Cycle Training: Day One

For my 60th birthday, Lisa gave me a trip to Belgium and the Netherlands in May, and we’ve decided to use part of our time there to bicycle from Brussels to Bruges. 

While the direct cycle route between the two cities is just over 100 km, we’re taking the scenic route, through Antwerp and Ghent, so our total distance cycled will be just over 310 km. 

Which is to say “more than I’ve ever possibly imagined cycling before.”

When I was a kid, I used to regularly cycle from our house near the 8th Concession to Timmy’s house on the 13th Concession, which was a 30 km round trip, so it’s not like I can’t imagine cycling 40-50-60 km a day in flat Belgian countryside.

But I haven’t been on a bicycle since breaking my elbow last year, and I’m 60 years old, not 12.

So: training.

Today was day one. 

We dropped our bikes at Outer Limit Sports a couple of days ago, and picked them up after lunch today, and then headed out on a test ride.

We rode out the Confederation Trail to the bypass, stopped at Gallant’s for an excellent coffee, and then continued east on the Riverside Drive cycle route, past the hospital, and home along the old Water Street extension.

Total distance was 14.4 km. Thanks to the improvements in the city’s cycling infrastructure over recent years, 85% of that was on separated, paved active transportation paths.

The ride gave us a chance to break in our bicycles, gave me a chance to see if I could even cycle at all (I can!), and also gave us to try out our newly-acquired cycle shorts—mine are Bontrager from Trek—an entirely new wardrobe extension for me.

My recovering arm certainly felt the ride: the elbow was fine, but the muscles needed to hold the handlebars haven’t been worked in a long time, and they felt every single bump on the path. A lot of this was absorbed by a pair of padded gloves I picked up when we picked up the bikes. I’m very happy that I’ve been back in the gym since October: it’s conditioning and strength that I can feel helping.

The cycle shorts were a rousing success: uncomfortable and awkward on dry land, but very, very comfortable in the saddle. I never thought I’d be one of the lycra set, but I am, and I’m proud.

We’ll be back out on the trail, in some form, tomorrow, and most days between now and departure date. Watch out for us!