Cadence - the truth - and thank you all

We have covered many technical aspects but we haven't yet told you how to ride.  The serious rider (SR) dons his or her heart rate monitor, and sets it for an aerobic range of say 65 to 85% of maximal heart rate . SR then pedals at the same fast rate - called cadence - of about 80 per minute - and does not slow down.  In order to achieve the fast peddling he/she will need to adjust the gears.   SR tries to keep heart rate in the selected range otherwise an alarm goes off.  If heart rate is too low he / she won't be gaining fitness or controlling weght.  If heart rate too high ie over 85% maximum, he/she is at risk of cardiac event or drop in cardiac output. The very amateur rider (VAR) - like me Katrina -  might find it hard to keep up that cadence,  but makes a valiant effort.  It is better to keep up the cadence in a lower gear when going up hill, than letting your cadence drop and try to push hard against a higher gear.  In fact two things are likely to happen if you do that :  your chain might come off, or you fall off ! So the rider who is happily tootling up a hill, looking a bit dorky,  is doing better than the one pushing hard.  Have a look at our two new cycling friends - at the bottom of the page. 
The Virtual Rider - you - will hopefully enjoy next week's trip through Victoria .  No pushing required ! Our Virtual Riders have done the hard yards in supporting our ride .... to the tune of over $5300 (for Bruce and Katrina; other riders in the team have raised money as well)! We  riders and support team members are paying all our own expenses (motel , food, petrol etc), and there are no administrative expenses,  so every dollar of the money raised goes to Polio Plus.  And Bill Gates is matching your donations dollar for dollar.  Thank you to our Bitumen, Cobblestone and Gravel sponsors!  We will try to blog again, internet coverage permitting, at the end of Day 1 - 93 km up the road (Geelong-Gisborne).