A Long Ride On A Bike

At 80 klms I was shattered. My speed had more than halved. I was aching in my shoulder and my backside was sore. The thought of a further 20 klms filled me with dread.





I could pull over, rest and complete the trip a little later. I could stop and ring my wife and she would collect me.





Despite the fact finishing this journey had no consequences to anybody but me I wanted to get home. Without help or assistance and as soon as possible. In an instant I thought of a milkshake I would have on return. This kept me going, for a little while at least.






My day had started at about 5.30 that morning. I checked a few e-mails, some to do with my home business and by six I was a free man. I had committed to a 100 kilometre ride by posting my intention on bicycle website www.bicycles.net.au/forums/






If I did not do it the world would keep turning and, quite frankly, nobody would give a boo.






This was all about me.





At 7am I was out the door. The dogs realised no walk for them when they noticed the cycle gear. Despite their sorrowful looks I avoided eye contact and made my way to the bike. My trusty Giant Upland. About 4 or 5 years old but still going well. Semi road tyres should help a little on the road, I added a few pumps of air to the tyres. The 'max pressure' on the side wall says 60 lbs. I did not check as I am sure it was probably over. Generally the higher the pressure the easier to pedal.

















The first 10 k and I am at Dreamworld. I think I am going a little too fast. From what I have read it is best to start these long hauls using a slower speed and save energy for the end.







I continue along the V1. A bike path that connects the Gold Coast to Brisbane. It is mainly a shoulder of the ordinary road with no separation from other traffic except a white line. There is plenty of debris, lots of glass and pebbles. Still it provides a bit of distance from the cars.
























The next 20 ks are a breeze. The early morning air is warm without being unpleasant. There is little wind.








As I reach Eagleby and head towards Cabbage Tree Point I remember different sections of road or places where I have been before. In my previous life I was a Paramedic based at Beenleigh.






I remember a factory where a guy had nearly lost his hand, another where a man had probably had a heart attack and fell from his truck and a few other very sad cases.





The road heads east as I leave the V1 behind. Mainly flat so the roads are straight. They cut through the sugar cane fields. The cane always looks stumpier than how I remember the giant stuff in North Queensland.






At this point the wind has picked up. Nothing too dreadful but it causes me to change gear. I don't know my exact speed but as I arrive in Cabbage Tree Point I check my watch. I have been on the go for two hour. That means an average speed of 25 klms/hr.




I am thrilled. I was planning on it taking up to six hours. I begin to imagine being home for lunch.




Halfway there. Feel okay and I know I have a tailwind back to Eagleby.




I have a break for 15 mins. Buy some Gatorade and a pastry thing from the store. The shop lady kindly fills my two water bottles.






After the rest I remount. Ouch. My backside starts to ache. It improves within a few minutes. Pretty soon I am flying along. Back into a high gear. I know I am going too fast but it feels so effortless.




Before rejoining the V1 a few small hills need to be crossed. I notice I have to change to easier gears. This is my first indicator I am low on energy.






On the V1 heading south. A short, steep hill. As I reach the top I am drained. Even using an easy gear each pedal stroke is hard work. At the top I do not even have the pleasure and rest from a steep downhill section. The gradient is shallow and the headwind means I have to pedal just to go downhill. I feel angry at the injustice.





Up ahead some roadworks. The guy flips his sign around and I read 'SLOW'. I know it is a generic sign but it feels like a dig at me.




As I crawl through the roadworks it feels like the brakes are on. By the time I am out the other side (all of 50 metres) a long line of cars has formed. A guy on a motorbike watches me trundle past. His head moves so slowly as he follows my progress.




I keep drinking the water. I wonder if I am just not up to 100 ks. Maybe I should have tried for less today and gradually increased to 100 klms.






When the milkshake fantasy starts I suddenly have a goal. I can't remember the last time I had a milkshake. All I can think about is milk, two raw eggs and a blob of maple syrup all mixed together. I have never had raw eggs before. No other ingredients seem appropriate.





I begin to rationalise pulling over. I tell myself it was a good effort but next time need to be prepared a little better. In the future I will carry some Gatorade and some snacks. I also need to pace a little better. I should have held back a little on the first 30 klms and the wind assisted run from the coast.








As I ponder these issues I realise I am still going and can maintain a slower speed. I set small targets of the next lamp-post, top of the next hill, ten more revolutions of the pedals.











By 90 klms I am back at Dreamworld. I am getting back into a rhythm again. The fun has completely gone. I just want to get home, have a milkshake, shower and rest.











The road is flat until my own suburb. I live nearly at the top of a very steep hill. Climbing distance is about 250 metres. In the back of my mind I know it is waiting to get me. It has occupied my mind since setting off. I usually get up in one of the middle gears, by standing on the pedals I reach the top breathless and thundering heart rate.











I cycle past Movie World. On my left is the hill I live on. The hill looks down on my snail like progress. I have to travel past the hill, cross the M1 and approach from the south.











Slowly I edge closer to the hill. As the first part of the slope begins I quickly alter the gearing. I use almost the lowest gear. The granny gear. It has been a long time since I have had to use the easiest gear.











Halfway up, again breathless, I have no easier gear to move to. I am out of the saddle. Lots of wasted energy. I do not want to dismount now. I look up, another 50 metres to go. Each pedal stroke moves me forward a few centimetres. I can feel my heart pumping. I am pretty sure this is not good for the body. I now have suncream in my eyes.











Again I glance up, 20 metres, then 10 then 5 and finally my own driveway. I have no feeling of elation, no sense of achievement just a desire for milkshake. A thought crosses my mind, what if we have no eggs?

It has taken 4 hours and 40 minutes, including the 15 minute break. Despite the sensation of hardly moving the return journey was not much slower. I was very pleased with the time.





The dogs are happy to see me. They begin licking the sweat from my legs, suncream and all.











I enter the house and straight to the fridge. Two eggs, milk and maple syrup. Into the blender and then down the cake hole. Boy oh boy it tastes good. Even sitting writing this now, 24 hours later, I can still feel the good vibes it gave me.











For the next few hours I ate and rested. A headache developed not long after returning home. I tried fluids and panadol and more food. The headache did not go until I had a can of Guinness in the evening.










Would I do it again? Maybe, but with a few more breaks, more food to eat and plan a run with the wind coming from behind on the return.