A time for reflection

“Tri” not
I didn’t make the Tre-x race so I can’t boast about having competed in my first triathlon.

I promise you, I had just-cause in the shape of a very nasty and unsociable stomach bug which, according to all and sundry, “was going around”. A few days a cramps and weird murmurings crescendo’d on the Saturday night (during a rather disastrous blind date) and by 3am Sunday morning I was in a very bad place.

Just getting to the kitchen sink was a challenge, so Tre-x was never going to be.

I really am disappointed in not achieving the race, however I know that my swimming skills were pathetically lacking, and I really don’t know how I would have struggled through the first leg. There is another Tre-x race on at the end of January but I still haven’t decided whether I really am that keen to take up the challenge.

The bike commute
I started a new job at the start of November and have been commuting since. It’s not a long distance to travel, but the numerous hills make the ride a good training exercise, as does the extended long way home through the leafy Ashgrove.

Whilst I miss walking to work (which allowed for concerts, reflection and general daydreaming), cycling is certainly starting to squash my almost abject fear of all things hills and climbs – because they are unavoidable between home and work, and there are some doozies to contend with, depending on my route.

I’m also getting a little more comfortable riding on the roads and in traffic. In saying that, Brisbane is not well set up for cycling and there are a number of roads I just will not attempt, so in those instances I am getting to know the footpaths well.

It’s all about accessorising honey
Of course, the more I ride, the more of an interest I am taking in all things bikes. There is a fabulous new cycle centre at the Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital (my new employer) which I have enthusiastically started using. Therefore I am parking my second-hand $50 bike (which I love) in a secure facility amongst some very flash and well accessorised pieces of kit.

There are a number of rather professional looking cyclists using the centre, so you can feel a little amateurish rocking up in the old t-shirt and shorts. Fortunately for me I have starting acquiring a cycling wardrobe, which includes cycling shirts with big pockets at the back, and – gasp – the sexy and sophisticated padded bike pants (aka nicks).

In a previous life I spent many a humorous hour with my cousin taking the piss out of padded bike pants, and any toss that chose to wear them. I now humbly eat my words. While it can feel like you are wearing an XXL sanitary pad, they really do help minimise or alleviate an unhappy butt.

After an initial period of embarrassment, I am now comfortable swanning around in them and have been seen in them at my local Woolies, adventure races and other public places.

I evolved my tyres for the 100km bike ride back in October and am now on MTB slicks most of the time when riding on bitumen. It takes me about 30 minutes to swap between them and my MTB tyres so it’s something I don’t like to do too often.

I have now added all the bells and whistles to my bike, including a trip computer, lights, water bottle holders, under seat bag and a cutesy little bell. These additions double the value of my asset!


Lock her in Eddie
Yes it’s official – I’m cleated in baby!

The biggest and most daring purchase of my cycling career happened just last week when my parents funded, as my xmas present, a brand spanking new pair of Shimano MTB shoes and pedals.

When I first learned about cleats I was dumbstruck. Locking yourself in seemed like a very risky and slightly stupid venture, particularly when evaluated alongside my rather abysmal level of cycling ability. I am now a little more confident in the saddle and have come to appreciate the benefits riding in cleats would bring.

They definitely assist you in getting much more power out of your spin and make cycling easier.

I gave the purchase a lot of thought and opted for pedals with dual purpose. Whilst I love getting out on to dirt, my skills are still in their infancy. I wasn’t comfortable with being locked in lest I need to try and save myself from stacking, which still happens often.

Therefore I purchased a pedal with the cleat on one side, and a flat pedal on the other so can be used with or without cleated shoes.

And so it goes..
I get excited by an Anaconda sale and quite regularly browse www.torpedo7.com.au for their constant specials. I’m discovering that the sport of cycling is addictive, and I am enjoying the ride so far (pardon the pun).

M