More about cycling - some truths learnt today

1. Having a proper lunch is essential
Had a really big lunch today cause the afternoon was pretty free, as opposed to the kind of crap that usually passes off for lunch during my typical weekday - a curry puff or a packet of soyabean milk, or nothing at all.

And guess what - from being barely able to climb one particular hill above 20kmh, I found the energy to go off the saddle and bomb up without falling below 24kmh, and I swear I reached 30kmh at one point. Now that's a really big difference!

Kids, when you want to put in your 100%, you had better eat well!

2. Sometimes you overtake, sometimes you're being overtaken
No matter how much you work at it and how hard you persevere, there'll always be someone better and faster than you. Maybe he's still fresh and you're already almost to the end of your ride, maybe he has faster tyres.

But never try to chase them down, because you'll just tire yourself out and ruin your pace!

3. Don't let the rage get to you
Remember, it's all about pacing, pacing, pacing! Lose concentration on a steep hill and you may well stall right in the middle of it.

4. Ride out of the saddle more
Riding out of the saddle is the ultimate workout in cycling. You not only train up your legs but your shoulder, your abs, your back muscles, everything essentially. Pull hard on the handlebars while you pedal hard so that your upper limb adds to the force from your legs!

5. SMSing a friend keeps the tedium away!
It really does! The group was originally planning a supper right at Casuarina Curry but I wasn't going to be able to go. So had to just send a MMS musing on how I was, ironically, right outside it cause it's along my ride route!



6. Never try to make sense of the stuff you come across pasted on signboards.