I’d like you to meet a former client of mine, Shane. His determination has opened up a whole new world. Inspiring stuff 🙂

I first met Shane years ago whilst working at a gym. He was new to the gym and training and told me that getting sessions with a personal trainer was a birthday present to himself.  I was won over from the start, who gets themselves torture sessions for their birthday? As I got to know Shane I soon realised that he had a game plan. It wasn’t just about getting fit or dropping a bit of weight, Shane was thinking big. Big adventures. Our sessions developed into monster workouts, we would add his hiking backpack and I pushed him to his limits and then a bit further than that line. Through it all Shane gave his mischievous smile and cheekily assured me he could always be pushed a little harder. Unfortunately we parted ways as Shane moved away and we lost contact.

I was so thrilled to have recently heard from him. He told me of his massive achievements and adventures in cycling. In September he will be riding over the French Alps on the trail of the Tour De France. All in training for Paris Brest Paris in 2015 – 1,200km in 90 hours. This Friday he is off on a 6 day 800km off road mountain ride. He said “see what a little guidance can do..” which made me extremely proud. What started off as a birthday present turned into a life filled with growth and adventure. 

I asked Shane to share his story….

 

How did you get into cycling?
Some people run and some people swim to keep fit but if you get tired and have to stop running or swimming what happens? Well I can tell you – if you stop running you get nowhere and if you stop swimming you drown. On a bike you can just roll and there have been times when I have pushed myself to the limit and hit that wall and had to roll home. Why do I cycle – well it is for me the social aspect, enjoying a chat as you ride with a friend or at the coffee shop. I enjoy the opportunity to see the world differently. The world from a bike is different to the world in a car or when you are running. In a car, a driver will not give a hill a second thought. On a bike the smallest of hills can hurt. A runner would cover as a normal training run 5km-10km. I ride 40km as a training ride and weekend rides can be 100km or more. I avoid the urban areas when possible and prefer the sights, sounds and smells of the Australian bush, as it is special. Ride from Berry into Kangaroo Valley and back again you’ll understand – may only be 45kms but it is spiritual especially during spring, with 2 decent climbs.

What is the most challenging aspect of cycling
I see the challenge as both physical and mental. When you are 80km into a 120km ride and you’re riding into a head wind, your back hurts, your rump is raw, legs are starting to feel drained and that voice in your head said “stop” – what can you do? You just keep going and in the process grow within yourself: this especially when you are riding in a fast group of die-hard riders and you don’t want to be dropped out the end. But even riding in a social group you don’t want to slow them down so you push on. However, don’t take it as a failure if you start to drop off the end. It happens to all of us – the important thing is that you are out there doing it, plus we all have flat days.

What is the most rewarding part?
The rewarding thing for me in cycling is personal growth. Every distance and every hill poses a challenge and overcoming these challenges area rewarding, plus the sights you see on the way.

Where did this love/ambition for cycling massive adventures come from?
I have cycled through the Canadian Rockies, Sydney to Dubbo in 3 days, Sydney to Kosciusko in 5 days, 800km across northern Queensland in 6 days. The simple truth is – once you start riding, the distances you ride can get longer and the time in the saddle greater. I have always had an adventurous spirit and enjoy cycling so why not combine the 2.

What has been your most memorable experience with cycling to date?
So many experiences to remember like cycling past bears in Canadian, meeting new friends, sharing experiences with friends, riding into a thunder storm, trying to find cover from a thunderstorm and climbing Mt Wellington in Tasmania. The most memorable is yet to happen – on the next ride.

What role does training and nutrition play in your life? 
Simple truth – reduce carbs (during the week) in your diet and cut out sugar (totally). Weekends I can eat what I want but within reason. On the height of my training I would ride 35-45km 3 x during the week and on weekend ride 150-200km. (Shane has informed me that this coming 800km trek will see him lose over 5kg, as the speed and distance travelled it makes it impossible to eat enough food to hold onto or gain any weight – not the easiest way to lose weight! )

What advice would you give to anyone interested in taking up cycling or doing the trails you do??
Just do it – you can. It may take 4-6 weeks to get use to everything but once you realise that you can do it a new world will open for you

 

Be inspired and never be afraid to try something new, you can achieve anything with a bit of self believe and courage….