It’s ride time!

In less than 12 hours I’ll be hitting the roads of Hobart, and cycling my way North East towards Bicheno!

Landing today in Hobart in 41 degree heat was MISERABLE. I stepped off the plane in jeans and a hoodie, to a heatwave and burning wind in my face! Gross! I was already in quite the anxious state, that this really didn’t do well for me.

We left Melbourne late. We boarded 45 minutes later than we should of, meaning we took off late – although only 35 minutes. I was pleasantly surprised on how efficient TigerAir were, and a little shocked I didn’t have to show my passport once… The flight was full of turbulence for the whole 1 hour 20 we were flying. Now I’m not normally an anxious flyer, but today I was a little all over the place. Not because of the actual flying per se but the lack of sleep, not knowing if I’d get my bike today, exhaustion, the weather, and feeling again like I was moving away further from a place I wanted to be.

I’ve been super excited for Tassie for months, but today it seemed daunting. Although yes I’m technically on holiday, and I’m about to do a ton of cycling which I love and I’ll get to explore an island I’ve always been fascinated with… I’m a little overwhelmed with the challenge I’ve set myself and the distances and elevations I’ll be covering.

I can definitely say I’m fed up of people saying “don’t you know Tassie has a lot of hills…” or “Why don’t you just drive it” Well I obviously don’t want to drive it and I have my bike with me and as for the hills…. No Shit Sherlock. Do people really think I would do no research at all and blindly plan my route… Well no, I’ve actually spent almost a month trying to plan my route, and even though I’m not 100% happy with the final plan, it’s the only way (mostly being I’m poor and don’t want to spend $200 a night somewhere) that I can do it. Maybe I am an idiot… Or maybe I feel like I need this challenge.

Sometimes I struggle putting my feelings into words. When I say sometimes, I mean more times than not. I am lucky enough to have awesome people around me who can do just that for me. Today being a prime example. I couldn’t get my head around why I wasn’t looking forward to the bike ride anymore and why I had so much anxiety today. A friend nailed it pretty spot it (They have become pretty good at that) I’m scared of doing the bike ride for myself. No sponsoring like last time, just me. I’m only accountable to myself and I’ll only let myself down if I fail at it. Which might actually be more daunting than when I was doing it for a cause – which sounds a little ridiculous. I know I’m going to have to push myself a lot more and mentally it’s gonna be hard. Maybe physically too… I mean I am 30 now. 🙂

This bike ride has a purpose. Although I have had a pretty great 2 months since being back here in Australia, like everyone else there is stuff that goes on in the background, personal and private stuff you don’t share but stuff that you have to find time to process and deal with. I haven’t given myself that time. It’s been pretty full on since I got to Aus! So for me this bike trip is a chance for some healing, some resetting and some figuring out. I am happier than I have been in ages because I’ve been taking care of myself and putting myself first. And what I learnt from that is taking the time to process the good and the shitty things that goes on, and thats got to be an ongoing process and focus. Because nothing is perfect. Process the good. Process the bad. Everything happens for a reason. 🙂

Anyway, I’m sure there will be quite some reflecting on the road. For now I am in need of finishing sorting my luggage, and getting my bags packed for the bike! Thanks to the efficiency and probably more so the small size of Hobart airport it took just 18 minutes between landing and getting my bag to getting in the Uber. I was third off the plane, and my backpack was first on the carousel (when does that EVER happen… ok I guess it always happens to someone haha) I got to the Pack and Send service centre at 4.50, 10 minutes before it closed, chucked the bag into the Uber and was at the hostel checked in just after 5!

After a quick walk down to the water and a dinner of fish and chips (which tasted wonderful) I was back at the hostel and putting the bike together! After an hour of sweating in 40 degrees the bike was all set up and ready to go! (how does a hostel not have air con??? YHA hobart!!!) Grateful to Pack and Send for taking good care of my buddy!!

Looking forward to the rain coming tonight to kill the heat! Also ready for a decent amount of sleep tonight… 🙂