In the beginning... There was an Exercycle...
Well, I didn't spot any Hobbits on my ride today, in fact, I only managed a meagre 25.03 km, I must have spent too much time enjoying the scenery and moo-ing at the cows! Today's ride takes my total distance to 2879.45 km, and puts me on the outskirts of Ngaruawahia.
Ngaruawahia is a place with a HEAP of history to it, at one stage it was to be our capital city. Even today, it is a place of great importance to Maori, being the home of the Kingitanga (Maori Royal Family) Movement.
The area is rich in lush farming and forestry, with the roads twisting and winding along valley floors and beside rivers. Quite different from the long, straight roads that bisect the plains along the eastern side of the South Island. The weather is certainly warmer up here too, though prone to good, thick fogs and the occasional frost. Just to remind me of home...
Sunday, 15 July 2012
Day 115
In the beginning... There was an exercycle...
Well HOORAY!! The lovely people at Mapometer have fixed the glitch that was holding up my virtual ride!! I am a very happy camper that I can continue my ride and provide updates on how far I've gone. After a frustrating couple of weeks, I am back on track again in more ways than one.
This cycle has seen me achieve several things. Firstly I have added a further 25.03 km to my total distance of 2854.42 km. I have cycled through the lush wee township of Pirongia, and continued North on SH39 through Ngahinapouri. I am bypassing Te Awamutu and Hamilton so that I can enjoy the serene rural surrounds of the Waikato region - heck, I might even spot a Hobbit or two.
I've also achieved a personal milestone in my journey. I've lost 10% of my body weight. It's been a slow process, but, as I am intending that this becomes permanent, then I'm aiming for changes that area easy to make permanent.
Right, off now for some Hobbit-spotting.
Well HOORAY!! The lovely people at Mapometer have fixed the glitch that was holding up my virtual ride!! I am a very happy camper that I can continue my ride and provide updates on how far I've gone. After a frustrating couple of weeks, I am back on track again in more ways than one.
This cycle has seen me achieve several things. Firstly I have added a further 25.03 km to my total distance of 2854.42 km. I have cycled through the lush wee township of Pirongia, and continued North on SH39 through Ngahinapouri. I am bypassing Te Awamutu and Hamilton so that I can enjoy the serene rural surrounds of the Waikato region - heck, I might even spot a Hobbit or two.
I've also achieved a personal milestone in my journey. I've lost 10% of my body weight. It's been a slow process, but, as I am intending that this becomes permanent, then I'm aiming for changes that area easy to make permanent.
Right, off now for some Hobbit-spotting.
Friday, 13 July 2012
Day 114
In the Beginning.... There was an Exercycle...
Right now, I'm a little bit glad of my cycling too... It's been bitterly cold lately, and has been nice to work up a sweat in the lounge of an evening. I still haven't decided to have a snack before I cycle, but am working hard on making a habit of cycling straight after work, so that I can kick back and relax for the rest of the evening.
After a short break for the weekend, I produced a respectable distance tonight. Maybe my fitness had a bit of a plateau with all the breaks I was taking, and now the body has discovered that it needs to step things up a bit. All I do know for sure is that I managed 25.46 km tonight which brings my total distance to 2829.03 km.
This has completed my wee detour to see the Waitomo Caves. Its been a very pleasant detour as well, lovely green countryside, not too much traffic, and friendly locals, along with a couple of lovely, secluded beaches make this area rather pleasant to be in.
I have now rejoined the main road, State Highway 39 and tonight sees me finishing my session just short of a place called Puketotara, just for fun.
Right now, I'm a little bit glad of my cycling too... It's been bitterly cold lately, and has been nice to work up a sweat in the lounge of an evening. I still haven't decided to have a snack before I cycle, but am working hard on making a habit of cycling straight after work, so that I can kick back and relax for the rest of the evening.
After a short break for the weekend, I produced a respectable distance tonight. Maybe my fitness had a bit of a plateau with all the breaks I was taking, and now the body has discovered that it needs to step things up a bit. All I do know for sure is that I managed 25.46 km tonight which brings my total distance to 2829.03 km.
This has completed my wee detour to see the Waitomo Caves. Its been a very pleasant detour as well, lovely green countryside, not too much traffic, and friendly locals, along with a couple of lovely, secluded beaches make this area rather pleasant to be in.
