Callout
Where do I begin….
I’ll start with the riding part and the way I think I’ll best train myself up for this ride of a lifetime! So my plan of attack is, over the weeks progressively increase the kilometers I do, and then when I reach approximately 250 to 300 kilometers start decreasing the number of days spent on the bike. Ideally, I’d like to be averaging 80kms (tried to test that out by riding out to Eltham and back… only managed about 50kms, but that’s for a different time and place to talk about, a dark day…) a day, 3 days in a row, somewhere around that ballpark. Saying that, it’s been so hard to fit it in with this festive season, Christmas antics, etc., ….
To add into the mix, I’ve found out I’ll have a bit of trouble training pretty much all this week, I’m seriously contemplating just doing an 80 to 90km stint on the flat at ‘the training ground’ all in one day, probably not going to happen, more like wake up 7am and smash out 30km’s… we will see as I said so much in the air.
Talking about the training ground we had a little minor issue where I had to tighten my cleats as my shoe kept coming out. In particular my right foot cleat, it’s just getting too buff I reckon haha! Nah I think it’s just the force required and the angle that did it and also the orthotics might have also contributed to it. Anyway, Buster was there to save the day because we were doing some filming that same day, lucky eh ?!
So what was Buster and I up to? Well, we were shooting a film clip for a short social inclusive song that was written by David Jones and recorded by ‘The Suspect Country Bicycle String Band’, it’s a fantastic song about me, what happened to me, where I’m going on this ride and the message I’m sending. Buster did all the editing and it pulled up grouse, hats off to you Buss!!
Take a squizz!
So what’s up with the sponsors? Some great/fantastic news, we have two sponsors who have jumped on board:
PARAMOUNT HEALTH & FITNESS CLUB, Real people, Real results, Unreal culture is the motto and it’s 110% hit that nail on that head!
ASCOT VALE CELLARS, as the name indicates a drink in or drink out kind of cellar (my local) but it’s more than that it’s more a social setting, that’s my feeling, everyone knows everyone and if you don’t, you will within about 10 minutes of entering!
I truly couldn’t thank them enough for the opportunity now and in advance!
The media side… gotta love the 2 hour accumulative throughout the day of socials you need to do or time spent you need to do, to keep up with everything… maybe over-exaggerating a tad but as we get closer to the ride I’ll want to start hitting home runs out of the park on this! So this kind of a callout to anyone who knows the in and outs of socials, and would be willing to help and lend a hand to shoot a message on the socials (bottom on website) or email australian4points@gmail.com
Where to next is the question?
I need to get up to 150kms a week by the end of January when I will probably blog next. Easily doable, it’s just a matter of knuckling down (motivation levels key)!! Could be tricky over the first week but apart from that all on track. Also I want to get to and from Port Fairy for some recovery sessions, salt water works wonders for my legs. Found that out yesterday in torquay so I want more!
Got another meeting with the stroke foundation to work out some logistics that I dont want to bore you with.
Hopefully some more filming with another song I’m thinking of, it’s growing on me, this filming.
I tell you it feels good to be on track, for a period of time I didnt think we were but we are, so I’m happy.
On that note, I’m out without a doubt..
Peace and a very Happy and safe New Year to you all.
Incognito
What a few weeks it’s been, I’d say one of the best rides of my life! That’s one of the reasons why I’ve been pretty incognito, hence the lack of socials as well as blogs.. but I’m back, back in the saddle with a crash helmet because we’ve just ticked over the 250 days till we start The Ride from Steep Point.
So what has happened in the past few weeks? Uni is DONE FOREVER! Well at least till I do another course… I’d like to say a big thanks to all those who helped me over the six years of ‘that’ journey, I really wouldn’t be in this position without them! It feels so good to use that past tense there haha! So you can probably guess how my emotions are right now, on a high and extremely happy!
Another reason I’ve been all incognito is my bike has been in for mods again but this time the upgrade is to cleats…. ‘I’ve finally done it Mum, I’m off my L’s!’. Although when I got it back on Friday I had a sore right knee for a few days, I’ve self-diagnosed and worked out that the reason why the pain is the foot length adjustment as well as the cleats transition, also had a little bit of help from a neuro-physio so that was handy!
