Taupo Cycle Challenge, Half the Lake 73km

Friday evening we (two of my brothers, plus the family of one of them) arrived in Taupo.
After registration, the next thing was to get my cruzbike on the rack to be transported to Kuratau School. I had been told that as my bicycle is an unconventional, I'd have to bring it to Kuratau myself, that would take at least two more hours, I didn't fancy that, so I had a look to see what I could do - it looked possible, so I got my bicycle, and they allowed me to put it on the rack, with their assistance, we got it on comfortably.

Saturday morning I awoke to a cold damp, freezing south-wester. Out the door by 6:30am.
On the bus to Karatau School, arriving their it was cold.
Lining up to use the toilets, with all these cyclists in their shorts, I asked, "who's got told legs?" "Everyone does", someone replied. But not me, I still had my trousers on. :), Soon enough my legs will also be cold.

Start 9:52am. Out from the school was a climb up Kuratau Hill to the highest point of my route. Flying down the other side to achieve my highest speed of the day, almost 70km/hr!
Then some up and down, then down Waihi Hill, it was raining, cold, road was wet so cyclist were restricting their speed, so I also me, that meant I was coasting downhill lightly on my brakes, and that meant I was not peddling, which would have helped warm me somewhat.

The big climb was Hatepe Hill, 20km from Taupo, 2km constant climb, down to almost 6km/hr, then another flying downhill well into the 60s, until I reached the flats. With its severe crosswind and rough seal, my legs and knees were starting to ache, still almost 20km to go, I was no longer able to maintain the 25-30km I was doing on the southern part of the course. A brief stop in the shelter of some roadside vegetation when an icy shower hit. There were a couple more cold showers on the way in that I cycled through, it was most definitely not cycle friendly weather.

Official time is 3:28. Ride time 3:12, so my total stopped time is 16 min, time for toilet, food, fluids.
Official distance was 73km, but my cycle computer said it was 74km, don't know with one is right.

Two of my brothers who cycled, one attempted the whole lake solo, but had to pull out after 80km with severe cramp. The other one did 85 mountain bike, his legs were worse than mine, and numb fingers - that I don't have a problem with, I've a good bicycle, but the seats cushion has lost it's spring

My brother who did the mountain biking was there with his wife and kids, his 10 year old daughter did the heart kids 5km. He and my other brother escorting her. No room on the car to carry my bike, so I had to cycle out there, but my legs needed more rest. Over the hill 2-3km south, I pulled over to the shelter of some houses - I'm going to wait here out of the cold wind, and not climb any unnecessary hills. When my brother came by, joined them escorting my niece. Good father my brother, to cycle with his daughter despite his legs wanting to give up.

Sorry that the only photos I have is the one above and the official ones on the link below, I had my camera with me, but was so intent on the cycling that I forgot about it! If anyone finds any photos with me, please leave a comment.

Route map

Tracking


Official photos

Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge 2014

I'm off to Taupo today, for the cycle challenge tomorrow.
I have entered the Half the Lake 73km.
At the moment in Auckand it is raining, forecast for tomorrow in Taupo is showers - not encouraging for the fair-weather-cyclist (me), I don't even fancy putting the bike on the back of the car in this weather.
It is 14 months since I came off my bicycle and broke my hand. I have not done a lot of cycling recently, but have been at my parents clearing wood, I pray that physical activity will be enough preparation.

http://cyclechallenge.com/home/

Sofrider is home II

I didn't think the video on the last blog was very good, so I made another one.
It is still a long way from a professional standard, but is better.

I saw the Paradise ducks and pukeko, can you?

Happy Christmas and Happy New Year.

Christmas Eve, Sofrider is home.

Happy holy Christmas to you, family and friends.
And to the few of you who will read this and the also to the vast majority who won't.

Today is Christmas Day - thanks be to God the Father for His Son who came born of a woman to save us from our sins, that we may have life, life everlasting.

Yesterday was Christmas Eve. In the afternoon I went I picked up my bicycle from Saints Cycles.
The chain-rings and cranks were bent, so they were replaced. The bigger chain-ring was 48 teeth, it is not a common size in NZ, so that has been replaced with a 50, which means it is a slightly higher gear, but that's okay. The new cranks are stiffer and 10mm longer, which is better for my long legs, also means that with the greater leverage I can put more power into the wheel.

