Oaks + Ingar + Andersons + Oaks

I wanted to get a big ride in before the Angry Doctor so I set out with Jon (loki) to do just that. This was a chance to test food, salt and water intake and fitness. This was going to be my biggest mountain bike training ride.

We started at Glenbrook, road up the Oaks and when we got to the top I was feeling pretty good at this stage. Topped up with water and went on to Ingar. About 10kms into the Ingar-Anderson loop the weather changed for the worst. Gale force winds and then the rain . With both of us not having a spray jacket it was freezing and we contemplated turning around but as you do, we decided to push on. Probably lucky we did because if we turned around I reckon we would have just followed the rain. From here on we were faced with the strong freezing winds for the rest of the ride. For me it was riding Ingar into head on winds that killed me. We stopped a few times for bike repairs and adjustments, missed a turn (thankfully we both had the route loaded so we knew straight away.

I consumed
* About 5 litres of water
* 2 bananas
* 7 weight watcher fruit bars
* 7 salt tablets.

What I learned from today's ride was
* Riding weekends only is not enough to complete a ride like this in a decent time.
* I'm going to use my lap button for the Angry Doctor every time I take a salt tablet. I kept forgetting when I last took one.
* The food for me worked well but I think I need to eat more. I felt crook on the ride and I think this is when I get my food or salt wrong. My stomach felt better towards the end after I ate more.
* Aussie Butt Creams worked a treat. This was my first big ride using it and all seems ok.
* Take a spray/wind jacket when venturing on a ride like this in the mountains when the weather looks a bit iffy.

The Profile of today's ride.