devo Ride

Once again I'm amazed by the people who ride bikes around Devonport.  NO HELMETS - even parents with kids on bikes and no helmets.  Amazing!
The bike still feels a heap better with the new set up.  Awesome!
I had a really interesting thing happen to me.  I was cycling up Takapuna Grammar Hill and because the traffic was relatively slow I was going the same speed as the car next to me.  Nek Minit.... A young boy rolled down his window and yelled out "You're doing well.  Keep it up!"  Amazing how much a little bit of praise (even if it was from a 7 year old) can make you feel on top of the world!



52.75kms
2:02:58
25.74 av speed.  When I got to Devonport it was 28.16.  Head wind heading home..!
63.99 max speed
79 cadence

Great Group of People

I forked out an extreme amount of money yesterday, but it was well worth it.  I had a Bike Geometry Fit with Brett Burton from Echelon Cycles.  It was well worth the money.  I had my seat raised 1cm.  My stem shortened 4cms and handlebars lifted.  Had a wedge put into my left shoe and orthotic type soles inserted in both shoes.  I also splashed out and bought new shoes!  Ok I got new gloves too.  AND yes I'm probably going to get the shop kit to wear!
The cycle today felt awesome.  The speed along Red Hills Road was exhilarating.   Brett also gave some tips on how to attack the hills which I could manage to do successfully until Ridge Road.   That's where my legs started to give out a bit.  It could be that I only had icecream and a glass of wine for dinner...Stupid I know!  
It was fabulous to see the Hook family out to support on Ridge Road today.  
I went with the next group up from last week and managed to keep up with them right until Dotcom's house.  The great thing is that at the top of the road the group waits and has something to eat.  
We also managed to hit Milford in time to watch the end of the first America's Cup race.  Who knew there were so many rules for a boat race.   The wind is too strong... Then it's too weak and there's a time cut off of 40mins.  Tomorrow's the day I think.
All in all a great ride with great people.  


I didn't check if my speedo was working before we started cycling this morning so it's about 5 kms short. 
75.55kms
2:41:37
28.04 av speed - nice number!
65.92 max speed
80 cadence

Windy + Hills = Hard Work!

Tough cycling today.  Not sure if it's the end of a busy week or the wind or a combination. Going up hills with a head wind is bloody hard work.  Good resistance training though I guess....!

31.69kms
1:22:02
23.18 av speed
55.84 max speed
80 cadence