Tag Archives: struggle

Maybe I should have stayed in bed

SPR, , , ,

Maybe today would have been better if I just stayed in bed. But being the fool I am I stayed up to watch Skins and Entourage on SBS last night leaving just over four hours sleep before getting up for the Tuesday ride.

When the alarm went of I checked the radar and there was a little rain around but not too bad so up I got. Progressing up the street did not take long for the first drops of water to start flicking in my face and coating the bike in crap. No on my ride to the narrows today but was damp. The clouds did look a little evil. Must have been a full moon it seemed lighter than normal.

Around twenty or so riders showed up this morning however we left a little late because Peter was dragging his feet rocking up. Cruising down Mounts Bay Road I finally got my shoes full of water from the spray. By the time we got to Sunset hospital it did start to rain and i got a push up the rise from Peter but my efforts to keep up with the group were pointless. Kinda zig zagging around to keep the wheel.

Once the group turned onto Stirling Hwy I fell off the back. They slowed down a little up the rise and I got close and thanks to a car on the round about at Bindaring Drv I got back on the end of the group for the descent. Was cautious because it was wet and I didn’t want to kiss the road. My friend Mosman Park hill was not as good to me as Saturday but better than in the past. Even pegged back Lennie just before the crest this week. Rolled past Darryl on Bay View Tce who then grabbed onto my wheel up to the regroup at the water tower.

Continued to struggle keeping on the end of the group until the turn up Preston Point Rd where Shut Up Legs took effect and I gained back a few places up to the top of the rise and try to keep it going down the flats. This renewed strength only lasted until Burke Drv where I was again dropped like a sack of potatoes.

Stayed along side Lennie for the ride down Fraser Rd where again I was dropped on the rise. I almost could not slow down on the turn at the top of the hill brakes were far too wet. Made my own way around to the Raflfles wishing I didn’t have another 45 minutes to ride home. I took a bit over 35 minutes or so to get from South Perth to home as I just didn’t have anything left. Legs you failed me today shame on you.

Time: 02:32:58
Distance: 71.02 km
Calories: 2,563 C
Avg Speed: 27.9 km/h

SPR Ride Saturday 24/7/2010

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Well right from the start this morning I was not feeling all that strong and it did not change. Had an easy ride to Coode Street thanks to a tailwind sitting comfortably over 33kph. However I knew this would only come back to bite me. After the group left Coode street was a comfortable ride down Mill Point Road and over the causeway. Was third row in the pack and on Mounts Bay Road I knew my turn was close.

Sure enough turning off Mounts Bay Road Darryl and I were on the front and straight away it was hurting. We did a decent job at holding the pace and for a short period lifted it to 38kph. I was thinking this is going to be worse than a Thursday morning lap. Once we got to the small hill on The Avenue heart rate was at 174bpm and I suffered. The pack quickly went past me on the rise. Heart Rate normally does not get this high on the flats.

Our progress through Dalkeith was fast and the pace was kept high. Still was not feeling any strength and Mosman Park hill was only minutes away. Short rest while rolling down to Mosman Hill. Managed an ok climb up the hill and was not the last to the water tower. Back at the front again somehow by the time we got to Fremantle but the hill onto Preston Point Road is where I said good bye to most of the group for a few kms as I hit the wall and was struggling. Russell did a great job to round up the riders that fell off the back of the pack and got a roll through happening to get ourselves back to the rest of the group.

Once on Canning Hwy the group was back together but I still had some trouble crossing the top of the hill to South Perth. Shaw did a good job of cracking the whip on me. Turning onto Riverside Drive I wanted no part of the sprint I had nothing to sprint with so waved the others through as well as a couple of cars I planned on get a slip stream from. Was a fail the driver surged braked surged braked. Not the way I thought Riverside drive would be.

Was a poor effort from me today and not sure why. Hope this does not repeat for tomorrows ride out to Mundaring.