I have now rejoined the main road, State Highway 39 and tonight sees me finishing my session just short of a place called Puketotara, just for fun.
Thursday, 5 July 2012
Day 113
In the beginning... There was an exercyle...
Well, here I am, pondering the Big Question... to snack, or not to snack!?! So far, I'm going with the not to snack option. I am reconciling myself with having to work just a little bit harder to achieve the distances I want. My line of thought is that it' like cranking up the tension just one more notch.
My distance tonight was over the 25 km mark, which I am happy with. To be exact it was 25.09 km. This gives me of a total distance virtually travelled of 2803.57 km. It has occurred to me that I am fast approaching the three thousand kilometre marker. Hmmm, pause for thought.
I'm still not quite back onto the main road, but will have completed my loop by tomorrow's session. I am thinking I will take the more rural trip into the Big Smoke of Auckland. It will give me a chance to explore some quieter roads, as I continue north.
I'm still struggling to get my mapping program working properly, it's frustrating, but I am sure I will be able to get something to work (soon!).
Well, here I am, pondering the Big Question... to snack, or not to snack!?! So far, I'm going with the not to snack option. I am reconciling myself with having to work just a little bit harder to achieve the distances I want. My line of thought is that it' like cranking up the tension just one more notch.
My distance tonight was over the 25 km mark, which I am happy with. To be exact it was 25.09 km. This gives me of a total distance virtually travelled of 2803.57 km. It has occurred to me that I am fast approaching the three thousand kilometre marker. Hmmm, pause for thought.
I'm still not quite back onto the main road, but will have completed my loop by tomorrow's session. I am thinking I will take the more rural trip into the Big Smoke of Auckland. It will give me a chance to explore some quieter roads, as I continue north.
I'm still struggling to get my mapping program working properly, it's frustrating, but I am sure I will be able to get something to work (soon!).
Day 112
In The beginning... There Was an exercycle...
Feeling a little better tonight, my distance travelled has increased (FINALLY!!), after struggling with myself and my cycle, I think I might have cracked it. My distance this session was 25.57 km bringing my total travelled to 2778.48 km.
I'm almost back onto the main road again, I've been travelling along the coast beside the Kaiwha Harbour. I'm now deciding if I want to go back to the main highway and continue to Auckland through the larger towns of Te Awamutu and Hamilton, or to skirt them completely, take roads slightly less crowded, and enjoy some more of the country...
Oh, and I think I've nailed why my distances were declining. Something to do with the change I'd made to the time of day I cycle. Previously I had cycled really late in the day, after dinner, and just before bed-time. More recently, I have been cycling immediately after work, before dinner. I am wondering if cycling "on empty" is why I'm hitting the wall and finding things so difficult.
Now my dilemma is this - if I want to improve my distances, then, the consensus is that I should have a snack before cycling. But, do I really want to be eating first? I mean, doesn't eating extra defeat the whole purpose of cycling in the first place?
I might just have to ponder this next time I cycle....
Feeling a little better tonight, my distance travelled has increased (FINALLY!!), after struggling with myself and my cycle, I think I might have cracked it. My distance this session was 25.57 km bringing my total travelled to 2778.48 km.
I'm almost back onto the main road again, I've been travelling along the coast beside the Kaiwha Harbour. I'm now deciding if I want to go back to the main highway and continue to Auckland through the larger towns of Te Awamutu and Hamilton, or to skirt them completely, take roads slightly less crowded, and enjoy some more of the country...
Oh, and I think I've nailed why my distances were declining. Something to do with the change I'd made to the time of day I cycle. Previously I had cycled really late in the day, after dinner, and just before bed-time. More recently, I have been cycling immediately after work, before dinner. I am wondering if cycling "on empty" is why I'm hitting the wall and finding things so difficult.
Now my dilemma is this - if I want to improve my distances, then, the consensus is that I should have a snack before cycling. But, do I really want to be eating first? I mean, doesn't eating extra defeat the whole purpose of cycling in the first place?
I might just have to ponder this next time I cycle....
Day 111
In the beginning... There was an exercycle...
