5. The cycle... well almost

Getting ready for the cycle was a lot harder than I had anticipated. Prior to this, the last time I had been on the bike was for the 94.7... In 2005 and to be completely honest, I had been on the bike once before that to train for the 94.7. Before that was at primary school. Si fu Bruce (an inspiration to anyone trying to better themselves) convinced me to join a team.  For all intent and purposes it worked out pretty well. I managed to finish the race... maybe not well, but I did finish. That being said, I was in the peak of my athletic life.  Doing kung fu 4 times a week, 3 to 4 hours a day. Strong as an ox, super fast and just wouldn't say die. So obviously, in my mind I had the cycle under control. 

First thing, was to get a bike. Holy hell so many beautiful choices and none of them I could afford.  Mean machines, fast machines, beautiful machines. I managed to settle on a umm... machine.  More like jalopy.  Found an old Giant 7 speed road bike that I could afford and immediately jumped on the offer.  It was going for a third of the price of the cheapest one I had seen until then. Man I need to win the lotto. 

Regardless got the bike, cleaned it up, serviced it, perks of being a mechanic I'm pretty good with that type of stuff. My jalopy was looking like a baby now, and ready to hit the road.  First run, I decide to ride to work. It's only 20km, so I know it's manageable.  Don the helmet, high viz jacket and get going. About 3 km down the road, my 8 year old cleats (never been used btw) decide they were not prepared for this. The entire sole of the shoe comes off mid stroke. Problem, I can't exactly head back home, I'm going to be late for work. I press forward with one cleat and one... almost cleat. Manage the 21 km's in about an hour. The ride home was done in safety boots.  Just as entertaining, but a lot more comfortable.  

As time progressed I got a lot more comfortable and faster on the bike. Slowly started gathering gear.  Almost started looking like a cyclist, until... I'm not sure if this has happened to anyone else before but I felt like a real tool.  Finally managed to get a new pair of cleats, and on the first trial run, first traffic light I stop at something tells me... you're forgetting something dumbass.  Then I stop and try to put my foot down for balance.  Alas, my foot is still clipped in.  I somehow managed to completely get off the bike and walk away, milliseconds before I could taste the flavour of the pavement. The bike went one way, and I went the other.

Talk about the walk of shame.  Having to face the drivers of the cars next to me while I go pick the bike up must have been the single most embarrassing moment ever.  None of them drove away, even though the traffic light turned green, probably because they couldn't control their bodies from hysterical laughter.

TIP OF THE DAY: Don't try out cleats in peak hour traffic. Admittedly, the cleats do make the world of difference, when you eventually learn to use them correctly. 

A few weeks down the road I am really getting good with this cycling thing.  Ride to work is taking 45 min, I'm enjoying the view, zipping through traffic just like a real cyclist.

I had been training about 2 months and felt ready for the 94.7 in 3 weeks.  Figured it was time to try my hand at a real ride longer than 20km. A friend tells me to try out Suikerbos Rand Nature Reserve.  Apparently it's a nice game ride, great view, good road and best of all no traffic.  Of course I didn't notice any of this, I was too busy trying not to die.  It started with a 4km climb... about 90 ͦ incline, 20 km later, there was another 12 km climb... also about 90 ͦ It was a real killer. When I was done I decided I had to do it again before the race, so I went back the next week. Of course this time I did notice the view.   Tearing down at 40km/h the springboks bound effortlessly next to me as if curious to see what I was doing. Amazing, I was hooked on cycling. 

The next week I completed the 94.7 in 3h40min a full hour faster than my first attempt (when I was in my prime).  Felt really good about it like I could do any other race.  Kept at it, managed to get my average time for 90 km down to 3 hours, and figured I was ready for Midlands Ultra.  We all know how misinformed I was, don't we.  Now I am proud to say I have been training harder, putting in the time and effort and writing this, I am forced to look back and realize that all things considered, I am finally becoming a serious athlete. Even if it is for no reason other than my hilarious, stupid moments are slowly dwindling, making room for actual improvement in the sport itself.  It almost feels as if I am not so silly anymore, making fewer stupid mistakes, I am basically more seriously on my way to getting there.