December

I have made a concerted effort to ride over the last few days and have managed to get some kilometers into the legs, even while feasting on turkey, ham and beer over the christmas weekend. After a slow start to the month, which saw some niggling physical issues (shoulder), a lot of rain, and that whole christmas party social whirl I've managed just over 370km so far. Almost half of that has been in the last few days.

That brings my annual total perilously close to 4000k but unless I bunk off work in the next few days I'm not going to get much closer.

Given that I'm not in a position to commute I am however pretty happy with the first year of logging my distance and will keep it up in the future. I like the incentive, and the encouragement!

Curiously, while I've always found it difficult to find time to ride, my annual total, translates into 170 hours, or just over a week actually on the bike over the last twelve months. That doesn't seem like a lot of time really. The longest single ride was 362km.

Mileage in kilometers = 3909km

Maybe now is the time to ride?

I managed to arrange the day off today so got a quick 60km in this morning and a ride up Mt Keira so things are looking up after a nearly cycle empty November.

I needed a new back tyre on the Roubaix as the Vittorio Rubino Pro Slicks that came with it was proving to be very puncture prone and stopping every 15 or so Kms was frustrating my riding to a certain extent. The brains trust hereabouts recommended the Schwalbe Stelvio so one of those went on last night and seems to work pretty well.

Mt Keira x 7
Bald Hill x 1
Macquarie Pass x 1

Mileage in Kilometres = 3537

40km!

Yes, that's all in the last couple of weeks, a lousy 40 km. I was hoping that I would make 4000km for the year, but even that modest total is looking remote. Hopefully, I'll get out again today.

Good news though, is that the Magpies have stopped swooping. Yay

Mt Keira x 6
Bald Hill x 1
Macquarie Pass x 1

Mileage in Kilometres = 3436

Weekend update

A busy weekend, with just a short time for some riding. Did what is fast becoming my training ride, a loop up to Bulli and back and a climb up Mt Keira to finish.

That's progress of sorts. I remember when I was training to ride up Mt Keira, now its part of my training. I also think the worst of the magpie season is over. Hooray!

So far in preparation for the Alpine I have

Mt Keira x 6
Bald Hill x 1
Macquarie Pass x 1

Mileage in Kilometres = 3396

Weekend outing

Back at work now so the cycling has been curtailed somewhat. Had a good ride on Saturday out to Pheasants Nest and back with the Audax boys. Richard and Henry headed further out in preparation for next weeks 400km brevet, but John and I returned via Picton Road.

I used to dislike Picton road but now I can live with it. I felt strong on Saturday, which helps I guess. So the concentrated training is paying off.

So far in preparation for the Alpine I have

Mt Keira x 5
Bald Hill x 1
Macquarie Pass x 1

Mileage in Kilometres = 3344

Another day, another 90 clicks

Hot today, but got out early with Richard for a ride up Keira to Pheasant's nest and return. I felt strong,d espite the heat, but was suffering from saddle rash, so I'm planning for a few days off the bike. I have been reptty pleased with my progress so far.

So far in preparation for the Alpine I have

Mt Keira x 4
Bald Hill x 1
Macquarie Pass x 1
Mileage in Kilometres = 3238

Bald Hill

Nice ride this morning up to Bald Hill and back. Felt pretty strong and my new zip tie anti Magpie programme left my ears intact. Its great not having to be at work and taking the time to ride and I've travelled 240km already this week. Sure does make a difference.

So far in preparation for the Alpine I have

Mt Keira x 3
Bald Hill x 1
Macquarie Pass x 1

Mileage in Kilometres = 3146