So there we was. Cruising ek sê, on pristine gravel roads.
Not.
I was meant to go to Hogsback to hike and camp this weekend. But then there wouldn’t be anyone to cover work should a flight come up. And I didn’t really want to put in for leave as I am saving it for next month. I had a stressful day in PE yesterday. Showed up for an appointment 30min early (I like to allow 15 minutes to get lost) so I could do the necessary paperwork. That sorted I wait. And wait. 11:00, the time my appointment was schedule for, rolls on by. I wait. And wait. Eventually at 12:00, oh we’re ready for you now.
No communication. I could have got so much other stuff done in that time.
So my day took a bit of a dive from there. My 1 mile walk felt like I had cheated. So that wound me up. And then bam, into the 5pm traffic. In the rain.
I had planned on getting back to GHT by 16:00 so I could finish packing, make my snacks and meals for the trip, and then head to the climbing gym. The stress had mounted. I didn’t get through my to do list, and today (Friday) I also had a heap to do. So I decided no, I won’t do the hike. I was really looking forward to it so it was a tough call, but I realised there was just too much stress. Also, it was quite expensive.
I arrived in GHT at 19:30.
And headed to the climbing gym. Got stuck 2m up a wall with no ropes. I don’t like heights. I do this to try overcome my fear. Well, it’s more that I don’t like falling.
Luckily one of the guys could talk me down. Now I know just how long I can hold on. Literally.
Anyway, the climb improved my mood.
Today, I got all my tasks done.
And then joined
@edgy for a cycle to the sea.
Now as I’m sure you know, Edgy is on his bike pretty much every day. And he is doing the Argus next week.
So, this wouldn’t be my usual slow adventure type ride, but more of a training ride.
In my stressed state yesterday I packed like a twit. I didn’t have the right shoes, I have somehow misplaced a bright green cycling shirt. Silly little things. Eventually I got myself sorted. And we set off from GHT.
I noted out set-ups. Edgy has the minimalist, race tupe setup, with only some water and a snack or two, and the bare essential bike repair stuff. I had my vest with snacks and Rehidrat, my bike loaded with two bottles of water, saddle bag, top tube bag... definitely more a chilled adventure set up.
Wheeeee! Down a steep hill. And then up and up and up. I warned Edgy I wasn’t a strong climber, but that I would catch up on the flats. Well, I was near flat out half the time.
Edgy just cruised. Almost as if he was floating along. Not a care, his fork and rear shock soaking up the bumps in the road.
Me? I was hanging on, pedaling furiously downhill to try keep up, teeth clattering and bones jangling.
I fell back on the climbs (though I felt I climbed well today), and caught up on the flats. Only to see Edgy on his phone. Probably posting on the Photos That Make You Think WTF thread. While I wheezed and huffed and puffed. And cursed my decision to bring an apple with. While delicious, I found myself having to choose between chewing, not choking, breathing and pedaling.
Hard work that.
Anyway, it was a very lekker ride, even with the headwind. We made what I thought was good time. Next time I want to push for a sub 2h30. But it was exactly what I needed to clear my head and reset.
Topic: My African Dream (Read 227822 times)
