Over the last couple of years I’ve progressively been doing more exercise. Really started when I realised that being fit and fat wasn’t good enough and that putting on a kg or two a year meant there was much more pressure on my heart and lungs than there needed to be. I did events including the Karapoti mountain bike ride and round Taupo but didn’t do much training and still ate too much.
So I’ve been eating a bit less and getting up a bit earlier to exercise a few days a week. Good results – abut 20kg lighter and knocked more than half an hour off my round Taupo time.
Recently I managed to crack the wheel on my old bike and decided to invest more than I ever imagined I would in a new carbon frame Trek. And it does make a difference. Power seems to go more directly into the tarmac especially climbing hills.
But I need a target. Did the Lake Brunner ride ok but not satisfied that I got close enough to my potential. So the target became the three day Tour of Taranaki. I’ve never done a club or regional event before. All races have in fact been “fun” rides.
I’ve entered the “D” grade = because there is no “E” grade in this event. And I have no idea how I will go. There are about 50 entries in the grade and if I can stay with the peloton most of the way I will be happy.
There is a time trial on the first day – only 7k – but I’ve never done one before and won’t be getting the special bike or bars. That afternoon there is a 61k undulating ride from Normanby. The next day has a 60k morning and 50k afternoon race out of Stratford and on the Monday (if still able to ride) we will do 90k closer to New Plymouth.
I’m told the weather is sometimes pretty unkind – having much more body fat helps in the cold but not in the wind.
A week out I’m looking forward to it with a weird sense of anticipation. Have got a cold and the last fortnights training has been light. May have bitten off more than I can chew. Reading Julian Dean’s great blog for inspiration. Puts clearly some of the challenges of cycling.
