Sunday morning was a lazy start, lazy breakfast and eased into the day. Got the washing on because they say it will rain tomorrow. About 9.30 I got on me bike and headed to the petrol station first of all to pump up the tyres, I still wasn’t sure where I would head.

The tyres only had 20 psi, very low and so I got them up to 55 psi before heading off. I was staying around Ipswich today and really I was only guided by the quiet roads and I wanted to hit a few hills and there are plenty in Ipswich.

I’ll go via Yamanto and then down to the Sunday markets and have a look. Haven’t been there for a while. One road I had to go on has two steep hills, but on both you are able to take a run at them. I got up to around 40 kph on the downhill and as I hit the hill I dropped the gears to keep my cadence up, first hill conquered.

A bit out of breath and I could feel my Xiaomi wrist band vibrating and it’s telling me that my heart rate is up there. Down the hill pedalling like billy-o and nearly reached ¾ of the way up before dropping gears and then I was at the top.

I pulled over and grabbed some water, it was hot and I could feel the sun starting to cook me. I looked around for some shade and saw and old real estate office that had some carports so I headed there to get out of the sun. I really struggled to get off the bike and then I thought I was about to bring my breakfast up. I stood by a small wall with my head in my hands controlling my breathing to keep my toast and banana at bay.

This went on for a long time. I grabbed more water and sat down by the small wall. The breeze was coming from my right and felt great. Not sure how long I sat there but finally I felt better and planned the easiest route home. Mind you there were hills no matter which way I went.

I got up, felt ok and straddled the bike……another drink of water before setting off. I then felt like shit once more, I couldn’t see clearly and I had these huge black rosettes in front of me….I blinked and blinked and it just got worse. Big drops of rain falling into black puddles in front of my face. This was all being exacerbated by the smells of fatty oil coming from red Rooster across the road, that smell was enough to make anyone feel ill.

I got off the bike and sat down once more in the same spot. Head in my hands and knees up to my chest once more. The breeze began from my right and it felt great. I poured some water on my head and that felt even better. Slowly my body returned to normal, my temperature was returning to a level where I could function once more. I had over heated. I hadn’t done that in a long time and to be honest I didn’t think it was that hot today but I guess it was, and later in the day I noticed some sun burn from where I had missed a bit of sun cream on my knee.

I think I was also a bit dehydrated which added to my moment.

I climbed back on the bike and I felt brand new, full of beans and ready to take on the world. Not sure how long I sat there but I knew I was 10 kms from home and that I was going to be taking it easy on the way back.

I felt strong all the way back, with no hesitation going up hills and when I stopped outside my front door I was glad to be home but could have easily gone on a bit more.

I think I underestimated the temperature today and the strength of the sun, the UV was high and my brain was getting fried through the bike helmet. I was completely covered, sweating like a pig but I guess hiding from the sun and trying to keep cool is a fine balance sometimes. I never felt light headed or felt anything until I stopped and got off the bike and this wave of nausea took hold as my breakfast ebbed and flowed but luckily it stayed where it was. I’m just glad I took two bottles of water on such a short journey.

I had toast and ginger marmalade and a pot of tea for lunch followed by some fruit and then it was out to the garden to spread some mulch. By 4.30pm I had had enough and it was time to have left over curry but first a strong black coffee to rejuvenate the mind.