Lisa's Blog

.....magnetic fence.

Well... *clears throat* I am rather embarrassed to admit this openly, but this is part of the "entertainment" of this blog I guess, so here goes.

Waterfall ride, done and dusted. On a scale of 1 to 17, 17 being really difficult, I would rate it at about..... 11. Please remember that this is the KIDDIES ride. The ride they so leisurely take on their pleasant birthday party play dates. And it took me all of about 30 minutes of huffing and puffing, pushing and pulling, standing and walking to arrive back at the park red faced and bushed. Never-mind trying to navigate magnetic fence which Mr X breezed through at a rate only a pro could manage. *rolls eyes* (Pppsshhh....show off!)

So sitting here, with muscles in knots, tensed back and shattered nerves, I repeat this ride again next week until I can stop shrieking like a girl over every tree stump, every rock and every puddle. But for now, I enjoy a fantastic month of June with ALL our superb entertainment. Stay tuned, if not for my bike misfortunes, for the great fortunes that we have in store for you!

It takes guts

So, with my first skills session under my belt, no scars or bruises to show for it, I certainly have a new found respect for riders, but especially Giba riders.

The skills session started off with some....seemingly simple tasks, progressing from the "how to mount," to... "how to almost ramp over a very large brick without screaming like a girl." This may seem all good and well for those of you who can actually ride, but the tasks that Ian set out had an overall purpose and this purpose was soon put to the test.

I've always thought of myself as somewhat fearless, well...when it comes to spiders and things with more than 4 legs and antenna, No... but when it comes to lifes challenges and tasks at hand, I am one to take them head on, with a brave face and fists full of courage. Carpe Diem as the say. Well, these notions soon took flight once i was staring down a "very steep, very long, very rocky" downhill that we were just supposed to "glide" down? Yeh....right!!! And to make matters worse? My thighs were already on fire from the incredible hills we had to endure to reach the top of this treacherous hill, so relying on my body to get me through was definitely to no avail. This was all up to my mind, and with Ian hot on my tail, there was no alternative. I am not sure it was quite the..... "glide" he was hoping for, but I survived. Teeth and all.

Next, something called endurance? My thighs are already trembling.

Thanks to Ian for the patience! And to cyclelab for my bike loan.

Step two

Helmet, CHECK.

Bike, CHECK.

Courage, CHECK.

Insanity, CHECK.

The impending doom of lactic acid has finally got a date, and that date is Wednesday 12 May. Due to my immense procrastination, the nerves have now gone from those few fluttering brown moths, to dozens of brightly coloured giant butterflies.....as they say, you reap what you sow. Let's hope this bravery reaps stability and calm.

Eagerness....or not?

Hi, my name is Lisa, and I am not a bike rider. Now that we have cleared that up, let?s begin.

One would assume, by default, that any person working in a mountain bike park, would naturally either love bikes, or be riding them. Either way, a clear passion for the sport is assumed, and being the PR & Marketing Manager of Giba Gorge Mountain Bike Park, this assumption should be correct. Er?.well?.not really. I mean, I have had my fair share of bumps and bruises on a bike, but this was when i had pony tails in my hair and a sucker could make every problem disappear. So, now that I am all grown up, and suckers only add pressure to my hips, I think its time I start finding a love for this sport, not that I am biased against it, but rather?.a little apprehensive of the trauma that comes from being a beginner. The burn of lactic acid and aching muscles are sure catalysts for reoccurring nightmares. Eek.

This blog spot, Lisa?s blog spot, is going to be a detailed account of my riding experiences, from a novice, through to?. possible death. I am acquiescing to Ian Wilson?s request, and I am soon to be ?fresh meat?. One can only hope that I will wear the pink of the Ama-Angels oneday. But for now?. it?s off to find a bike, those spandex tights *wince*, and something you call cleats?

Sigh, this is surely going to be an experience regretted, or gained. I am not quite convinced on either.