Pedalling thoughts and the Mont

In November of 2011 I set myself the goal of riding up gruelling Black Mt from home and back, about 35km. At that time it was feeling like a pretty big challenge I just layed down.

Having now had a huge amount of rides under my belt in and around Canberra, I have since ridden up Black Mt and the other biggest hills in town, Ainslie and Stromlo, many times. A ride that felt immense about 15 months ago is now a weeknight dash. Climbing up these hills is definately not what I consider easy, but today for the first time I backed up and did the 2 toughest in one ride, Ainslie and then Black. About a 50km round trip.

Riding a bike has taught me how to self train, how to relax, how to push myself beyond what I thought was possible, how to enjoy the outdoors, read the weather (I have never looked at forecasts more in my life than this past year, looking for good riding weather becomes almost obsessive) and how to set realistic goals.

In most sports no matter how much you might set goals, train and push yourself and do all the right things to give you the best chance of success, there are so many other factors that affect that hopeful outcome. You are not only up against an opposition but may have to compete against your own teammates for opportunities at times, and ultimately in a team sport the coach has a huge say in an individuals personal successes.

In cycling though, its simple, you generally ride for your own satisfaction, to cruise, to sprint, to rip it around a high berm and then jump over a gulley, to get to the top the fastest or to get there at all, to push yourself, its you against the terrain. That never changes.

'It never gets easier, you just go faster' - I love that quote. Black Mt will never feel easy to me, because I will always be pushing it as hard as I can. The only thing that will change is the gear I'm pedalling in. The factors that affect your goal or personal outcomes are much less, probably weather being the only real unpredictable. If you do the work, put in the hard k's and the climbs you will get the outcome you deserve. If you arent up to it, you will be in a world of hurt.

The simplicity of it is something I definitely love, you just pedal and steer, your thoughts are left to wander. No more apparent than in a long road ride. Mountain biking on a fast single track however, you need to be switched on the whole time and its not only a physical excursion you feel but a mental one as well - ending with a filthy bike but generally a clear mind.

The Mont 24 is in 2 weeks and I feel much more prepared this time around than just before the Scott 24 last year. Knowing what we are up for on a bike for that long and knowing what we need to make life so much easier at 3am is encouraging. 24 hours of sweet flowing single track, great people, bike bling and that typical cycling atmosphere, Whats not to like?!

Mad Kow Racing - Joe, Rich and myself. I cant wait!