Time passes quickly, like a sudden flash in the mind’s eye or so it sometimes seems. Christmas is approaching at speed once more and another year has slipped away, retreating on the ebbing tide leaving only a few faint marks on the beach of life to prove it was ever here.
My cycling training is going okay. I haven’t stretched myself at all but have been having some trouble with my breathing which seems to be the centre of all resistance as far as performance goes. Legs are coming along, not nearly so sore but heavy loads at work and standing up all day really does kill enthusiasm for anything but relaxation and staying in bed. I am going to Brisbane for a little over a week for the Christmas break and did have inflated ideas of hiring a bike and continuing my progression while on holidays but the cost of getting hold of an appropriate racing bike is almost prohibitive. I looked at a couple of places for bike hire and the first place place offered obscene prices for daily rent. I would have been better off hiring a car for the prices they charge. The second was a little better but still not cheap and I have all but canned the idea to be honest. Hiring a bike for $400 dollars is a bit silly when we will be out for a lot of the time and I may not even get on it, let alone have the wherewithal to take my own shoes and pedals and swap them over onto my temporary ride. My fitness will suffer to be sure but at the end of the day it’s not worth the hassle and I can’t be bothered going through the rigmarole of taking my own bike on a plane flight-let alone find a place to do some decent riding.
So, I am fairly sure I will blow off the Cadel Evans’ People’s Ride ride I had planned to start in at the end of January as I simply won’t be fit enough. Some close to me are still being encouraging but cycling isn’t a game, it’s a sport. I don’t do it for fun. I never intend to race again but it’s a means to an end to get fit and lose a little weight. Attempting something that you are not fit enough to do is simply stupid-and I have done plenty of those sorts of things on a bike in years past and won’t be doing it again!
Having an aim, even if ultimately I don’t reach that target, has at least got me out riding again and I will try to keep going from here. In a perfect world three to four rides a week of 30 to 40km or so would suit me down to the ground. That’s if I can avoid aggressive pedestrians on the bike path!! I’ll keep plugging along.
I took the picture at the top of the page last Friday as I approached the top of Mount Mugga Mugga here in the ACT. I think it’s a metaphor for life in some ways. Passing through a beautiful field of wildflowers, following a track which you are not entirely sure is going the way you want it to go-just like life!
Of course there is a bit of a story as to why I found myself on Mount Mugga Mugga around midday last Friday and many who have heard the tale think I am quite mad but I can assure all of you I am fine.
I was actually walking to work. Linda’s car was written off due to hail damage last week and she had taken mine and as a result of a misunderstanding I didn’t have a car to drive to work where I was due to start at 2.00pm. It was really no problem as there were people I could call to give me a lift but the crazy thought of taking shanks pony crossed my mind and I thought “why the hell not?!!” I looked on Google maps and the shortest route was 15 kilometres, really not that much to someone who is reasonably active so I loaded up my gear and was soon plodding up into the Wanniassa Hills and finding my way through Isaac Pines and onto Mount Mugga Mugga which, for the benefit of Canberrans, is the hill over which runs Hindmarsh Drive, one of the busiest roads in the ACT. You can see the top of the mountain poking out from the trees and the road is only 200 metres or so to the left. One of the great things about Canberra is that you can go for a walk in the middle of Australia’s capital city and find yourself alone in quiet bushland with lovely views without having to venture too far at all.
I made it to work in plenty of time to shower and change. I was slightly footsore but nothing too bad and I actually felt better as the day went on, proof of the power of exercise over mind and body perhaps?
So, I will sign off for the moment and I will hopefully get back on soon enough to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy new Year. Until then take care and be safe. Christmas is notorious for accidents so be careful! Have fun. Goodbye.
Strange Notations From a Laborious Life 