Sunday, April 29, 2012

bay2bay ride

Today I took the beast out for her first official ride.  We did this little jaunt of 65km.  It included a 2.3km hill climb up Arthur's seat with a 7% degree climb.  Now for those who don't know Arthur's seat, it used to have a chair lift that would take you to the top.

I can tell you that I lost count of how many hairpin bends I did after 5.  I will boast here a little as I'm rather proud of my achievement today.

I didn't stop on the way up.
It was timed from the bottom to the top and I rode it in 20.24.5
I was second in my team for the 65km leg and 1st female in my team for the 65km
I was 74th out of 102 females
Overall I was 619 out of 729

Although this was the hardest climb of the day it wasn't the only climb there was several long hills just when you thought you were safe!.  I also did a top speed of 67km (not going up of course).  I have to add the weather was perfect!  I was wearing my new kit that was provided for my team and I think we looked really smart.

Somewhere along the road about halfway home the beast got broken.  I think it was these nasty little white lines that actually were little speedy humps leading up to a T intersection... in a car they don't hurt your butt like they do on a tiny little bike saddle.

After these humps I couldn't change my front cog into the small one, for non bike riders this meant it was a hell of a lot harder to ride up hills and I mean really harder. 

The final 5kms you couldn't wipe the smile off my face, (Im still smiling now) and I was so relieved that I had completed the ride without falling off or doing other damage to my body. In saying that I am starting to stiffen up now and no doubt will amuse my work colleagues in the morning with my moans and groans.

Will I do it again???  you bet your bottom dollar I will!

I think my next big ride will be later in the year and will be 100km in around the bay in a day.

Thank you to my friends who have helped me train for this event and to my non sporting friends for indulging me when I prattle on about my adventures I do appreciate your messages of congrats and best wishes.

What did you all do for your sundays activities?

2 comments:

Christine M said...

Well done Libby. I'm proud of you for not stopping riding up Arthurs Seat. That's pretty impressive.

Melody said...

You star Libby. I admire you so much, I might come and barrack when you do the around the bay.