Yesterday, in a rainy day, I picked up my new (secondhand) bicycle from Cycle Traders. It is a Scott Speedster with Ultergra parts and Shimano wheels…apparently that’s good. I also got some mountain bike cleats and shoes as these are easier to work than road bike cleats and tyre changing things and hopefully everything that I need to get out on the road.

Today dawned beautifully clear and sunny (though it was still dark when I got up). With the bike and everything else that I could possible need packed into the car (seats folded down), I headed through to join the Embark group. The training schedule said that we needed to do a 3 hour out and back ride followed by a 15 minute run. Being my first time on the road I accepted that I might only go for 2 hours, but would see how I was feeling.

I took the bike out of the car, attached the front wheel and changed my shoes to my riding shoes. I then watched the sun slowly start to peak over the mountains and waited for everyone to arrive, I had planned to be early to make sure that I had time for any complications. The three quarter riding pants that I had felt like I was wearing I giant nappy and I had thin socks on to ensure that my feet didn’t get too hot as well as three layers on my top to ensure that I didn’t get too cold…I got too cold! We were riding in the shade most of the way and it was rather chilly, but I guess I survived.

Riding a road bike using cleats is vastly different to a mountain bike with takkies and I had a shaky start, but thankfully no falling over. My husband has already threatened to make me ride with knee guards, shin guards, elbow guards and basically full body armour as I have a tendency to fall over or trip or walk into things at the best of times.

Thankfully I straightened out and got settled as best as I could and just focused on how to work the gears, breaks and putting one foot above and in front of the other. Our route had some fairly decent hills and I had to push fairly hard to get up them, but I managed to stay in my saddle the whole way. I even managed the full 3 hours and covered about 56kms. Not bad for a first attempt, but I’ll have to improve drastically to make the  90km half ironman cycle comfortable.

Back at the car, quickly take the front wheel off the bike again (easier than I expected) and back in the car, change the shoes and off for a 15min run…well sort of. I knew that going from a long cycle to a run would be tough on the muscles and would take some getting used, but I had no idea I would feel like I was dragging my feet through concrete! My muscles did not want to do anything and I walked most of it especially when I got a hint of my first ever major quad cramp. Ow! Walked it off!

Lessons learnt:

• You will warm up, but not that much and the windbreaker is essential.
• Perhaps invest in full fingered gloves so fingers don’t freeze.
• Practice transitions! Its going to be crucial.
• Have extra water in the car because 3 hours of physical activity is more than what we are used to.
• Cape Town coastline is even prettier from a bicycle than a car!
• Factor in an afternoon nap.
• It’s not so scary, but make sure that your route has a good shoulder to ride on or very little traffic so that you can ease into your bike and being on the road.

Thank goodness for hot showers, lazy evenings on the couch and wonderful husbands who will rub your tired feet. I’m a little apprehensive about how I’m going to feel tomorrow, but so far so good. I’m looking forward to my next cycle, getting fitter and getting better at the transitions. Let’s do this thing!