(image via littlelotrthings.tumblr.com)
I am basically going from
no breakfast + lunch + dinner
to
2 breakfasts a day + 2 lunches + dinner.
BUT
For some reason, I've gone from wanting to eat KFC / bbq chicken / chips & gravy, to wanting vegetarian meals.
I've even lost my appetite for Connoisseur ice cream.
(image via pressganger.blogspot.com.au)
I guess it's that thing where the body knows what it needs and craves that. Or something.
First external bunch ride
This morning I went on my first MC Cyclery ride and it was fun other than a bungee cord sort of effect where whenever the slope increased a bit, so did my gap to the group.
(image via facebook)
It wasn't bad. My average speed on this ride was 23.5 km/hr. My usual average speed when riding alone is about 21 km/hr and keeping in mind the gains from riding in a bunch, I'm not that far off.
I think with a bit more training, I could definitely hold onto the group. I have to keep remembering, I've only had a bike for 2 months and I'm riding with people who have been riding for years (on crazy nice bikes)!!
I was lucky, I think the universe was smiling on me, the group was slower than usual - there were lots of red traffic lights AND the breakwater was closed. I had mentally given up on the breakwater anyway.
That was kind of bad that I had mentally given up. I think I could have pushed harder, but I was pretty nervous / anxious about having a massive group waiting for me and so I was a bit on edge / not relaxed. Also, the start in Centennial Park was kinda crazy fast and it gave me a bit of a shock mentally & physically.
I was lucky, I think the universe was smiling on me, the group was slower than usual - there were lots of red traffic lights AND the breakwater was closed. I had mentally given up on the breakwater anyway.
That was kind of bad that I had mentally given up. I think I could have pushed harder, but I was pretty nervous / anxious about having a massive group waiting for me and so I was a bit on edge / not relaxed. Also, the start in Centennial Park was kinda crazy fast and it gave me a bit of a shock mentally & physically.
As this ride is usually run on a Tuesday, I wonder if it is something I can do before work. I'd have to wake up pretty early to make it to Centennial Park by 6:15am..
During this holiday period, while I'm off work I've been trying to get through the day without a nap to see if I could potentially get through a workday, and it seems to only be ok if I get uninterrupted sleep from before 10pm the previous night.
Perhaps when work starts again, I'll need to get used to commuting every day before I starting adding 30km hilly morning rides. :)
However, it's nice to go on the MC LaPa ride because there is only really 1 hill - Mons. It's also a different type of riding - in a group - so is a nice change to riding alone.
During this holiday period, while I'm off work I've been trying to get through the day without a nap to see if I could potentially get through a workday, and it seems to only be ok if I get uninterrupted sleep from before 10pm the previous night.
Perhaps when work starts again, I'll need to get used to commuting every day before I starting adding 30km hilly morning rides. :)
(image via radpropaganda.org)
However, it's nice to go on the MC LaPa ride because there is only really 1 hill - Mons. It's also a different type of riding - in a group - so is a nice change to riding alone.
Prescription glasses
I got my eyes tested recently and I'm not too bad, I only need to keep wearing glasses for night time and when I need to see a projector screen / whiteboard.
I currently wear my fashion sunglasses when cycling - they're so huge it's actually not so bad.
However, the optometrist suggested getting prescription sunglasses for cycling, so I'm currently researching the options.
My husband has the Rudy Project Rydon photochromatic glasses and they are pretty high tech.
They were around $200 and they're awesome:
Anyway, I found a video on some options for prescription lenses and have contacted the Sydney retailer for some more information.
I currently wear my fashion sunglasses when cycling - they're so huge it's actually not so bad.
(image via jokeroo.com)
However, the optometrist suggested getting prescription sunglasses for cycling, so I'm currently researching the options.
My husband has the Rudy Project Rydon photochromatic glasses and they are pretty high tech.
They were around $200 and they're awesome:
- super lightweight
- adjustable nose piece - good for me because my nose is funny shaped.
- adjustable ear pieces
- photochromatic = cool word for transition lenses haha. Which is good when you're riding at dawn when the sun's not up yet. This isn't as big a problem now, but might be when daylight saving stops.
Anyway, I found a video on some options for prescription lenses and have contacted the Sydney retailer for some more information.
The options are:
- RX Clip - lens on a mini frame that clip in addition to normal Rydon sunglasses
- RX Direct Clip - lens that you replace into the Rydon frame.
- Readers - lens with reading section in the lens
- Direct in frame - proper prescription glasses in frame
It seems like a pretty good thing to invest in, but as my vision is pretty good in the daylight, it's still not entirely inconvenient to bring 2 pairs of glasses along if necessary.
I think the glasses might be my next investment before I go to clipless pedals - which EVERYONE seems to be trying to sell me or reacts in surprise when they find I don't use them. :)
(image via totalwomenscycling.com - I can't believe I found a picture of a cat when googling clipless pedals!)
I think once I do it, it'll be a bit of "why didn't I do this earlier?!" but I think it's just part of my wonderful cycling journey. There's no need to rush it all!
