The View from my Bicycle [COLUMN]

Moving Forward

The way to move forward - now, today and this year, is to change focus. This applies equally to the world as it does to the individual. It is so commonsensical that what we need to do is change our focus on being consumers (and a consumer-based society) to something more...sophisticated and frankly, sensible, given our present circumstances.

I am not going to speak to much about global issues. Most of the news clips suffice to indicate what is happening and I do provide some commentary to indicate what might be a more logical or obvious position.

One thing I will say is that Israel and Hamas are not trustworthy sources of information. But facts do speak for themselves, and I believe the death toll really speaks for itself.

Cycle

The view from my bicycle has been great this week. I have put in 3 x 90+km rides during my last three training sessions. Today's stats:

Time: 3:04
Distance: 94.2 km
HR: 136/166 max
Speed ave: 30.7km/h
Temp: 17 C avg/29 C max
Ascent: 695
Kcal: 2455

Today was interesting for a couple of reasons. One was a professional lady triathlete joined us (riding a R60 000 FELT carbon). Two, I was missed by a whisker by a red golf. Three, we rode alongside a half-marathon for a few kilometres. Four, the pace at turns was really high. Five, was good chatting to Rory Wilson (ex-SA hockey player) and some of the other guys in our solid group of about 10.

On Friday we did the same route in reverse and my tyre burst at about 85km. The tyre had been worn completely through so 1km later - after fixing the puncture - it blew again. Fortunately Alex was there to give me a quick helping hand. No harm done.

Thanks largely to all this riding my training totals for the week are over 12 hours. I intend to do 14 this week.

Swim

I bought about R1500 worth of gear at Speedo in Hyde Park. A splurge that I couldn't really afford. Any guilty post purchase dissonance though faded when I tried out my anti-fox goggles and just had a fantastic session in perfect water at the Melrose pool. Swam 3.2km and took 3 seconds off my best 200m time.

Weighed in at 81.3kg. Need to get down to about 75-77kg.

The Box

I have found it interesting how, when one's life changes and improves (and even before that, when one attempts to make a change, and improve) people are quick to try to keep you in the box. This is because they are comfortable in their boxes and you getting out of your box makes them uncomfortable. These people will be quick to remind you of things you said in the past, or did. They will try to remind you of who they think you are. They want your future to be little different from your past. Ignore these people.

Change your focus and you'll move forward. One more thing. You can complain about the thorns on a rose, or rejoice that thorns have roses.