Monster’s diary

[Truffle Monster]

Hey Truffle Monster, nice to meet you! I read through a bit of your diary and even though I see that you don't really have specific goals in mind, it still looks like you've accomplished quite a bit! Even if you don't keep track of numbers for progress, how you feel and trying to be consistently active is the most important thing. Looking forward to seeing more about your fitness journey!

Thanks PLB.

Yes I absolutely agree. How you feel and being consistently active is by FAR more important than anything else.

There’s a really good cycling app called strava that allows you to essentially compete with others. A lot of people have recommended it to me; along with expensive power meters etc etc but I’m deliberately staying away from all that. I know me; if I start to compete against others I will become a bit obsessed with beating them and in turn I’ll be riding/exercising for the wrong reasons. I’m just really enjoying competing against myself and just getting back into the fitness I used to have.

 

[PLB]

I know me; if I start to compete against others I will become a bit obsessed with beating them and in turn I’ll be riding/exercising for the wrong reasons. I’m just really enjoying competing against myself and just getting back into the fitness I used to have.

It's good that you know this about yourself. It can work for some people but can backfire for others!

 

[M2M]

That is frustrating!!!
I'd be grumbling if I had to walk 10km home!!

 

[Truffle Monster]

Took the same route tonight but I was really pushing it for time so only planned one trip around. Good thing too because I hit the wall at the 35km mark. It was only then I realised I only ate a bowl of porridge in the morning and a small plate of pasta for dinner. I just simply ran out of fuel.

Average speed was MUCH higher than I expected considering I was fighting a headwind for the last 20km!

I now have 2 reasons to be uncomfortable. 1/ sore bum; I wasn’t wearing my bike shorts 2/ severe nipple chafing; my polyester cotton blend shirt combined with sweat and friction ... ouch

 

[Truffle Monster]

Wow I’m actually seeing results!

Just tested my waist-hip ratio and came back at “healthy”

According to this site anything under 0.9 is healthy
Waist-to-Hip Ratio: Chart, Ways to Calculate, and More

 

[Cate]

Wow indeed! Well done TM

 

[Truffle Monster]

Wow indeed! Well done TM

Thanks.

Goes to show how bonkers BMI is though!

According to BMI I’m “obese” at 31. I’ve actually gained 1.5 kg in the last 2 weeks but I’ve toned down so I’m assuming it’s muscle.

 

[Truffle Monster]

Another ride another close call. Once again a driver (in a big 4WD) didn’t look and pulled out of a side street as I was passing (I had right of way). Luckily I saw them coming so moved over but unfortunately I couldn’t move out of the way enough. They accelerated and headed straight for me. They screamed and slammed the breaks on once I yelled out “OI!” But only missed me by about 1 metre.

Anyway tonight is warm and my knees are a little sore so only a short ride tonight. Felt good though. I’m now drowning in sweat because I wore my waterproof (reflective) jacket that naturally doesn’t breathe well

 

[PLB]

Wow that is so scary! Glad you are OK!

 

[Truffle Monster]

Wow that is so scary! Glad you are OK!

Just another day in the life of a cyclist.

I’m convinced the best vehicle for a bank robbery get away car is a bike BUT it must have both front and rear lights and you need to wear either reflective or hi vis clothing. These combined ... no one EVER sees you for some reason.

 

[Cate]

Very amusing, but sadly true.

 

[Truffle Monster]

Hahaha well that’s embarrassing.

Just went to the shops; thought I’d take the bike as it’s only 2km away for my grocery shopping. Pulled up out the front of the shops, rolled to a dignified stop and tried to step off the pedal. One problem ... I hadn’t yet unclipped my cleats from the pedals. Over I went. Just tipped over and fell on the ground! Hahaha

Got back, out my shopping away and headed out to the hardware store for some new Allen keys. 20km later and I’ve had to adjust my gears again.

Good uneventful ride tonight, if just a little slower than usual (took a completely different route and this speed includes 10 mins or so walking in the hardware store).

 

[Truffle Monster]

I’m such a creature of habit it’s scary.

9:30 comes along, I know I’ve already done my ride for the night but I’ve got nothing better to do so off I go into the night again.

I’m a little disappointed; i was so sure I’d have averaged 27km/h or more tonight but only got 26. I just can’t seem to break that barrier yet. In time ... in time I’m sure I will.

 

[M2M]

I'm sure you will break the 26 barrier!!

And I don't know how you do it - I don't get road rage while driving, but I feel it just reading what happens to you!!
Be safe out there...!

 

[Cate]

Oh, you did make me laugh. I could just picture you going straight over. Did it feel like you were in slow motion?
You are a creature of habit now. A cycling machine!

 

[Truffle Monster]

Did it feel like you were in slow motion?

VERY slow.

All that went through my head though was “ah crap, this going to look really stupid ... ouch.”

 

[Truffle Monster]

Another eventful ride tonight. First I almost hit a group of pedestrians at 30km/h. They decided to run across the road right in front of me, saw me at the last second and stopped dead in front of the cars that were driving in the lane next to me. Bloody idiots. THEN I got another puncture. This time a bad one. A 2 inch length of 2mm diameter steel rod penetrated my tyre and straight out the other side of the tube!

Luckily I was 2km from home so walked it but really over the punctures. I’ve bought a second hand rear wheel and similar gear cassette to install so I have a spare I can just swap out (with different tyres) in future.

 

[Truffle Monster]

Well I thought I was out for the weekend because my puncture last night damaged my rim tape. With all the Easter holidays the shops are shut so I can’t buy any more BUT as luck would have it I scored a very nice second hand set of rims with a nice cassette (highest gear is the same but there’s much less difference between the gears making shifting smoother) which is great because the one downside of the lastest upgrade is on relatively fast flat sections I’ve been finding myself in between gears.

I’ve now upgraded my gearset again (old one is kept for use on hilly rides). I’ve not changed from an 11/32 cassette to an 11/24 making shifting much smoother and range of gears better suited to the terrain in riding on most of the time.

I can easily switch my rear wheel over when doing a hilly ride once I’ve repaired the tube but since I hate climbs that won’t be for a while!

I’ve now essentially built a completely new bike; only the frame is original. All the conponentry is new and far upgraded. Good thing is it still LOOKS like a cheapy bike so no one is going to rush to steal it.

 

[Truffle Monster]

A very quiet ride tonight.

The new gearset held up well except I kept slipping on the smallest gear; I think the chain needs to be shortened to accommodate the smaller ring. It’s unfortunate because that will make it too short to fit the other cassette; I’ll have to think about what’s more important to me.

Anyway 25km/h average including a few stops to adjust the rear derailleur to get it shifting right. Not bad especially considering the headwind.

 

[Cate]

Not only are you becoming a cycling machine, but you are also becoming a cycling mechanic. Very impressive TM