New Bike: Giant Defy 4

If you were reading my last posts, you see how my metal frame bike just wasn't cutting the mustard. Even though it was a great bike, I said it was time for an upgrade.

I went onto boards.ie and stuck up a wanted notice for a Giant Defy. I got a good few responses and just over a week later I had my new bike.   I was still sick with the flu but with the stronger medicine the doctor provided  has helped me this week and I took the bike off for a spin.

The first day I knocked up 33km on it. It felt great, I was way faster. I also purchased new dhb clipless shoes from wiggle. They are taking a bit of getting used to.    The only thing sore from the first day was the pain the saddle gave me.  I didn't want to overdo it on the second ride out but I put in 55km.  I remember going downhill and looking at the speedometer saying 48kph but also  when faced with tough headwinds the clock was reading 15kph.  

After around 40km in my journey, I totally forgot I was on clipless pedals and being a bit disillusioned at that time, I went to take my foot of the pedal in the normal way only to fall flat to the ground. All I could do was laugh but fairly had some cuts and bruises down my right hand side.  I had ripped my new cycling shorts that I just got but still the worse pain was my behind.   Its just normal saddle pain and will get immune to it with a few more rides. 

I practised in changing a tire tube the last day. It was a job and a half. First time doing it so that was expected. Better to learn now then to be totally tired in the middle of nowhere and having a go.  In taking off the back wheel, it was expected to be a small bit more complicated but putting it back on was another job and a half even though once i get the knack to it, it will take less then a few seconds. 

Looking forward to entering it into the next race. The cycling distance is only 14km  but should be fun. need to get out and run as well.. Too much to do... so little time.

Full pedal Ahead

I took out my bike out yesterday to see how it handle. I brought it onto a new stretch of road where its nice and smooth and has a good lane by.  I put up 16km on it and was flying it for the first 8k but the final 8k was a nightmare and a half.  The trees were not blowing but some how there was open Gael force hitting right into me on the way back.  As i expected some muscles were going to be sore but the worst pain came from my man parts. will have to toughen up down there.
Cycling is another aerobic exercise, it gives your heart, blood vessels and lungs a workout, thereby reducing the risk of heart problems. Being on the bike will help me tone up my upper thigh muscles.  I really could feel the workout on them the last day.

I was only going to plan and cycle as part of a cross training exercise but now as usual I'm up for a challenge and plan to do a 40k cycle race + 6k run in a duathlon.  I suppose the more of a challenge you got, the harder you work. Unlike the Commonwealth games going to be held in India. They are so not prepared in anyway to hold the games and many athletes pulling out in relation to safety issues.

I will keep peddling and running while also tyring to learn to swim.  It is a full load but i wouldn't put it down if they weren't realistic goals. So my first 10k is coming up this Sunday. In good form for it at the moment. Still taking it easy enough this week. Will do an interval session today and  a small run tomorrow and that will be that for Sunday.  Total relaxation Friday and Saturday.

Well that's it for now, hope ye are all doing well in your own goals.