In the beginning... There was an exercycle...
Back in the saddle again tonight, and I am discovering (to my horror), how slovenly I have been this last few weeks. One cycle a week does not healthy make one. So, it's a recommitment to myself, my health and my lonely little exercycle.
My bottom is certainly feeling the after effects of slacking off. I think the calluses have worn thin!!
Still, I'm back on the cycle again. I churned out 25.23 km tonight, bringing my total distance to 2677.47.
I'm travelling inland through the heart of the Waikato at the moment. Tonight sees me finishing just short of Piopio. The terrain is fairly hilly, maybe that's why I've slowed down, I'm climbing in altitude... If only it were that simple. Te Kuiti isn't too far away, and I should make Waitomo in time to have a peep at the glow-worm caves before the end of the weekend.
See you there!!
Thursday, 21 June 2012
Monday, 18 June 2012
Day 107
In the beginning... There was an exercycle...
Today was a much better day than my last effort. Water helps I think. Keeping the "inner woman" well hydrated has helped to make the "outer cyclist" flowing smoothly.
Tonight's effort has seen me add a respectable 25.67 km to my total distance. Pushing that out to 2651.74 km.
Today I crossed over the Mokau River and rode through Mokau. From there I followed the coast north to Awakino. Now I have turned inland and away from the coast, and probably won't see that much more of the coastline until much closer to Auckland.
That's not a bad thing though. Right now, I'm following the Awakino River through the Waikato hill country. The river valley is full of dairy and mixed farms, and there are plenty of trees and forest country up on the hills.
Rather pleasant riding - all from the comfort of my lounge....
Today was a much better day than my last effort. Water helps I think. Keeping the "inner woman" well hydrated has helped to make the "outer cyclist" flowing smoothly.
Tonight's effort has seen me add a respectable 25.67 km to my total distance. Pushing that out to 2651.74 km.
Today I crossed over the Mokau River and rode through Mokau. From there I followed the coast north to Awakino. Now I have turned inland and away from the coast, and probably won't see that much more of the coastline until much closer to Auckland.
That's not a bad thing though. Right now, I'm following the Awakino River through the Waikato hill country. The river valley is full of dairy and mixed farms, and there are plenty of trees and forest country up on the hills.
Rather pleasant riding - all from the comfort of my lounge....
Friday, 15 June 2012
Day 106
In the Beginning... There was an Exercycle...
OUCH!! Two nights in a row is HARD WORK!! Tonight I struggled through my 45 minute session, racking up a miserly 24.73 km.
This is not good. Just when I was starting to average over 26 km a session, a couple of weeks off has put me back quite a ways. Suffice to say, I am not happy with myself right now, and will use this as motivation to keep me at it.
I'm also trying something different to help me with my motivation. I am cycling earlier in the evening. Before dinner, basically as soon as I get in the door. It has worked these last couple of days. My fiance and I can discuss our days, plan dinner and I'm getting my exercise in nice and early, so I'm not totally hyped up just before bedtime.
My total distance tonight is 2626.07 km. Tonight's ride saw me wind my way back to the coast again. I have the sea on my left and the hill country on my right as I passed over the Tongaponutu River and the Mohakatino River. I also crossed the border between the Taranaki and Waikato provinces. So I am now officially in New Zealand's home of dairy products.
Tonight's ride leaves me on the southern banks of the Mokau River, so tomorrow I will cross over the river, and shortly after that, start heading inland again, continuing my trip to the top of the country.
OUCH!! Two nights in a row is HARD WORK!! Tonight I struggled through my 45 minute session, racking up a miserly 24.73 km.
This is not good. Just when I was starting to average over 26 km a session, a couple of weeks off has put me back quite a ways. Suffice to say, I am not happy with myself right now, and will use this as motivation to keep me at it.
I'm also trying something different to help me with my motivation. I am cycling earlier in the evening. Before dinner, basically as soon as I get in the door. It has worked these last couple of days. My fiance and I can discuss our days, plan dinner and I'm getting my exercise in nice and early, so I'm not totally hyped up just before bedtime.
