the low

So, the parentals needed to be picked up from Marysville on Sunday at the end of the Great Vic Bike Ride. What a perfect time to get some time on the bike I thought, plus some hills too boot. So I left early and headed to Eildon to pick up there gear and then dodge my way through the bunches to find a park and jump on the bike.
After kitting up, out I headed out towards Taggarty for a bit of a warm up before plowing into the climb to Lake Mountain. I was nervous about how my body would handle some serious climbing as I have not really been on the bike a hell of a lot and have stayed far away from a 22 km climb for a long time.
The initial climb out of Marysville is not to bad but about 2km into the climb there is a bastard section that is like a wall, it climbs up the spur line and is a good one for testing your mental strength. After that it is all smiles too the top (well not really) as the road is around 5-7% all the way to the top bar a few steeper pinches.
It was so quiet, only a few motorbikes and one or two cars. It was nice rolling through the forest even though it had been badly burnt out 2 years ago. It is recovering, and the greenery is kicking on with all the rain we are having.
After a little under 2hrs I made it to the top, sure I didn't break any land speed records but was glad to get up there to check the view and the rebuilding of the ski patrol building. The descent back down was sweet, shame it goes so fast.
Last night was the 8th Annual Smith's Gully Christmas Ride. A fair turn out with some rather fit individuals, which had me nervous from the get go. I was behind the 8 ball from the word go and in the end conceded that I needed to do my own thing. I was rocking a heart rate in the 95% range. I lost the crew on many occasions and completely on the new section of trail that Mario and company have been putting time into. I ended climbing up past the mine shaft to get home which was a lung burner and made my way back to the General Store for some of Ross's excellent burgers and a beer. We lost Mr Kellett who had taken a wrong turn and in the end we sent out a few cars to try and track him down. In the end he had approached a house who kindly drove him back to our meeting place at the store. It was a good night to be out despite the recent rain, the trails were in good condition and the recent trail maintenance had done wonders to this new growth from the wet summer. Big thank you to Mario and co for getting this thing together, hard to think 12 months have passed yet again rather quickly.
Now the truth hurts and the reality has set in with the Alpine approaching at light speed. I am a big unit to say the least. I seem to be getting slower and slower every time I throw a leg over a bike. I have had 2 discussions with myself on the last 2 rides and myself is not happy with current self.
TIME FOR A CHANGE OF MANAGEMENT!!!!
Its time for some rebuilding, time to reign in the eating habits and get my house in order, as I have a few things to prove to myself and no matter what, at the end of the day it is for me and nothing is worse than disappointing yourself, so stay tuned.
Happy trails!