I headed out solo with a feeling of weariness in my limbs, and a haze of thoughts about the working day in my mind, the usual routine started, trying to wake the limbs and clear the mind so I could get in the zone. This was proving difficult today. As I tried to spin up to speed the wind was against me, it felt as though the ground was sucking my tyres into the ground, this went on for a while and I wondered if it was due to the way I had been rushing about like a humming bird all day, now I was sitting my brain needed to adjust to the change of pace. As I ducked into the trees for the first tech section the cover bought relief from the wind, finally the speed picked up and my hollow legs began to work. My schwalbe Nobby Nics had proved a great addition to my bike, the grip and control they offer had me hitting berms and flat turns harder and faster than ever, and had also pulled me through some sketchy landings, but not today. Nearing the end of the tech section is a small drop maybe a foot high, which has a nice lip however at a good pace I usually pump it into a left hander and over the narrow bridge. Today the pace seemed slower I decided to boost off it and instantly I knew. The front had gone one way, the back another. As I came back to the ground instead of dabbing a foot I decided to ride it out, the Nics would get me through this. They tried hard and for a second I could feel them grabbing at the ground searching for traction, but it was not to be found. So there I was laying on the ground with a gash on my left forearm, left leg still clipped in and the red light on my GoPro flashing, laughing I'd recorded the whole thing ( I was trying out a new mount - more on this soon. ) Like the legend I am I carried on, the adrenalin was in full flow and I was spinning through the loop really well and then just after the half way point I got the dreaded bonk. Bonk: Noun. That feeling you get when you've pushed too hard or have not eaten enough, the feeling is nasty. Your legs feel hollow and disjointed, energy levels plummet and time seems to slow down, every revolution eating away at what little you have left, in my case the fuel light was definitely flashing red. I rolled a long downhill, crawled painfully up and then repeated this twice until I finally reached the road, pulled up and delved into my pack. All I had was a quarter of malt loaf and a cereal bar, tucking the bar in my pocket and holding the malt loaf in one hand decided to spin slowly along Valley Walk to Cornard while eating it. My route was set in mind and although I was empty I wanted to finish the loop. Passing the last crossroads where I could turn off for an easy ride home, I headed slowly onto the country park. The climb up is in two parts, at the top of the first section I felt like the fuel gauge had moved back in to the white but knew it would only be temporary. I hit the second section and then enjoyed the run back down the narrow shoot with a few kickers, my lack of energy meant I couldn't hit it hard and fast like normal, so instead I put in a couple of strokes and rolled it, letting the kickers do their thing with minimal input from me. I managed the rest of the route o.k. and the pace improved as the fuel got into my system. As I reached my gate I realised I was definitely feeling better now energy was restored. Reading this back the ride seems like a bit of a downer but I had really enjoyed myself, even the bonk had it's plus side, once it happened my mind went inwards. All other thoughts went from my head and all I had to focus on was the pain, I went to a dark place for sure but perseverance pulled me through and I came out the other side feeling good about myself.
Route hear: http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/qS_AhvNq6hM
Check out the speed graph, can you see where I bonked?
Video of the stack here: http://www.youtube.com/user/reatin#p/a/u/0/TdHPB8BZOKA
Reatin rides on.