My total distance tonight is 2626.07 km. Tonight's ride saw me wind my way back to the coast again. I have the sea on my left and the hill country on my right as I passed over the Tongaponutu River and the Mohakatino River. I also crossed the border between the Taranaki and Waikato provinces. So I am now officially in New Zealand's home of dairy products.
Tonight's ride leaves me on the southern banks of the Mokau River, so tomorrow I will cross over the river, and shortly after that, start heading inland again, continuing my trip to the top of the country.
Day 105
In the beginning... There was an exercycle...
And after another week where I found every excuse under the sun not to cycle, I'm paying a painful price.
The last couple of weeks have seen a lot of disruption in my personal life. One of my main "support crew" in my journey is out of circulation for a couple of weeks, and that has really thrown my motivation out of the window. I'm learning that I am a person who is not huge on change, unless I'm the one controlling that change.
So, while I've been confronting one area of my comfort zone, other areas have gone into default mode, and one of those was to become a couch potato rather than being a cycle nut.
I guess that when cycling becomes the default setting to me dealing with stressful situations, I will have succeeded in making cycling an everyday part of my life.
But enough about me!! Tonight's 45 minutes seemed to take a very, VERY long time!! And my distance was short too. I struggled to get to 25.36 km tonight which brings my total distance to 2601.34 km.
I am still tracking north, parallel to the North Taranaki Bite, but I am a way inland now, and there are hills and forests blocking my view to the sea. Tonight sees me between two towns in an area that has mixed forest and farming and the road is winding its way between the hills and beside rivers in the area.
Yet another pretty part of the country.
And after another week where I found every excuse under the sun not to cycle, I'm paying a painful price.
The last couple of weeks have seen a lot of disruption in my personal life. One of my main "support crew" in my journey is out of circulation for a couple of weeks, and that has really thrown my motivation out of the window. I'm learning that I am a person who is not huge on change, unless I'm the one controlling that change.
So, while I've been confronting one area of my comfort zone, other areas have gone into default mode, and one of those was to become a couch potato rather than being a cycle nut.
I guess that when cycling becomes the default setting to me dealing with stressful situations, I will have succeeded in making cycling an everyday part of my life.
But enough about me!! Tonight's 45 minutes seemed to take a very, VERY long time!! And my distance was short too. I struggled to get to 25.36 km tonight which brings my total distance to 2601.34 km.
I am still tracking north, parallel to the North Taranaki Bite, but I am a way inland now, and there are hills and forests blocking my view to the sea. Tonight sees me between two towns in an area that has mixed forest and farming and the road is winding its way between the hills and beside rivers in the area.
Yet another pretty part of the country.
Wednesday, 6 June 2012
Day 104
In the beginning... There was an exercycle...
And today, I am glad it IS an exercycle! With snow on the ground outdoors, flooding in some parts of the country, and winds tearing roofs off buildings... I am grateful to be cycling indoors, in front of a warm fire.
I lost my mojo for a couple of weeks there... Life and flu-germs got a bit between me and my cycle lately. But, with an extra night free, I figured today was a good day to "get back on the horse" so to speak and get things rolling again.
So, here I am.
Tonight's effort got me 24.93 km tonight, bringing my total distance travelled to 2575.98 km. I am on the banks of the Urenui River, which is in the North Taranaki Bight.
Urenui is a cute wee town that has pubs (of course!), churches, a school, sports teams and all the usual amenities that you would expect to find in a rural community. Including a river and a beach!!
And today, I am glad it IS an exercycle! With snow on the ground outdoors, flooding in some parts of the country, and winds tearing roofs off buildings... I am grateful to be cycling indoors, in front of a warm fire.
I lost my mojo for a couple of weeks there... Life and flu-germs got a bit between me and my cycle lately. But, with an extra night free, I figured today was a good day to "get back on the horse" so to speak and get things rolling again.
So, here I am.
Tonight's effort got me 24.93 km tonight, bringing my total distance travelled to 2575.98 km. I am on the banks of the Urenui River, which is in the North Taranaki Bight.
Urenui is a cute wee town that has pubs (of course!), churches, a school, sports teams and all the usual amenities that you would expect to find in a rural community. Including a river and a beach!!
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