Having gotten to the stage of life I'm at now (40 something with two kids), I had a rush of blood to the head and thought I'd get back into riding my bike. About 100 years ago, before boring things like work and mortgages got in the way I used to race at a club level on the road. Getting back into it now I've done the road racing thing - actually, I don't think I can be arsed with the training that it takes to race, and since then wonderful new inventions like gravel and mountain bikes have arrived on the scene. Yippie!
The riding that excites me now is point-to-point long distance riding - ideally fast (well the fast will come - I hope) and I've been inspired by other bloggers like Jeffs Bike Blog and Sifter goes (bike) riding who have truly epic adventures on their bikes, and they seem just like me - only faster, and fitter...
The lovely autumn weather we are having inspired me to take the touring bike out for a blast over my favourite circuit, up the Akatarwa's over the saddle and back via the Paekakariki hill. Truly one of Wellingtons great rides. Google map goodness here.
Living in Wainui as I do, today's ride would be a sweet 135 km on a perfect autumn day (other than labouring up the Wainui hill with tired legs)
My steed for the day is a Kona Sutra - an indestructible steel touring bike - Brookes leather seat and granny gears for the hills. With 35 mm tires this bike will go pretty much anywhere.
Normally I ride this route with my carbon road bike, which is so fast you see nothing and so uncomfortable you walk bow-legged for a week. The Kona was a real treat. Stopping in Silverstream to have a pee in a public convenience, some moron had wheeled a scooter into it and set fire to the lot. Arseholes. Riding this part of the ride is a bit drab on the road, and I didn't perk up until I hit the first proper climb past the cemetery on the Akatara road. It's a beautiful ride early in the morning and I saw only a couple of cars.
The summit called for a cup of tea, and to put on a windbreak - I always get cold going down the Otherside.
One of the best things about the Kona is its disc brakes. The carbon bike has Shimano rim brakes that require decent pressure to keep the bike's speed in check - disc brakes it is a one finger job on the tops - bliss.
Despite the southerly, I made a good time to the Paekakariki Hill and zoomed up at a high cadence thanks to granny gears without getting my heart above 140. Normally on the road bike, it's a character building hill.
It was a fantastic day with a fantastic view at the lookout just before the top of the hill.
But I was getting hungry so I didn't linger long and made a bee-line for the Cafe at Pohatinui 20 odd clicks down the road.
What is it about being hungry - I swear this was the best muffin and coffee I'd ever had or will have until I go riding again that is.
The coffee break was 100km into my ride - 35 to go. Traffic was busy along the Haywards, and as keen as I was, on familiar roads, there was no stopping for photos.
When I finally got home, I'd averaged only 21 km/hr when the carbon bike is 28 but I felt strong and comfortable.
In a few weeks, I have a 200km brevet (my first) and I'm a bit torn - take the Kona and have a comfortable but slow ride (so much slower I will be on the road for a couple of extra hours) or take the race bike, accepting that I will be a cripple the next day.
Anyway, next week another longer ride. Perhaps I'll do the Rimutaka rail trail.
