And at night the hills are watching me

Last week Alberto got up with me every morning. I suspect he didn't trust that I wouldn't slip into the spare bedroom, which now has a bed in it, ready for my parent's visit in a few weeks. There was a fair chance, too.

This week he slept straight through my alarms. I missed out on having my coffee made for me but I'm pretty bloody proud of myself. I completed every scheduled workout. Alberto had warned me that it would be tough.

The tougher it is now the more fun I'm going to have in Bright.

View from Ocean View Road, Mt Mee. You can see Brisbane CBD in the distance.

Last Sunday I ventured out to Mt Mee, feeling sore and sorry for myself after Saturday's double session: the Lakeside race in the morning and a time trial in the afternoon. I don't recover very fast, never have, and getting back on the bike while my muscles are still stiff and sore is not much fun. But that is exactly what I will have to do in Bright so I might as well get used to it.

Eaton's Crossing

I enjoyed the rolling hills on Wednesday morning through Eaton's Crossing and Bunya Road. After Monday's recovery and Tuesday's easy spin I felt fresh and strong and fast. Thursday morning I tried for a new personal best up to McAfees lookout and I came as close as eight seconds.

Brisbane CBD in the haze, view from Mt Coot-tha

Expecting to see the usual Riverloop scheduled for Friday, I made arrangements to meet friends, only to be told that I had to cancel. The training program asked for medium intensity climbing. I chose Mt Coot-tha and did two reverse loops.

Yesterday I raced a short sharp criterium and pulled out with one lap to go because some guys rubbed shoulders and I ended up in the grass. There was the afternoon time trial that felt just as hard as last week's afternoon session.

Approaching Mt Glorious

Five o'clock this morning and my alarm went off. My body was sore, I felt tired and snuggled on Alberto's shoulder. It was tough to leave the cosy bed. The weather forecast said it was going to be another hot day. The earlier I got out the earlier I would be back, avoiding the heat. Four hours and 100 kilometers and lots of climbing was scheduled. In fact, Alberto had put Mt Glorious Road on my training plan, a road that I never even attempted to climb up because it ends with two kilometers of about 15% gradient.

"Hey, if I don't get up Pee Road tomorrow I can just turn around and try the Goat Track" was my way of expressing my doubts to Alberto that night.

"Don't worry about a plan B and just stick with plan A." was Alberto's reply, leaving no doubt of his expectations and rebuking me for my negative attitude.

I left the house quietly and once on my bike I felt great. The climb over Samford Range felt easy and an hour later, while approaching Mt Glorious, I psyched myself up by picturing myself on the top of the climb calling Alberto excitedly with "I did it! I did it!"

The phone call, however, ended up a teary one, as I was trying to cope with the intense feeling of defeat and disappointment. My legs grew tired. There was not enough oxygen in the air. I looked up and there was no end in sight. I was facing this wall of a climb and I could no longer turn the pedals.

The tears dried on this narrow gravel road that is the Goat Track, plan B after all. People always talk about the Goat Track but all these years in Brisbane and today was the first time that I rode it. It won't be the last time.

Goat Track