A Huge Effort

Sunday 19th March I am not the world’s most confident rider, so when the idea of riding to work was bought up, it freaked me out a bit! But I soon got into the spirit of things as my boyfriend is completely in love with his bike and all I ever hear are the advantages of cycling. So I got out there and bought myself a bike and the gear that comes with it. The whole time, I was completely freaking out, as when I was a child falling off the bike and hurting myself was very common!! I even have the scars to prove it!

So as we bought the bike home, my heart was in my throat, me visualising the consequences of falling off… so I needed to have a quick training session, and around the quiet streets was ideal. But with every car that past me, I freaked out and jumped off my bike. After about an hour, I started to get the hang of things, and we decided to venture out to the main streets. It was all good! I was ready for a longer ride and in an area that I am not familiar with.

So today, my boyfriend and I decided to ride from my house in Noranda to my work that is situated in East Perth. This was to build my confidence as well as get me familiar with the route I was going to take going to work. Although we took a lot longer than normal, in 1 hour and 15 mins we were sitting outside Telstra (my work) and I was proud. It was this moment that I knew I was capable of achieving anything as riding a bike was one onto of my worst fears!! Ok I wasn’t the fastest rider but with a little bit of determination and patience I was going to be able to go anywhere with my trusty new bike!! And I was actually having a great time doing it. Not only do I save money on petrol and parking fees, I am able to work on my fitness level! I cant wait to ride to work by myself tomorrow!!

Monday 20th March Wow I cant believe I actually did it!! I actually rode for the first time by myself to work!!! Boy didn’t I feel the sense of achievement when I arrived through the doors at Telstra!!! I started off a bit scared, but quickly overcame it all as I steadily rode along the bike path listening to my ipod! And you should have seen the astonishment on my collegue’s faces at work. They just couldn’t believe I had actually gone through with it all. I am not exactly the fittest person, but it was a fair distance to cycle, especially for someone who doesn’t ride at all! (I think about 14 kilometres)

And on way home I rode through the traffic to Jolimont where my boyfriend works and we rode home together. This path was a bit scarier for me cause there were a lot more cars going through Thomas Street and Subiaco. And the hills were a bit more intense than the bike path I had taken in the morning. But I solderied on and made it on 40 mins!! From there we both rode home together, which I thought was great. It was our chance to share another experience together and meant a lot to me!

Now I can’t wait til tomorrow! Ready for another day of cycling and impressing my friends!

Tuesday 21st March Third day and although I went faster than my previous day, I am not feeling the best today… mentally I am a lot more alert and alive… but physically… wow… is my body sore. And the worst part is my butt!!! I have trouble shifting my butt around and trying to get off the bike, wow what a challenge. Sitting down and working all day has been intense as well; my butt is completely numb! But with all the pain, I still managed to ride into work and ride to Jolimont to meet my boyfriend, where we then rode home to Osborne Park. Looking forward to resting my butt tonight!

Friday 24th March Finally I am overcoming my numbness and my body is getting used to riding. I can actually sit down now without crying (hehe, just jokes, its not quite so bad!). But I am proud to say that I am still riding everyday to and from work so I am estatic that I have actually managed it this whole time. I have made it through my first week and cannot wait til next week to be able to ride again! Its weird because although I was physically drained with my body trying to adjust to such a large amount of exercise and fitness I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent cycling! Unfortnately I have limited time to ride on weekend as I work quite a distance away from home. But I have inspired a few work collegues and we will be trying to ride together next week, so that should be good for me and looking forward to it.

Hannah from Noranda