Preparing for the Every Second Counts Challenge - backward step

by Steven Ellison

Jul 20, 2012

This morning I decided to ramp up my riding in preparation for the "Every Second Counts" challenge. I set my alarm last night for 4am, the time I am targeting for most of my rides during the challenge. I should be able to rise at 4am and be out the door by 4:30am allowing me to do 100 km and still be home for around 8:30am.

Step 1

I headed out the door and started North, looking to spin along the Southern Expressway veloway while totally disregarding speed. To get through this challenge I am going to have to ride in a way that preserves my strength and muscle to ride the next day. After 11 km I hit the end of the veloway and was happy with progress.

Just after exiting to Marion road my gears started to slip down and up while spinning. It wasn't to bad so I was thinking I would check my gear adjustments when I got home as this was only my second ride since doing my first full service since I bought my bike 12 months/10,000 km's ago.

Not Going to Plan

I crossed Stuart road and it was annoying so I pulled over to tweak the gears. Before reaching Cross roads I did this another 10 times and...[...READ MORE...]...

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  • Paul H

    Hey Steve, how do you find the veloway in the dark? Ive always wanted to go for a ride at night but have been put off by having to climb the veloway to Majors Rd in the dark.

    Jul 25, 2012

  • Steven Ellison

    Hi Paul, it is very unusual for me to use the Veloway in the dark! I usually ride early morning, like 4:30am and travel via road. I am not keen on using bike tracks in the dark, especially on my own! Having said all that, I have headed North on the Veloway a couple of times in the dark. I have a decent headlight  otherwise I wouldn't have. Its ok but I feel vulnerable to attack, not that I have had any reason to be, just my own paranoia ! I like to use the tracks to avoid heavy traffic, in daylight hours :-)

    Jul 25, 2012

  • Paul H

    Yeah agree, not sure I would be comfortable! Thanks, enjoy following your progress, you will see me out on a SSRC ride soon (once footy season is over)

    Jul 26, 2012