SHORT BAYS, 5 times 218KMs

Welcome to another instalment! Been told by a few people that my blogs are a bit long.... sorry for that. I guess I am trying to capture the hurt and effort, therefore helping to open the wallets a bit wider! Anyway, thanks to you all for following. After last week’s efforts, I was lucky to have Friday off and did a great ride. Halswell-Sumner-summit road to Teddington, long bays-Sumner-Halswell-home 146km. Saturday I had off. Remember it was really crappy and wet?!!!!!!!!!

You might have heard me talk about (or a friend) that I asked the question “can the short bays be done 10times”? Well I can tell you..... Possibly, but that person will be the most mentally tough, fittest guy you’ll meet! I embarked on a 6 lapper! As you know, Sunday was looking like it was going to be wet. Turns out that not only was it fine, but the bloody NW wind was a GAIL! My first 3 laps were ok. I rode a lap with Simon Pease. Was riding ok, but of course getting passed by a few people.... as you can imagine, I had to think of the following laps, I didn’t want to “burn out”. After stopping for lunch with Yvette, I headed off from Sumner... but all hell had broken loose. The Nor West wind was insane! Riding up Dyers for the 4th time was hard enough without the bloody wind! There is a small advantage; I got a little help up the top of Dyers. My 4th lap was ok. Rode a little way with a few people who gave great encouragement. Then biking back to my fifth lap was hell... truth be told, the wind is what made the difference between the possible 6th lap and only doing 5. The wind took EVERYTHING I had saved out of me. Up Dyers for the 5th time was VERY VERY hard. I don’t climb well on a good day, and this was now a long bad day! Reaching the top was a huge mile stone. My legs were getting pins a needles and I was shaking from be so smashed. As I rode up Evans the last time, I was happy and just relieved. Biking through Sumner I got applause from Sam and Nat (remember the fruju people?)... They seem to follow me around everywhere! Biking through Redcliffs (I'm not to manly to say this) I actually got REALLY emotional, I'm not sure what bought it on, maybe the wind or just the thought of why am I doing this... but I started to cry. I couldn’t stop myself. I was just broken... weeks and weeks of crazy miles and just pure epic riding basically caught up with me... I was asking myself “can I even do this”? Hopefully, you realise this when you read this and think “PUSSY”... that you know I started training for this about 8 weeks ago and that this is a big effort for anyone that’s been a bike racer... let alone a guy that decided to do this a few months out! So yeah, 5 times round short bays, 218KM. The NW wind broke me and I simply got home and died. I was as beaten up as any 300km ride I have done.

Today I did 65KM rest (ish) day with 30 minutes of intervals. Jesus the pins were tender! Tonight got my Monday massage from Heather. Book her, she is amazing!

A few people to warmly thank for donations. (off line chq donations to add to the kitty)
Ron Pithey
Craig Hibbert
Michael Ferigo
Adrian Buttermore