Tire and tube have been replaced with similar.

The above was done on Leo's suggestion.
The big change I wanted (so I had to pay for it) - is to change the brake to a disk brake, for safety to get away from something on the rim. (This is the upgrade I had to pay for) I have a new front wheel (Ontrack 26) with disk and brake by Shimano.
Also replace the worn-out rear brake pads.

Sorry this video is a bit rough, it is my first attempt at stitching a few clips together (it is Christmas Day, so not a lot of time) I used youtube's video editor, I see it's 'smoothing' has ended up distorting it a bit.
but I'm back cycling - enjoy. :D

My thanks especially to Leo and Jay of Saint Cycles: http://saintcycles.co.nz

Peace of Christ be with you all.
Jos

Driving again

A week ago I saw the doctor in Manukau, I saw a different doctor. He was pleased with my hand. It is very difficult to put the bones back together when they're broken like mine were.

Well... it was 'a week ago' at the time I wrote the above. The day being referred to is Monday 25 November 2013. That week I made a couple short little videos of me driving again, and clearly I forgot to finish this post and post it. So here you are.
(I hope I put them in the right order.)

And, because I no longer need to have the NHI number to hand.

Before I forget to mention it. Lauren the hand therapist at Handworks was also pleased with progress, after two more appointments, I don't need to see her either.

Update - photos

Now Sunday, 2013 Nov 17th.

I going to put some photos up from the week of the accident and today, so you can see the difference :).
And the x-ray taken hours after the accident.

First, a couple of stories.

The door:
I had a meeting with my manager at work two weeks ago, it was in the boardroom, it has a big heavy door, and I brought in a cup of tea. when the meeting was finished, I was nearest the door, picked up the cup with my right hand, it was still a third full, too much to hold with my left hand. I stood in front of the door... I needed my right hand to open it,... my left hand was able to hold the cup, or open the door. I was trapped! Of course my manager was still there - Anna to the rescue!

Toothpaste:
I'm now able to hold a toothbrush in my left hand (can't brush my teeth left handed yet.) When putting toothpaste on the toothbrush I used to hold the toothbrush in right-hand and squeeze toothpaste with left hand. It is natural to pick up the toothbrush with right-hand as that is the one I start brushing with. I still keep grabbing the toothbrush with my right hand, but then have to swap hands to squeeze the toothpaste with my right-hand. At least I don't have to hold the toothbrush between my teeth anymore like a had to a couple of weeks ago.

Now the photos.

Middlemore hospital, 2013 Sep 24,
after first operation.

Hand and right arm, 2013 Sep 23.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hand and right arm, 2013 Nov 17 

 

 

Knees, 2013 Sep 23.

Knees, 2013 Nov 17.

Chainring 2013 Sep 27.
Chainring took the initial impact with the road.

Helmet 2013 Sep 27.
Scrape marks show my helmet protected my face.

 

And the x-ray - showing the breaks in my bones

X-Ray, 2013 Sep 22

post op, week 05

It is just over 7 weeks since I came off my bicycle and broke my hand, and a day short of 5 weeks since the second operation to take the twist out of the bone. I don't think either of the two are perfect, but unless you look closely you won't notice it.

Lauren my hand therapist cut down the splint to only cover my hand, I can have it off most of the time.
Thursday two weeks ago I sat NZICA PCE with the help of a reader writer. The exam was very difficult, it is clear that all the students I'm in touch with agree it is harder and more in it than previous and we were led to expect.

This week I'm sort of back to work full time, there is a lot to do as I prepare to hand over my work to my colleagues.

My hand is improving every week, fingers getting straighter, and able to bend more, no lateral movement of the ring finger - it might never come back, I have a strap that holds it the big finger, that puts it in a better position, much needed especially when typing (such as right now). It still has some swelling, and my fingers are stiff in the morning. First thing every morning I have to get them moving. Skin is looking quite good, the scar has become less visible, hopefully in time it will fade to a thin barely noticeable line.