Are specialists grumpy?
December 5, 2007I came across the folllowing a while ago but hadn’t got around to adding it here. It seems to be a gross generalisation (no pun intented), but interesting nevertheless:
Karl Weick writes:
Generalists, people with moderately strong attachments to many ideas, should be hard to interrupt, and once interrupted, should have weaker, shorter negative negative reactions since they have alternative paths to realize their plans. Specialists, people with stronger attachments to fewer ideas, should be easier to interrupt, and once interrupted, should have stronger,more sustained negative reactions because they have fewer alternative pathways to realize their plans. Generalists should be the the upbeat, positive people in the profession while specialists should be their grouchy, negative counterparts.
via Bob Sutton.
Memorable Quotes - Henry David Thoreau
December 4, 2007If a man does not keep pace with his companions perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music he hears, however measured or far away.
Day Three — Wilsons Promontory
December 4, 200726-Nov-2007: Day Three — Wilsons Promontory
I’m sitting in a cafe after spending the morning exploring Wilsons Prom. It was a great day for it–perfect weather, and a day off the bike.
Shortly after getting there, I took off on the Lilly Pilly Gully walk, which in total ended up being about a 10km trek there and back from Tidal River. It was a fantastic walk though with some beautiful rainforest, and some unbelievable views from near the top of Mt Bishop.
After getting back from the walk, I paddled in Tidal River, cooling my legs after tackling yet even more hills. I still can’t believe that I decided to go on a walk up the side of a big hill after the day I had yesterday. It was good though to stretch it out and use a few different muscles.
I spent some time sketching before wading into the ocean up to my waste. It wasn’t really warm enough to go in all the way, but I wanted to get the benefits of the cool water to help with the recovery.
So, after three long days my trip has all but come to an end. All that’s left to do is to pack up my tent, put my bike on the truck, grab a bite to eat for dinner and jump on the bus home. We should arrive back in Melbourne around 20:00, exhausted.
I’ve had a lot of fun, and really enjoyed the break from the hustle and bustle of life in the city. As the ideal holiday, it’s probably not everyone’s cup of tea, but I had a blast and rate it highly. Now to start planning for the next one, perhaps even the whole shebang next time — around 500km in 9 days!
Day Two — Wonthaggi to Foster
December 3, 200725-Nov-2007: Day Two — Wonthaggi to Foster
Well it was tough going at times, but I managed to ride all the way to Foster without the assistance of the Sag Wagon! 84km in total today–25km more than the longest ride I’ve done, so a personal best for me. I was really pleased when I arrived–a real sense of achievement, and relief!
Words can’t describe how sore my rump is at the moment, but otherwise I’m pretty much unscathed. I’ve seen a couple of riders who weren’t so lucky–a few tumbles resulting in scraped knees and elbows.
Riding in such a big group this morning was difficult. The ‘traffic’ was quite bad on the coastal road through Cape Patterson on the way to Inverloch. The road (Bunenong Coastal route) was quite narrow and at times twisty. I managed to stay out of trouble by staying to the left and keeping up a steady pace.
The second stage from Inverloch to Tarwin was relatively uneventful–a mostly flat ride with a few small undulating hills. The traffic was managed well by police and Bicycle Victoria volunteers at intersections. From there to Fish Creek was a bit more of a climb. I must admit, I stopped on a couple of the longer climbs for a short break and a drink to rehydrate. Actually, I think this was a pretty good strategy, as I managed to get straight back on and to keep going.
After a longish lunch at Fish Creek, it was time to set off again. Knowing that we’d already traveled 2/3 of the way by lunchtime and that there was only 25km left to go to reach Foster was motivating. However, the motivation was quickly given a reality check. Riding out of Fish Creek and turning right was one of the most challenging hills of the ride so far. It was something no-one was looking forward to straight after lunch. But, once up the hill, there was quite a bit of downhill cruising from there on as we wound down towards Foster. There were a couple more small, steep hills, but they were manageable–even after 80km in the saddle.
So, I’m glad that I did it–that’s the end of riding for me on this trip–and grateful for a rest day tomorrow. I’m really looking forward to going to Wilsons Prom. and spending most of the day there before setting off for home. I might do a couple of short walks, and depending on the weather, go for a swim at the beach near Tidal River. Perhaps a swim will help aid my recovery and ensure that I don’t end up with aching muscles?
Hills
Like the little red caboose, I tell myself
“I think I can”, “I think I can”, “I think I can”
Heart pumping, legs on fire
Pushing, pushing, pushing
Just a little bit further, not far now.
Phew! I finally made it to the top.
From here I can see everything –
including the next hill in front of me.
Day One — Phillip Island to Wonthaggi
December 2, 200724-Nov-2007: Day One — Phillip Island to Wonthaggi
I made it okay! Actually today’s ride was not too bad.
As planned, I made an early, waking at 0500 to the sound of birds. I sat at the beach for an hour and then headed up to get breakfast at around 0700. Phillip Island isn’t really a thriving metropolis, so nothing was open. I decided to head back to camp. I packed up my gear– which took about half an hour–and got changed into my riding gear so that I could load my bags onto a truck that would cart everything to our next camp site.
After packing up, I headed back into town and managed to get myself a cup of coffee and a muffin for breakfast. I drank my coffee and chatted to other riders about the days ahead. Soon after, the event was on. I was heading back to camp, where the starting point was, but soon discovered that a lot of people had already left and were riding along the main road out of Cowes. I was already on route, so decided to just keep going.
The first 20 kilometers were pretty easy going–it went really quickly and it was relatively flat. I reached the ‘lunch’ spot around 1030, perhaps a little earlier, and tucked into a bread roll and banana to boost up the energy for the next stage, which I knew was going to be more challenging.
After crossing the bridge from the lunch spot at Newhaven into San Remo, the terrain became a lot more undulating with quite a few steep climbs before reaching the roundabout on the Bass Coast Highway. From here, there was another decent climb. You’re rewarded for your efforts here, with spectacular views of the coastline and beaches of Kilcunda. I stopped for a quick breather and to take a couple of photos.
At Kilcunda I took a bit of a detour off the road to check out the view along the coastline. While I was there, I noticed the entrance to a rail trail that went directly to Wonthaggi, and decided to follow it. I figured this way–along the coast–would be more scenic. I didn’t realise that it would eventually take nearly 10km off my trip, as the main group turned left outside Kilcunda and up to Archies Creek before descending into Wonthaggi. I wasn’t alone though. Quite a few others were on the trail. Besides, it was a nice ride, through some nice coastal scrub and farm land.
As a result of the short-trip today, I’m now even more worried about tomorrow. The route from Wonthaggi to Foster is 84km. I’ve never ridden that far before, so it’s going to be a big challenge. The last time that I did a long ride–a 60km ride through the Macedon Ranges–I had a lot more preparation. I’d been on the bike a lot more and was a little more bike fit. My plan is to take it steady and strong, no rushing. Just keeping a good pace and making plenty of stops.
I went for a walk in Wonthaggi earlier to try and walk off a little of the soreness from today’s ride and to warm down. Amazingly, I managed to find a nice little cafe that sold decent coffee. After the walk, I came back to the tent and had a little snooze, which invigotated me.
I’m ready for dinner now, which is about to be served. I’m expecting large queues, so I think that I’ll go now and then turn in early again tonight. It’ll be another early start in the morning–the route opens at 0630 tomorrow.
Cycling
Riding, legs pumping like pistons
Faster, faster, driving the machine
Wind in my face, scenery breath-taking
Serene, calm, invigorating.
