2010 Training Begins at High Altitude

It's been a long time coming, this blog.

For starters, let's rely on the adage that "a picture is worth a thousand words" and move on to more prosaic expositions when the muse descends. 

On Saturday last, Lightning Horse and I headed out from Blackheath to Hargrave's Lookout for a meandering ride past mountain homes and more pastoral retreats on Shipley's Plateau. It's winter here so where the sun shone we were fine-where the shadows fell, we shivered.

Inspired by our efforts, the pit crew went for their own ride out to a spot near Govett's Leap Lookout.

A cyclist's sixth sense must have dawned on our newest team member because he fronted up for training the next day for a Sunday ride out to Govett's Leap and Evans Lookout.

It was another 20 kms or so of high altitude rolling, with the occasional steep pinch thrown in to test our mettle. The general consensus was that those steep pinches would be better attempted on our bikes after we'd developed more strength and stamina. First gear on foot came in handy ... a couple of times.

We finished Sunday's ride with a picnic in the park, thanks again to our pit crew--who were probably as relieved to see us as we were to end the first training ride of the season!

The good news is that the second ride is easier than the first; and the third easier than the second; etc.
Until next time, Pedal on!
Thunder Horse.