Romping, still stomping

Friday morning saw a quick session on the floor, making me hurt and then on my bike to work. I remember when I used to arrive at work tired, hot and sweaty. Now that's how I am before I get ON the bike!

Saturday was a quiet day, I took the dog for a romp at the dog park and in the river for a post-mud-wallow rinse. Otherwise, not a lot happened. It was the kind of day where you seem to have lots of things to do, but at the end of the day, the list is the same size!

Sunday dawned with another organised hill climb. Our group met at the bottom of the hill and planned to go up Valley Track to Summit Road, then up Mt Vernon Track, then down the Mt Vernon Farm Track to the carpark. The morning had started covered in fog, so it was with a small sense of relief that the hills were bathing in sunshine, but it wasn't oppressive heat. The four of us, plus dog, started the trek up the valley, emerging into the sunshine about ¼ of the way up, and pushing for the summit. 

It was at about ¾ of the way up that the valley track started to become a bit easy, and a group decision was made to split up. Two of us would follow the original route, the long way, and two of us (and a dog) were to take a short-cut, straight up the side of the mountain we had been walking beside. It was a tough ascent, but we made to the top in one piece and glad to be there. A fair struggle in parts, but overall more satisfying than taking the long way round.

It was only this morning that I discovered that we climbed 120m vertically in a distance of about 250m. That was a steep hillside.

We regathered at the farm gates and made our way back down the easy farm track, enjoying the day, the sun, the success and just feeling good.

And in closing, with reference to the title. I have always known I was a 'stomper' when riding. Even tho I'm clipped into my pedals, I still only push down, or stomp, which is not the most effective use of my legs or energy. I have been trying to change my style during my commutes and it has resulted in a sore arse. When I stomp, my arse is kept elevated slightly, however when employing push-pull my arse is pulled down into the seat more, and I have the same pains in my nether regions I used to have when I first started riding! So, I'm sticking at it, but old habits die hard. I haven't ridden up a hill in ages, so maybe I'll need to do that soon?