Day 5 - On yer bike!

Five days after my first course of chemotherapy, I felt fine. I can't say I've felt any ill-effects at all to this point. I noticed a minor rash on my chest last night, which I thought was unusual but other than this, there was no discernible difference to my life at all.

The redness of the rash was hardly noticeable, but it was there and was new. I was advised in the lead-up to my treatment that one of the side-effects of the new chemo drug is a kind of acne looking rash. I'm told it disappears after treatment finishes. Currently it is noticeable, but not itchy or uncomfortable.

I slept easily and soundly before waking at 5.15am. I couldn't hear the wind outside, which normally means it's quite calm and a good morning to ride. It was 16 degrees and almost completely still, fantastic. Since my Radiotherapy Oncologist gave me the all-clear to use sunscreen, I lathered up and hit the road. Damn, it felt good.

I was too late to head down to join my mates at the Malaga Cycling Group, so I took off on my own. I wanted to ride Hepburn Ave to Sorrento Beach and back anyway. Primarily to check out the shark net. If I'm going to swim in the ocean, I'd rather not be worried about what might mistake me for a meal.

The ride to Sorrento was smooth and enjoyable. I rode at a comfortable pace as the wind picked up. It was a south-easterly so it was pushing me along for the journey to the beach. I was hoping it would pick up a bit for the ride home to make it a bit more challenging because the ride to Sorrento and back was rather short at 37kms. As usual, there were loads of people exercising alone and in groups along that section of coast. It really is a fantastic part of the world.

I stopped to check out the shark net, which looked to be anchored about 250m offshore to the southern groyne that protects Hillary's Boat Harbour and Shopping complex, then ran south, parallel to the beach for about 500m, before it cornered 90 degrees back into shore to be anchored against the northern most groyne in front of the Sorrento Surf Club. I sizeable area in which to swim, and I look forward to it.

I turned around and headed back up Hepburn Ave, intending to head directly home. The wind had indeed picked up and created a bit of a head wind. I reached the freeway and decided I wanted to have a longer ride, so I rode onto the Mitchell Freeway cyclepath that wound it's way to Joondalup and rode down Ocean Reef Road to Yallagonga Regional Park. I then meandered my way through the park until I reached Whitfords Ave, then onto the shared path around Lake Goollelal and back onto Hepburn Ave. Arriving home, I had ridden a total ride of 45kms, which I'm happy with.

Had brekky of an Up N Go, oats (porridge) and a cup of tea before my M&T Routine (sick of this already). I spent a bit of time looking up riding masks, the kind of thing you might see a motorcyclist wear. I intend to ride to my treatments and can't use sunscreen on those days so I need an alternative to cover my neck and face. Motor cycle shops are governed by the Motor Trades industry rules, which mean they have to shut shop at 1pm on Saturdays. This meant I didn't have time to get there today, so would have to wait until Monday, the day of my first radiotherapy dose.

Vicki had organised dinner with friends at Joondalup Country Club tonight. I'm not drinking alcohol during my treatment program, so I drove. I find starter plates and side dishes are enough for me and I had their Pork Bits, Chorizo and steamed vegies. The Pork Bits were superb.

Once home, went through my M&T Routine and went to bed.