Weasels in the wind

After 2 weeks off the bike due to a combination of tonsillitis and bad weather I headed out today in the mornings miserable weather. My feeling the whole ride was mirrored by the weather. Headed into the glorious valley from the Te-Marua entrance and came out the other end at Blue Mountains, it was a very slow and very sluggish 40k ride in the wind which couldn't make up its mind for which way it should blow. The highlight of the ride was the weasel that ran across the road in front of me. Can't say I've ever seen a weasel before, especially in the light of day running across in front of traffic (yes I am traffic), don't think I've ever seen road kill weasel before either. Here's Mr. Weasel, this isn't actually him but it looked just like him, my one was a bit skinner and not standing around to pose for photos.

Teliho.

Me and Dad

Well I wish the weather was my excuse for not being on the bike but unfortunately it isn't, have a pretty bad cold. I have decided it was riding in the rains fault with me staying in my wet clothes afterwards for far too long.

Day two Waikeremoana tramp

So instead of some story about my health or todays lack of ride I would rather share with you some photos of me and my Dad. Dad is in Malaysia right now working his butt off to secure a project, something I hope to be doing in the future. Dad has four daughters and no sons and Dad being a very outdoors sort of person he quickly put a lot of emphasis about being outside, I share the passion and so Dad and I have had a lot of adventures together. Dad over the last couple of years has grown increasingly interested in my cycling and has a real passion for it, he always lend an ear about the ride/race and provides a lot of encouragement .
Cheers Dad.

Dad and me on oriental parade cleaning up the ocean SCUBA style 

Dad and I are both quite keen on tramping the great walks of New Zealand. Can't wait to do one down south with him that I have not yet done. Thinking along the lines of the St James, a family favourite which I was too young for the last time the family walked it. The other photo here is me and dad after the clean up we did off oriental parade. Dad got his SCUBA license in the Philippines and so I got mine here in NZ when he got back. I can't say theres much to see in the Wellington waters. It was great contributing to the NZ clean up week by tidying the bottom of the ocean.

A wee while ago at rail trail summit

Dad and I (14 yrs old) doing the Big Coast together, back then 100km over two days was really really far

And of course there supporting me in my very first road cycle event

Recovery in the rain

Covered in mud from head to toe

This seems more like an update of the daily weather, its ridiculous how much it changes. So after a day at Uni, Conty, Nick and I headed out in the rain to turn the pedals. I think they had other things in mind because the were keen to pound the pavement and work their legs hard. I on the other hand was out to recover from yesterdays hills. Its still cold out there and even more so with the rain and late in the afternoon. Managed to get incredibly muddy today, I swear its because i'm closer to the wheels, I even managed to sport a mud beard, hot!! There's rain expected for the rest of the week but i'm hoping for some fine weather early tomorrow morning to give the bike a nice clean and lube so I can head out for a quick ride before the rain sets in, and so I can get some last minute study in before the test that afternoon.

Today was also the completion of my "getting back into it" goal I set on the garmin connect site. I managed 101% of the goal. I allowed myself a full week to get 200k outta the legs and managed that with 3 days off, perhaps i'll up it next goal or even change the goal to do a certain volume of ascending for the week.
It all gets a lot harder from here on in as the pressure builds up at uni and the miles and effort on the bike increase. Wish me luck :)  

Hot, raining and fantastic

After a great night with friends I got out early this morning and headed straight into the Akatarawa Valley, since I live at the very entrance of it there is little warm up. Wearing very little clothing for this time of year it was quite warm, very humid. Caught up with Phil from the Wednesday Worlds as I slowly worked my way up the climb. Plenty of cyclists out, I must have counted 50-60 riders in the Akas alone, you can tell Lake Taupo challenge is approaching with the increasing number of riders on the road. Once I reached the summit I headed down into Waikanae and then worked my way back up the hill to find that at the top it was pouring down with rain. Still quite warm it wasn't a problem descending in the rain. A good 60k ride with plenty of ascending, descending and singing along to my ipod. Heres an elevation map for those that ride the Akatarawa Valley often.

The perfect relationship

Sunshine and bicycles, the perfect relationship. Its been two fantastic warm days with mostly sun and little wind. Hit the road around 8am Tuesday morning for a 60k blat on the pedals and came home pretty tired. Getting back into it after some time off is hard. Ive had the privilege to try out the Garmin Edge cycle computer and thought i'd share with you the elevation graph of blue mountains.

Today me and nick went out for a more of a fitness ride simply because the weather was fantastic and we needed some sun on the skin. The whitemans valley wasn't as great as we had expected but back in Upper Hutt it was nice and warm and the arm warmers could be pulled down, a nice change. Noticeably plenty of glass on the road but have managed to avoid a puncture in a while (touch wood). Well got the joys of riding a bike done for the day, time to head off to uni.

Tour de Femme is on

Over the university holidays I sold a whole bunch of stuff I didn't use/need anymore on trade me to raise funds to get to the Tour de Femme held in Nelson. Last year it cost me over $1200 when a keen business suddenly decided to not be so keen anymore and pulled out. So i'm starting early this year on raising funds. I managed to make over $300 from my trademe excursion and today I booked a ferry trip and some accommodation which means only one thing, the Tour de Femme is on. Now on the look out for more trademe awesomeness or a keen Upper Hutt business willing to back me and to get their name out their amongst all Upper Hutt cyclists.    

Spring

Nick and Conty

Spring is upon us and we were greeted to the new season by some sunshine with a cool breeze. Great day for me to hit the road with Nick and Conty for a recreational ride through the valley this afternoon. A good little spin, not warm enough to work on the tan lines but enjoyed the sun on my back. Finished off with a visit to the Silverstream Subway for some coffee and subs.