Well, I am totally disappointed with myself tonight. It's taking me all my inner strength not to throw in the towel. I only managed a meagre 24.83 km tonight. I've dipped down below the 25 km per session barrier.
I am gutted by my efforts. I struggled on the bike, I just didn't seem to be able to get my legs working. As well as that, the program I'm using to track my virtual trip has had an "improvement upgrade", and I can't seem to get it to work. All-in-all I am frustrated with the world.
My total distance so far is 2752.91, and the detour is proving to be the only bright light on the total journey. I'm about half-way around the loop and have just realised that I am cutting out Otorohanga.
In closing, I am comforting myself with the knowledge, that even though the going is slow... I'm still doing more than those sitting on the couch!
Well, I am totally disappointed with myself tonight. It's taking me all my inner strength not to throw in the towel. I only managed a meagre 24.83 km tonight. I've dipped down below the 25 km per session barrier.
I am gutted by my efforts. I struggled on the bike, I just didn't seem to be able to get my legs working. As well as that, the program I'm using to track my virtual trip has had an "improvement upgrade", and I can't seem to get it to work. All-in-all I am frustrated with the world.
My total distance so far is 2752.91, and the detour is proving to be the only bright light on the total journey. I'm about half-way around the loop and have just realised that I am cutting out Otorohanga.
In closing, I am comforting myself with the knowledge, that even though the going is slow... I'm still doing more than those sitting on the couch!
Day 110
In the beginning... there was an exercycle...
Well, today's effort was a little better, but I am still struggling to get any real distance on the cycle. I'm really struggling to get back into the swing of things.
I guess it just goes to show how easy it is to slip back into bad habits again. I am starting to accept that this is one aspect of my life that I will have to work at for the rest of my days... *sigh*
On a happier note. My distance was (marginally), better than my last session at 25.45 km, bringing the total distance to 278.08 km.
I've virtually been through Waitomo, and am taking a wee detour off the main road and am following Te Anga Road in a loop, past Waitomo, Te Anga and Kaiwha Harbour. Again, this is very pretty, very hilly country. It's a mixture of farmland and forestry, as is so much of this little spec of green in the ocean of blue.
Well, today's effort was a little better, but I am still struggling to get any real distance on the cycle. I'm really struggling to get back into the swing of things.
I guess it just goes to show how easy it is to slip back into bad habits again. I am starting to accept that this is one aspect of my life that I will have to work at for the rest of my days... *sigh*
On a happier note. My distance was (marginally), better than my last session at 25.45 km, bringing the total distance to 278.08 km.
I've virtually been through Waitomo, and am taking a wee detour off the main road and am following Te Anga Road in a loop, past Waitomo, Te Anga and Kaiwha Harbour. Again, this is very pretty, very hilly country. It's a mixture of farmland and forestry, as is so much of this little spec of green in the ocean of blue.
Day 109
In the Beginning... There was an Exercycle...
Back on in the saddle again, and again, today is HARD WORK! Two days, back to back though, and I am finding the first 10 minutes a struggle, and the last 20 minutes difficult too... What is happening to me?
My distance is down, and the actual cycling itself is difficult. I feel like I'm back at the beginning all over again. Today's distance is a meagre 25.16 km. My total so far is 2702.63 km.
I guess the good news is that I'm through Te Kuiti and almost at Waitomo. I am looking forward to a peek through the caves, they are world renowned for their glow worms, so that is pretty exciting.
I guess I will just have to practice being kind to myself until the actual blisters on my bottom burst (I haven't checked, but I'm sure I can feel them!), the calluses build back up again and my fitness builds back up.
Back on in the saddle again, and again, today is HARD WORK! Two days, back to back though, and I am finding the first 10 minutes a struggle, and the last 20 minutes difficult too... What is happening to me?
My distance is down, and the actual cycling itself is difficult. I feel like I'm back at the beginning all over again. Today's distance is a meagre 25.16 km. My total so far is 2702.63 km.
I guess the good news is that I'm through Te Kuiti and almost at Waitomo. I am looking forward to a peek through the caves, they are world renowned for their glow worms, so that is pretty exciting.
I guess I will just have to practice being kind to myself until the actual blisters on my bottom burst (I haven't checked, but I'm sure I can feel them!), the calluses build back up again and my fitness builds back up.
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