TDU fever

So to report back from last post. Still no photos, I'm struggling with the technologies here..
I have been on the bike more, but no overnight mission at new years, 40degree heat put and end to that, instead the beach was the destination of choice.

I bought myself a Christmas present- a Cannondale CX bike. Nothing all that special unfortunately, I have a mortgage a casual wage. But it and some warmer weather has inspired me to get back on the bike riding to work most days. The commute is a 30km round trip, pretty flat and usually fairly windy. Part road, mostly bike path. I'm lucky to get away from the cars.

I am riding in the Challenge Tour ride as part of the Tour Down Under. 135km including a couple of Adelaides more renowned climbs, Gorge Road and Checkers Hill. The second of which, I've not ridden, only driven over in the car. Should be a nice challenge, but I'm concerned about sharing my first attempt with a million others of quite varied abilities, I can imagine the carnage.

I weighed myself the other day, which doesn't happen much as I've never owned scales in my life. The damage was 82kg, well above the 72 that I was at a couple years ago when I last raced a 24hr. Its a little worrying, as its a hilly course, so carrying the extra kgs each lap will be a big killer over the 24hrs. So my new focus, now that I'm back riding seriously is to concentrate on diet, and not drinking so much beer. I don't think I'll get back to 72kg, as I was eating extremely lean back then, in fact totally vegan, and really low fat at that. That's not where I'm at right now, and perhaps not the most optimal for performance anyway.