CANSA Lost City Cycle Challenge - 12km Fun Ride

It started with a 3am wake-up call. It was going to be a long, long day. The bikes and bags with all relevant goodies were packed in and on the car. The boys snuggled on the backseat with pillows and blankets and I wondered if I would be able to get a couple of hours of sleep on the way to Sun City - it was not going to be. LOL We made it there in good time and the road was busy with other cyclists heading in the same direction :-) We found a good parking spot and waited patiently in the car for the sun to come up. It was fre-fre-freezing!!

The boys ended up doing the kiddies race at 8am and my 12km was moved to 9am. Here's me waiting for the boys to finish up and making sure I've got everything ready for my ride.

Thankfully it warmed up some. It was hard parting with the various layers of clothing I had on. LOL If you had told me that by the end of the day that I would have sunburn I would never have believed but YIKES I did. Not from the race but from the time we spent at the Valley of the Waves - I was lounging on the beach, drinking cocktails and apparently forgot how harsh the sun can be.

The ride began with a long steep uphill. I hate hills and it is definitely a 'mind over matter' thing for me and something I work on everyday. I need to learn to embrace hills. I managed to cycle up about 600 meters but couldn't find a steady pace. Lot's of people stopping and buses and other vehicles coming up from behind had me climbing off my bik and walking up the rest of the hill toward the Entertainment Centre. From there back on the bike and we made our way towards the golf course. I was really having fun and that's when I knew the cycling bug had definitely bitten. I love this!! Some confusion reigned on the course and a bunch of us were directed to the finish sooner that we should have been and sadly I only ended up doing just under 10km's instead of the 12 km's. First thing hubby said to me is that I looked 'too fresh' and I agreed. I could have quite happily done it again. :-)) Hill and all.

I finished in the time I had hoped - under 1 hour and then we packed the car - got our swim goodies and headed up to the Valley of the ways. Lots of fun and for me - too much sun. Ouch!!

I'm already planning my next 'proper' race. A 40km route taking place in Pretorial, much closer to home and in a months time. I cannot wait :-))

Hope you had a fabulous weekend. Here's to another super week!!

Michelle

Cycle for CANSA - 2009

I am so exicted!! Tomorrow I take part in my first ever cycling event. As some of you might know, I initially signed up for the 70km ride but after some training at the Kyalami Race Track it was becoming apparent that I might not be ready for the BIG one. When I fetched my number this week, I graciously dropped to the 12km Fun Ride and I'm looking forward to it.

This is the cycling shirt for the event. Isn't it gorgeous!! I'll fit into it one day soon. I didn't want to get one that fitted me now as what would be the point. This cycling shirt is way to gorgeous - so I definitely wanted a skinnier me wearing it :-)

This is the T-Shirt - not too bad but the printing on the front makes it a sweaty affair to wear. I find the printing especially the picture ends up clinging to you. I know I have another t-shirt that is buried in the cupboard for this very same reason. :-( But still, it was for a good cause.

I have a few family and friends who have B*E*A*T*E*N cancer and sadly some who have passed away due to Cancer . Last year I shaved my hair off at the Cancer Shavathon (OMG, remember that!!) This year I'm taking part in this event. Hopefully next year I will be more equipped to take part in the 70km. :-)) On a side note there is also a Yoga event this year for Breast Cancer - I must remember to diarise that :-)

It is a cause close to my heart and I know it is very close to the hearts of all my lampworking buds. Hiya girls :-))

Thankfully it is warming up :-) After I'm back from my ride and the boys are finished with their little 1km ride we'll take a stroll up to the Valley of the Waves for some fun, fun, fun!!!

Have a super safe weekend.

Hugs

No rest for the wicked

Rest days are good, in actual fact YOU NEED THEM!! I just don't like taking them, as my schedule of late is proving. Eeeeeek!!

My body is sore and tired. A combination of double Pilates, Squash, Personal Training and Spinning over the long weekend, and my body said NO MORE woman. LOL

Thankfully the sore muscles have eased up a bit today. But they'll be put to the test later today when I hit the Kyalami Race Track to see how I do with my MTB on a tar surface. Luckily I have a computer thingy for my bike so I'll be able to see the all important stats. I still think my best option is to do the 12km instead of the 70km BUT will I be letting myself down, who knows?? Right now I'm going with gut instinct. LOL