So I have been cycling again

Hello everyone.

An update to enlighten you on the progress I have made over the past few weeks since I last checked in. This month I have been fortunate enough continue my progress out on the road on my bike.
The first week of October was both a Uni break and also school holidays so I took the chance to head to my parents house in Hamilton spending time with mum and dad and to enjoy myself on my bike. I managed 4 good rides over the 4 days. Attached below is a link to each ride which shows more details and a map of the particular rides.

I love riding at home as I am spoilt for choice on where to head and have the option of heading up the Victoria Valley into the grampians which is a favourite ride for me. (not to mention i usually see maybe one car an hour during these rides) The ride I completed with my Dad and Ken Dacomb a close family friend was also particularly enjoyable as it was now 10 years ago that i first started riding with them on these roads, and during the ride I was able to reflect on how lucky I am that I am actually even able to be cycling at all after everything that I have been through this year in regards to my leg condition.

The VIC Valley Loop ride was also the first 'long' ride post op, and was a big milestone for me as I was very concerned prior as i knew that at the completion of the ride if there was any vascular problems I was likely to know about it after 4 hours continuous riding. Thankfully I passed my little challenge. God knows what would have happened had i realised after a few hours that something was up with my legs..

Home to Balmoral 

1 hour 42 min 60km NP 330W

Vic Valley Loop

3 hours 52 min 121km NP 313W 

Riding with Dad and Ken Dacomb on my MTB

3 hours 7 min 85km 

Love the Country Roads

2 hours 26 min 79km NP 333W

These two photos are during a 22minute effort in which I 

held 445W while chasing a strava segment which

I achieved by a few seconds. Full Hero haha

Over the weekend the VIS rowing squad headed to anglesea for a 3 day commencement camp. On the friday we jumped on our bikes and cycled to Anglesea from melbourne, Saturday we cycled along the Great Ocean Road and had a fantastic day, we cycled up to Erskine Falls behind Lorne, something which i spoke about in my blog a few months ago that i was looking forward to. So this was a really enjoyable ride. That afternoon I went out for the first time in a Surf Ski with Glen Singleton for some training while the rest of the group completed a 23km hike. On the Sunday we cycled home again from Anglesea back to Melbourne, and spent 75% of our ride in the rain which put a slight dampener on the spirits of the group. For those interested, again I have posted links to the rides if you are interested to check them out.

MELB-Anglesea

4 hour 50 min 157km NP 290W

Ripping it on the Great Ocean Road in the sun

3 hours 42 min 118km NP 296W

Anglesea back to Melbourne

4 hours 44min 144km NP 235W

I know i spoke about the first long ride being a milestone in my recovery,well the weekend just past which also significant milestone, as i write this on monday arvo my legs feel reasonably good, and certainly no sign of any vascular problems. To have this after 415km and 13.5 hours ride time over only 3 days means that my condition is not affecting me at the present time. Big high five to myself... haha

The last two weeks of training... 

After 2 solid weeks on the bike things are progressing well and I am now itching to get in the boat, a sign that my body is now ready for the task. Hopefully my next post will include an update on how my first row in 9 months goes. Until then keep at whatever it is you are working towards just as I will be.

Cheers, John