14 Weeks Out

Well - I've done the math - and I'm currently 14 weeks out from the Tour Down Under.

This weeks been fab for training (and confidence) as on top of my ride to work on Wednesday, yesterday I rode 65 kms. Now it wasn't continuous - I'm still stopping every 15 kms or so for a drink (probably about 2 - 3 mins) and a big stop halfway - enjoying a relaxing breakfast and a bit of shopping (in my ever so glamorous bike pants and jersey!) - but still I have now covered 2/3rds of the distance for the TDU with 14 weeks remaining. So I'm starting to feel quite confident that I can make the distance - and will start reducing my breaks, although I know I can break on the day as its not a race!

I'm also feeling much more confident on my bike, and learning new things every time I ride.


After having problems with my gears last time - I got hubby to look at them for me, and in doing so he explained the whole gear system to me. Yes, thats right - I'm riding 65kms and don't know anything about the gears! In fact until 10 months ago - I had never ridden a bike with gears! Anyway - what I discovered is that I haven't been operating the front gearing system, which means I have 3 times as many gears! Tried this out on the ride and found the smaller gears were of no use, but the bigger ones (harder to push) allowed me to go much faster. I knew I had strong quads for a reason! Hit a new all time fast speed of 47 km/hr downhill, and worked out that on flat ground I can easily motor along at 30km/hr. Its all good and its all fun.

On the weight side, I braved the scales today and it wasn't good. So I have a new target - back to the clean eating (with the exception of my Friday night pub outing) and I aim to be back to goal by Christmas. (possibly sooner). I've also challenged a face book friend to help with the motivation....