A refresher
January tracking. How am I going with it?
I might have mentioned my training plan but I'll give you a little refresher...
So the structure is: progression e.g. increasing distance or elevation till I reach around 250km-300km per week. When I reach that level I will start to try and decrease the number of days it takes to reach around 240kms. Ideally, by the time we start making our way to Western Australia in early July it would be 240km within 3 days. The main reason for this is so I'll be totally fit as well as getting past the long, long stretch of the Nullarbor in as few days as poss.
Right now I would say I’m tracking exceptionally well. A major stepping stone was achieved over the last three weeks. I’ve gone from 90km’s in a week to 150km’s (this was done in 5 days) and it consisted of a long 70km ride from Port Fairy to Portland. Was a solid sesh I’ll tell you that! Started at 10 o’clock and arrived in Portland around 4:30 pm. The travelling time was relatively good, averaging 12.5km/hr which was okay and I was happy just to make it to the destination!
It was a little bit freaky going on the A1 coming out of Port Fairy to Yambuk because there is a lot of up and down and the road doesn't give you much shoulder (side of the roads). I wasn’t afraid of the semi’s, they know what they are doing. It’s some of the middle-sized vehicles that I was freaked out about, the closest they got to me would have been 40cm or so…. All in all, I made it through though, and that’s good enough!
There’s more to come on the A1 and there is more to come of those long arse rides!
This week I’m returning to Port Fairy, I am actually writing this blog on the train! So I’m aiming for 150-160kms in 4 days so 40km a day. That’s the plan anyway. Although I’m going to say ride to Koroit aåaand then back as opposed to going back and forth along the golf course route. More wind resistance going one way instead of having bouts of it. Also, another reason I’m heading down to Port Fairy is fewer traffic lights! Well none actually… My god it actually kills me every time with all the stopping and starting! Anyway next week it’ll be 180km’s but that’s the ‘next’ level of training, gotta tick off the first box then I can move on, a bit like any video game really…
On that note, I’m off, got a lot to do!
Farewell!
A shout out to GoPro
I just thought I’d post a quick shout out to say a big "THANK YOU" to GoPro for jumping on board and supporting the cause - ‘The 4 points challenge’. It is really a huge step forward! So now with GoPro I have the ability to capture vision of training rides and gym sessions as well as the main challenges along the 9000km. The lead up time has actually just ticked over 200 days. It feels like a great thing landing our first sponsor, it feels like we are going in the right direction!
Anyway, I’m blogged out!
Will be back soon.
Adios
Callout
Where do I begin….
I’ll start with the riding part and the way I think I’ll best train myself up for this ride of a lifetime! So my plan of attack is, over the weeks progressively increase the kilometers I do, and then when I reach approximately 250 to 300 kilometers start decreasing the number of days spent on the bike. Ideally, I’d like to be averaging 80kms (tried to test that out by riding out to Eltham and back… only managed about 50kms, but that’s for a different time and place to talk about, a dark day…) a day, 3 days in a row, somewhere around that ballpark. Saying that, it’s been so hard to fit it in with this festive season, Christmas antics, etc., ….
To add into the mix, I’ve found out I’ll have a bit of trouble training pretty much all this week, I’m seriously contemplating just doing an 80 to 90km stint on the flat at ‘the training ground’ all in one day, probably not going to happen, more like wake up 7am and smash out 30km’s… we will see as I said so much in the air.
Talking about the training ground we had a little minor issue where I had to tighten my cleats as my shoe kept coming out. In particular my right foot cleat, it’s just getting too buff I reckon haha! Nah I think it’s just the force required and the angle that did it and also the orthotics might have also contributed to it. Anyway, Buster was there to save the day because we were doing some filming that same day, lucky eh ?!
So what was Buster and I up to? Well, we were shooting a film clip for a short social inclusive song that was written by David Jones and recorded by ‘The Suspect Country Bicycle String Band’, it’s a fantastic song about me, what happened to me, where I’m going on this ride and the message I’m sending. Buster did all the editing and it pulled up grouse, hats off to you Buss!!
Take a squizz!
So what’s up with the sponsors? Some great/fantastic news, we have two sponsors who have jumped on board:
PARAMOUNT HEALTH & FITNESS CLUB, Real people, Real results, Unreal culture is the motto and it’s 110% hit that nail on that head!
ASCOT VALE CELLARS, as the name indicates a drink in or drink out kind of cellar (my local) but it’s more than that it’s more a social setting, that’s my feeling, everyone knows everyone and if you don’t, you will within about 10 minutes of entering!
I truly couldn’t thank them enough for the opportunity now and in advance!
The media side… gotta love the 2 hour accumulative throughout the day of socials you need to do or time spent you need to do, to keep up with everything… maybe over-exaggerating a tad but as we get closer to the ride I’ll want to start hitting home runs out of the park on this! So this kind of a callout to anyone who knows the in and outs of socials, and would be willing to help and lend a hand to shoot a message on the socials (bottom on website) or email australian4points@gmail.com
Where to next is the question?
I need to get up to 150kms a week by the end of January when I will probably blog next. Easily doable, it’s just a matter of knuckling down (motivation levels key)!! Could be tricky over the first week but apart from that all on track. Also I want to get to and from Port Fairy for some recovery sessions, salt water works wonders for my legs. Found that out yesterday in torquay so I want more!
Got another meeting with the stroke foundation to work out some logistics that I dont want to bore you with.
Hopefully some more filming with another song I’m thinking of, it’s growing on me, this filming.
I tell you it feels good to be on track, for a period of time I didnt think we were but we are, so I’m happy.
On that note, I’m out without a doubt..
Peace and a very Happy and safe New Year to you all.