Cycling in Sydney Australia
I swore I'd never be a...
....Fair Weather Cyclist.
Yet last night, as I was going to bed to the sound of the rain, I feared that perhaps I just might become one in the morning. It had just started to come down as I was about 2km from home in the afternoon. As far as the temperature went, it was actually really pleasant to be rained on. But as far as the surface of the road went....*shudder*...
Last weekend I rode my CAAD9 with the spd-SL's for the first time since my little stack. I was so unsure about it, but I told myself that this was the last fear to overcome. The twisting action, to release my foot, wasn't as bad as you'd imagine. I didn't actually tear any ligaments or tendons, so there was no risk of aggravating that sort of damage. I just have a really weak and stiff ankle and lower leg. So with concentration, and patience, I managed to ride to CP, do a few laps, and ride home, without excess pain. I was so proud of myself!!
Apparently that wasn't the last fear though. Looking down at the greasy road yesterday afternoon, with it's wet-leaf-littered corners, I was afraid! A couple of very slow and tense kilometres later, I was safe at home, but as the rain came down that night, I knew there was no way I'd be riding in the morning.
You can imagine my joy at seeing a dry, sunny morning today :-)
Yet last night, as I was going to bed to the sound of the rain, I feared that perhaps I just might become one in the morning. It had just started to come down as I was about 2km from home in the afternoon. As far as the temperature went, it was actually really pleasant to be rained on. But as far as the surface of the road went....*shudder*...
Last weekend I rode my CAAD9 with the spd-SL's for the first time since my little stack. I was so unsure about it, but I told myself that this was the last fear to overcome. The twisting action, to release my foot, wasn't as bad as you'd imagine. I didn't actually tear any ligaments or tendons, so there was no risk of aggravating that sort of damage. I just have a really weak and stiff ankle and lower leg. So with concentration, and patience, I managed to ride to CP, do a few laps, and ride home, without excess pain. I was so proud of myself!!
Apparently that wasn't the last fear though. Looking down at the greasy road yesterday afternoon, with it's wet-leaf-littered corners, I was afraid! A couple of very slow and tense kilometres later, I was safe at home, but as the rain came down that night, I knew there was no way I'd be riding in the morning.
You can imagine my joy at seeing a dry, sunny morning today :-)
Comment
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Comment by Dan on January 29, 2010 at 9:39am -
Confidence, like strength, takes time to get back.
Great that you are riding. Just do what feels comfortable, and if that means sticking to riding in good conditions for now, well, that's great. Just being back on the bike is an achievement!
Don't get spooked by it, and think you'll never get the confidence back to zoom along, or ride in the wet. Just accept that for now it's not what you want to do, and gradually you'll find you get back into it naturally as your confidence - and strength - comes back.
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Comment by David Taylor on January 29, 2010 at 9:09am - In the words of a mate of mine "Small permanent gains", great to hear you are back on the bike and pushing your boundaries, I know I was a little gun shy after my last stack and I didn't break anything.
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