First ride back yesterday was just a leisurely 10km, nothing special, just ticking the boxes off the big list. My knee did balloon up with a lot of inflammation, as expected though, it hasn’t really been used until yesterday… Basically, I’ve got to start from scratch again.. Nah not really I’ve just reassessed my goals and to put it into simple terms, by the end of July 2021 I’ll want to
A) be doing a 3x80km ride outdoors in a row.
B) be able to ride 750m of elevation in a day.
That’s the far point and it looks a long way off, however I’ll break it down day by day, week by week, month by month, it already doesn’t look so bad. The hashtag I’ll be using is #serioustraining - I feel it’s fitting!
I’m kinda excited and at the same time more daunted, the main cause is the time… time seems to be a common problem/point. And only time will tell!!
Anyway, Where are we with sponsorships? We’ve got a few feelers out, through contacts in the local area, no promises. We won’t get anywhere if we don’t ask. Gotta have a go to get a go...
So what's the next step? I’d like to start contacting newspapers, TV stations and radios, get it out there even more is my opinion. I also think we will have to have another meeting in the next week or two to make sure everyone is on the same page.
Also, I’ve got a few more things in the works but I’ll save that for maybe the next blog… you know to build your suspense!
Anyway I’m out, until next time.
A SMASHING few weeks!
What a great few weeks it’s been! I’ll start with the human-powered vehicle and what’s been up with that. So firstly, I absolutely killed it on the 14th of October, a bit like the name of one of my fave bands at the moment ‘A day to remember’ because it was on the bike! What I did was 80 minutes of the relatively flat freeway (The usual Angler’s training ground, where I normally train) and I was aiming for max speed for the entire 80… Well, I actually got 19.26km’s for 1 hour and 16 minutes because I had a few little pit stops! Either way, I am very happy, it was a good send-off for my trike to go in and get a few new mods.
The few areas it’ll need fixing is seat adjustment, now I slide down on my seat and I lean towards the left side so I’m actually basically sitting on my shoulder blade, I’ve been doing that since I got the trike so I’ve got an embedded bruised looking (it’s not bruised) long mark on my back. I thought it was about time I got that addressed…. But at least I now haveI an extra battle scar! I’m also getting the length of my pedals adjusted as my legs are actually of different lengths. As you can imagine, it’s my right leg that’s the short-arse…. Hopefully those two factors will take a bit of the load off my left knee and my right leg will get to do a bit more work, still you never know till you try so we will have to wait and see!
So how did the 4 points meeting go?
We addressed a few points that we need to cover and get ticked off.
We need to get a social media person/team who knows what they/we are doing, cause I'm stabbing in the dark, big time! I have learnt that consistency is key, that is for sure!
We also looked at the route planning and decided that we need a more detailed plan, e.g. using minor roads as opposed to freeways (I’d prefer freeways, less bumpy butt) but it’s for safety reasons obviously, so we are going to be getting a bit of help from the bicycle network in that department. I’ve also done the detailed route from Steep Point to Wilsons Prom up to Sydney (the first segment). We need to keep it so that I can keep you posted on where we are travelling and if there are any changes being made along the way. So that’ll be up online in the next week, so stay posted on that! (Thank god, it took a lot of time to do that!)
Also talked about the need for sponsors, so if you know of anyone with a business (or even privately) who might be able to assist - don’t hesitate to send them my way!! Or share the website details - the more people on board the merrier.
And lastly, yesterday I finished my second last block in Public Health at Uni! I got a HD in it so I’m really happy with that! In the translation session (group presentation) everyone liked my RAP song about stroke and sociology which was what the unit was about. If you want to check that out you can at
if that doesn’t work, this will.
https://soundcloud.com/tommy-q-1/tom-quick-sociolgical-critique-of-health-promotions-stroke
So the feels and what’s up next, all rolled into one?
The feels or vibes I'm getting right now is I'm feeling accomplished, so i’m going to surf that all the way to shore even with the last unit! Four more weeks then i’m done! So that’s what the main focus will be, unilyf. I will also be doing a bit of personal training now that we are easing the restrictions. In terms of the four points there are two things that need to be lined up, A) zoom meeting with bicycle network and B) the route needs to be uploaded.
Well, I'm done, I tap out!
Until next time.
Adios