Hi Guys,
I took part in The Great Divide ride on Sunday here in Melbourne. A 180km ride from Keilor up through Mt Macedon to Trentham and then out out through Greendale to Baccus Marsh and Caroline springs and back into Keilor.
I recently starting riding a push bike for fitness about 3 months ago to get into shape and help a recurring knee problem. I was 110kgs and walking around the block saw me in quite some pain.
A few friends were doing this ride and 'conned' me into signing up to the 180km route.
Leading upto Sunday, my longest ride ever was 65km with a 1hr break in the middle! I had been doing upto 200km per week of commuting and had lost 15kgs and started feeling a lot healthier.
Was I ride fit for a 180km ride? I didn't think so but I'm not one to baulk at a challenge.
Well Sunday was the big day, and might I say the weather put on a nice show with light showers, cold temperatures and nice winds. Nothing too savage.
I must say before I started I was quite skeptical about even being able to make the lunch point which was an 80km ride but I'm quite stubborn.
After getting a puncture about 38km into the ride I was less than impressed (my first flat ever!).
Of course i had my tool kit and spare in the back of the wifes car who was doing the support role, but alas she was running 1hr late. So after the kindness of a stranger who gave me a tube and another few who lent me some tools to do a few steps in the tyre change I was back on the road in 30mins or so.
I persisted and continued to push myself and surprise surprise I made it to the lunch rendezvous. Yay!
Of course not having ridden such distances before, I had no real concept of what eating lunch can do to you later on when riding so I chowed down.
About 15km out of Trentham the stomach cramps started and I had to walk for about 20-30mins until the cramps surpassed as it was just way too painful to ride.
After that I started riding strong again. The rain came and went, the wind persisted and I lost the feeling in my toes once again for hours on end.
With about 30km to go I met up with another rider and decided to sit on their pace which was a nice relaxing 22-24km/h. A slight wrong turn added about 6km to our trip. It was nice to meet a new face and have some company for the 30km or so ride to the end.
It was getting dark as we arrived at the finishing line, but I must say it didn't phase me one bit as I was just stoked to have finished the ride.
Overall:
- I averaged 21.3 km/h
- spent 8hrs 50mins in the saddle
- drank 6.5 litres of powerade
- drank 1 litre of water
- ate 5 energy bars whilst riding
- ate a heavy lunch at around midday
- still manage to lose 2kgs!
- smiled my butt off the whole way around!!!
It was a big challenge but one that was not insurmountable.
It was a truly enjoyable experience and one I can't wait to do again.
Now the only problem is finding some other events between now and the Around the bay in a day in October!
You're hooked you say... damn straight!
For those of you out there who have never done anything like this, give it a go. If I can do it, anyone can!!!!
Cheers
Ant
I took part in The Great Divide ride on Sunday here in Melbourne. A 180km ride from Keilor up through Mt Macedon to Trentham and then out out through Greendale to Baccus Marsh and Caroline springs and back into Keilor.
I recently starting riding a push bike for fitness about 3 months ago to get into shape and help a recurring knee problem. I was 110kgs and walking around the block saw me in quite some pain.
A few friends were doing this ride and 'conned' me into signing up to the 180km route.
Leading upto Sunday, my longest ride ever was 65km with a 1hr break in the middle! I had been doing upto 200km per week of commuting and had lost 15kgs and started feeling a lot healthier.
Was I ride fit for a 180km ride? I didn't think so but I'm not one to baulk at a challenge.
Well Sunday was the big day, and might I say the weather put on a nice show with light showers, cold temperatures and nice winds. Nothing too savage.
I must say before I started I was quite skeptical about even being able to make the lunch point which was an 80km ride but I'm quite stubborn.
After getting a puncture about 38km into the ride I was less than impressed (my first flat ever!).
Of course i had my tool kit and spare in the back of the wifes car who was doing the support role, but alas she was running 1hr late. So after the kindness of a stranger who gave me a tube and another few who lent me some tools to do a few steps in the tyre change I was back on the road in 30mins or so.
I persisted and continued to push myself and surprise surprise I made it to the lunch rendezvous. Yay!
Of course not having ridden such distances before, I had no real concept of what eating lunch can do to you later on when riding so I chowed down.
About 15km out of Trentham the stomach cramps started and I had to walk for about 20-30mins until the cramps surpassed as it was just way too painful to ride.
After that I started riding strong again. The rain came and went, the wind persisted and I lost the feeling in my toes once again for hours on end.
With about 30km to go I met up with another rider and decided to sit on their pace which was a nice relaxing 22-24km/h. A slight wrong turn added about 6km to our trip. It was nice to meet a new face and have some company for the 30km or so ride to the end.
It was getting dark as we arrived at the finishing line, but I must say it didn't phase me one bit as I was just stoked to have finished the ride.
Overall:
- I averaged 21.3 km/h
- spent 8hrs 50mins in the saddle
- drank 6.5 litres of powerade
- drank 1 litre of water
- ate 5 energy bars whilst riding
- ate a heavy lunch at around midday
- still manage to lose 2kgs!
- smiled my butt off the whole way around!!!
It was a big challenge but one that was not insurmountable.
It was a truly enjoyable experience and one I can't wait to do again.
Now the only problem is finding some other events between now and the Around the bay in a day in October!
You're hooked you say... damn straight!
For those of you out there who have never done anything like this, give it a go. If I can do it, anyone can!!!!
Cheers
Ant
