Today was an absolute doozie. I had no idea that the area I was going to was basically all hills. But now that I have done it I am so glad. What a total rush.
I went with a dear friend Sharon, both of us not knowing anything about what we were about to do. The only basic information we had was that there were 2 loops. One was 4km in length and the other was 4.8km in length and there were some hills. But when I heard the word "hills", I had just imagined that they were going to be little baby mole hills. One's that a two year old could ride around on on their tricylce. Boy, was I wrong.
Sharon and I both decided to take Loop one to the right. Not for any reason - just because. So as we took off we were faced with our first hill almost instantly. Down went the gears and off came our backsides from the saddle. All I kept thinking was "I don't want to stop". The next thing that came to mind was "OUCH OUCH OUCH". But I kept on pedalling straight up that hill regardless and within minutes made it to the top. Thank God was all I could say and I hoped that was the worst of it. Ha! NOT
The remainder of loop one saw another big hill. Big because it never seemed to end. Just as I thought it was coming to an end I was faced with another incline and another. I couldn't drop my gears any lower and I was already up out of my saddle, so I started to zig zag my way up. This definately made it easier but I was not liking the burn on my calves and quads. Nevermind, had to make it to the top. I hate quitting so that was not an option.
Loop two, made loop one look like a piece of cake. Loop two had me facing a sign which clearly indicated a steep ascent ahead. Boy was I scared. I just had to grin and bear this hill. Out came the zig zagging method again, but this time it just took so long and it felt like I wasn't going anywhere. I decided not to look too far ahead and just try to focus on a couple of metres ahead of me. Looking to where I had to cycle to was too disheartening. Before I knew it I made it to the top. Yay for me and Sharon. We did it. But was this it? Not on your life. Time to do it all again.
Second time around was absolute murder. My legs felt like jelly from the first time around and I was expecting myself to get up those hills again. What was I thinking? Obviously I don't know my own strength and determination. The same rules applied second time around. Get up those mountains and don't get off the bike. DONE. The ramifications of an hours worth of hills could be seen when I got back to the car. My legs were bright red due to the increased circulation and I felt as though I was standing in a tub of jelly. My legs quivered everytime I took a step. What a great day.
A beautifully sunny day. I got to spend it with a good friend. and I did my first ever hill session. JOB DONE. I am one happy little vegemite.
